It seems, President Obama, that you’ve let us down. You’ve succumbed in the name of bi-partisanship to the witless demands of irrational, ignorant bullies and their craven lackeys who are apparently unaware that they too, in time, will fall victim to their brazen, boastful, shameless victory.

You, Mr. President, could have pushed through a just and simple solution. It was in the realm of your Constitutional authority.

Other presidents are remembered for their reforms, benefiting generations, not for the arduous and forceful mechanics of their execution, overcoming the vitriol of their opposition. Nor will those generations care that another president tolerantly accomodated an unbalanced bi-partisanship to approve a diluted product. They will not praise him. They will not thank him.

This was pure extortion and you, Mr. President, have forfeited your principles and your extraordinary political talent, your opportunity for fearless leadership.

You assure us that in time, the issues in abeyance willl be equitably resolved. Time will tell. The Tea Partyers are not going to quit.

Elizabeth Gerteiny, Westport, Connecticut