They smile at the indifference.  You can trust us, they say.

Then they tell us they support the troops, but announce to the world that the war is lost while brave men and women fight for their lives and our freedom on the battlefield.

Then they tell us that they want less abortions but push for the Freedom of Choice Act which will nullify every state restriction on abortion including parental notification, taxpayer funding, and partial birth abortion bans.

Then they tell us that they support the Second Amendment but appoint Eric Holder the nations top law enforcement official.  The same Eric Holder who argued against an individual’s right to own a gun in the landmark District of Columbia vs. Heller case last year.

Then they tell us that the mortgage meltdown was a result of corporate greed and de-regulation when they themselves through ACORN and the Community Re-Investment Act forced lenders to make mortgage loans to those who don’t qualify and punished those that wouldn’t.

Then they tell us they'll protect us but announce the closing of our military prison in Guantanamo Bay even though they aren’t sure what to do with the terrorists detained there.  They drop charges against detainee Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, an al-Qaeda suspect in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, which killed 17 US sailors.  This leads to Yemen releasing 170 Al-Qaeda suspects and Pakistan releasing Abdul Qadeer Khan from custody.  Khan developed Pakistan's bomb and also provided plans for nuclear weapons to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Then they tell us there is man-made global warming and begin imposing economically devastating mandates to prevent it even though the temperature hasn’t risen for 10 years and has even dropped over the past two.

Then they tell us they are against censorship but push forward the Fairness Doctrine which will mandate content on talk-radio, television and other forms of media.

Then, they tell us it is patriotic to pay taxes but appoint an admitted tax cheat to head up the IRS.

Then they tell us they won’t appoint any lobbyists to their administration but appoint William Lynn, lobbyist from Raytheon, as Undersecretary of Defense.

Then they tell us they want every vote counted but throw out the votes against them in Minnesota.

Then they tell us they want the U.S. Auto companies to survive but impose strict environmental regulations based on dubious science that force these same companies to cut jobs and increase production costs.

Then they tell us that Capitalism has lead to our economic meltdown when it is Capitalism, not Government, that has made America the most prosperous country in the history of the world.

Then they tell us they represent the people but every single one of them voted for the largest spending bill in the history of the world without even reading it.

Then they tell us it is a stimulus bill but load it with pet pork projects they hope will buy them enough votes to get re-elected.

Then they tell us it is a stimulus bill but it only stimulates the growth of an already dangerously large government and that's exactly what they want.

Then they tell us it is a stimulus bill, but the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office disagrees.

Then they tell us everything in the stimulus bill is necessary but we see millions of dollars for mice, frisbee golf courses, polar bears, ACORN, STD education and a new Government Committee that will possess everyone’s health records and dictate to doctors what type of treatment they can give patients.

Then they tell us they will cut spending in the bill but all they cut out of the final version was tax cuts for those who actually pay taxes.

Then they tell us that both parties will be involved in the debate but lock the Republicans out of the final, closed door session.

Then they tell us it’s critical to get the bill passed as soon as possible or we will face certain, immediate economic doom but the President, rather than sign it immediately into law on Friday, took the weekend off to go home to Chicago for a much needed break.

They tell us the sky is red.  Their schools tell our children the sky is red.  Their media reports that the sky is red.  Their scientists confirm that the sky is red.  Their books, television shows and movies all have red skies.  There is anger at the troublemakers who still say that the sky is blue.  How outdated?  How old- fashioned?  Don't impose your sky color on us?  The sky can’t be blue when everyone says that its red.  Pretty soon, our friends, our neighbors, our family, all good people, agree just to fit in and avoid controversy.

But some of us remain steadfast.  We know the truth.  The sky is blue.  Look up everyone.  The sky is blue.

...more columns by Todd A. Carges