Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on your victory. I am positive that this country has made the right decision in electing you as our next president. I have faith in your abilities to lead us through these tough economic times and toward a brighter future. During your presidency, I would like to see American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan brought home, more job opportunities created to help ease the troubled economy, and a much greater effort to protect our environment.

I think it is very important that our soldiers be brought home. They are fighting a war that can’t be won. Over 4,200 Americans have lost their lives since this war began, and another 30,000 have been injured. Hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed and injured as well. In addition to the cost in human lives, we have spent trillions of dollars on a war that has destroyed our credibility around the world and increased anti-American sentiment throughout the Middle East. Funding this ill-planned war has had a severe impact on our economy and forced us to cut spending in so many important areas, such as education and healthcare. America is supposed to stand for peace and justice. Yet, I find it hard to call America a peacekeeper while we fight an unjust war led by some of the most corrupt and scandalous people this country has ever seen.

We have to do something about the job situation in our country. The unemployment rate continued to increase through December and the impact that it is having on American families is staggering. I hope you will keep your promise to increase jobs by investing in healthcare, education and energy. By rebuilding the infrastructure in this country, focusing on disease prevention and looking for alternative energy sources, we can help Americans both physically and fiscally. The creation of green jobs will help stimulate the economy and save our planet.

Our environment is an issue of critical importance. “Drill, baby, drill” can no longer suffice as America’s energy policy. We need to rethink the way we do things. Automakers need to start producing more eco-friendly vehicles. We need to access new types of renewable energy; wind, solar, geothermal, tides etc. We can not stick to our old way of doing things if want a sustainable environment for future generations. When gas was

approaching $4.00 per gallon and we were starting to initiate some changes, oil prices dropped and the sense of urgency that we felt to reduce our consumption faded. We will become re-addicted to oil and this price drop will set us back once again. I hope you will institute a “real” energy policy that will carry us into the next century with as little negative impact on our environment as possible.

I appreciate your taking the time to hear my concerns and wish you all the best as you embark on your journey as President of these United States of America.

Sincerely,

Brandon L. G.

Booker High Freshmen

Sarasota, Florida

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to congratulate you on your victory. I think that it is obvious that we have issues in our country. Some things that I think our country needs to address are war, gas prices, and the economy.

Furthermore, the war in Iraq is putting our country in a lot of trouble. The cost of the war is outrageous; we have spent over one billion dollars in the war. What are we fighting for; our country has no idea what we are fighting for. Soldiers are dying, and many come back injured. And I think that our country really needs to get out of there.
Are gas prices going to stay the way they are or just go right back where they were? Gas prices dropped tremendously over the past six to seven months. And why was oil so expensive, experts say that we have plenty of oil to go around and there is no reason for the gas prices to be so high, but then other experts say that we are in short supply of oil and we need to find an alternative fuel source like electricity. Why aren’t we building oil refineries to make our own oil instead of wasting all of our money in Iraq we could be building refineries all over and we could make more off shore oil mines?
Last of all we have many issues with our economy that we need to take care of. People are losing their jobs for no reason just because the company isn’t making any money, and it’s harder to find a job. At my work our hourly wage was cut ten percent which is a lot if you think about it. Another serious problem with our economy is our middle class. George Bush has destroyed our middle class there is only upper and lower anymore. Bailouts are happening all the time we bailed out AIG for seven hundred million, and we also bailed out the Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

In conclusion I hope that you, Mr. President, will address our problems with our economy, our troubles with the war, and our messed up gas prices while you are office.

Dear President Obama,

There are three issues that are important to me; the war against terror, helping the poor, and gay rights.

My first subject on hand is the war on terror . One of my cousins is going to have four tours this year then he can come home and be safe. But what if when he is there fighting or is bombed and dies I hate that thought and many families in America loathe the thought going across their mind. I wish for our troops to come home as soon as possible make sure you bring them home when you say you will, because if that promise is broken you’ll leave many of us looking the other way or wallowing in doubt. War is always created but never destroyed I know its part of nature but during your presidency I would rather see us in prosperity and peace between our fellow countries than us fighting against them. I’ve read and watched a lot about wars and always in the end there is no victor in the end for the lives lost for there “victory” is a tragic sight to behold. I believe that you should compromise, talk, and listen to those who want to be against us, with us, or even bring up ideas for everyone. But do not make war out of it try and avoid it at all costs, and only to go to war when there is no other outcome.

