America's move to put fewer funds into maintaining our Empire status and more investment in education, research and infrastructure would produce a more dynamicr nation.

Why did The Boston Globe even print this letter? It is nothing more than a listing of tired Republican talking points presented, yet again, without facts to back them up. Where is ONE example that this writer could have presented of how we are "micro-managed" in our daily lives, etc? This is a puff of conservative smoke that offers nothing of value to a real conversation.

And to the writer, be assured--it's not that the electorate did not understand the Republican message, it was simply resoundly rejected.

I am shocked that the Globe published this letter, but it deserves to be here. This is the view that many Americans share. One example of the micro management is the law that now requires us all to purchase a product, health insurance. The same law now requires all businesses with 50 or more employees to provide health insurance. The law also places a tax on medical device makers, some of which have already announced layoffs, as this tax goes into affect in 2013. NEW PARAGRAPH: This same president has circumvented congress when he could not get his way, and enacted laws through executive order and other regulations. This is a decline toward European style welfare statism, where high unemployment and slow growth are the norm.

Poor Robert. How very sad.  You see, Robert, like so many others, has been lied to by certain politicians and their right-wing media allies into believing ideas that are contrary to his best interests.  Everything he states in his tragic letter confirms that he has been thoroughgly brainwashed.  It would seem now that his best choice would be to just pack up and leave the country. All he has to do is find another country that is any better than the USA; one which has a better consitution, a better form of government, one that is more supportive of a private sector and one that does more for its citizens. One where he can get affordable high-quality medical care, and have a guarenteed income when he retires. If and when he finds such a libertarian paradise, please let us know, so that we can send the rest of the misinformed malcontents to join him there. 

I can understand the writer's frustration and witness many many citizens here in FL with the same convictions. They've been lied to so often and with such passion that they really believe in the garbage that these talking points represent. As a society we're better than the droogs who wholesale such greed-mongering, fear-inducing messages want us to be, and hopefully we'll continue on the path of recovery from the Bush debacles enough to get these sheep off their talking-points trough.

The Globe prints such letters because it recognizes that the feelings are out there among the readership. But the letter also shows the ignorance of some of the readership. The writer embarrasses himself by showing his belief in partisan fantasy.

The 22nd Amendment is still in force, and 2016 isn't that far away, Bobby. Don't be such a crybaby.

You're right, Mr. Powers - you were wrong.  Most Americans did see through the core issues and voted to re-elect the guy who has improved the country since the Republicans almost thoroughly destroyed it in 2008.   Obama improved it despite all of the endless clamoring, screaming, finger-pointing, name-calling and constant obstructionism from the "Party of No" who have no ideas of their own but just "know" whatever Obama proposes or attempts must be bad.

America is a nation "diminished in world influence?"  No, it's not.  The rest of the world overwhelmingly rooted for Obama over Romney.  The fact we re-elected Obama has only increased our standing in the world community and strengthened our alliances

Obama has dimished America economic vitality?  Unemployment is down and the economy is on an upswing - again despite the moaning and crying from Republicans more intent on telling women to shut up and accept rapist babies as a "gift from God" instead of actually doing something about creating jobs.

Obama has limited our freedoms?  Hogwash.  Name a single freedom he's taken away, Mr. Powers.  You can't.

Obama has limited our ability to defend itself in a hostile world?  Wake up and come back to reality.  Obama is the man who got public enemy #1 - Osama Bin Laden - years after the Republicans under George W. Bush just gave up, since they were too busy launching unrelated wars that bled the U.S. treasury dry.

"The last four years have moved us incrementally toward Western Europe’s brand of socialism."

Republicans don't understand the word socialism and can't define it.  This is just talk radio BS.  According to them, the government invoking it's CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION to provide for the general welfare of the populace is "socialism."  Again, they can't use the term in a meaningful way and have no concept of how it applies to the debate.

"We have a huge, top-heavy, intrusive government, enamored of micro-control of everything and everyone."

Translation: regulation is bad.  This is coming from the party which brought the economy to the brink of collapse in 2008 and then ran screaming to the government for a handout, showing that deregulation doesn't work.  Big businesses can't be relied on to manage themselves properly and do the right thing.  And just a few years later the Republicans are right back to parrotting the same old same old about how if the government which just get out of the way everything would be fine.  We tried it your way, Mr. Powers.  You almost broke the back of the United States and clearly have no concept of history nor the ability to learn therefrom.  We don't believe you.  We don't.

"We are divided by redistribution of the fruits of labor and application of an arbitrary diversity."

According to Republicans, making the rich pay taxes = redistributing their money unfairly to those lazy parasites who won't work.  Of course, there is no problem making the rest of us pay our hard earned tax dollars to corporate giveaways and subsidies to wealthy big businesses that the GOP thinks shouldn't have to pay their own way, nor even their fair share.

"Our educational systems for the most part disparage our Western culture and history and the free enterprise that built America"

Translation: Republicans think it's so unfair that anyone other than wealthy white males receive glowing accolades in history or social studies.  As far as the free enterprise system goes, I repeat: Republicans almost wrecked this country with their "glories of the free market" but then immediately began shrieking for Uncle Sam to step in and help them as soon as they hit rock bottom in 2008.  The free market didn't work then, and their own claims that "government needs to back off" were refuted by their very actions.  People like Mr. Powers would rather you didn't remember or think about that, which makes his pious claims about education utterly laughable.

The Republican solution for education?  Gut it.  Cut it.  Kill it.  Education isn't necessary when they rely on people being stupid and biased.  The wealthy can get it through private schools, and for the rest of the people?  Well, too bad.  Who needs education when we could be shoving more money at the military.

"our media, once the watchdog against government excess, has become its lapdog.

Translation: it's so horrible that the media ever reported that 47% remark that caused Romney to rightfully lose the election.

"The next four years will likely move us “forward,” all right — faster toward the consequences of the choice we just made."

I recommend Mr. Powers move to a state that wants to secede, and get going on that plan.  The rest of us living in an America that has been saved once again from Republican wreckage will continue to prosper and do fine, now that we have a President who's actually working for the country and not his wealthy donors and cronies.

Most people did see through the core issues.....they just didn't agree with you. There will be another election in 4 years..I suppose you will be even madder having President Hillary Clinton. GOOD LUCK