Obama campaigned on ideals but he alone cannot control what happens in this country. He needs support from his own party and he needs for the opposition party to put the good of the country before a selfish grab for power. The Republican Party is controlled by a small segment of wealthy and powerful people from the business community whose only ethic is gain and maintain control of politics and economics. They have the means of controlling a large segment of the population with lies, fear, and misinformation. That Obama has had any success in improving the economy, passing even a weakened health care reform, and attempted reform of the banking and business system is amazing give the level of opposition. I cannot help but believe that with McCain and Palin running the country matters would be much worse. Obama has not achieved what many of us who supported him had hoped for. But he is not a dictator. He is an elected official who must work within a terribly compromised system and receive cooperation from severely ethically flawed elected officials.