It's not a surprise that President Barack Obama's approval ratings have been dropping ["Obama's ratings hit low in NY," News, Dec. 14]. From Day One, the right wing and Fox News have been throwing personal smears, lies and distortions, which have dominated the political discourse: the "birther" claims that our president is not a U.S. citizen, claims he is a Muslim, that he's racist, that he's socialist, that he's setting up death panels to kill our grandmothers and so on.

If these "patriots" spent a quarter as much time working to help solve the many problems facing not only the United States, but the world, as they do in creating new ways to discredit President Obama's agenda, something might actually get done in creating jobs and healing the economy.

Andrew Skibins

Port Washington

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

Blakeman's agenda for 'new' NY ... What's in the store with the weather ... Out East: Shellfish surprise ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME