DoD cuts Health Care For Retirees: Good Idea? Uh, No!

Dear Mr. President,

I have just learned that the Department of Defense has decided to cut the health care benefits that retired military members receive as part of the retirement contract. According to military.com , this slap to service members has been in the works since 2007 and is just now coming to light.

Mr. President, I was led to believe that you wanted more health care, not less?

You must know that with all of the new expenses in 2013 this will really pound on the families of veterans who sacrificed much to serve this country, served with honor.

Especially egregious is the fact that, while having been approved for years and new provider contracts completed last year, it was decided to keep the cuts quiet because it "might be used by politicians this fall".  Putting politics ahead of families is always unconscionable. The DoD leaves families little time to adjust to the new expenses: some as soon as 78 days (West Region). And there is still no official announcement of the change.  This new expense is on top of the restored payroll tax, new health care taxes (with cuts in medical deductions) and other increases in the cost of living. Planning and implementing it while conducting a war makes it just that much more shocking and illogical.

Since the DoD will not give us a heads-up, it is my intention to make as many veterans as can aware of the coming increase in their health care expenses.

Cutting health care to veterans implies a disregard for those who served and the promises made. However it became the policy, I'm sure you are going to look out for your troops and their families and put a stop to it. Your signature on an executive order would be all it takes.

If there is anything veterans do not need is another expense to worry about.

Thank you for your support

.  

Ref: 171,000 Retirees Likely To Lose Tricare Prime (Military.com - http://goo.gl/tJv17)

Resign, Mr. President

Dear Mr. President.

In light of the factual information escaping from Libya, it's time to consider that your cover-up has failed, so I humbly recommend that you tender your resignation immediately.

The repeated requests for increased security and the previous attacks that went unheeded by your State Department, resulted in 4 dead Americans, including a US Ambassador, your ambassador, and Al Quaida flags flying over US Soil, reveals one horrible decision after another. And this time it cannot be blamed on the previous administration.

With your refusal to help them, the cover-up and the attempts to divert attention to a video that you knew, and now everyone else knows, had nothing to do with the problem, it is time to step up and take responsibility: resign as quickly as you get a staffer to draft your resignation speech.

Remember President Nixon resigned due to an unlawful cover-up and no one even lost their lives because of his mistake.

Thank you for your service and happy trails to you.

Sincerely yours,

No Inflation! Says Who?

Dear Mr. President.

The news is out that people who are disabled, veterans and retirees on fixed incomes will not receive a cost of living adjustment to their income due to the recession and a lack of inflation.

"With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will not automatically increase in 2010." (SSA)

Sir, I beg to differ.

While government reports claim that we've been "deflating", I'm afraid the cost of living is still on the raise.... a lot. The truth of it is plainly obvious if you purchase gasoline for your vehicle, pay user and registration fees, buy insurance, milk, bread and other food products. Here is a very short list with the 2008 price, the 2010 price and the percent of change:

Ground chuck: $2.59 lb $3.29 lb. +27%
Milk: $1.99 qt. $2.39 qt. +20%
Peanut Butter: $4.29 16oz. $5.29 16oz. +25%
Regular Gasoline $2.24 Gal. $2.81 Gal. +25%

The Consumer Price Index, used to calculate inflation for cost of living increases, must be seriously flawed. It includes sample items such as housing, apparel, medical spending, transportation, etc. (Beureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But while food and transportation costs are going up in double digits, it is only the housing market has been bottoming out. I do not believe you can seriously say that we are in a deflationary climate when only one item on the list has lost its value. Additionally, the loss of revenue from those devalued homes has caused a snowballing effect on state and local governments who have also increased the fees for necessities, such as vehicle titling, registration, license plate and driver's license renewal, and businesses that have to raise prices to make up for lost patronage.

Most people, especially those on fixed incomes, are not buying homes after they started receiving SSI, disability or in many cases military retirement. Very few are buying homes as the monthly reports indicate. Besides, which of those on fixed incomes would willingly sell their home in this housing environment? All of this weighs heavily on the average Social Security, Disability recipients and retired military.

And, now, as if to slap us in the face, the BLS reports the CPI-U to be 2.7% as of December 2009. This means the policy of attempting to balance the federal budget on the backs of those on fixed incomes must be based on incorrect information or was, is, simply a ruse.

