Thank you, Mitch Daniels, for advocating that the arbitrarily made rules for who is included in the presidential debates based on poll numbers be suspended this year. We absolutely need to hear from other candidates besides the ones touted on the TV stations hour after tedious hour each day.

Surely in a democracy, it is right that voters get to know what our other options are available. To me, if there is “rigging,” it is this artificial rule that keeps us from seriously looking at all options rather than the two presented by the Republican and Democratic party alone. Maybe the other candidates are no better, but at least I’d like the opportunity to see and decide for myself.

Ruth VanReken

Indianapolis