Backward step taken by “Patriots"

To The Editor:
I am appalled at the tone of some of the letters sent to this paper, as well that in much of the national media, filled with shrill invective and angry calls to “patriotism,” when what the country needs is intelligent problem solving, civil discourse and yes, the possibility of compromise.

An important election is coming in November. Many of the Democrats and Independents who elected President Obama two years ago are expressing disappointment because he has not completely fulfilled their high (and unrealistic) expectations. I would urge them to remember that he has accomplished more in the first half of his first term than many presidents in their whole administrations, managing to pass legislation giving us equal pay, health insurance and financial reform, among other important bills, and in spite of a difficult, foot-dragging Congress.

The gleeful chorus of “Doom for Democrats” coming from the right has been joined by some Progressives as well. It may become a self-fulfilling prophesy if we, the voters who did something in 2008 that looked impossible, don’t rally now to support the causes and programs we believe in. Those who want to “take back our country” really want to take us back to the early 1900s when there was no such thing as social security, unemployment insurance, Medicare, or any other social safety net. We must make sure that such a backward step never happens.

Jody Primoff,
Roxbury