Mr. President, alter the way the CPI is calculated and apply a reasonable cost of living increase for all Americans who are receiving SSI, disability and honor those who served this nation and are receiving military retirements.

Thank you for your support.

Shared Sacrifice: You too Mr. President

Dear Mr. President.

In your July 17th Weekly Radio address, you asked for shared sacrifice calling on the “wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share”.

I agree, we should ask the wealthiest Americans to sacrifice some of their vast wealth. To this end I make the following recommendation; One that lowers the government’s domestic obligations while being very popular among average Americans.

Cut your pay by ten percent.

That’s right: lowering you pay will have a direct one for one, dollar for dollar, reduction in deficit spending.

It would show the people that you are willing to personally participate in the shared sacrifice. It would also put you in an excellent position to influence the US Congress to lower their salaries as well.

Start a movement of shared sacrifice across the country.

This is just my suggestion to help our country out of worsening situation.

Thank you for your support.

Policy Causes Energy Costs to Go Up: Stop it

Ref: Letter to congress entitled, "Letter from the President to Congressional Leadership Regarding Oil Subsidies", published April 26th, 2011, and your weekly radio address on the same subject.

Dear Mr. President.

I believe your advisers are leading you astray in this area. Ostensibly, the purpose is to influence congress to help curtail the skyrocketing cost of energy in this country and spend it instead on green technologies by removing tax incentives.

The recommendation to remove $4 billion in business expense tax credits can only have one affect on consumer prices. The oil industry will do as all businesses do when their expenses increase: they will raise their prices. This will drive up the cost of living for every day Americans.

Oil is the primary mover of American economy. When its costs go up, so do the cost of every product and service Americans use and need. The problem will affect the working poor the hardest.

We will only produce more jobs and reduce dependency on foreign oil by tapping into our own mineral resources, not by making it more expense.

Investing in green energy, something that has been going on in earnest for over 30 years has yet to produce a reliable and relatively inexpensive alternative to oil. Even the ethanol project has proven to be a near zero sum gain while driving up the cost of food and the taxpayers are paying extra for it twice (taxes and retail). Spending should be ended on ethanol related subsidies.

We need energy now and experts agree: encouraging domestic production will have an immediate lowering effect on market prices.

America was the land of opportunity, but the continued anti-business, anti-opportunity and anti-success rhetoric and policies, in addition to the devalued US dollar due to unprecedented deficit spending, has greatly reduced our ability to create enough jobs to gainfully employ our citizens.

I urge you to reverse your position on legitimate business tax credits and open up ANWR and other areas to drilling and mining to ensure that this country remains the leader in this world and once more becomes the land of opportunity.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

President Calderón of Mexico Vists, Demands Change to US Border Crossing Laws

Dear Mr. President,

I see that the Mexican President believes that our illegal immigration laws are discriminatory.

I believe we should try to get along with Mexico and Mexicans by changing our border crossing laws and consequences to mirror Mexico's border laws and consequences.

Please let me know what you think of this idea.

Thank you for your service.

Remarks by President Calderón of Mexico at Official Arrival Ceremony
"I know that we share the interest in promoting dignified, legal and orderly living conditions to all migrant workers. Many of them, despite their significant contribution to the economy and to the society of the United States, still live in the shadows and, occasionally, as in Arizona, they even face discrimination."

UPDATE: I have received a response to my question. Only, it looks a lot like a form letter with the standard marketing that we've become used to and it made no mention of the subject of my email to the President.

PS: It;s kind of disappointing to see that the President's staff cannot spell the word "advisers" correctly. But at the same time, it does reveal the overall lack of professionalism of the Obama Administration.

You may read it if you like...

-------------------Begin-------------------

Thu 5/20/2010 2:45 PM

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing me. Each day, I hear from
concerned Americans who are struggling in this economy.
Their stories encourage me to work harder to ensure every
American can find a good job so they can support their
families and their communities.

I have listed below just a few of the actions we are
taking to help hard-working American families get through
these tough economic times.

CREATING JOBS AND GROWING OUR ECONOMY

My Administration has taken critical steps to get us
back on our feet. Our economy is growing again, and last
year's flood of job losses has slowed considerably. These
are good signs for our future, yet they are little comfort to
those who are out of work or struggling to keep their home.
We are working tirelessly to push our recovery forward and
promote economic growth, accountability, and
transparency. To follow developments and track local
projects, visit: www.whitehouse.gov/issues/economy and
www.recovery.gov.

