Dear Mr. President

November 8, 2010

President Barrack Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing you for many reasons. This is not a letter of hate or condemnation. It is a letter of support. I doubt your eyes will actually read my words, though I heartedly wish you were able to. I understand the pressures you are under and that you must get thousands of letters and emails every day. Many, I imagine, hostile.

I am am currently retired due to an illness. I was a teacher for 36 years, mostly teaching in Catholic or private schools here in the islands. I even taught at the school you graduated from, for 12 summers! My family were once immigrants who came to toil in the sugar/pineapple plantations. Each generation improved itself, educationally and now my daughter has an MA degree. It's obvious I am proud of her.

I think it’s important for you to know that my family are your number-one fans. All of us card-carrying Democrats and great believers of social justice! I’m proud to say that I believe in what you are trying to do for the country and I support you even though I don’t always agree with you. I figure I’m here in Hawaii, what do I know about the conditions of stress you are under as our president?

I do know, however, that the current political climate, for you, has been brutal. I am not one of those Americans who believed that “Change” would happen overnight. I listened to your speeches and in them, you always said that the road to change would be difficult and long. I have lived, in torture, I might add, under several Republican presidents and have watched and agonized as they gradually tore up workers’ unions, giving tax credits to the rich, outsourcing of jobs, approval of nationalistic/jingoistic attitudes by some, and experienced the economic downfall we’ve all been suffering through. I am disheartened to see the Republicans picking up power in the House. I cannot believe we Americans would want that. Yet, it happened.

I was in the hospital while the health care bill was being debated. I watched you try, in your strong and careful way to bring the Republicans together with the Democrats. They said NO. And now, your administration has to pay for it. This is utter nonsense. The idea that they may try to repeal Health Care is ridiculous! They had the chance to express their opinions, instead they demonized it by calling it “Obama Care”!

I laughedly told my friends that I was in mourning for two days after this election because of, what I think is, the stupidity of the American people in bringing in this crowd of Republicans. Then I realized that my view may not be what the majority of Americans feel. I’m a liberal Democrat. I am left of you! Rush Limbaugh has demonized liberals and since I am a woman, he’d call me a “feminazi”!

I am not the norm of this country and I believe, as President, you have to appeal to the norm, whatever that may be at this time. I just wish you would fight the other side more vocally is all.

I am proud of you. It’s been a tough slough for you. You and the Democratic Congress accomplished so much in such a short time. It’s a shame the media and our own party did not tout the accomplishments, as they should’ve. That’s politics, isn’t it?

Don’t be too downhearted. You are doing a great job with the mess you have been dealt. All I have are two requests: Close down Guantanimo and kill “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. Those two requests may not be huge in the grand scheme of things, but in the grand scheme of politics, it’s gargantuan! It would look like you are coming out of this election with boxing gloves on ready to rumble! Perception is tantamount to truth in this crazy world! And while you're at it, maybe you can end the two wars that are sapping our money!

I hope you will be able to read this. I wish you and your wonderful family all the best. Hope you have a great vacation here!

Aloha,

PJ

Citizen