You can disagree with Obama without being racist

1:43 PM EST, January 28, 2011

Recently I was discussing President Obama's first two years in a local bar with a group of five strangers. As you might expect, the different people had different opinions. While it's sometimes puzzling how far apart people can be on the same issue, it's also a reminder of part of what makes this country so great. The free exchange of ideas in a cultural setting. People can openly voice their opinions without fear of reprisal.

Well, most of the time anyway.

With President Obama, if you disagree with a policy of his, you sometimes run the risk of being accused of racism. Every president has had their critics, and Mr. Obama is no different. In fairness to Mr. Obama, I have never heard him play any type of race card. However, I am puzzled at how if I think the new health care bill is not a good idea, some of his supporters can accuse me of hating a race of people. Many times it's a former Obama voter who's accused of racism when they disagree with a specific policy. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

Accusing someone of racism simply for disagreeing with the president is not only silly, it's flat out irresponsible. And the sad part for the people making these accusations is that it only opens the door to more divisiveness.

Steve Krywucki, Sykesville

The Baltimore Sun