Tea party would stall gains

Barack Obama is my president. Am I happy with everything that he and a Democratic Congress have done? No.

Health care reform needed a public option; the financial reform bill was weakened; “don’t ask” should be history; as should Guantanamo and both wars. I have listened to Republican candidates, and many want to eliminate Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, minimum wage and public education. Some would silence women. Others would dismantle our Constitution.

The stock market had its best September in 71 years. A conservative and a liberal columnist (Newsweek , Aug. 16) both agree the bailouts saved our country from another Great Depression. The government will recover almost 90 percent of funds committed. Health care reform will reduce the deficit $30 billion over the next 10 years. Private businesses have added jobs for eight straight months and have $2 trillion in cash reserves.

So, would voting for the GOP tea party be good for you? Not if you are female, old, sick, disabled, homosexual, unemployed, minority, environmentalist, student, worker or anyone who believes in freedom of religion.

I saw a “Take Back America” sticker on a large Toyota pickup. Fellow Democratic supporters, please vote or it will be Take America Backward.

Janet Callen

Coeur d’Alene