Everyday I walk or ride my bike to and from school everyday I see people homeless, addicted to something, or that that everlasting glimmer in their eye called hope when knowing that the money in their pocket might be the last. Low lifes is what “they” call them they sometimes sneer in their direction or turn their back ignoring the problem. But

I also see people few really try there best to give these people another tomorrow. Now I’m not the poorest person I’m above poor but under middle class, yet everyday I that people what are poorer than I to have a better life but they some how can’t. I’ve heard people say,” They choose to be poor!” Ya let me tell ya its great to live poor I chose it for a reason. Really? Is that what people think that people chose to be poor? Everyday the parents work to the bone to put food on the table. I know when I was really young my Mom would starve herself just so, I could eat. But that was a time where even then I was happy then again I was only two or three. But life after that it got better because she worked her hardest. But what I want you to think about President Obama is about the people who aren’t so lucky. To have funds where these people have food stamps and as their life gets better the less the food stamp can allow them to have so they don’t become dependant on it. Also for the homeless set out work programs for them where that can get help to get themselves back in society working again and after a couple of years they can have a life of their own.

My last topic is gay rights; now in every generation there is some movement or discrimination against some type of people. Yet it seems we forget that line in the declaration of independence, “-all men are created equal.” Now why can’t this be the same for the homosexuals? The declaration does say ‘all’ it doesn’t say, “well maybe there is an exception”. When people say that gays have no rights to marriage, adoption, and to even to serve in the army. It’s the same as somebody saying you can’t marry that person because they’re Hispanic, white, black or anything for that matter.

Only 19 states allow gay adoption! Even then it takes them a long time to adopt because of the paper work for them. Even when getting married gays aren’t allowed the full rights of a straight couple. There is much discrimination against gays in 2000 the Supreme Court allowed a New Jersey ruling that gay scoutmasters were to be banned from boy scouts. Gays have been outcasts by our older generation but now my generation doesn’t really care we just think we should let them be. I think that even parts of my generation are against it but they might be following their parent’s opinion. All that I ask is that gays have the same exact rights as anyone else just as Marten Luther King Jr. asked the press and government during the civil rights movement of course I’m not in jail or anything.

So, this is the end to my letter. Remember my generation and other generations to come possess the future in our hands but what kind of future? From the people of the world and the U.S. we all hope that you can help us achieve a better future.

-Aradia

Dear President Barack Obama,

We volunteered. We prayed. We celebrated. Congratulations on your historic victory. It’s amazing how a man of your background rose above the ranks to one of the highest positions in our government. You’re living the dream. You have a beautiful family, a new house with a view and a job that can lead our country into a new and bright direction. With this job comes much responsibility, more than your previous political positions have allotted you. I believe that you are the man for the job, however, a few views of yours, the troops coming home and education, are easier said than done.

As a pacifist, I believe that your idea to remove the troops in sixteen months has great incentive but is not practical. I believe that the American people need a thorough and well though out plan as to how we are getting out, and when are we getting out. I thought the reason we were still in the war is to look for the terrorists that destroyed the Twin Towers. If we have tried and executed these people why are we still in Iraq? I believe we should leave a small peace keeping unit just to stabilize the area.

My mother has been a teacher for six years and she is passionate about her job. So when I hear on the news about the economy I worry about the budget cuts that our school system we’ll have to undergo. What’s worse some teachers are getting laid off and I don’t want my mom to be a victim of budget cuts. I am fully aware of the recession which Sarasota has been fortunate to avoid. And I was aware that the school board had to cut money from the budget although I didn’t realize that we had to cut forty million dollars.

Truly amazing that in such a short time a man of your background could become President of the United States. I hope that you can solve my concerns about the war and the economy. I will enjoy watching you during your term. You’re a symbol of hope that with hard work determination and family to help you can accomplish anything.

Sincerely,

Oneyka

Dear Mr. President Obama,

We, as a country, need change. Of all the people I can think of I believe you know that more than anyone. The way that we have destroyed our economy and the economy of other countries needs to change. Our own troops slowly have been sinking into a mess faster than quick sand. What are we going to do with Iraq? Are we ever going to get out of there without leaving a mess that no one wants to clean up? We need to correct a few things in America and I think that you can do that.

First I would like to talk about Iraq. The whole reason we went in there is because we were supposed to destroy their weapons of mass destruction, guess what, they didn’t have any. Either that or they moved them before we could get to them. Whatever happened we ended up getting stuck there. Then we decide that we are going to capture and kill their horrible leader. OK. We did that, so now our troops are over there fighting a “war” that can’t be won. We need to fix what we have done, then get out. We were trying to make that country better and all we have done is make a mess of it. The sooner we can get them on there feet and get out of there the better. We are not only hurting them by staying there, but we are hurting ourselves.

