"Obama reaches out, Republicans whine like brats"

Obama reaches out, Republicans whine like brats
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1768852,CST-EDT-vox14a.article

September 14, 2009

Regarding Steve Huntley's column today on "Obama isn't serious about bipartisanship": Allow me to say that I'm rather happy that I have carpeting and not hardwood floors as my jaw would have hurt even more as it hit the floor.

From the very beginning, President Obama offered three seats in his Cabinet to Republicans -- more than the historical precedent of a pair, and not just minor posts such as secretary of transportation but secretary of the Treasury. He gave in to the Republicans' wishes and made 40 percent of the stimulus bill tax cuts -- and we've seen how well those have been for the economy during a time of war.

Have you been paying attention to how he has been treated by his constituents and Congresscritters on the right? The "Obama is Hitler" posters? From openly doubting his citizenship to the scare tactics of "death panels" -- and yet he still reaches across the aisle to the people who wish to give him his "Waterloo" and breach decorum during a speech to a joint session of Congress by calling him a liar.

Allow me to introduce you to a new acronym: IOKIYAR (It's OK if You're a Republican). As in: Ramrodding harmful legislation during the W presidency with nary a hint of reaching out across the aisle but whining like brats when a president of the opposing party doesn't give you every concession you scream for?

Nick Stavropoulos, Park Ridge

http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1768852,CST-EDT-vox14a.article