Readers write letters to Obama

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January 20, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Fri May 14, 2010, 07:01 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — The Press-Republican invited readers to write letters to President Barack Obama.

Here’s what we’ve received so far:

Critical time in history
Dear President,
It has been inspiring to hear your vision for this country. Never before in my lifetime has it been more apparent that radical change is needed in this country.

I believe the words you have spoken. I believe they are not just empty words but words that you have every intention of fulfilling.

I don’t look at you as a Democrat. I don’t look at you as a messiah. I look at you as a patriot. This has been a great country because of the ideas, principles, intelligence and courage of people such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln.

What we have seen over the last decade is an unraveling of these ideals, to point where things have actually begun to unravel. Not just in pockets here and there; it’s everywhere. Corporate greed and personal quests for power and influence have not only caused a financial meltdown but an erosion of the public trust in our governments and institutions that are bringing us ever so close to a level of desperation and frustration that are the harbingers of revolt.

I believe in my heart that you are the right person to lead us at this critical moment in history. If we all work as one, we can get back to that place where we once were — a government of the people, by the people and for the people, a place where every man, woman and child is afforded the same rights.

It’s a long road back, but I would love to walk on that road with you, one step at a time.

Peter J. Mullen
Peru

More help for schools
Dear President,
These are some of the improvements we encourage you to help with. We want you to improve technology by providing computers in each school and programs to make sure students know how to use them.

We also want you to make sure that if someone gets a bad grade on a test, they should have a way to make up for it with an extra-credit assignment of some kind.

It would also be nice if you could make even more safety programs at schools.

You could also improve schools by providing recycling bins in each school that doesn’t have them, as well. We would also like more choices for extra programs for kids.

We would like it if you could add more fundraisers for school equipment and scholarships.

Maybe you could expand lunch time and make sure that kids can sit wherever they want to.

Finally, we also hope that you make sure that we have more study time in school, so that we don’t have to worry about carrying too much in our backpacks.

Those are the things we want you to help with when it comes to education.

Olivia Hornibrook Wells,
Ethan Rascoe,
Brianna Quinn,
and J.D. Side
Mary McGee’s fifth-grade class, Momot Elementary

Put an end to abortion
Dear President,
Many presidents of the United States have been very concerned as to how history will remember their presidency. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent building libraries to preserve their executive documents, yet most have never attained the exalted legacy they sought.

Your campaign rhetoric shouted for change. You made history by being America’s first black president. This will always be a triumphant feature of your legacy. Unfortunately, so will your steadfast championing of abortion. Annually, 1,300,000 babies are aborted in the United States of America. Although blacks constitute only about 13 percent of Americans, 37 percent of all abortions are committed on black women.

Since Roe v. Wade, 10,000,000 black pregnancies have been aborted. Abortion has claimed the lives of about one-third of America’s black community. This is genocide.

For you not to address this national scandal is a disgrace. As a black American, how can you continue to support the barbaric act of abortion that ruthlessly devastates the black community? Sadly, this will be part of your legacy.

You have the opportunity to achieve an historic legacy equal to that of President Lincoln, who issued the Proclamation of Emancipation freeing slaves. You will most likely be able to nominate two Supreme Court justices. Choosing two strict constitutionalists who would defend human life from the moment of conception would restore personhood and the sanctity of human life. This would enable the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Your campaign rhetoric shouted for change. Well, this decision would change the fabric of our society for the betterment of America.

Your decision to promote this change would assure your legacy as a statesman and not just that of being the first black president.

Bart J. Gaffney
Jay

Bring peace to the world
Dear President,
We have a lot of hopes and dreams for you. We would like you to try to end the war. Second, we would like you to try and get the soldiers back to their homes safely.

We would like to bring back peace to the world and to end all the fighting. We think our country should take a leadership role in bringing peace to all people.

Brianna Coon,
Zoe Porter
and Serena Vela
Mary McGee’s fifth-grade class, Momot Elementary

End war in Mideast
Dear President,
I urge you to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as your No. 1 priority, not the economy, as I’m sure Americans will be able to get back to living beyond their means, driving bigger SUVs and being the most obese nation anywhere, ever (as many in the world die a horrible death from starvation, mostly children).

