View a special report on the inauguration of Barack Obama including:
Hope is renewed
Dear President,
You’ve done it. You’ve given me hope. I cannot remember feeling like this since I watched (Neil) Armstrong land on the moon. I am proud — of my country and of you.
Your days ahead will be difficult — keep your faith, as we, the people, will keep ours in you. You have unworn shoes to fill; no one has walked the path you have embarked on. But you’ve made me believe.
My mother is the daughter of two Irish immigrants; my father’s family fought in the Revolutionary War. They all believed in what America stands for: hope. Thank you for giving that back to us. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.
And Mr. President, you were right today; it is up to each of us to do what needs to be done. It’s time to grow up. And as Winston Churchill said, “Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”
I, for one, am looking forward to the climb.
Thank you.
Caryl Bahner-Guhin
Morrisonville
Try to keep stress low
Dear President,
Yes, you can lead our continued change, and that requires that you stay strong. Eat well, play hard, and enjoy genuine laughter with your family every day. That way, you can keep the job stress manageable.
Don’t worry about the cigarettes for now. It takes energy and focus to quit, and you can’t spare any of that yet. Commit to a smoke-free you in your later White House years.
Watch for signs of stress in yourself and your staff. Have you observed the whites of eyes showing under their eyeballs in photos of Lincoln, Kennedy and most of the 9-11 attackers? It is an identifier of stress and even Rom Emanuel’s eyes, during his period of decision making surrounding the offered Cabinet post, exhibited the stress he was experiencing.
You can all help each other stay strong and let one another know when it’s time to step back and take an extra day or two to recreate yourselves through play and laughter. Yes, you can. We need you to do that.
Brenda Towne
Plattsburgh
You have inspired us
Dear President,
Sheer words cannot express my pride and joy in your new leadership for this country and the world. I belong to a book club, and awhile ago we read both of your books. We are a diverse group, and much verbal discussion takes place at our gatherings. There was not an individual in our group who did not have faith in your brilliance and humility, your sincerity and dedication to our country and what we stand for.
I am so proud of the uprising of patriotism and partnerships that are forming all across our country and the world. We do believe in you and in ourselves because you have inspired and transformed us. I know that we are on the right path and that we all must share in the challenges that are ahead of us.
Your spirit and tenacity are our shining light to a better future for all.
Kathleen Hazel
Plattsburgh
We should support you
Dear President,
On behalf of all the people who came from different countries and places in the world, the moment we’ve been waiting for a very long time is finally here. We should celebrate the new freedom, and we should all come together to support you as you will be our guide to the new path, our voice, our light and our children’s future’s hope and dreams. Now, we can all live in unity and peace.
Go-bama and God bless America.
With all my heart,
I’m proud to say, I’m a Philippine-American.
Gege A. Fliss
Peru
Health concerns
Dear President,
For the first time in a long time I have hope for a real turn-around in America. I am not a person prone to writing letters on every little issue, but I feel very strongly that this is the moment for change.
I have been a registered nurse for 36-plus years, an advocate for special-needs children and their families and am a former school-board member.
Our country has seriously gone off the road into the ditch. We reward those who choose not to work with every benefit, whether they are able to work or not. When a hard-working person who wants to work is laid off, they face very tough choices. They apply for unemployment until they can find another job and can pay for Healthy New York health insurance out of that amount. If they choose to take a part-time job, they will most likely lose their heath insurance because the income cap is about $1,200 per month. How many people could pay for health insurance out of that monthly income?
I see part-time jobs advertised every day, but who can afford to take them? What is really needed, desperately, is a fix of the health-insurance system so that all Americans can afford health insurance and be able to take jobs at any level to get a new start. If you can fix that and tell every able-bodied person to get a job, we will be on the right track.
I see patients every day who have to make tough choices regarding their health care because of inadequate or no health insurance.
Our governor also sees cuts to education as a way to balance the budget. How will we have a well-trained workforce without a commitment to education? No Child Left Behind promotes teach to the test and teach every child the same way. How will we have future problem solvers and forward thinkers if we continue with that policy?
Peggy Garner
Plattsburgh
Change mind on abortion
Dear President,
Wow! I watched a show called “60 Minutes.” You and Mrs. Obama were on it. You are such wonderful people. I wish I could meet you in person. I have true faith that you will change the world.
I am 12 years of age and have my own beliefs. My mom and dad don’t control them, but unfortunately, I disagree with one of your ideas. I’m hoping that you will change your mind about abortion. I know that people must have tons of complaints and comments, but please consider mine. Killing the most innocent form of human life is, to me, considered murder. If a baby is aborted, it is not considered killing, but if a pregnant mother dies, it is considered two lives being lost.
When you say a women should have a choice, what do you mean? The choice to kill? The only time when abortion should be allowed is if the mother’s life is at risk. A beautiful baby should not be an inconvenience to anyone.
