President’s remarks misunderstood

President’s remarks misunderstood

I feel compelled to respond to Carl Palash’s letter In the July 31 paper. He, and so many others, seem to have missed the entire point of President Obama’s recent speech.

It should be obvious to any thinking person that none of us survives or excels in this world entirely on our own. As the president pointed out, we all stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us. Our fortunes and our very lives are dependent upon the many people and institutions that make up our great country.

This does not mean that individual innovation and hard work are meaningless, nor is that what the president was saying.

I do find Mr. Palash’s example of roadbuilding particularly amusing, however. Does he really believe that our highways and bridges, our airports and interstates are entirely the product of private industry? Who does he think is doing the planning? Who is paying the bill? He says that it is “our money.” He needs to realize that it is “our government” as well, without which we would all be living in anarchy.

Mr. Palash’s suggestion that anyone supporting President Obama should promptly be denounced or fired is totally contrary to the ideals of our democracy and too appalling an idea to be taken seriously.

Barbara Kozi

Lombard