Right now, innocent human beings are being blown to pieces in Gaza (sometimes as they sleep) by an occupational force that has no legitimate claim, whatsoever, to anything, in the Middle East. Sound familiar?

I urge you to use what little credibility America has remaining to help end this blatant crime and finally show respect to the Muslim world.

Patrick McCormick
Plattsburgh

Help U.S. ‘go green’
Dear President,
Our hopes and dreams for you, Barack Obama, on the environment are that we think you should help our country “go green.” Our ideas for doing this are to clean up the environment, recycle more and start using clean energy.

You can help us do this by setting an example and doing it yourself. You can also encourage everyone to help find cleaner energy. We have also been cutting down too many trees, and we need to save them.

Thank you for listening to our thoughts on the environment, and remember, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!”

Lee Cyphers,
Austin Monette
and Sarah Bracy
Mary McGee’s fifth-grade class, Momot Elementary

Controlling liberties
Dear President,
Your campaign theme spoke of change and hope, yet I still don’t think we know exactly what you had in mind.

I hope that you don’t use the current economic problems as justification for radical change that will convert us to a centrally planned economy. You may recall that the Soviets tried that last century, and it didn’t work.

A government with the power to control our economic liberties can also control our religious and political liberties, all of which are at the very core of this nation.

I hope you won’t begrudge people of honest gain, even if that gain is far more than any of us regular people will ever see in our lifetimes. The hope of gain is what motivates people to excellence and innovation.

I do, however, hope you will enforce existing laws that protect our property rights from the dishonest and unscrupulous.

I hope you will defend the Constitution and recognize that it is a living document only in the sense that it can be amended and ought not be changed by judicial decree, just as you would not expect a judge to modify the terms of a business contract between two parties.

I truly hope you can change the way Washington does business. There is too much money flowing at the leaky federal pig trough and too many greedy people, businesses, organizations and, yes, politicians feeding at it. By the way, how are you going to do that?

Finally, I hope you acknowledge that we are a nation that has enjoyed the blessings and protection of our Creator.

Wishing you and our nation the best success,

Glen Wass
Peru

Lower taxes, gas prices
Dear President,
Our hopes and dreams for you are to help the economy of our country. You need to find a way to lower taxes because people are struggling just to pay their bills.

You also need to lower gas prices and help us find other forms of energy.

Businesses are also having trouble. If you could, could you create more and better jobs for people?

Also, many people have lost their retirements, and we need to help them.

Lizzy Khristiansen,
Angel Castonguay
and Julia Karkoski
Mary McGee’s fifth-grade class, Momot Elementary

Be fair to veterans
Dear President,
As you start your legacy, I would remind you to be fair to our veterans, all of us. We are not just the “current war” veteran; we are veterans from any wars. Some of us are not even “war” veterans, Mr. President, but peace veterans. To this end, because of our duties 24/7, there has been peace at times.

Every Congress and every administration seems to have forgotten we are on call 24/7; we are sent where needed, not where we want to be; and mostly the politician has neglected the veterans’ needs.

They talk the talk during elections or when one of us dies, but for the most part, it’s talk.

Today’s leaders, as in the past, seem to want more for the current war veteran, because it is expected, while ignoring the retired and older veterans.

All we have ever asked for after service is to be treated fairly, as promised. It seems that whenever there needs to be a cut or a change, we start with military personnel, instead of congressional pay, health care and perks.

I served my country for over 30 years and two conflicts, so during your administration try to convince Congress and your administration be fair to me and my fellow comrades. What is not fair? Subtracting my disability payment from my retirement check and saying I get disability pay. Making over-65 veterans paying for Tricare for Life, plus Medicare, because I don’t live next to a military installation.

Increasing prescription costs more than any cost-of-living allowance.

Closing VA clinics because the local hospital only furnishes a physician’s assistant and nurse, with a doctor on call. Who doesn’t see a PA today? We are willing; ask us!

I spent a good amount of my career recruiting young men and women into our Armed Forces. I never lied to my recruits, I never gave them false hope to “make my goal,” and I told them all the facts, as known to me.

Mr. President, give me back my honor for what was said, give me back my faith in our leadership, give all veterans what they were promised — because in many cases we gave our country more than what was asked.

Win Belanger
Willsboro

Plans would hurt area
Dear President,
My intention is not to express only my concern and hopes but those of the many in this area who have been directly touched by these economic times.