ENACTING TOUGH WALL STREET REFORM

There were many causes of the turmoil that ripped
through our economy over the past two years. But above
all, this crisis was caused by failures in the financial
industry. It could have been avoided if Wall Street firms
were more accountable, if financial dealings were more
transparent, and if consumers and shareholders were given
more information and authority to make decisions.

But that did not happen. Special interests have
waged a relentless campaign to thwart even basic,
common-sense rules--rules to prevent abuse and protect
consumers. In fact, the financial industry and its powerful
lobby have opposed modest safeguards against the kinds of
reckless risks and bad practices that led to this very crisis.

The consequences of this failure of responsibility-
-from Wall Street to Washington--are all around us: 8
million jobs lost, trillions in savings erased, countless
dreams diminished or denied. We must do everything we
can to ensure that no crisis like this ever happens again.
That is why I am fighting to pass a set of Wall Street
reforms that would put an end to taxpayer bailouts; bring
complex financial dealings out of the shadows; protect
consumers; and give shareholders more power in the
financial system. To learn more, I encourage you to read
my April 22 remarks given at Cooper Union, just a few
blocks from Wall Street.

ENDING CREDIT CARD COMPANY ABUSES

My Administration is also working to help
Americans who have had their credit lines reduced or
interest rates increased without clear justification. Last
year, I partnered with Congress to pass the Credit Card
Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD)
Act. This landmark law took effect in February, and
promotes greater fairness, transparency, and accountability
in credit card practices. It requires companies to inform
credit card holders of payment timetables and accrued
interest, and it ends retroactive rate hikes and sudden
changes to terms and conditions. To read more about
CARD and how it affects you, please visit:
www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-
Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders and
www.whitehouse.gov/issues/economy.

These reforms will have a tangible impact on the
ability of American families and businesses to achieve their
goals. For information on credit and consumer protections,
please visit: www.hud.gov/foreclosure or call 1-
888MYMONEY.

ASSISTING HOMEOWNERS

Many Americans are also struggling to stay in their
homes. Access to the American Dream is being tested by a
mortgage crisis that threatens the stability of families,
neighborhoods, and our entire economy. While many
Americans have received help, far too many are still unable
to refinance their mortgages or obtain loan modifications.
This crisis has not only hurt home values nationwide, it has
also had a dramatic effect on the credit Americans need to
purchase cars, pay college tuition, and grow small
businesses.

For assistance with a home foreclosure or to find a
local housing counselor, I encourage you to call your
mortgage servicer directly, speak with a housing specialist
at 1-888-995-HOPE, or contact the Department of Housing
and Urban Development at 1-800-569-4287. You can also
visit www.hud.gov/foreclosure or
MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

HELPING STRUGGLING FAMILIES

As our economy recovers, we must continue to help
those who are losing their jobs and struggling to pay their
bills. Every day, I meet with my economic advisors to
make sure we are doing all we can to create good jobs and
help Americans support their families and pursue the
American Dream.

My Administration is helping Americans return to
work by emphasizing job training in industries that cannot
be outsourced. Recently laid-off workers receiving
unemployment benefits have new opportunities to pursue
higher education and job training programs, including
easier access to Pell Grants. To encourage job creation in
the United States, I am replacing tax laws that send jobs
overseas with new incentives to create them here at home.
Available assistance can be found online at:
www.dol.gov/recovery/implement.htm or
www.Opportunity.gov.

Together, we can help more Americans find and
keep good jobs and enjoy a healthy standard of living. To
locate an employment center near you, select your state at:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm. For information on
benefits and opportunities for those out of work, I
encourage you to visit:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/audience/aud-unemployed.htm. To
find career resources, you may call 1-877-872-5627 or
visit: www.careeronestop.org.

While it will take time to turn our economy around,
I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis stronger
than before. For more information on jobs, health benefits,
housing assistance, and other public resources call 1-800- FEDINFO or visit: www.usa.gov. Thank you again for
writing.


