It is true that party caucuses throughout Minnesota are open to any member of the public willing to affirm the general principles of the party involved (editorial, Feb. 4). However, caucuses remain dominated by party insiders and are the bastion of those with time on their hands. Those most in need of representation are shut out by things like jobs and child-rearing.

How many qualified candidates with otherwise wide appeal are lost to this insider's game, whereby a small number of activists are allowed to back candidates at caucuses and conventions long before primaries occur? We may never know. But as we all sit around and gripe this coming election season, let us wonder how we might have given ourselves more choice and greater inclusion by dumping this silly process and having primaries alone.

CHRIS NERLIEN, St. Paul