We are the “abject poor,” as quoted by former Gov. Cuomo. We are a depressed area, and it has been our personal cross to bear.

Due to Gov. Paterson’s proposed Empire Zone changes, the small businesses here will clearly be downsized or eliminated. None have actually prospered from the help received but have survived.

The governor’s plan to freeze state tax on Forest Preserve land will ultimately place the burden again on the “abject poor,” while the rest of the state will benefit from the spoils of others. If the state cannot afford to pay their share of taxes, then sell the land. The Adirondack Park has been only a burden to taxpayers in this area.

At no time in history has there been a more appropriate time than present to show the people that our government “for the people and by the people” is able to hear, see and feel what the United States needs and wants.

We, the people, are the foundation of this country. We, the people, made the sacrifices and defended this country. We, the people, now deserve to be treated appropriately and our rights respected, as was once the intention and guarantee of our constitution.

The promises made to help the people bear these trying times ahead gave a ray and wealth of hope to all. We saw change through you and reached out to you.

Now I question this. As an example, it is unacceptable the thousand-dollar stimulus rebate only refers to those in the work force. Those of us forced to retire due to the many job eliminations, cutbacks, relocations disabilities, etc., deserve the stimulus, as I still pay taxes and file an income tax, just like everyone else.

The big bailouts made to the auto companies, banks, Wall Street, etc., have helped no one. The working people, disabled, taxpayers and retirees are the ones primarily affected by this recession.

Now it is time to truly help the people. We don’t need more political promises. We need change, something you promised. We don’t need to hear “old politics.” We need to hear the support that we, the people, had believed and trusted be forthcoming.

Wayne Simard
Witherbee

Bring all together
Dear President,
I am very grateful to be a party of your being president of the USA. One of the items I view are ‘live and let live.’ Also you are bringing all the people together.

During World War II, it was an honor to work with your people. Some people were not as friendly with your people.

Herman M. Durocher
Plattsburgh

Reject abortion
Dear President,
I did not vote for you, but I will respect you and your office. There is, however, one very important concern that I have, and it must be addressed.

This country can never reach its full potential of freedom and justice for all as long as we live in a culture of death. Life is a gift from God, not a creation of our own making. Unborn children and the aged and handicapped are not inconvenient burdens to “get rid of.” All human life deserves care, protection and respect.

I am already aware that you support ending the war in Iraq and that you support assistance for the poor and disabled. These are acceptable goals for a man who has said that he is a Christian.

A full Christian witness, however, cannot end there. You must also stop sacrificing human life for the sake of false freedom and convenience.

You have stated that you strongly support the Freedom of Choice Act, which would, if enacted, remove all restrictions to abortion. This kind of “choice” is an appalling and grievous wrong. What kind of nation are we building when we create a culture where we kill part of our population because they are inconvenient?

I ask you to look into your heart and reconsider your support for abortion. Take a look at what it is really doing — killing our defenseless young, including unborn members of your African-American community. These children are the future of our country!

Please reject abortion and other actions against life, such as euthanasia, and create national policies that provide care and respect for all human life from conception to natural death. That would truly be an action that I can support.

Ann M. Learned
Saranac

Keep your connection
Dear President,
I pray for your success in leading our country. You have an enormous job in front of you, but I feel you are the best choice for the job right now.

I have read your first two books. In your books, it seems that you are able to see both sides of an issue; you are able to walk in the other side’s shoes. That ability sometimes makes decisions harder to make, but I believe in the long run it also makes them more fair, more reasoned, and hopefully the correct one.

You mention in your book “Audacity of Hope” about the difficulty of connecting with ordinary people if you are constantly riding in private jets. The problem will be tenfold now that you are president. You will really have to work hard to keep that connection somehow. Try hard to keep that connection with the common man; it will help to keep you grounded.

My prayers for you, your family, staff and our country will continue through the years ahead.

Anne Ray
Malone

YOU CAN STILL WRITE

The Press-Republican invites you, in 300 words or fewer, to share any messages you would like to deliver to the new president.

We will publish your statements of encouragement, concern, historic perspective or advice.

You can e-mail those by Monday, Jan. 26, to News Editor Lois Clermont at news@pressrepublican.com.

You must include your name and address.