Sincerely,

Barack Obama


To be a part of our agenda for change, join us at www.WhiteHouse.gov

------------------End of correspondence-------------------

Obama Keeps Tainted Goldman-Sachs Campaign Contributions

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:06 PM
Subject: Goldman Sachs Campaign Donations

Dear Mr. President

Recent reports disclose that Goldman-Sachs is being accused of securities fraud by the S.E.C. If Goldman-Sachs did profit from illegal actions, then any money they have is tainted. This includes money they have given to political campaigns.

Other reports tell us that your campaign received close to a million dollars from Goldman-Sachs and that you have said that you are not going to return the tainted money to them.

It seems that you are unaware of the incredibly bad message it sends to your fellow Americans. Keeping the tainted money sends the message that you either do not care what Americans feel about this, as if you believe it is none of our business, or that you believe this money, your money, is somehow compartmentalized and away from their tainted money. Just as with the federal government, all their money goes into the same account and can be earmarked for different projects. But, it still comes from the same pile.

No matter how it is nuanced, if Goldman-Sachs had not padded their accounts with illegal money, they would not been as generous to congressional and presidential campaigns. This much like giving tax dollars to Planned Parenthood and then claiming it does not go to pay for abortions. It’s all one pot.

Mr. President, please send the correct message and return Goldman-Sachs ill gotten gains and bring leadership, respect and responsibility to the Whitehouse.

Thank you for your service.

Sincerely yours

Israel is Constructing Homes: Oh the Pain

March 24th, 2010, 12:55 PM

Ref: Israeli homes construction

Dear Mr. President

I find the caterwauling by this administration concerning Israeli "settlements" in Israel to be offensive and harmful to our nation.

It is necessary to understand that the announced construction plans were to build apartments in an existing Jewish neighborhood, in a predominantly Jewish section of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. How that translates as a "new settlement" is beyond me. The issue seems to be fear of Israel expanding into Palestinian territories. Most intelligent Americans see that it does nothing of the sort. This would be a non-issue except for the ongoing statements to the media by your staff and the Secretary of State.

The Vice President's attitude towards the unplanned announcement looks very much like a diversion to his insulting 90 minute late arrival to a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The coinciding announcement by a low level administrator had nothing to do with the Vice President’s visit. As far as I'm concerned, the prime minister’s apology was altogether unnecessary.

If there are apologies due, they would be from us to the Israelis for causing such a stir that resulted from an uninformed knee-jerk reaction.

This is a continuation of the unwarranted animus towards Israel displays a curious disregard for another of our allies in this trying world. The record is now clear that we are alienating our friends while coddling those regimes that will never be friendly towards the United States and even call for our destruction. I have no doubt that at some point, this approach will come back to haunt the American people in very deadly ways.

Mr. President, those who are advising you on this and other foreign affairs need to find an occupation where they will less dangerous to Americans. It is very obvious that they have little concern for international relations while ignoring the history of our interaction with other nations.

Finally,
Thank you for your support.

Sincerely yours

Rules of Engagement: You're killing us.

This letter is self explanatory...

sent: 18 February 2010


Dear Mr. President,

As Commander in Chief, you are charged with defending this nation without sacrificing more American blood and treasure than is necessary to defeat the enemy. It is clear to me that there is an element of this missing; protecting the troops.

Protecting the troops brings at least one requirement; they must be able to destroy the enemy where they are found.

So far, the evidence of this simple concept happening in Afghanistan is lacking due to the rules of engagement we are told. These rules apparently prohibit our troops from killing or capturing Taliban fighters in many circumstances.

The sad fact is that many people will die, suffer crippling injuries and be traumatized by war. The best we can do to minimize the horror of war is to allow our troops to fight the war to win as quickly as possible. But these rules are hamstringing our troops. Reports Americans are hearing tell stories of our troops observing targets (buildings) for as long 72 hours before taking any action. Others say that during a firefight, the enemy will put down their weapons and simply walk away from our forces and our troops are required to let them go. They cannot be detained, captured or have any force used against them.

This policy will only prolong the war along with the suffering for both the Afghan people and our troops and their families. Not to mention the additional cost incurred by prolonging the fighting.

I understand the rules of engagement are designed to help win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. But we are going about it the wrong way. The Afghans respect power and the willingness to fight for your cause and they spit on slackers and cowards. Before you win their confidence you will have to demonstrate that we can protect them from the Taliban and the way to do that is by destroying or capturing Taliban fighters whenever we engage them. Having the local population observe the Taliban fighters literally thumbing their noses at us while they stroll away from the battlefield is winning nothing.

