I've been looking at and responding to quite a few e-mails of late, and I thought I'd share.  Here's a thought from RH...

President Bush put the country into a recession lowering the amount of money we are taking in, but we still have the same amount of cost. President Obama created very few new programs, most of which were attempts to create jobs. We have to put things on the credit card, just like you would have to do if your income was reduced, until you find a solution.

I repsonded that the government got over 6% more in revenue (taxes) last fiscal year than the year before, so I didn't buy his argument at all.  The problem in DC is not revenue, it's spending.

Steve in Westerville wrote I thought my wife and I would be looking forward to retirement. Instead we’re worried because over the last 4 years it has been difficult to get a handle on just what some of our costs will be. I think that is bad but many out there say everything is good, and going in the right direction. I just can’t look at it that way. We prepared to take care of ourselves in retirement and lived our lives and saved to do just that.  Now it’s hard to say what is enough. 

I think, when looking back, that when Mitt Romney was 'caught' talking about the 47% he was expressing a true sentiment held by many conservatives.  They may have gotten confused when he back tracked on that comment... many people still believe the vote was won by those with their hands out.

A female listener wrote this...  I heard you this morning talk about values. I too grew up with the same values and  during the same era. I am scratching my head wondering what people are thinking? But, I was really disappointed to hear you say that you need to explore the thinking of the changes or whatever the thinking is of the liberals these days. Why should you? I understand that changes are taking place in our society. But my beliefs are my beliefs and I don’t have to conform to others beliefs to make everything the way they want it. People truly do not know or understand how America came to be free. They just know that it is “free”!

It's not that I'm planning on changing my values, it's that as far as the country goes, my values don't match the popular vote.  I may believe that marriage is between a man and woman, but our society does not.  I may believe that the country's deficit is important and should not be added to, but the voting majority in this country does not.  The GOP lost the battle of social issues and allowed the Obama campaign to win on these fronts.  I believe if the GOP wants to win the presidency again in the future, they'll have to figure out how to win a few of these battles (abortion, rape, immigration, etc.) or the Dems may win every presidential election from here on out.

One other thing...  so many people are unwilling even to look across the aisle for information.  I spoken to many conservative voters who only watch Fox News for information and I think that's not healthy.  Doesn't anyone remember the line 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.'  If you don't know the trends from the other point of view, you don't know how to counteract.  And as I posted a week ahead of the election, the democrat strategist from the 538 blog nailed the election result in every one of the 50 states.  Some people wouldn't even consider looking at the blog as soon as they find out the author is a dem.  Not sure that politicians are actually going to reach across the aisle, but I think if we regular people don't oepn our eyes, the frustration is not going to subside.