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Obama misunderstands role

The Spokesman-Review

Word from Washington is that the president plans to push ahead with a major health care overhaul, despite public opinion and election results showing the majority of the population opposed. Democrats are being urged to “make history” and “achieve the dreams” of generations of Democrats.

The president has a fundamental misunderstanding of his office. He wasn’t elected to make history or achieve dreams except to the extent that the American people desire that history and share those dreams.

Our republic is not a dictatorship between elections. Respect for the people requires the consent of the governed before making major transformations of society. We are citizens, not subjects. The president is a public servant, not a ruler.

Bill Manuel

Spokane

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