If voters use their heads, they will re-elect Obama

Letter published in the July 19 issue of the Howard County Times/Columbia Flier

In his letter titled, “In 2012, Americans should vote with their heads, not just their hearts,” (July 12), William W. McCollum offered sage advice: voters should select a president by using their heads.  In disagreeing with the letter writer, however, I believe that by using their heads, voters should support President Obama.

Mr. McCollum argues that the president failed to deliver on his promises especially when the Democrats had so-called control of the legislative branch as well as the White House during his first two years.  The problem with that premise and what Mr. McCollum failed to acknowledge is that new Senate rules require a super majority to stop filibusters and to  enact any legislation.  Merely holding a majority in the Senate does not equate with “control” any more.

With Senate Republicans under orders from Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to ensure that Mr. Obama is not re-elected by eschewing the traditional practice of working in a bi-partisan manner in that chamber for the benefit of the country, it is amazing that the president accomplished what he did. 

Among his stellar achievements was the prevention of a ruinous financial collapse that would have hurled the country (and the world) into a depression, the rescue of the American auto industry, the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which, yes, benefits tens of millions of Americans, and the repeal of the insidious “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.  And under the president’s wise leadership and courage, the decimation of al- Qaeda and the elimination of its head Osama bin Laden helped make our country safer.

Mr. McCollum chides President Obama for his lack of executive experience prior to the 2008 election.  As President George W. Bush tragically demonstrated over the course of eight miserable years of running up the debt to historic levels and engaging in two unpaid-for wars—one of which was based on lies to the American people—prior executive experience is clearly overrated. 

Yes, people,  use your head and vote to re-elect President Barack Obama.

Steve Charing