Bring 'the real facts' to the American public

Abraham Lincoln said, "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."

Perhaps the greatest problem facing President Obama and the Democrats is that they have not be able to connect voters in such a way as to be able "to bring them the real facts".

The conservative Republicans, and in particular, the Tea Party, are extremely effective in their ability to deliver messages that resonate with their core group of supporters and those supporters consistently vote. They liken themselves to the group who fought and won independence from England. But their rhetoric is much closer to the political leaders in the Southern States in the years leading up to the Civil War.

Those men, primarily slave-holding plantation owners looking to not just maintain the "status-quo", but increase their own personal wealth at the direct expense of others, were able to convince poor white non-slaveholders that fighting for and maintaining slavery was beneficial for all whites, even thought that was certainly not true. They were also able to convince their fellow citizens that the Federal Government was intent upon not only usurping States' rights, but individual right as well.

Conservative Republicans and the Tea Party have convinced their supporters that any programs put forth by President Obama and/or the Democrats will do more harm than good and take away State and individual rights. Sadly, some of their most ardent supporters are not the wealthiest nor in the upper classes. The very programs they have been told to oppose are the very programs which they need now or may need one day such as healthcare insurance, Social Security and Medicaid.

A majority of Americans, including members of the NRA, believe that the country needs more restrictions on gun ownership, yet the GOP, Tea Party and NRA are fighting against any regulations and because some Democrats fear losing their seats in Congress, they will not vote for any regulations.  But clearly regulations are needed, especially a ban on assault-style weapons and clips that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

We must, like Lincoln, reach out to all people, regardless of political beliefs and find the way "to bring them the real facts."