I hope you take this letter seriously and reconsider the rules of engagement as I send it with the best of intentions.

Thank you for your service.

Dear Mr. President,

It seems that instead of instituting programs and policies that spur the creation of jobs, the current direction is to eliminate jobs.

In 2009, we lost 5,396,000 jobs (BLS, Jan 2010). At least 40,000 UAW jobs were lost at General Motors due to their compliance with your directives that included ordering them to close production facilities and drop automobile lines, such as Pontiac and Saturn, and Hummer. That is a lot of jobs down the tubes by your command.

Then this year your administration decided to eliminate 7000 jobs at NASA to save a pittance in comparison to the rest of the budget. This one is particularly heinous as the Space Program is one of the uniting factors in American life. I thought you wanted to unite Americans?

What may be considered by some as a bright side to the jobs issue is that the federal government is growing federal jobs at an alarming rate. There were 30,000 new hires in good paying federal jobs in January 2010 alone.

Eliminating private sector jobs and growing government jobs that the Americans who are still working will have to pay for with higher taxes doesn’t seem to be that much help in the current economic climate.

I’d like to recommend an alternative plan.

Keep the income, payroll, and capital gains taxes the same as they are now. Etch them in stone and let the country know that the tax policy will be stable for the foreseeable future. This will encourage the private sector to update, upgrade and create jobs as opposed to killing them.

Sir, I have to tell you, the next presidential election isn’t going to be easy for this administration when unemployment is still at 10+ percent and the voting public sees this administration as job destroyers, not to mention the planned tax increases in 2011.

Please recall that you promised there would be no middle class tax increase, but by allowing current tax law to expire in 2011, people in the 25% tax bracket will instead be in the 28% tax bracket. People in the 28% tax bracket will be in the 31% bracket. There is no way around it: that is a tax increase on the middle class.

Thank you for your service.

Navy SEALs: Drop the Charges

Dear Mr. President,

It seems that political correctness has taken over and has resulted in three US Navy Seals being court marshaled for doing their duty. The charge appears to be based on the word of one terrorist against the word of 3 of America’s finest.

As Commander in Chief of all US armed forces, you are charged with being the leader. As all military leaders know, the priorities are mission first, then looking out for the men and women who volunteer to forgo some of their inalienable rights to protect all of our rights in this greatest nation.

Our brave, selfless soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, are watching this situation and it could have a significant negative effect on morale. This an excellent reason to put a stop to the proceedings. As Commander in Chief, you have the authority to stop it.

Note that many media outlets are reporting that the U.S. Congress is taking the lead in ending this show trial. Their actions may leave you to appear lacking in the leadership required to be Commander in Chief. This will undermine your authority and reduce your presidency to that of just another politician who allows events to lead them, instead of the other way around.

I recommend that you quietly call off the courts marshal and display the leadership we all know is within you.

Thank you for your support

Recession is Over, Return $677 Billion of the Stimulus

Dear Mr. President,

It was reported today that 80% of economists are saying the recession is over. This is great news. It seems that the unspent remainder of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $677 Billion (recovery.org), can be returned to general fund as it is no longer necessary.

Repealing the remainder of this spending would have many beneficial consequences. It would reduce the national debt and dependence on foreign investors, make the US Dollar stronger, reduce the burden on our children's children, and free up funding for health care reform.

I urge you to influence congress to modify the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and return the balance to the treasury.

Thank you for your service.

Nobel Peace Prize 2009: Congratulations, Mr. President.

Reference: The Nobel Peace Prize 2009

Dear Mr. President.

Congratulations on receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. This is sure to improve the respect of the European Union member states and others have towards the United States.

But many, including you, are speculating on what exactly you have accomplished to be deserving of such an honor. Well, wonder no further because unlike Saturday Night Live's 'no accomplishments' skit, I believe I have the answer. Your accomplishments to date include:

Devaluing the US Dollar with stimulus and bailouts; this, along with allowing Fannie and Freddie to melt down while you were a senator made all foreign currencies worth more. You have accomplished something all envious countries could not do. Even now reports are that a second stimulus package may be in the works. That will ingratiate them to you even more.

