President Abraham Lincoln believed in the American people and the truth.  His popular quote "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" reflects that.  And, it represents a glimmer of hope that we can save our not so united, United States.

            Even as a "woke" element of our population tries to cancel Lincoln from history, I still am an admirer of his accomplishments and believe that that his quote should be part of the pledge that every elected official, politician, and wannabe public figure should take.

            Is it so hard to tell the truth?

            Politicians and so-called social media influencers need to put their braggadocio and buffoonery into the trash can of embarrassments to avoid being labeled for life as someone who didn't care about the truth.  Not their version of the truth but the real truth.

            Campaign season is upon us and trying to court or scare us with catchy slogans will backfire on you and your war-room of paid consultants.  You're embarrassing yourself and voters who are researching candidates in preparation of making a decision.

            Don't tell me how bad the other person is – tell me how good you are (if there is any good there.).

            Stop redefining words, and painting a rosy picture when it's plain to see that something is wrong in our Country.  High-level elected officials are well-paid (with expense accounts paid by taxpayers), don't put fuel in their own vehicles, buy groceries, school supplies, pharmaceuticals supplies, and so much more that the average citizen does.  They have credit cards and staff to do the schlepping for them.  So don't tell us you feel our pain.  However, we do feel the pain of your incompetence and unwillingness to get your job done.  .

            Don't name a Bill one thing that spends more than half of the funds it generates on things not related to it.  

            Hard left and hard right should be given as part of driving directions to your destination not a description of your political position.  Elected officials describe their adversaries as too far left or right and then wonder why nobody can reach across the aisle to do what's best for the people of the United States.

            It's hard to vote someone out of office when the alternative looks to be worse.  Shame on our two-party system for putting voters in a position to make that decision.  Party leaders must do a better job of presenting candidates worthy of our confidence; and our vote.

            If you want to feel the people's pain come out of hiding and walk and talk with people – all kinds of people.  Not for a photo-op, as your advisors would demand, but for an honest conversation with those who are truly affected by today's problems. 

            Listen to them – nobody learns anything by talking. 

            You know how you feel, now hear how they feel.