To the Editor,

What if we, as American citizens, had the power to remove any citizen who is considered to have violated or transgressed community norms to such an extent that he/she posed a threat to civil order? More importantly, the process would not involve the courts, legions of lawyers, or massive fundraising efforts during a lengthy legal process? Does that sound reasonable?

 In ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy, such a process was constitutional law during the Fifth Century when Athens was at its height of power. Physical removal from Athenian society was based on obtaining a substantial number of votes and sufficient evidence of foul deeds to enable the Athenian government to review the materials and provide a list of names that merited a public vote of banishment by the public. These votes were written on broken pieces of pottery "ostraka,” for tabulation and relatively prompt expulsion (ostracism) from the country.

Imagine the power you had to make a quick fix of someone so dangerous to societal norms, if you had lived in ancient Athens.

 American democracy is founded on a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one person can overturn the will of the people (a catch phrase used both parties). What if another constitutional amendment was introduced to restore this ancient legal provision in Athens to allow this act of empowerment to the public? Are you starting to make your list?

Larry Goldberg

Providence