I am writing in response to the letter sent by Ellen Field (Nov. 30) regarding Thomas Shields’ frequent letters.

I, too, have found them to be of concern because they are negative in content.

I feel that we have become a society of finger-pointers. It seems that placing the blame becomes more important than taking a positive attitude of compromise and resolution.

If the majority of our politicians (lawmakers) were listed as independents (no party affiliation), perhaps voters would start to understand lawmakers’ true purpose: to represent the people who elected them for the common good of those same people.

If our elected officials don’t meet our goals and expectations, we have the power to change that at the ballot box.

Can democracy survive in spite of its flaws? I believe it can. It has, and it will in the future if we keep a positive attitude regarding the system that we choose to live by.

Norm Smith, Poland