To the editor:

Later this week, Rhode Island elected representatives will vote for their speaker, and all indications are that you, Mr. Matteillo, will be elected to that position, albeit with less support. 

Twenty elected House Democrats, calling themselves the “Reform Caucus,” have gone public with their opposition to your leadership, fully knowing that they do not have the numbers to defeat you. 

You have one of two paths ahead: You could enter into a constructive dialogue listening to their concerns, finding common ground and bringing them into the fold; or continue to consider them the enemy and both you and they spend your time fighting one another to the benefit of neither.

In preparing to write this letter, I consulted the dictionary for a definition of democracy and autocracy, and here is what I came up with:

Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Autocracy: a system of government by one person with absolute power.

As Americans, we are proud of our right to freely elect our representatives and task them with enacting laws on our behalf. The speaker is tasked with making sure that representatives can bring up the concerns of their constituents, put forward legislation to support their concerns and bring these to a vote. A true democratic leader does all in his power to ensure that the relevant committee vets the proposed legislation and forward it to the speaker to put to a vote by the elected representatives of the people. 

On the other hand, an autocratic leader rules in a dictatorial fashion, arbitrarily deciding what he brings to the floor, and only if what is proposed is in line with his individual view.

You have a choice: You can take an autocratic route and lose ground over time, or embrace a truly democratic approach. The choice is in your hand — for the moment.

George Kassis

126 Storm King Drive

Portsmouth