Secondly, war. I believe there is no true point to war and that every time countries go to war it only makes things worse. What we need to do is set an example for the world showing that there is no need to go to war to solve things. We need to show that we can solve things by talking it out and maybe even making some sort of compromise. Unfortunately, there are always going to be one situation where there has to be war, but I think that America can set a good example if we are willing to try. The worst thing that could happen is that we don’t get anywhere. There is only one way we can go when we are down, that’s up. Also if we stopped having so many wars we wouldn’t need to fund them and we can use that money on something more important. Something like getting our economy back into shape.

The economy, there’s a huge subject. How we are going to fix it is what we need to concentrate on. We tried giving money to bail out banks on Wall Street. That didn’t go as we planned. We need something new. There is a cycle in business. Almost like the circle of life. A small business gets created, it grows, and grows, and just when it’s at the top of its game, it crashes. When we attempt to save the big businesses it didn’t help much. Maybe, its time for those big companies to crash so that the smaller companies will have a chance to grow and crash also.

We need change. It might take some time but if we can get to were we are back on our feet then, that will not only be better for us, but for the world. I would like you, as our new President, to really think about what we need, then go get it done. We have run out of time to delay. We need to rethink and get to work. If we can find a way to make things better then I think that the people of America will be willing to help. It’s your chance to make a difference.

Sincerely,

Another face in the crowd

Dear President Obama,

This past November, Americans proved to each other that we all had a unifying desire for change. It was evident in the faces of my struggling middle class parents, in the restlessness of the younger generation, and the expressions of lost confidence among the elderly. It was clear: we all knew something had to give. I myself have never felt so involved, so passionate about a single cause. I was informed in subjects I had never previously given a passing thought to. I realized the responsibility you are taking on is great, enormous even, that is obvious. I understand that with the state the country is as of now, not every issue is of importance. But, if you could give serious consideration to the issue I will present to you in this letter that is all I ask of you. I don’t expect a major improvement with the controversial topic of abortion anytime soon. But maybe if you take serious measures towards what I consider the right direction, it will inspire future leaders and convince skeptical Americans otherwise.

To be frank, I think it’s ridiculous that upper class white men make most of the decisions regarding abortion. That in itself is a major reason why I believe that there should be serious modifications on how this is all handled. This isn’t a tax policy; we’re arguing whether a human being should be forced into this world against the will of the mother. I myself am pro-choice. But I think you put it best Mr. President. You once said, “No one is pro-abortion.” No one is content with the thought of a possible life being lost. That is why so many people don’t understand why people would support choice. They think that we have no remorse- that we don’t care. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I simply believe that I am the only one who should decide what to do with my body.

Accidents happen. I am a smart girl; I know how to protect myself, as do many of my friends. But not everything always goes the way it should. If something goes wrong with a condom, and I am not ready to have a baby, I feel like I am the only one who knows my circumstances, my morals, and my motives. It just doesn’t make any sense to me that just because my Christian neighbors disapprove of my views, they have a say over what happens to me. In America we boast separation of church and state, but it seems that when it comes down to the most important issues, over and over again the Christian community has the last say. If anything else- consider this situation. A young girl finds herself pregnant, and desperate. If she decides that she wants an abortion she will have one, no one will tell her otherwise. If abortion is illegal, then many young mothers will do what has been done before, and what in many cases is still going on today. They will resort to “back alley” abortions, which are highly dangerous and life threatening, instead of reporting to a hospital in confidence. And what if a mother gets caught? My question to pro life supporters is “What will you do to punish a young mother who just got an abortion?” Will they put her on trial for killing a human being and send her to jail for years at a time? Many people are stunted and say, “Well, no, she’s just a young girl” But that is your argument. You are saying it’s a crime to kill. So will you really sentence a young woman to jail for homicide? If you tell me that I have to have my unwanted baby, don’t worry about me. You did not make the mistake-it is not your burden to bear. It does not affect you on a daily bases. It affects me, my life.

