Editor:

I am writing in response to the "Already Occupied" article (Oct. 13). I would find it extremely unfortunate if Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party movements do not recognize that both movements share similar goals. Of course, each movement would have to put aside their differences on some issues in order to work together to effect positive change. An inability to do so would, unfortunately, be unsurprising and symptomatic of the dysfunction that pervades modern American political discourse. More troubling for me, though, would be the clear evidence that this disease of dysfunctional politics reaches far beyond elected officials in capitols and city halls, infecting the people who choose the leaders and, ostensibly, act as a foundation to our system.

Mike Kowalski, Arcata