Sometimes I share too much - this may be one of those times - bad boundaries and all, when I'm pissed off. Sour grapes - absolutely, but why not share it, at the worst it will be totally ignored.
Today I received a request from the Obama campaign for money. I used the business return envelope to send him the following letter.
Dear President Obama,
In 2008 when you ran for President I was working a job that I no longer have. I found a job at less pay – I was among the fortunate, fortunate to earn less.
In 2008 when you ran for President I sent two separate donations to your campaign of $600.00 each from myself. Donations I could barely afford.
In 2008 when you ran for President I bought hundreds of dollars of campaign materials (bumper sticker, pins, yard signs) from your web site and distributed them to anyone who wanted them, at no expense to them, to people who were attending Obama events and rallies.
Since you have been in office I have experienced the following
- Reduced take home pay
- No raise in pay in over 3 years
- Inability to find a different job due to the job market
- When I do get an interview, inability to have a new job due to age discrimination
- The market value of my house has dropped by 40%
- Increased medical, dental and prescription costs
- Increased insurance premiums
- Increased property taxes
- Increased electricity and water prices
- Increased food prices
- Increased phone, cable and internet prices
- Increased gas prices
- Increased car maintenance costs
- My net worth has dropped over 20%
And through all this I have supported you.
I look at what is happening in our country and I cannot believe that NO ONE is coming to the assistance of the working American. The new motto in our country to the middle class has become “Work until You Die”. And no one with power is doing anything about it.
The rich in our country keep getting richer and everyone else keeps getting poorer and NO ONE with real power is doing anything about it.
At the same time I see nefarious organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council destroying the very fabric of our democracy with their focus on legislation to benefit ONLY the private sector and NO ONE of with real power is doing anything about this. It appears that no one with real power wants to do anything about this destruction of democracy that is being caused by the American Legislative Exchange Council – a proof to me that the rich can do anything they want, can be anything they want, can have anything they want– including our government.
And the private sector has seen advances in profits and privileges beyond belief. At a time when the middle class is struggling the private sector is thriving. The criminals on Wall Street who destroyed our economy have not been punished in anyway – in fact they are making more money than could be imagined. The largest corporations in our country are making obscene profits and paying minimal to no taxes, while the middle class are stressed beyond the breaking point.
I see narcissistic megalomaniacs like Walker, Snyder, Kasich, Otter, Brewer, Scott, and Christy destroying the very foundations of their states by destroying the working class and selling our government to the highest bidder - and NO ONE with power is coming to the assistance of these working Americans or our country. NO ONE with power is doing anything to help – they are just sitting back and watching how the cards will fall for working Americans.
The rich in our country keep getting richer and everyone else keeps getting poorer and NO ONE with real power is doing anything.
I see our social programs being decimated and the people and the organizations that serve them living with undue stress and emotional conflict every day because they do not know what is going to happen to them in the long-term.
My hopes for retirement are shattered. My faith in Social Security - which I have paid into for over 40 years - are destroyed. I see my security ruined. Whoever coined the phrase “Golden Years” had no idea what they were talking about.
And today, you send me a shiny 2012 bumper sticker and you come to me looking for money.
Again, you are looking to your grassroots support to turn around and write you a check. You are asking for a check that we can no longer afford to write.
Mr. President – your grassroots supporters are tired. We are beaten down. We are the down-trodden. We have not survived the last two years as well as the top 2%.
No, Mr. President, I will not write you a check this time.
Because, now I truly can not afford it.
Sincerely,