I for one am tired of it. I am hoping that you Mr. Obama, will not be biased. I have faith that you will be practical, and that you will use your logical judgment, for the well-being of American women everywhere. Our human bodies are truly the only things that really belong to us. All of our possessions, even our thoughts can be stolen and taken away from us. But no one will ever have my face, my hands, and my eyes again-and no one can take my body away from me. This is why I feel so strongly about this. And this is why I am hoping you will legalize abortion, for the simple fact that someday women can do what they so choose with their own bodies.

Dear President  Barack Obama,

I have some concerns I would like you to consider fixing while you are the president. One thing I am concerned about is global warming I don’t think that we are killing the earth I think we are just killing ourselves also we need to start making cars that are more fuel efficient and find a alternate energy sources.. Another thing that I need you to consider is the war in Iraq. I think we need to pull out there because people’s family members are signing up for war and some are dying and we are spending too much money for this war. My third  thing I need you to do is help our schools we need less budget cuts and their needs to be more money put into the school systems.
•    First Global warming I don’t think we caused it the earth has been heating up for millions of years. There has been four major ice ages in the past so that means that the earth has gotten to extreme temperatures in the past. But I do believe that we are making it come quicker  than they have in past times. To fix this I think we need to make all the cars more fuel efficient or cars that run on compressed air. I Think if you could do that you could cut thousands of  tons of carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere.

•    The war in Iraq I really don’t see that point in this war. I think it is a waste of our time and money. I think that this war is mostly for oil. If you make more fuel efficient cars or cars that ran to another fuel source we wouldn’t need to be fighting this war also it would help with global warming.  Also it is tough on families I know because my cousin and a couple of his friend which have been just like family to me signed up for the army when I heard this news my stomach sank like a brick in the water, so I think you should stop this war so my cousin won’t get hurt or worse…  Also we are spending money we don’t have on this war. We borrowed 3 three trillion dollars ($3,000,000,000,000) that is a lot of zeros. We need to pull out so we can start payng that back.

•    Last but not least our schools need help. With all the budget cuts it is personally hurting my education because we our most likely going to go to seven classes a day instead of block scheduling. Also they are going to cut 60 teachers at my school and I live in Sarasota Florida and we have a big unemployment rate already and this is not going to help any way. Losing 60 teachers will not have a big impact on our crumbling economy but 60 teachers from each school will and if they don’t find a job they will not spend money and it will not circulate into our economy. I also believe that teachers should be a pretty high paying profession because they are molding the minds of our future. Without teachers where would we be? I think that the government should put more money into the school systems.

Mr. Barack Obama I hope that after you read this letter you will try to stop this pointless war, make more fuel-efficient cars, and lend a helping hand to our schools. Thanks you for taking you time to read this letter.

Sincerely,

Kurt

Dear Barack Obama

I would first like to congratulate you on achieving the Presidency of the United States. I agree with many of your policies and ideas, and am proud for a leader like you to have arisen in such a detrimental time in our country. I understand there are many issues you must be attending too, four years is a short time compared with your potential accomplishments. I am hoping to address a few issues with you in hopes that more attention gets paid to them.

Stem cell research, this topic is almost a debate on morality. Basically this is the cultivation and nurture of stem cells, the basic cell of the body. This cell is special however, it can be reproduced to other parts of the body, limbs and organs can be grown for people that need them. This raw material for human tissue will enable scientists to find new treatments for a wide array of diseases. This also lets scientists test potential medicine without risking peoples lives. They can see the positive and negative effects it has by observing the reactions of the cells. Now of course this is not a perfect process, it definitely has its flaws. At the current state of research, these cells must be obtained from a human embryo. If you see of this as murder or not really depends on your ethics or religion. I hope you can make a well thought out solution to this problem, with reasoning not based on religion.

America is ever constantly changing. In only the 1954 segregation laws were abolished, not too long ago. In only 1920 were woman even given the right to vote. Now we are facing another human rights dilemma, gay marriage. These people are denied many of there rights as citizens, and hate groups continue to threaten and hurt them. They are outcasts, not by there choice, but by something natural that occurred at birth. I find it amazing that we do not allow people of gay orientation to marry. It’s supposed an issue of the natural born rights of an American citizen, not religion or the “definition of marriage”. You come from a different background then all the other presidents, and you can understand being a minority. I wish you luck getting through congress if you choose to pursue this problem. America is a country of definite progression, and I am confident we will liberate gays from the legal limits they face.

