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Glimmers of Hope

writer x

To the Office of the President of the United States

Dear Mr. President:

I listened to the speech you gave yesterday at Georgetown University. From the applause in the background, you really rocked the house. You really rocked me, in fact, when you said that you see “glimmers of hope” in the economy. And that’s why I’m writing this letter to you today.

I know you’re from the world of Air Force One jets, Wednesday night cocktail parties, secret service, personal hair stylists, chiefs of staff, designer dogs, and cabinet members who pretty much tell you what you want to hear. Me? I’m just from Phoenix. But after listening to your speech yesterday, as well as many of the ones you’ve given recently, now more than ever I’d say we share different realities in the same Universe.

Here’s why:

You say that you see glimmers of hope in the economy. In my neighborhood, I see homes that won’t sell, gas prices that only know one direction (ditto for food and insurance), friends who lost their jobs who still can’t find work, friends who are about to be laid off in both the private and public sectors, increased property taxes, small business owners who are shutting their doors or declaring bankruptcy, not to mention very strong talk about the inevitable increases in State and Federal taxes. I mean, how else are we going to afford all the new programs? (Just a thought, but you might want to consider not funding the United Nations to save a big wad of taxpayer cash. It seems like we’re paying an awful lot of money with only a few toothless letters and resolutions to show for it.) Anyway, about the only industry in my state that’s hiring currently, thanks to the Stimulus Bill, is the Department of Transportation; unfortunately, most of the people I know who are looking for jobs are not qualified for construction work. I know a job’s a job, but no one is doing any happy dances. Yet.

And while I’m on the topic of hope, I’d like to add that it doesn’t fill me with much hope either when you fly around the world on Air Force One making apologies for American arrogance and greed, especially when I come from a long line of people who’ve sacrificed and worked very hard to make our communities and our country the wonderful place that it is. My father, a WWII Navy veteran, was not too pleased with your European speeches either. You should probably not count on his vote in the next election.

Frankly, Mr. President, if our country is so awful, why are people practically killing themselves to live here? Every day? Even as I write this letter to you? If you could be less apologetic and more grateful about the privilege you have in living in this fine country, I’d really appreciate it. A lot of good people have died to make it what it is.

Yours sincerely,

WriterX
Phoenix, Arizona

P.S. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind asking one of your big-shot Hollywood friends like Clooney or Pitt to see if they could do something about undoing the cancellation of the television series Life on Mars with Harvey Keitel? I really loved that show. Bringing it back in the fall television line-up would definitely give me a real-live glimmer of hope. Anyway, do what you can. Peace out. And hello to Michelle.

::Writer X also writes at The 100 Most Annoying Things::

April 15, 2009 10:48 am

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