LETTER: Restore The Center Endorses Len Gerzon

To the voters of Amherst,

Restore the Center is a citizens' initiative, organized by present and former State Senators and Representatives, Republicans, Democrats and Independents who are concerned by the continuing polarization of party politics and pressure for strict allegiance to party leadership and doctrine. Their goal is to restore the center of the political spectrum by encouraging candidates to commit to five basic principles:

1. Respect the opinion of others and the interests of minorities
2. Represent the interests of constituents over "party" doctrine
3. Encourage respectful discourse and social tolerance
4. Strive for consensus, compromise, collaboration and effective problem solving
5. Promote fact based decision making over political (party) dogma

Restore The Center is focused on seeking and supporting NH candidates running for the House of Representatives and State Senate who commit to principles of representative government and civil legislative process.

There is a reason why the largest bloc of voters (44.4%) chose to be identified as Undeclared. They no longer can identify with polarizing party platforms and representation that serves the interests of party over people. Candidates who seek consensus, collaboration and problem solving are squeezed out by the extreme wings of both parties. Unless and until a strong political center can be restored, permanent solutions to real problems will be sacrificed.

We are pleased to support and endorse the candidacies of Len Gerzon (D), Hillsborough District 41 Amherst and Bedford.

He represents the values that we embrace and understand that "representative government" means representing the interests of their constituents over the dictates of their Party.

Paul D. Spiess, Director