Dear President Obama
I wrote an email to President Obama a short time ago, tonight. Tried to save it, but forgot to, before hitting the submit button.
So I'll try to reiterate it here, with some embellishment. Because, quite frankly, I was so caught up in the heat of the moment, I forgot what it was, exactly, that I said. So here's the gist of it:
Dear President Obama:
I do not have children. I do not own a house. I rent a one-bedroom apartment and I paid off my car loan two years ago. I owe debt of about $600 to two clothing credit cards, and about $800 to Dell for my PC. Otherwise, I am debt free.
I don't pay Federal taxes, only State.
But I would gladly pay Federal taxes to ensure that someone out there without a job and without health insurance can get healthcare.
I voted for you and supported you and donated over $2000 of my hard-earned pay in order to see you win the Presidency. I do not regret it.
What I regret is seeing corporations and lobbyists take over not only the healthcare debate, but my vote.
I wanted change. That's why I switched from being a life-long Republican to being a Democrat in order to vote for you in the primary and the general election.
I wanted change.
I still support you and I hope that you still support us.
With all due respect,
LisB
(Well, I didn't sign it that way, but, you get the general idea.)
Great letter, Lis. I hope he reads it personally.
That you would gladly pay Federal taxes to help someone else says so much about you, and it's the reason why so many of us look up to you.
I fear that there are others who will see your sacrifice as "enabling", and will say so. That's what is so sad about our society today--"A little help from our friends" has suddenly become a bad thing.
I would feel depressed about that, but I just read your letter to the president. I'm fine now.
August 16, 2009 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know you would do the same, Ramona. Thank you.
August 16, 2009 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lissy, can't you get to your original e-mail by checking your "sent" file?
August 17, 2009 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I sent it via the official whitehouse.gov email page.
August 17, 2009 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
ahhhhhhh....thanks for clarifying.
August 17, 2009 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Proud of the letter you wrote - you are a caring person and for that I am grateful. I did not vote for Pres. Obama but I have regretted my vote for McCain. He would not have taken this country along a route I would now want to follow. However, I am disappointed in this healthcare issue for it was one of the first things I found that took me over the fence after the election. I hope that many people let the president know how they feel and I will be one of them. You have set an example Lis and thank you.
August 16, 2009 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Mum. You set a good example, yourself.
Not just all these years, but especially this past one. It took me almost a decade to switch parties. It took you much shorter a time. That says a lot, doesn't it?
August 16, 2009 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I still support you and I hope that you still support us.
There is something so sweet about this. I wonder. I think about the death threats, and the angry fascists, and those that cannot really read and write functionally; those who think Hillary is vice president....
I would think the staff would put this in a special bundle LisB
August 16, 2009 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, I wish. But, I doubt it. It just made me feel better to write it. Sure, I'd love for it to be seen, but I highly doubt that it will be.
Unless all of us do the same, tonight....tomorrow....the next day....
Can y'all do that? It wouldn't hurt.
August 16, 2009 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
This lot deserve a mention for extreme ignorance;
http://digg.com/politics/8_of_North_Carolina_Voters_Say_Hawaii_Not_A_U_S_State
It's always been my opinion that w won the Presidency based on ignorance. I've always wanted to know how many voters thought they were trying to elected his father. Name recognition is everything in politics.
August 17, 2009 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I can hear the rain.
August 16, 2009 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PscogedAWTI
August 16, 2009 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks LisB. I heard a different sound .
August 17, 2009 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are a lot nicer than I would have been. I'm too disappointed to write a nice letter now.
I should not be as I was afraid this would be the case from the get go. Never was really an Obama supporter...more behind Kucinich. Be he was nt sellable to the general public as he told it like it is and people do not want the truth. They want to hear what makes them feel good. And the truth rarely, if ever, does.
C
August 16, 2009 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Kucinich very much, and I think his constituents are extremely lucky to have him.
They are also very smart to have voted him in.
He has a heart, and he follows it no matter what.
So very rare, in politics.
Like you, I knew he wouldn't cross over towards the Presidency, much as I like what he stands for. Mainstream America, in all its forms, wouldn't allow such a well-meaning man access to the highest office. Hell, I wasn't even sure they'd let Obama in.
And don't think for a moment that I sometimes wonder to myself: Should I have voted for Hillary?
Ha! Dijamo, I hope you're reading this....
August 16, 2009 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lis
I sent one too, but it wasn't nearly as eloquent or moving as yours.
I hope the WH mail is flooded and all of Congress's as well.
I'm especially irritated in the manner the news of him willing to forgo public insurance option has been rolled out. Administration and others - it just doesn't make sense to me after watching and listening to him at town halls the previous two days.
Thanks for posting this. It's important. I know that it will 'goose' others to send in their missives too.
Rec'd.
August 16, 2009 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those are my hopes too, Auntie.
My hope that AP jumped the gun on their stupid news bite this morning, stating that the White House is willing to abandon the public option.
And my hope that others will write and write and write and bare their hearts and hopes in these remaining one and a half months before the health care bill becomes something none of us wanted, or needed.