Then there are the repeated and continuing apology tours. There is nothing the pacifists and socialists appreciate more than blaming America for all of their troubles, as opposed to blaming themselves and their own policies. You legitimize their delusion and therefore, you are to be praised and honored by them. Recall that the Nobel Peace Prize was created as an apology for creating a weapon of mass destruction. It all syncs and makes sense now.

So, there you have it. You have been honored for real accomplishments that can be seen and felt by everyone. It is no wonder that the pacifists that populate the prize committee would choose you to honor.

Thank you for your service.

Afghanistan: Obama's Vietnam?

Note: The President is saying he needs time to respond to his General's request for 40,000 more troops, citing a need for a clear policy. But he stated his Afghanistan policy during his campaign and again last March after he was sworn is as President; Win the "right" war.

Dear Mr. President.

I’m seeing a repeat of history in the Afghanistan situation that could turn it into your personal Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the President did not allow the military to do those things that would result in a fast and overwhelming victory. Instead, it was allowed to drag along until the political will to win vanished along with the lives of over 50,000 US men and women soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.

Your Generals have it right; more troops are needed in Afghanistan to bring it to an end with victory for the Afghan people.

A force that cannot hold real estate they take due to a shortage of fighting men and women will fight a circular war. One where terrorists are forced out in one area only to have it re-taken by them when our troops move on to another area without leaving a sufficient force to hold the land; A repeat of the situation that existed in Iraq, where terrorists were removed from cities, such as Fallujah, only to return. We were fighting for the same real estate over and over again. Not only does this prolong the war, but it puts more of troops at risk and promises that there will be no end in sight.

Mr. President, do not wait for the bodies of American service men and women to pile up as happened in Vietnam. Give the Generals what they need and instruct them to win the peace.

Thank you for your service.

Dear Mr. President.

I read with curiosity your Labor Day speech in Ohio yesterday and one thing stood out to me.

You said,

"That's why we passed an unprecedented Recovery Act, and we did it without the usual Washington earmarks and pork-barrel spending."

Sir, I beg to differ. There is virtually no one outside of Washington DC who does not know that the Recovery Act is nothing more than a conglomeration of 9000 pork projects that would have been earmarks, except the congressional crisis made it unnecessary to go that route.

Please sir, for the good of this Great Country, be careful with your words. There are many out there who want you to fail and your repeating falsehoods written for you by others only encourages them.

Thank you for your support.

Sent Tuesday, September 8th, 2009, 12:30.

His Name is Private William A. Long

6/4/2009, 2:57 PM

Dear Mr. President

It appears you now have your first terrorists attack within the borders of the United States of America.

His name is Private William A. Long, age 23, from Conway, Arkansas, and he is another casualty of the war on terror. His family will morn their loss and miss him. PVT Long was standing in front of the US Army Recruiter’s office in Little Rock, Arkansas when a Muslim terrorist murdered him three days ago.

There is a very troubling aspect to this tragic and wholly unnecessary event. You, as Commander in Chief could not find time in your busy day to make any public comment on this tragedy. It has been 3 days since he was cut down in early adulthood and you have not found the time or the will to say anything about it.

The reason this is so troubling is because you did find time, within hours, to express your distaste for the “heinous act of violence” against an abortionist who also was tragically murdered.

I believe you have allowed liberal partisan politics to cloud your judgment. Who is more worthy of the attention of the President of the United States, an abortionist or a US Soldier? Which one works for you, for all of us, and which one worked for himself?

The answer is clear to responsible Americans. Moreover, our military personnel are witnessing your priorities.

Thank you for your Support.

Now That We Own General Motors and Chrysler...

6/03/2009 2:10 PM

Dear Mr. President

Now that we taxpayers own General Motors and Chrysler, I have a few questions.

Can we order them keep the Pontiac line? I have always liked Pontiacs, starting with my first, a 1961 Pontiac Catalina that I modified with a 421 C.U. V8, with trips (3 two barrel carburetors) and a 4 speed. I always wanted a 1964 GTO; but it was always out of my reach.

Do you think we could get Pontiac to make a retro-version of the GTO that looks similar to the 1964 model? After all, just recall what the retro-Thunderbird did for Ford. They did not need bailout money.

