To The Editor:

Groupthink is a well-known phenomenon whereby a group’s decision-making process is more influenced by a desire for conformity than for critical thinking. This can lead to poor outcomes, especially over time. With the makeup of Connecticut’s legislature (both House and Senate) being super-majority Democrat, it’s fair to say that policy prescriptions from Hartford would benefit from less conformity and more critical thinking. Connecticut’s economy, cost of living, and cost of doing business rank poorly in national comparisons (CNBC).

Another well-known phenomenon is doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting a different outcome. Given the super-majority Democrat makeup of the Connecticut Executive and Legislative branches of government, electing more Democrats would not seem likely to yield a different outcome. Their super-majority status means that even if the Democrat governor refuses to sign legislation passed by the Democrat House and Democrat Senate, his veto can be overridden, further ensuring the triumph of groupthink and more of the same.

To counter groupthink and sub-par outcomes, our system of government looks to citizen representation to bring more critical thinking, less conformity, and a variety of perspectives to the debate. Therefore, as we think about the choice in front of us in electing a Senator for the 28th District, we should seek an alternative to the groupthink supermajority, which would only yield the same poor results. We should think about being represented by a citizen who is engaged in the community, not one who has spent a career marinating in the one-party politics of Connecticut.

Amybeth LaRoche is such an engaged citizen: She is a mom, a business professional, and a volunteer, serving her community on the Newtown Board of Finance, among many other things.

Explore for yourself at larocheforct.com and vote for Amybeth LaRoche for 28th District Senator.

Scott A. Reiss

Newtown