LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: RIGHT TO DISAGREE WITH PRESIDENT IS STRENGTH OF SYSTEM

Dear Editor:

In a recent radio program I heard many references to President Clinton's objections to GRIDLOCK. Perhaps someone should explain to our president that the Constitution established our two (or more) party system to provide for GRIDLOCK. If everyone agreed with the president, then we would have only a one-party system, which as we all know is communism or perhaps fascism. To disagree with the president does not mean that you are not American, or even uncompassionate. To disagree with the president means only that you do not agree with him. For the president to complain that those who do not agree are uncaring or mean-spirited is beneath the office.

The Constitution provides our system with a built-in resistance to unneeded and unnecessary legislation as a prevention against politicians overstepping the bounds of their authority and forgetting that they are there to serve the best interests of all of the people, and not themselves.

MARK K. SLINKARD

Cape Girardeau