For shame, Republicans are acting as if George W. Bush did not exist.

He had ample opportunity to destroy so many of our institutions, but they insist that Obama not be allowed to keep any of his promises.

We voted to allow his ideals a chance. Congress is acting as if our mandate is moot, and only their august misjudgments are valid. Give his ideas a chance, these compromises dilute and distort his ideals.

The tea party espouses an economic plan that their idol, Ronald Reagan gave up on, as a failed plan. Trickle-down economics are a farce and a con. This Congress has only divided our country even more.

Loyal Republicans are attempting to stay loyal, but the tea party is dividing their own party. In fact, the Congress is becoming the tool of the very wealthy and the corporations.

The Supreme Court, thanks to G.W. Bush, is now a tool of the tea party. His appointees have already allowed the rich and the corporations, to give unlimited funds to candidates; which is a road map to buying elections.

Fundraising is already taking far too much of our elected officials' time and efforts, which are better used to do jobs we elected them to do.  

The only way to save our economy is by putting people to work and allowing their tax money to revive our struggling country.

Sure, the ideal of a rugged independent American, depicted by John Wayne, an individual who never needed assistance.

That was yesterday, when 90 percent of Americans lived on subsistence capable, farming communities.

The more we specialize, the more we need to depend on each other, and need government safety nets, such as Social security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment and disability insurance.

Save America, keep Obama, and vote out the tea party and save both the country, and the Republican party they have hijacked.

Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.