Dear Editor:

How does this Constitution sound? In lengthy and exacting detail it provides every right you could possibly hope for. It promises the “inviolability of the person” and the “privacy of correspondence,” the right to vote and run for office, and freedom of religion, “speech, the press, assembly demonstration and association.” It even guarantees the right to an education, free medical care, and “relaxation.” I'm not kidding. Sounds great, right? Maybe even a big improvement over our own comparatively stingy Constitution? Well, the Constitution I'm quoting from is North Korea's. (Gorsuch, Neil. A Republic, If You can Keep It. New York: Crown Forum 2019: 39). Were you as surprised as I was?

Edward J. Polewarczyk

Wiscasset