Obama knew the deal

I have been amazed by so many people when it comes to defending Obama’s weak leadership and “out of touch” arrogance. It should be made clear that Obama did not “inherit” this current economic crisis. Saying so makes him out to be some innocent, “caught up in a mess” victim.

Obama aggressively campaigned with both eyes open, recognizing the economic situation and its hurdles. We all saw it. He understood how Congress and the Senate worked. He still chose to become the president.

There is more to being president than limos, NYC getaway dinners on Air Force One, a multitude of vacations and incomprehensible bragging rights. Leaders can only blame their predecessors so many times.

I am reminded of a story where a new president is left three letters from his predecessor, with careful instructions that he opens each one in order when things get bad for his country. Things sour quickly and he opens the first letter. It reads: “Blame your predecessor.” Months later, mass protests break out, so he opens the second letter. Again it reads: “Blame your predecessor.” Years later the nation is in absolute peril, so he opens the last letter. It reads: “Write three letters.”

Mark Elliott

Post Falls