The President Defends Democracy

I understand we won't agree on everything. That's okay. That's democracy. That's how it works. We can debate those difference vigorously, passionately, through the normal democratic process, and sometimes we'll be just too far about to forge an agreement. But that should not hold back our efforts in areas where we do agree. . . . I will look for willing partners wherever I can to get important work done. And there's no reason we can't govern responsibly despite our differences without lurching from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis. . . . Let's work together to make the government work better, instead of treating it like an enemy, or making it worse. That's not what the founders of this nation envisioned when they gave us the gift of self-government. You don't like a particular policy or a particular president? Then argue for your position, or win an election. But don't break it. Don't break what our predecessors spent over 200 years building. That's not being faithful to what this country is about. . . . Disagreement cannot mean dysfunction. It can't degenerate into hatred. Our regard for [the public] compels us all to cooperate, and compromise, and act in the best interests of our nation. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

--President Obama, early this morning