Senator Jeffords' bolt from the Republican Party should act as a call for centrists from both parties to shed their party bondage and become independents. Indeed, it should serve as a signal to end the two-party system and build a road to healthier government.

Over the last decade voters have been fleeing both parties, and along with new voters who choose to become independents, they have attained numbers equal to or greater than either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.

And why? History is replete with the damage done by political rancor and the left or right-wing party domination of Congress. Though independent voters have been deciding presidential and congressional elections for a long time, they are rarely represented by the two-party system. Surely, the American people would be better served by nonpartisan elections and government.

If James Madison were alive today he would cringe at what party factions have wrought upon the nation. Clearly, it's time for brave new leaders to shake-up the system and take down the political establishment. How about Senators McCain and Lieberman taking the lead with an independent presidential ticket for 2004?

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center