It's the misinformation that bothers me. When President Obama took office, many people purchased guns and stockpiled ammunition because word was (from many of the right wing pundits mentioned above) that he was a crazy liberal that would take away their guns. However, the Brady Center, a powerful anti-gun lobby, gave President Obama an F.

Or when Sarah Palin gave speeches about the "death panels" that would decide the fate of the elderly and disabled if Obamacare was passed. It was just made up out of Sarah Palin's imagination.

Or the infamous "Joe the Plumber" from the last election, whose name is Sam and who wasn't a licensed plumber.

I don't mind intelligent debate. I enjoy it and I think it's wonderfully healthy. However, the important word there is "intelligent".