Obama must show stronger leadership

Bernie Layne, Las Vegas

Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.

When Barack Obama was elected president, he was given a substantial mandate to effect major changes, particularly in the area of medical care. He has been extremely effective in the use of executive orders in bringing about many of the other changes he promised.

With regard to medical care, however, he appears to be more concerned with bipartisan politics than with pursuing what our country desperately needs, namely a break from the grip of special interests and the politics of the past.

By now he should realize that you can’t negotiate with those who, among other things: (a) question his birthplace, (b) indicate that they will vote “no” on all legislation the Democrats propose, and (c) lie and deceive the public on virtually every issue under consideration, such as the fabrication about “death panels” and “euthanasia” and the true cost of change. There are none so blind as those who will not see and none so deaf as those who will not listen.

It is time for the president to ask all members of Congress to stand up and vote yes or no on the issues we confront.

He was elected by mobilizing people throughout the country in support of his platform. Now it is incumbent upon him to use those same supporters to effect the changes that we so desperately need. It will take more than words; it will take organization and mobilization to offset the vast sums of money being spent by insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and those who want to keep the status quo.

True change will not be accomplished by yielding to lobbyists on point after point. We must stand up and be counted. If a congressman doesn’t believe in Medicare and Social Security, the public should be informed. We should also know how strongly the president feels about changes in health care. Is it cosmetic or real progress?

It’s not too late, but we are running out of time.