Bravo to Daniel Akst for his column "Obama only encourages GOP stonewalling" [Opinion, July 11]. As a retired senior of the hardworking middle class, and as an Obama supporter, I am increasingly frustrated by his continued appeasement of the Republicans, who are holding the country's best interests hostage with their blackmail tactics. Whatever happened to "Don't negotiate with terrorists"?

We elected him based on his campaign promises, which he has repeatedly broken. Isn't he aware that more than 80 percent of the people favor tax hikes for the richest, as well as for large corporations -- all of whom enjoy tax rates circa the 1950s -- rather than cuts to essential services such as Social Security and Medicare?

Sadly, this Obama is not the man I supported and worked for in 2008. I miss him.

Irene Majcher, East Meadow

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

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