To the editor:

Until the Electoral College goes the way of hoop skirts, fainting couches and routine bloodletting, Democrats in Kansas might as well write in “Captain Kangaroo” or “Xena, Warrior Princess” when voting for president.

But seeing as current circumstances are rather catastrophic compared to other election years, this time I decided to not just bemoan the inevitable. Last month, I picked a spot (a county in Florida), e-mailed a Kerry organizer (found via a simple Internet search), and, less than a day later, I was put to work.

It’s a small world people, and the Bush administration has made a whopping mess of it. They’ve shown again and again they care less about truth, justice, human rights, the economy, and the environment than their own ambitions, corporate connections, and narrow-minded dogma.

All elections and appointments are important, and a sweeping change at the top come November is absolutely crucial. So let’s support worthy local candidates as always, but then pick a swing state, or a close Senate race — anywhere. Let them know what you can do and find out what kind of help they need. Democracy and nearly everything else America stands for is in peril this time. We’ve all got to do what we can to save it.

Christy Kennedy,

Lawrence