Below is a letter I wrote to the editor of my local paper, which ran yesterday.
Mine is a very liberalism-dominated area, being a slowly dying steel town, decimated by rampant unionism and Democrat policies.
I write a lot of LTEs, and must be having some kind of an effect, because I come under a lot of fire from liberal writers, who often get nasty with me.
Kinda proud of that fact, though.
There are often letters written in like this one, naming--often attacking--me specifically; though I rarely feel compelled to write in about someone else's opinions--after all, everyone is entitled to theirs--when the letter mentions me personally, I usually return fire.
With this one, I was able to go through the letter itself, and reply point-by-point. My responses are in bold print........
~~~To the Editor,
Responding to (---) Flara's letter of 1/31:
"Regarding Rob Denham's letter of January 26th, Mr. Denham, your accusations and so-called facts are over-exaggerated, biased opinions."---Flara
"Biased opinions," which I derived from facts assembled--barely--from liberal-leaning news sources.
"You and the tea party people have been beefing since this president took office."--Flara
Welcome back to January 20th, 2001, and the eight, frantically Bush-hating years, following. How's it feel?
"You will never find one good thing about President Obama. (It's) unfortunate that people like you keep spreading your propaganda."--Flara
See my above reply; also, I find it not only unfortunate, but frightening and dangerous, that so many like Mr. Flara refuse to find even one bad thing about President Obama.
"The one remark in your latest letter (shows) your true feelings about poor people when you said hospitals treat anyone who comes in, but sometimes people fall through the cracks and you said welcome to reality. How cruel of you."--Flara
Why is it "cruel"? Is it untrue?
It's regrettable, certainly, but changing our entire economic system will not make it better. In fact, indications are, things would worsen.
Not that we'd ever hear about that, of course; we don't now, from the "reputable" newsmedia's Obama drum-beaters.
Mr. Flara, do you honestly believe conservatives/Republicans are cruel, heartless trolls who simply hate poor people? That we sit around all day, thinking up ways to stick it to them? Talk about "propaganda."
For example, IRS records show, wealthy conservatives give significantly more to charity, than their "do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do" liberal counterparts.
"(Obama) extends a hand to these people and you call it socialism."--Flara
It is Socialism, Mr. Flara; so is Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid---all of which are already virtually bankrupt, and you want to hand the government everything.
Socialized medicine opens a treacherous Pandora's Box of Government-over-Individual.
Besides; who's paying for it? You can't just print more money, as Obama has; it doesn't work that way.
"Say what you will about Democrats, (they're) the party that gave working-people what it took to exist in our capitalistic system."--Flara
As you wish; but increasingly intrusive and restrictive regulation, corruption, union thuggery, influence-peddling, bribery, all play a big part in Democrat politics.
Republicans are little different, of course; politicians are politicians.
But, consider this: it might be significantly cheaper to drive, or to heat/light our homes, if the Democrats (and RINOs, but mainly the Democrats) got their hands out of the pocket of the Environmental lobby.
"Republicans fought us tooth and nail for basic necessities like decent wages, SS, medicine, hospital rights, overtime pay, etc., Mr. Denham."--Flara
It's called "politics" Mr. Flara; what else was, perhaps, buried in those bills, causing Republican opposition? It happens all the time, sometimes on purpose.
Please define " decent wage;" minimum wage?
What happens when minimum wage increases? Prices/labor costs increase, obviously; therefore, often, so does unemployment.
Then, eventually, comes the inevitable Democrat hand-wringing over how "people can't live on that;" and the process starts again, with the same results. Poverty increases.
"Many months ago I asked (Rob) a question and never got an answer.
What did the Republicans ever give you? Name me one thing Rob."--Flara
How about two?
1.) Freedom from the threat of imminent nuclear war.
2.) No deaths from Islamic terrorism on American shores, for eight years.
Both, gifts which President Obama seems feverishly determined to take back.
Rob Denham
Weirton~~~
Now, I encourage any and all reading this, to consider writing in to their local papers. It may seem futile, but you never know who's reading, and who you may influence or inspire.
For example, I've noticed an upswing in conservative-leaning LTEs in the last year or so. Is it because of me? Who knows? But there weren't all that many before; the libs usually had the whole page to themselves.
I've been writing my letters--sometimes one a week--since early 2007 (unlike many papers, my local doesn't limit the number of LTEs you can send), and fairly recently discovered that I've gotten myself something of a following. My wife calls it my "fan club".
They find encouragement in knowing that someone in the area stands staunchly for their values, and won't give ground, or simply be intimidated and shut up and go away, when set upon by the liberal ankle-biters.
One last point....if you do write a letter, be as polite and respectful as possible.
If writing in reply to another letter, refer to the author as "Mr." or "Mrs.", etc. The liberal writers usually call me by my first name, but I always try to be more respectful than that.
It drives them crazy, and wins points with the readership, trust me.