Dear Mr. President...an appeal to President Obama for his healthcare speech

Dear Mr. President:
Once again, you have been placed at the crossroads of history. Tonight (September 9) you will have an opportunity to regain the impetus of the need for real change that was delivered to you by the American people last November.

As one who foresaw you as the next President long before others had even thought of it, I urge you to use this chance to reclaim the mantle of leadership which, unfortunately and disappointingly, you gave to the Congress and the shrillness of the Town Hall Meetings in August.

As you prepare your remarks and as you reassume the mantle of leadership that is unique to the Presidency, remember some important points:

o You are the only elected official who has subjected himself to the extreme scrutiny of the American people.
o You are the leader of the Democrat Party, and alone have a national vision that will address a multitude of problems, including but not limited to healthcare.
o The people who disrupted the democratic process of Town Halls are a shrill minority. Yes, there were those who have legitimate concerns, but there are two things that abhor a vacuum--nature and communications. Something will always fill the vacuum, and in the Summer of 2009, it was, unfortunately a small, albeit loud and disruptive, number of people with a particular agenda aimed directly at usurping the results of the past three elections.

So, Mr. President, here is my suggestion. Speak plainly, not professorial. Tell people what you are going to tell them, tell them and then tell them what you have told them.

Take the playing field of the 2010 elections away from those GOP House and Senate members who are already envisioning their elevated roles in a new Congress by making it clear that you are willing to layout your proposals, that the Democrat Party stands ready (at least in large part) to stand with you and on behalf of the American people who need and deserve affordable healthcare.

Then, stake your position. Let it be known that your confidence in the correctness of what you and others are doing is such that you have full faith in the ability of a majority of the American people to do the right thing.

This will provide a voice for those of us whom have believed in your ability to provide the leadership to implement needed change. It will also reflect your confidence in the basic goodness of the American people. And, it will show that you realize that your ability to govern is based upon continuing to merit the trust and support of the country.

With all best wishes,
Daniel Hines