a bit of clarity here, please...

Hi, it’s me. Just another human being, another United States citizen, another man on the planet here. No more, no less.

I've been wondering lately, thinking about the plight of our grand nation.

I'm considered to be a "moderate" politically because I tend to believe in a mix of things, some conservative, some liberal and some off the charts one way or the other. I'm also somewhat literate, educated and prefer to review those facts presented to me as the foundation of a discussion... whatever that discussion may be. That's one of my many quirks: I want to review what's being discussed with an open mind and if relevant, possibly change my belief (heaven forbid!) … or at least have a more educated, well rounded view of the topic at hand. Simply put I can be and have been persuaded by facts presented to me.

For the most part I’m a simple, fact oriented guy. I try not to engage in personal affronts, name-calling, party bashing, etc. but must admit I haven’t been all that successful in avoiding that crap. I've voted for candidates from the independent side and almost every party at one time or another in my life so I'm certainly not party bound.

In many comments following particular articles I’ve read in the “news” lately there are threads of facts posted by some that are interrupted by very personal affronts, drivel if you will from individuals who seem to represent the beliefs of this fine country’s current administration.

It appears the common theme, the common practice amongst a lot of supporters of the Obama administration are to attack the messenger, not the message of those who dare question Obama’s rationale, his direction.

For some time now I've been longing for some factual data that will help me understand exactly how we got into this mess as a nation, why we're addressing our woes as we are and how the proposed corrective actions employed and suggested by Obama, et.al. will truly benefit us as a nation, as a world.

I'm at a loss. I don't see where we’ll benefit from printing money without security, where more taxation leads to a more robust economy, where socialization of health, commerce, and manufacturing contributes to independence and prosperity. I as an individual citizen, as a father, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle, friend and veteran am concerned we're not heading in the right direction and I implore anyone out there to provide me with relevant details and facts that will support the arguments that we ARE better off now than we were two years ago, four years ago, six years ago... and we'll be much better off in 2012 than we were in 2004, 2002, 2000... etc.

So please save me the name-calling, the drivel. Direct me to as many of those facts that you can which support, or at least lend to the explanation of this current administration's assertions. I really don't care about revisiting the talking points of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Socialists, Communists, Libertarians, etc. I really don't care about full party politics. I'd just like to get a bit more educated, a bit more assured that we're heading in the right direction.

Because quite frankly friends, I don't think we are.

I realize I'm only one individual out here and folks don't really need to put much stock in what any one individual might think or do. But collectively, all of us 'one individual' types do eventually add up.

I do care about our country, my neighbors, my family, my friends... about where we're heading and whether the choices being made, the directions we're heading are the most prudent, the most worthwhile, the most rewarding for us as a nation and subsequently, as a world.

As a friend, as a neighbor I'm simply asking for some clarity here not party line politics.

Thanks in advance.