The first and last two paragraphs of this commentary were published as a letter from the founder of the DDC in the September 11, 2000 issue of U.S. News & World Report.

Those who continuously beat the drum for the two-party system are, in fact, handing down an indictment of a failed political system, which panders to the center with lies, deceit and political terrorism, then returns to its base and does what it wants after winning elections.

Considering that pre-selected candidates and pre-ordained nominees are the foregone conclusion of the two-party system's presidential primary elections and national conventions, it should come as no surprise that 62 million unregistered voters are even more apathetic and cynical about politics and government.

Indeed, the Democratic and Republican party primaries and conventions were the results of little more than poll-driven pandering, focus group buzz words, preaching to the choirs and, of course, shameless liberal and conservative imposters bumping into each other disguised as centrists.

But when the media's political side-shows are replete with condescending skepticism toward Republicans, blatant love-fests with Democrats and incessant pundit-babble, what's a centrist voter to think?

Most voters come from the social-economic center, middle America, where we reside and decide elections. Alas, many centrist, independent voters are embarrassed by a president who hogs the stage and thinks he's a "rock star," while Republican dunderheads and Democratic terrorists fight a winless, less-than-constitutional, war over the control of Congress.

During election campaigns independent centrists are the first order of business for politicians. After the elections, we're absorbed and ignored by the warriors of the left and right. No wonder we feel the pain from an exercise in futility each time we vote.