Obstructing progress is to no one’s benefit

Dave Stovall, Henderson

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 | 2:04 a.m.

In Mike Smith’s Thursday editorial cartoon, having the “Obama” caricature blame the previous administration for “this mess” is disingenuous and caters to, even encourages, the ignorance referenced later in this letter. Of course “this mess” is extant. But the previous administration is no more wholly responsible for it than President Barack Obama’s administration is wholly responsible for the seeming inability to clean things up quickly.

Nonetheless, the “public” caricature’s response in Smith’s cartoon, however, captures the sentiment perfectly. It appears that many people — members of Congress fighting against virtually anything Obama proposes, members of the public reacting to Obama’s intellect, bold ideas and yes, sadly, even race — are worried and/or fearful about Obama and his ideas.

By deliberately or inadvertently blocking the president, they are wasting time and we all are at risk of losing the best chance for meaningful change-for-the-better that has presented itself in a very long time. Constraints, in the form of stubborn and fearful obstructionism, and impediments, in the form of stubborn and fearful ignorance (bordering on stupidity!), are not useful tools at this time, in this quest.

Given the fantastic opportunity for real advancement, I was filled with pride, wonder and great expectation in 2008. Now, it seems a “beatdown” is being given to the ideals of hope and change — and, by extension, to the nation and all its people.

I say, people, stop obstructing, stop knee-jerking and give the man a fair chance.