What This Blog is About

If you've ever wanted to offer advice to the President of the United States, this is the place to go and have at it.

Comments

[Mahri Best]

In order to keep the Citizens of this country committed to helping in the turn around, I believe that it would be prudent for all employers of businesses large and small to be encouraging of their employees to take a minimum of two hours out of their work week to give back to their community. As each employer would be given an incentive of a reduction in taxes by percentage of involvement, it would be a win-win for everyone in that community would be served and the employee could feel a great satisfaction from the commitment.

[Charis]

Interesting perspective Keith. I look forward to reading your future blogs.

[Julie Kehrli]

I think that's a great idea. Perhaps our new Senator Warner would be interested in pursuing it?

[Alan McGrath Ellis]

Dear Mr. President,

I'm scared.

Ashamed to admit it, but that's what the sweaty palms and that rumble in my gut tells me every time I encounter a newspaper, grab TV news or listen to the radio. There's mounting fear out there. And fear-mongering. And, yes, I hear in that the echoes of FDR’s post-Pearl Harbor admonition. However, I know, as you do, that highly-charged emotions often resist intellectualization, and seldom point anyone in the right direction.

In my half-century+, I've been able to counter a challenge, dodge a downturn and control a crisis or two. (Who hasn't?) Much easier when, as a single guy, I accepted responsibility, bore the burden –not always bravely perhaps-- and forged a solution that was mine alone. And lived with the consequences.

But, clearly, the rules changed when I married and we started a family. Those "single guy" responsibilities, burdens and solutions now affected people; loved ones, well beyond the "me". As father, husband, co-breadwinner, the "me" quickly became "we". And decisions made could have much farther-reaching consequences. Could carry a staying power that might remain in-play for the rest of my life and my family’s…and perhaps beyond.

Just as the decisions, Sir, you now make on behalf of our nation of families can shape our collective future.

Today, as each of our own challenges and burdens multiply daily, the notion of "family" begins to morph into the ideal of “country”. The “we” into “U.S.”. As President, you are now the nexus of our most immediate and challenging solutions. We, as individual citizens, must summon an "informed" trust in your direction, your judgment, your commitment to implementing the “fixes” that will allow us, as a nation, to move away from the fear- cycle, the “hole-up” and “pull-in” mentality that fear can foster in each of us.

We fully understood the call-to-work-messages in your fine speech last evening. It can surprise no one, on either side of the aisle, that a huge amount of work lies in wait for us all before we can expect any return to normalcy. And that means working *together*.

My family, as we gathered around the glow of our TV set in a 1950’s-like huddle last night, very much appreciated the notes of hope in your speech as well; grace notes to your call to arms.

Effectively, however, you ask for us to LINK arms, instead of BEAR arms, for what we call “Project Recovery”. And the “We” that will define “U.S.” to generations – indeed our world— consists of every one us doing what it takes to move our individual, and collective, families forward. A day at a time. A dollar at a time. And trust that the grand-scale, towering sweep of the programs you and your subject matter exxperts have launched, along with the quite incomprehensible price tag(s) each carries, will move “U.S.” toward the light of a new day for our nation’s economy.

My family and I will do our part, and more, if at all possible. (Those “gut rumblings” will stay with us, no doubt). We will continue to educate ourselves regarding our economic crisis; own our part in the Recovery. However, we will also stay mindful of the fact that there are so many other pressing, urgent, dead-serious issues out there beyond this omni-present ficscal challenge, that also need our attention, our commitment, our prayers. We must not lose sight of the other, perhaps less visible, needs in our villages, our communities and our world.

Mr. President, as of January, you became honorary head of a nation of households. Ours will now take a deep collective breath and simply…trust.

Respectfully,

Alan McGrath Ellis
Citizen
RedWhite&Blue Dawg