We don't need a parent government

In a feature on your Opinion page titled, “A speaker who could pull it all together for us” by Eugene Robinson, Robinson made an interesting statement: “Pelosi did what was right for the country, and what's right isn't always what was popular.” I am concerned that this attitude is pervasive among government officials. Allow me to explain.

Unless I am mistaken in a democratic republic, which is what we are supposed to be, the voters elect individuals to represent their attitudes and opinions. That means that those in government should do what is popular, not what they think is best. Robinson reflects the paternal attitude that many of our elected officials seem to have.

To me that is indefensible. Such a system is called an oligarchy, government by the few. It is based on the assumption that its members are superior to the governed, and from what I have observed about our politicians that is far from true.

I, for one, would like to see our elected officials realize who hires them (by voting them into office), who pays them with taxes and who can fire them by voting them out of office, and behave like the public employees they are supposed to be. In other words, Mr. Robinson, those elected should reflect what the people want and not do what is unpopular. We are an intelligent well-informed public. We don't need a parent government.

Charles Peraino

Cary