To the editor:
I recently received a chain email featuring a Washington Post article that epitomizes the kind of discussion we see in today's political landscape. In it, columnist Matt Patterson communicates his frustration with the current condition of our nation through imagery of future historians being perplexed by the unusual election of such an unfit president. Furthermore, Mr. Patterson explains what he believes is the "animating pulse of the Obama phenomenon — affirmative action. Not in the legal sense, of course ... ." How is Mr. Patterson helping America with such publications?
He is not. Nowhere in this piece does the author do anything but attack. Nowhere does he suggest an answer.
In today's world, this is a familiar practice of suffering Americans who are rightfully fed up with rough times. So many of these fellow citizens unfortunately become so invested in unhelpful slander and embellished statements that they unintentionally sustain the political paralyzation of this country. While millions wait for answers, many intelligent, talented and potentially effective Americans like Matt Patterson are preoccupied by their searches for the best word to cripple Barack Obama.
We love democracy — I'm sure Mr. Patterson would agree — which means that every one of us is responsible for picking up a bread crumb or two. If we've learned anything from the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, it's that American voices still do not go unheard, and we therefore still possess power and responsibility. Moreover, we have hundreds of congressmen and hundreds more state legislators with a collective responsibility that should outweigh President Obama's. To expect otherwise of ourselves and our political system would be to demand the existence of the very dictatorial state that anti-Obama types incessantly rally against.
We need solutions, not scapegoats. Our complaints should not be unaccompanied by suggested answers; we must resist the temptation to abuse our power.
I am not here endorsing President Obama's re-election nor am I defending his decisions and performance in office. This is not about Mr. Obama or liberals and conservatives; this is about America as one.
Joseph D'Amore
Pentucket Regional High School senior
Groveland
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