It is my personal belief that if what you are doing doesn’t harm or affect anyone else in a negative way, you should have the right to do it. Non violent offenders are being imprisoned and jailed next to murderers and rapists. This is because of a single plant, marijuana. This plant is the subject of constant propaganda and ignorance. There are more folks in prison for marijuana than violent crimes. A marijuana grower can land in prison for life without parole while a murderer might be in for eight years. Our indisputably unfair punishments in regards to possession or growth of this plant are unconstitutional to say the least. The greatest reason for all of this is that alcohol and other drug companies don’t want it legalized. They don’t want additional competition, and so this relatively safe recreational drug and the users are discriminated against. How can the government ignore the potential that it has as a cash crop or even a medicine? It is used for cancer chemotherapy, AIDS wasting, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, glaucoma, and many more. Marijuana also produces another substance, hemp, which is cheaper to grow, has a better fabric, softer, warmer and even more water resistant than cotton. It can also effectively be used for paper to help save trees. This combined with the taxing the government would do on it and the diminished costs of the drug war would do substantially well in lowering our national debt, along with a positive outcome to the environment and the American people.

Your time as president will be un doubtfully spent on the great issues of today, the economy, the war and Iraq, and I encourage you to pursue these first. Your priorities as president should be well deserved, and I have hope that you acknowledge some of these as president of the United States.

Good luck and may your presidency prosper,

Austin

Dear President Obama,

My name is Zana  and I am a 9th Grade student at Booker High School of Sarasota, Florida. I would like to congratulate you in becoming the next president of the United States. There are several things that have been on my mind that I would like to address with you. First, what are your views on the increase of college tuition? Second, I would like to know your plans about bringing our country out of so much debt? Last, how does it feel to be the first African American president of the United States of America?

Every year I hear the college tuition is increasing and I always wonder what the cause is. I would like to go to college on a scholarship, but if that doesn’t happen, I don’t know if my parents will be able to afford to send me to college. Some under privilege kids would probably want the opportunity to go to college and they can’t because their parents won’t be able to afford to pay for it. I think that tuition should be lowered enough so that those students and many others can go to college. What are your views on the increase of college tuition and do you think that it would be leveling out any time soon?

From what I see on television, it appears to me that the United States is billions of dollars in debt. Could you please explain to me what your plans are to bring us out of this crisis? With the current problems with the economy, I have noticed that people are loosing their homes, jobs, and businesses. I think something needs to be done about this because many of my family and friends are experiencing this problem. I don’t want this to happen to me once I finally get my first job or any other job after that. How do we ease the concerns if the American citizens with this current crisis?

I am so glad that you had the courage to run for president. How does it feel to be the first African American President? Other than what I have expressed earlier, such as, the increase of college tuition, your plans on bringing our country out of so much debt, and how it feels to be the first African American President of the United States of America, what other plans do you have for your term in office?

In closing, you have read the issues that are of concern to me and I hope you will be able to provide me with some kind of solution. Thank you for this opportunity and once again congratulations on your recent appointment to office.

Sincerely,

Zana

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Dear President Elect Obama,

There are many things going on that need immediate attention and I feel that Immigration and gay rights are two of the most important. These are important if you wish for the economy to succeed.

The first of these issues I wish to cover is immigration; personally I feel there is nothing wrong with illegal immigration. If someone wishes to come over here to do better for themselves who are we to judge them? First-off, wasn’t America born of illegal immigrants coming across from Europe. And if it wasn’t for this “illegal” immigration Americans wouldn’t have a chance to personally experience a different culture. Now they have the ability to become friends with a person from a different culture and have them cook and taste real home cooked food from their country. And then there are the people who claim that the immigrants are taking their jobs but the truth is if these people applied themselves properly then they should be able to get the jobs but the problem is that they are looking for someone else to blame but themselves. The immigrants can’t get jobs that require a college degree so how come Americans aren’t working on getting a degree instead of leading a mediocre life and blaming on the immigrants.

Another issue is gay rights. Gays should have all the same rights anyone else, but because they are different we discriminate against them and take away their rights. Is this not unlike slavery because black peoples’ appearance was different they were discriminated against and their freedom was taken away? Gays are constantly being discriminated against and we take control of them by telling them that they can’t marry the same sex or that they aren’t allowed to adopt. What gives us the right to tell people who they are allowed to love, or that a gay house is not a proper home for a child? Also the church shouldn’t even get involved in this. If the gay family is not Christian why should they be told how to live by a religion they don’t belong to that tries to tell them how to live? They are just like us, so why can’t they choose like us?

I think you should pay close attention to these topics and try to do what is right. Everyone has their own choice. We should not judge anybody no matter what race, religion, or sexual orientation.