I was happy to hear that you were president but sad because the No. 1 cause of death in America is abortion: 1,200,000 deaths a year! If you sign the Freedom of Choice Act, 150,000 more babies will die.
I hope you change your mind about abortion. I am happy your mom didn’t abort you. You don’t get pregnant on accident. Your best friend, sister, brother or even aunt or uncle could have been aborted.
Thank you for your precious time. Think about it. You hold lives in your hands.
Maura Jebb
Ticonderoga
Abortion, economy
Dear President,
For president, I wanted John McCain, but I respect you as our president, and I know that you will do great things for our country in your time in office.
A lot of issues have come up that you could help a lot of people with. One issue is abortion. To me, and I am sure some other people, abortion should be stopped. If your mother had had an abortion, you would not be alive. So please think about it, and I am sure you would make a lot of people happy if abortion was stopped.
Another issue is the economy. Many people look forward to retirement, but how can they with today’s economy? Many people take money out of their paychecks and put it in a retirement fund. They hope to earn money by doing this, but since today’s economy is so bad, they are losing money! Since they are losing money, they have to keep working and keep holding off on their retirement. Please try your best to help this issue.
Cara Teeple
Fifth grade
St. Joseph Elementary
Willing to listen
Dear President,
I am a 50-year-old man with cerebral palsy. I am legally blind so I need someone to read to me. So I really listen a lot. I have never been so glad to know that you are at the helm of our country.
To be honest with you, I was not even going to vote this year. I listened to the opposition, and I made myself listen to you. After I thought about it for a long time and listened more and more, you gave me the comfort that I needed to believe in you. Thank you. Then I went ahead and I voted, and I have felt better ever since.
Before I get too far, let me send you my condolences about your grandmother. I know she was very special to you, as was mine to me.
I was very pleased with the way everything was handled during the months of campaigning. I felt you were a terrific example of a warm and wonderful human being. It is what restored my faith in voting for you. I knew when it was all said and done I did the right thing.
I was very pleased with the way you took complete charge and control. You started handling difficult situations right away. It seemed good to know that someone is taking care of our issues at home instead of everywhere else first.
I have my listening ears on, and I am ready to hear you speak and willing to really listen. I am looking forward to any changes that you are ready to propose.
Eric S. Charlton
Westport
Lower taxes, gas prices
Dear President,
I would like you to lower gas prices so more people will buy more cars, trucks, SUVs and four-wheelers.
Please bring our soldiers back home so people stop dying in battle.
Please lower federal taxes so people that barely own a house don’t have to give up money to help bail banks out.
If I was older, I would have voted for you.
Sasha and Malia would like a daschund-chihuahua mix. They would like a cute dog like that.
Matthew Fleury
Fifth grade
St. Joseph Elementary
Bring home the troops
Dear President,
I think you are the best president in my lifetime. I hope you can bring our troops home. My cousin Timothy Armstrong Jr. is in the Army.
Do you think you could help stop the pollutants?
I think you should also cut school hours back. My dad needs me to help on the farm because my grandpa just died on November 7th in a tractor accident.
Matthew Armstrong
Fifth grade
St. Joseph Elementary
United behind you
Dear President,
Each president we elect realizes a crisis may arise at any instant, and they must respond in a manner befitting the leader of the free world. You, sir, had an economic crisis thrust upon you in the midst of a campaign.
This puts you in a position that is unique and certainly not of your making. Even a secessionist movement that emerged between Abraham Lincoln’s nomination and election was at least partially of his influence.
And like President Lincoln, the country elected you as the person best prepared to move this country forward at a most precarious time. And like President Lincoln, you demonstrated the courage to assemble a team that is diverse in thought and perspectives. These are courageous choices at a time when courage and confidence are at a premium.
The country wishes you well. We hope and trust you can unite a nation that has for too long been divided along cultures of pre-Vietnam and post-Vietnam, rich and poor, North and South, black and white, or Republican and Democrat. This time we really do want a uniter, not a divider.
At this moment, the country — and perhaps even the world — is united behind your leadership.
Colin Read
Plattsburgh
Help with grocery costs
Dear President,
First, I think you should decrease prices on groceries and bills. My dad pays over $200 on groceries to feed our family, and we still have to pay bills!
Also, if you could change gas prices, could you? My mom doesn’t want to drive my brother and I to school because of it, so we ride the bus.
I also think every citizen should have health insurance. They are part of the country, aren’t they?
Finally, I think you should lower taxes too. Some of your citizens can’t afford their basic bills.
I hope you liked my ideas. See you on TV!
Andrea LaBier
Fifth grade
St. Joseph Elementary
Don’t take guns away
Dear President,
What I would like you to do is not take guns away. People hunt for family meat.
It would be nice to keep the Army there in Iraq so they will be able to fight for what you want them to, and they could have cameras watching people. It is a crisis over there! If I were them, I’d do a peace treaty.