The next question is about company benefits. Do you think the rest American people could receive similar benefits to the ones UAW members are getting? I especially like the benefit I witnessed from a friend’s step-father who worked at the Cleveland Ford Motor Company on Brook Park Road. My friend’s father would take an entire month off to drink beer and still get paid at rate that was 95% of his regular salary. Sweet!

Maybe you could fix health care in America, one of your priorities I’ve heard, by giving Americans the UAW style health care insurance. That’s it! That’s the answer to universal health care! We could also fix Social Security with a UAW style pension plan. Why didn’t I think of this before? Since we have given part of the automakers ownership to Canada, maybe we could get some of their health care insurance as well.

Would we be able to get special employee discounts on GM vehicles? I would really like to know this one because my Chevy truck has over 70,000 miles on it and I’m thinking it’s time for a new one. Its mileage has dropped from 21 MPG to 17 MPG on the highway, which I drive 56 miles each day. Oh wait, that drop may be due to the mandated ethanol in the regular unleaded I use.

Lastly, I want to thank you, Mr. President, for finally putting those mean old profiteering car makers out of business. Who knows what kind of gas guzzlers they would come out with next?

Thank you for your support

Note: Links to information provided for clarity.

Black Panthers for Self Defense, or What?

5/30/2009, 4:03 PM

Dear Mr. President.

The Justice Department’s Attorney General, Jay Holder, has refused to bring 3 members of the Black Panthers Gang to justice, this after the court had entered a judgment against them (April 20, 2009), by dismissing the charges.

These men were recorded on video intimidating voters with threats and racial slurs while blocking access to polling places wearing some quasi-military uniforms and carrying & brandishing weapons, on Election Day in 2008. Reports say that they gained access to the polling place using Democratic poll watcher credentials. The video shows them in clear violation of the Voter Rights Act of 1965 (using coercion, threats and intimidation).

Is this apparent disregard for the law the “real change” you campaigned on? It just seems to me that the president should be ensuring that everyone (black, white, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Democrat, Republican, etc.) should receive equal treatment under the law.

By protecting these criminals, you are displaying the exact behavior that you campaigned against and it encourages more of the same behavior. Moreover, I seem to remember the oath of office including something about defending the US Constitution. This incident does not go against that oath?

This, along with continued attempts to bankrupt this country by quadrupling deficit spending, destroying the automobile industry, the banking/investment/credit industry, health care, losing millions of jobs and the ability of Americans to better ourselves, I have to guess that there is a lot of buyer’s remorse going on in among some American voters. These pseudo-pardons will continue your sinking approval ratings.

Mr. President, do we still have a representative democracy in America, or are we being “ruled”, as the Black Panthers claim?

Thank you for your support

Note: Links added for clarity and reference.

Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp is Not a Rallying Point to Recruit Terrorists

5/21/2009 9:04 PM

Dear Mr. President.

Today’s speech did not give me confidence in your ability to defend this nation. The whole Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp (GBDC) issue should have been just another minor campaign promise that was overlooked. Instead, it’s front page news for weeks on end and overshadowing real issues.

Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp is not a rallying point to recruit terrorists, as has been proffered. No, but successful attacks are their rallying points. Closing GBDC will serve no purpose other than to satisfy those who do not know better.

You should know better.

Also, while waterboarding is an extremely unpleasant experience it pails in comparison to having your head hacked head off, being killed or wounded by exploding roadside bombs, being a passenger in a plane flown into a building, blowing up business offices or strapping bombs to your children in the hopes that they will die along with someone you hate. Someone you hate for no good reason.

We cannot release the detainees at GBDC as they have insisted their intention to kill Americans should they be released. Released from GBDC, or any other country that should change their mind and take custody of any of them.

The only right answer to the future of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp is to declare them to be prisoners of war (PW). Declaring them to be PWs would be justified and would allow you to hold them until the war ends. No trials, no torture, just hold them. That way, they stay alive and live better than have ever known before. It’s very humane.

One good thing has come for your position on GBDC. The US Congress is united. It is a shame that they are united against you while your popularity drops.

Thank you for your support.

Prosecuting CIA interrogators

4/21/2009 6:19 PM

Dear Mr. President.

I am saddened to see that you've given in to partisan hate and reverse your decision not to prosecute CIA interrogators for perceived illegal actions.

Not only will this decision hamstring your ability to protect this country, it reveals your preference to appease the left leaning fringe.

It will further divide the country.

Thank you for your support.