August 16, 2009 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
LisB,
I used the links from Political Truths post and sent additional e mails/messages to both our Senators.
I hope everyone does that too.
There's been more and more on web about this - Obama needs to get in front of this NOW! So do we!
We must stand up and speak out more and more!
(Okay, I am a bit upset now - hopefully will calm down in a bit!)
Again, thanks so much for post and all your efforts!
August 16, 2009 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is a nice letter and it would be nice to think it would have some impact at 1600 Pennsylvania, but honestly, I think you are giving him waaaaaay too much credit. He just screwed the American people big time by surrending unconditionally to corporate interests on healthcare. You will still support him and hope he supports us? What more proof do you need that he does not support us than his capitulation to the special interests on this issue? I can't think of anything that could confirm more completely that he is absolutely controlled by the special interests he said he would fight and how willing he is to abandon us and our interests in order to serve theirs.
August 16, 2009 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
oleeb,
Obama left himself a bit of wiggle room (gasp!) I'm not so sure his on this is other than a trial balloon. Trick is, we have to slam it hard and pop it fast.
August 16, 2009 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Ripper - I see it a bit differently. From the beginning, Obama has insisted that we must have healthcare reform, but only that he wants a public option. He chooses his words carefully (except in the Gates/Crowley dustup), and he has therefore made clear consistently that reform is a non-negotiable absolute, while a public option is high priority but negotiable. In that sense, anyone who accuses him of betrayal just hasn't been listening.
In another thread (Peter Dreier's "Max Baucus" post), I've explained in more detail why the overemphasis on a public option is misguided, in that it is a desirable but non-essential element of a reform package that contains many essential features. I won't repeat that here, but I would encourage anyone who is disappointed in the recent news to keep pushing for a public option.
I would cite several reasons. First, a public option would be a legitimate enhancement of reform that could be legislated even during a recession (unlike single payer, for example). Second, if non-profit cooperatives are a politically viable alternative, strong pressure for a public option would implicitly pressure legislators to fashion a co-op alternative that they could tout as accomplishing the same goals.
The third reason involves the way Congress operates. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has already drafted a bill that includes a public option, even after negotiations with Blue Dog members, and so with continued pressure, there's a good chance the entire House will include a public option in a bill it passes.
The Senate almost certainly won't, but may well end up with a bill that includes the co-op alternative. At that point, House and Senate will have to reconcile their two bills.
This rarely results in one side winning a complete victory over the other side, but rather in a tendency to "split the difference".
"Split the difference? You must be joking. You can't possiblhy split the difference between a government run public option and a non-governmental cooperative. Can you?"
To coin a phrase, "You betcha."
Congress is very ingenious at things like that. The public option would be run by government officials under government rules. The co-ops would be run by co-op management, but how much of the rulemaking latitude is given to that management and how much is government regulated is a matter up for some negotation. Even the presence within co-op management of a representative from federal or state government is a possibility.
These are not guarantees, of course, but if public pressure for a public option bolsters the position of the House negotiators, what emerges may be an ugly looking hybrid that actually retains some of the power of a true public option. That's why the pressure should continue.
August 16, 2009 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Fred. We'll keep up the pressure for anything we can get, at this point.
You betcha. ;)
August 16, 2009 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fred, you made me drift in thought. I started to read between the lines and thought I saw you implying the public option is that big ugly stick that scares the hell out of the health insurance industry. And their reaction to the mere thought of the possibility of it becoming an entity for them to deal with has them shaking in their boots - competition like they've never have to cope with. So by Obama pretending to semi-suppor the option, the possibility arises where legislation may come to fruition that gives Obama the reform he wants without have to resort to the public option the industry is so fearful of. Now how Congress gets its act together and hammers out the pros and cons of each sides political agenda is for the oh-dark-thirty morning hour posts. All they have to do is create the bill in the end that bests fits Obama's vision of health care reform.
August 17, 2009 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
ooopps! I forgot to preview. oh well. You get my intent.
August 17, 2009 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lisa - I also wrote president obama today and I forgot to save it like you did! but the idea that he and the democrats would let the public option go makes no sense. i am really truly hoping that reports on this are wrong. obama will never get a single republican vote no matter how hard he tries reason, compromise and logic. He has the votes, and we have his back. The only "option" is to go for it.
August 17, 2009 1:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Our government, all of it, is caving to the monied interests who put up the dough to get them elected.
This is known as ROI and is a business transaction in every sense. No doubt about it. Just look at the result delivered over time and you cannot escape the reality of what has occurred. The financial scheme of this nation has transformed over the years, consistently centralizing the control and ownership of wealth.
From any objectivly honest perspective this is the picture of corruption and meets the defintion perfectly and undeniably. What makes it most awful is our supreme court had long ago ruled this as legal conduct.
Anyone who thinks or expresses the idea our government isn't completely corrupt are either stupid or is corrupt themself.
August 17, 2009 1:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just to identify the principal aspect of how this has all come about you need only look at the financial (banking) mergers that went on over three decades to understand the nature of what has occurred. This is completly and utterly about control of this entire country. The centralization of financial power, and thus control of the nation, is all but complete. The direction the healthcare debate has taken and ultimately the legislation it produces is merely another element which legislatively locks in power and control.