You should get a Weimriner. They are hyper dogs, and they would like to play with Sasha and Malia.
Alex Smith
Fifth grade
St. Joseph Elementary
Clean out the wound
Dear President,
As we slip in a coma, the doctor states that he wants to run some tests to see what the cause of the shutdown is. Well, as we continue to treat new illness with old treatments, we end up having more problems.
So, if change is what you’re looking for, then it’s time to start at the root of the problem.
Our government continues to try to cover the wound with a Band-aid, but we’re still having the same problems. First, we need to see why are we having such pain. By cleaning out the wound, you can see if there is a foreign object in there or just a infection.
Change is what we need. Where to start? How about with our government. We continue to point fingers instead of taking the blame.
If our country is to stand on its feet, stop the madness. We have too many people in our government taking up space and income. So look in your back yard and start unplugging these before you try to fix everyone else’s.
Steven S. Paulson
Schuyler Falls
I’m your biggest fan
Dear President,
I am a huge fan. Congratulations on your election. I was so excited when I found out you won. I know you’re going to do a great, wonderful job running our country. I believe you are a great man.
I’m writing an essay just for fun, and it’s about you. It must feel wonderful making history. I’ve heard all about your wife and children. I know all about you. Your birthplace is Hawaii. Your wife’s name is Michelle, and your two daughters are Sasha and Malia. I bet they are all excited on your big winning and moving into the White House.
It felt so good watching the inauguration. I’m African-American, too. I also won the third-grade spelling bee.
Again, you’re a great, wonderful, caring man. I really am your biggest fan. I’m looking forward to have you as our president.
Jaylen Morgan Simpson
Age 8
Plattsburgh
Think of your girls
Dear President,
I’m pro-life, and I’m very upset at your stance on the issue and your broadening the abortion stance. Please, please don’t do it.
Let me ask you a question, Mr. President. You have two beautiful daughters, and I just love already little Shasha, as she is so adorable, and I know just how much you love the both of them and how protective of them you are, which you should be.
However, what if your wife, Michelle, would have decided to have an abortion — you would not have had these two beautiful girls. They bring love, joy, happiness and all of those good feelings to you, don’t they? If you didn’t have them, you would have none of these feelings as a parent.
As some of the pro-life signs say, “there’s adoption rather than abortion.” So many couples can’t have children and would love to have their own, but can’t. These babies who would be aborted would have a home.
When I became pregnant, Mr. President, two doctors had told me I could not carry a baby, as it would kill me. I’m a “little person.”
Well, Mr. President, I carried that baby full-term and delivered a bouncing baby boy, weighing 7 lbs., 11⁄2 ounces, and he was 191⁄2 inches long. Today, he’s a school teacher, whom I am so very proud of, just as you are of your two girls.
So, please Mr. President, re-consider your stance on the abortion issue and let the little ones live. Think of your two girls before you sign that bill, please.
Sandi Andrews
Peru
Work on fuel prices
Dear President,
Congratulation on your election! You carry the hopes and dreams of our great nation with you.
They say your stimulus package is too large and too slow.
May I suggest that you work to keep gas, diesel and fuel prices below $2 per gallon and interest rates below 6 percent. This would have an immediate effect in stimulating the economy.
Since your nomination and election, gas prices have risen almost 50 cents per gallon here locally.
It is time for a change; we need to break the chain of our dependence on foreign countries for our energy needs and give our nation an economical and renewable source of energy.
The big three got their bailout; now they must develop vehicles for this goal, as well, in the next four years or let them close.
Steve Brodi
Plattsburgh
Help for senior citizens
Dear President,
We appeal for your help in righting a wrong and addressing a real grievance, which we feel needs to be addressed for tax year 2008.
My wife and I, as well as millions of other senior citizens in their 70s, were required to take minimum distributions in 2008 during a period of stock values at historic lows, at great loss to our nest egg.
We were without options because failure to do so would have penalized us 50 percent of our required amount if we did not take it. As a result, we were required to sell shares of our stock at their lowest value ever and in much larger number. Those shares are now gone forever. They can never recover from a better market.
In the case of my wife and I, we have lost 50 percent of the value we had in our IRAs in 2007 — the sum that had been built up since our children left the nest and we were able to since save for retirement, beginning almost 20 years ago.
In past years, it has been common practice for tax laws to be modified to give tax breaks to groups that have suffered because of acts of nature not shared by the general population or any other circumstance.
I believe senior citizens who are required to take minimum distributions based on a prior year’s value under severe penalty for failing to do so, regardless of economic conditions in the year taken, satisfies this same test. The verity of this is evident in the fact that such relief has already been written into the 2009 tax law.
It only remains for the government to do the right thing and provide the necessary relief for the total 2008 tax due now.
Arnold P. Burdeau
Plattsburgh
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