To the editor:

Tom Shewmon’s letter to the editor (Jan. 31) in which he refers to “liberals’ attacks on George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Sam Alito and other conservatives” as “venom” reflects a pitiful lack of understanding of the operation of a two-party political system.

Approximately 50 percent of our electorate is represented by Democrats in Congress. It is their duty to speak and vote the opinions of the people they represent.

For those of us who deplore the war in Iraq, hope to maintain reproductive rights for women, support the separation of church and state, are we not entitled to representation?

Instead of making the Democratic Party look “ridiculous, desperate and pathetic,” the expressed beliefs and votes of Democrats in Congress represent our constitutional right to have our opinions heard.

Anyone for Civics 101?