August 17, 2009 2:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wonderful, LisB!
August 17, 2009 2:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
LisB, here's hoping to get a truly live person response this time. One that reads your letter and responds appropriately.
August 17, 2009 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, you're way nicer than I would have been. I use too many swear words.
I am spending the rest of the day composing myself in order to compose a letter to send to my employees, Obama, Biden, Levin, Stabenow & Stupak. They should be happy to hear from me...again...because I will be using your letter as an example. I shall also be informing them of their eminent lay-offs should their work continue to deteriorate. The good news is, their unemployment benefits will be extended for another 16 weeks should they fail to find work in the first 16.
August 17, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! Good on you, Flower, for reminding them who they work for!!
August 17, 2009 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dang! Aunti Sam inspired me to write the White House, but I sent it and ddin't post it!
Great stuff, as always. LisB. You would have no debt if you did not support Obama as much as you did. I hope he takes that to heart, that there are thousands, like you, who gave to see a real change. Not getting an alternative to private insurance is no change at all.
August 17, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
LisB ... I enjoyed your letter, I'm jealous that you're debt free ( how the HELL did you do that?) and I am one of those who think this premature exclamation is just a trial balloon to see how the republicans react. I believe they will find something else to ge against, after which Obama will say screw it, let's do the public option because you're going to hate whatever I put out there.
At least, that's my fantasy.
August 17, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good fantasy, Bill. It works for me!
I admit, when I was 18 I got my first (and only) Visa card and racked up a good $4000 in debt in no time. Took me YEARS of making extra large payments per month to get it paid off. Then I didn't touch another credit card for years.
The only reason I have two cards with clothing companies is that I prefer to shop via catalog/online. I pay more than the minimum payment each month and I shop carefully (and not all that often). Everything else is debit card. If I can't afford something, I just don't buy it. That simple.
August 17, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said as always, Lisa. Paul Krugman has a lot to say about health care in his column and blog today.
August 17, 2009 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why were you a life-long Republican for so long?
August 17, 2009 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because I blindly followed my family, truthseeker, for too many years. I didn't question my own beliefs until my late 30's -- just voted Republican because that's what everyone else in my family did. I also watched Fox News religiously for years.
The one time I deviated, I went for Perot. Then, when he backed out, I simply didn't vote that year. I also didn't vote in 2004. It wasn't until 2006 that I realized my values and mindset were based on liberal ideals, so I switched parties and registered as a Democrat.
August 17, 2009 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Talk me down.
This debate is being controlled by wealthy corporations(insurance companies) who benefit from the failure of the reform. Through constantly shouting "socialism" they scare the very people who would receive the most benefit from reigning in the skyrocketing cost of health care and the over 30% profit insurance companies are currently receiving.
Not only are they using the fear of "socialism" but are tapping into larger pools of public ignorance and fear, such as racism. It is unconscionable and immoral. Unless I am wrong...and then I take it all back.
Love, love, love your bog.
Tim
August 17, 2009 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
No need to talk you down, Tim. You hit the nail on the proverbial head.
Thanks for liking my blog. I appreciate it.
August 17, 2009 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice post LisB.
And as thepeoplechoose was alluding to, there is no big industry in America that is independent of the remaining banking titans. Oil, Big Pharma, the Defense giants, Big Media, etc are all ultimately owned by the big banks, or by the bankers themselves.
It's a big club, and we ain't in it.
August 17, 2009 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol
you gave Obama $2,000? roflmao! I hope this was before it was obvious that it was going to be a blowout. I really hope it was before Nate Silver was saying 98%... because that is a LOT of money for somebody who doesn't make enough to pay Federal taxes.
No wonder you reflexively defend Obama, you don't want to admit to yourself that you've been played for all that dough.
I'm sure the President will read it himself, and then change his mind. The next time Obama has a backroom meeting with big Pharma, undercutting congress, and the American (working poor) people, he will remember your letter, and actually do what is right, instead of what his corporate masters order.
naive much?
I gave the dude some money, and made calls, but I have long since figured out that he is not on our side in the class war. At least, I tell myself, he IS better than McCain, surely. But that is small consolation to me.
Obama is using your money to build support for continuing to bomb and torture the shit out of brown people on the other side of the world, face it. He is redistributing wealth upwards, and you gave him 2K VOLUNTARILY??? How very generous.
After Obama sells you out on war (4evah!), torture (it's OK), healthcare (preserve for profit), energy (clean coal), financial policy (give Goldman your money), will you finally be able to admit your mistake?
In this two party system, you don't have great choices, but fer godsakes you need to call a spade a spade. It is part of growing up.
Sometimes it is best to know when to fold 'em, when to cut your losses. Or you can hang on to antiquated ideals that have been smashed forever, ignorance is bliss. Do you really think he cares about you and your $2K? I think if Obama read that, he would have a good chuckle, then he would forward it to Summers and Geithner, and they would all have a good laugh together.
August 18, 2009 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink