Letter #167... Dear Mr. President... Time to Reignite the Dream

Dear Mr. President,

For the first time in my 67 years on this planet I’m afraid for this country, and I’m starting to be afraid of the people in this country. I’m afraid that the horrific upswing in blatant racism toward you, will take this country back to the early 60’s.

Yesterday my husband and I went to see Lee Daniels’ The Butler, it was an excellent film in every way, in fact, most of the people in the theater applauded at the end… it was that powerful.

With the 50^th Anniversary of Dr. Kings “I Have a Dream” speech, I see his dream coming apart piece by piece, vote by vote, gun by gun, and law by law. When this country elected you I thought, ‘at last’ we would finally see the end of racism in America… that having an African American in the White House would unite us ‘at last’. But it seems that quite the opposite has happened, we are more divided, and more divisive than ever before in my memory. It seems that racism has only lain dormant during that time, and your election, instead of reigniting the dream, has brought the Confederacy back to life with all of it’s ugly symbolism using tea bags instead of white sheets and pointed hats.

I’m not alone in feeling this way, I read more and more people expressing utter dismay at the things we are witnessing…  Citizens United saying that corporations are people, median income a full 6% lower than its peak in 2007, literally hundreds of bills introduce that restrict a woman’s right to choose and mandate unreasonable intrusive reproductive screenings, Stand Your Ground laws that allow a person to shoot an unarmed teen, the Supreme Court striking down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and over 80 measures to restrict voting rights in 31 states, in 2013 alone. The reduction in early voting, the elimination of same-day voter registration, and the repeal of high school voter registration drives. Texas Republicans even pushed through a bill that would allow a concealed-carry gun permit to be used as voter identification but not a student ID. Now you have to prove that the laws are discriminatory rather than the state having to show they are not before implementing them. All of these things are outrageous and unacceptable.

I was heartened and surprised to see the ACA passed, but in the short time since and even before full implementation the Republicans have voted 40 times to overturn it in part or in whole. Why? I know you have asked this Congress to pass the Jobs Act on numerous occasions, but they have failed to pass a single piece of legislation regarding jobs, and all the while we see peoples income declining. Why? Just maybe if a Jobs Act had been passed then the three teenage boys would have had jobs instead of being so bored that shot and killed an innocent Australian man while he was jogging. Why? Where is the Dream that MLK talked about almost 50 years ago?

In a recent poll for the Pew Research Center, titled “King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal,” only 26% of African Americans said the situation for black people has improved and 21% said that things have gotten worse. Things are going backwards.

I don’t know what else you can do that you have not already tried. Your positivity in the face of immense adversity is laudable even if it goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

The big question is; how do we reignite Dr. King’s Dream? How did we let a minority of haters wield a bigger stick than the majority of people who want to move this country forward? How do we reverse this insidious trend to destroy this country just to see your Presidency fail, because that seems to be the GOP agenda?

We can all do it just like Dr. King did back in the 60’s… by speaking up, by calling people out when they lie or misrepresent the truth, or try to suppress and alter the facts. YOU, Mr. President must lead the way… you can no longer afford to let the radical right-wingers get away with maligning you with impunity, and threats of impeachment. Because every time you let them get away with it by not speaking up, it emboldens them to continue and signals to those listening that it may be the truth. We need all elected Democrats to push back against any and all falsehoods with swiftness and conviction. You, and other Democrats can take a lesson from Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear when he spoke about the ACA at a fundraising breakfast attended by both Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.

Beshear said,"it's no fun" hoping and praying you don't get sick, or choosing whether to pay for food or medicine. He also said Kentucky is at or near the top of the charts on bad-health indicators, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer deaths, and preventable hospitalizations. He said all that affects everything from productivity and school attendance to health costs and the state's image.

"We've ranked that bad for a long, long time," he said. "The Affordable Care Act is our historic opportunity to address this weakness and to change the course of the future of the commonwealth. We're going to make insurance available for the very first time in our history to every single citizen of the commonwealth of Kentucky."

This is what all Democrats should be doing and saying because if we don’t start pushing back now, and pushing back unapologetically, then the 2014 elections will be another mid-term disaster. We can’t let that happen, you can’t let that happen. We need you to be the fearless leader we saw during your campaigns, you’ve got nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain… now LIGHT THAT FIRE!

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers,

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #166... Dear Mr. President... You Were Wrong!

Dear Mr. President,

I don’t often say this, but “you were wrong.” I must respectfully disagree with your remarks after the acquittal of G. Zimmerman in the murder of Trayvon Martin. To say that “We are a nation of laws and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their son” is like saying you can “Stand Your Ground” if you’re white, and you can do it with a gun, but if you’re a black teenager using your fists, you are dead.

However, I’m going to give you the benefit of doubt, and will assume that the reason you did not make a more proactive statement of utter disgust is because you did not want to jeopardize either a civil lawsuit or a DOJ lawsuit against Zimmerman for a wrongful death or a federal hate crime.

Trayvon should haunt all of us until the "SYG" laws are abolished

With that said, I cannot imagine a world where we calmly accept a travesty of justice like the Zimmerman trial based on a flawed law that allows a person to chase an innocent person down the street, after being told by the police to stop, start a fight, then shoot and kill that person and claim it was self defense. The verdict makes me feel ashamed to be a woman, a mother, and an American.

I find it ironic that people are so afraid of “black men” and “black boys” in this country, and yet history and countless recent tragedies, prove that fear to be totally unfounded. NO assassinations or attempted assassinations of our Presidents were committed by a black man, it was NOT a black man that slaughtered 20 innocent babies and 6 teachers in Sandy Hook, OR shot Gabby Gifford in the head, OR gunned down people at a theater in Colorado killing 12 and injuring 60, OR detonated pressure cooker bombs at the Boston Marathon killing 3 and injuring 264, OR blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City killing 168 and injuring 600. And it was NOT two black teenage boys that took semi-automatic weapons to Columbine H.S. to gun down schoolmates killing 12 students, 1 teacher and injuring 24 others. No, these were all “white” men. In reality we should be much more afraid of white men.

We are not a nation of laws when those laws do NOT protect us equally, treat us equally, try us equally or defend us equally.  We are not a free country when we are imprisoned by bigotry, fear and hate. And we cannot call ourselves Christians when we perpetuate that bigotry, fear and hate with laws like “Stand Your Ground.”

The murder of Trayvon Martin cannot be allowed to stand, because if it does, the message we are sending is that it’s open season on black youth in Florida… come one come all if you want to kill a black child, Florida is the state for you, bring your handguns, chase them down, shoot them and claim you were just “standing your ground.” A “bad law” cannot go unchallenged, and we cannot accept the verdict from a jury given instructions by the judge based solely on the “Stand Your Ground” Law.

We cannot rest until the “Stand Your Ground” laws are abolished in every state where they have been passed… Trayvon Martin deserves no less …

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers, 

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #165... Dear Mr. President... That Dog is a Democrat

Dear Mr. President,

A friend passed this along from his conservative daughter, and I thought it was interesting enough to reply to my friend that his daughter was indeed a lucky woman. Perhaps this is something Congress can agree on, even though each is seen from a different perspective.

It just hit me!

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day. He has his food prepared for him. He can eat whenever he wants, 24/7/365. His meals are provided at no cost to him.

He visits the doctor once a year for his checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs may arise. For this he pays nothing, and nothing is required of him.

He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep. If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.

He has his choice of luxurious places to sleep. He receives these accommodations absolutely free. He is living like a king, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever.

All of his costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.

I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head,

My dog is a Democrat!

My answer to this woman would be the following:

"I give you everything that's in me... unconditionally"

First, that dog gives you his unconditional love without you even needing to ask.

That dog discourages those who would invade your private domain, and that dog provides an early warning system so that you can either get your gun to protect your precious family, or call for for help.

That dog provides you with 100% loyalty and devotion (a lot more than most husbands), and is always home to greet you after a long or difficult day. That dog listens to every word you say without any preconceived ideas of his own, and without interrupting. That dog provides comfort when you are sad, and celebrates with wonderfully wacky antics and tail wagging when you are happy.

That dog will remain by your side in sickness and in health, no matter what (again, more than some husbands). And that dog would probably lay down his life for the person that provides his basic needs... food, housing, and healthcare... and love, and the fact that you provide a little extra gravy with those basic needs is to your credit, for which that dog is eternally grateful.  

And if by chance that dog happens to make a mess, perhaps it was because he was left alone too long and didn’t have a choice. On those rare occasions he feels ashamed, but he doesn’t judge you for leaving him too long, he doesn’t get angry, and he doesn’t complain, even if he’s punished. He tells you that he’s sorry with is sad eyes and his limp tale, and begs you for forgiveness.

While some people are not able to place a great deal of value on these wonderful attributes, some of us know they have infinite value, much more than any dollar amount you can attach. And did I mention that your dog would suffer and grieve terribly if he lost you due to an untimely death… and not because that dog was afraid he’d lose his meal ticket, his luxurious home, or even his own health… but simply because he loves you, more than he loves himself.

And lastly, you should count the lucky stars that you’re seeing after being hit in the head by that brick because…

‘That wonderful Dog is a Democrat, and he’ll be right by your side until you regain your senses.’

So Mr. President, give Beau a big hug  and a kiss, because I know he’s a Democrat too.

Most respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #164... Dear Mr. President...Committed to FIX not fight...

Dear Mr. President,

It’s been a while since my last letter, I asked that you do something about gun violence and other pressing problems facing this country, and you did, but you can’t do all of it alone… you need cooperation from members of Congress and Senators.

The "First Forty" Problem Solvers

So I have a favor to ask of you. Somewhere in your State of the Union address on February 12^th, I’d like you to publicly acknowledge the 40 lawmakers that have pledged to find bipartisan fixes to our nations problems. You will be able to recognize them by the orange buttons they will be wearing under their congressional lapel pins, identifying themselves as “Problem Solvers”… displaying their pledge… “Committed to fix not fight.”

The 23 Democrats and 17 Republicans want everyone to know that they have signed a pledge to try to end hyper-partisanship and reach across the aisle to solve the myriad of problems facing the people and the country. These men and women know that the only way to solve these problems is through cooperation. We can no longer afford to waste time and energy by clinging to separate ideologies that pander to the radical fringe on either end of the political spectrum.

Today, on Facebook, I posted a list of the 40 “Problem Solvers” and asked my friends that if their representative was not on the list, they should ask them why. Ask them why they are not willing to work to solve, this nations problems. Ask them why they are not committed to fixing things. I think those are fair questions, and I think you should be asking those questions during your State of the Union speech.

I’m proud to say that my new Congressman, Dr. Ami Bera, is part of this historic group. We worked very hard to get him elected replacing obstructionist Republican, Dan Lungren, and Dr. Bera promised that he would work just as hard to get things done. We are all sick and tired of political gridlock… we need to move this country forward. This ‘fabulous forty’ group of ‘problem solvers’ also scored a victory when Congress passed, and you signed the “No Budget No Pay Act. Great start… maybe it will inspire others to sign up to be problem solvers as well.

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said he would proudly wear his Problem Solvers lapel pin. “It says that we are willing to sit down and put the good of the country and the good of the people ahead of the good of our party, our party affiliation or our political well-being. We were sent here to do a job, and it wasn’t just to make sure that we stay here.”

I look forward to hearing your speech on the 12^th, and I will be enjoying it while visiting the beautiful island of Maui…

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers,

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #163... Dear Mr. President... The Whole World is Watching

Dear Mr. President,

The whole world will be watching… they will be watching to see what you do about common sense gun control, they will be watching to see what you do when the NRA tries to say you’re trying to circumvent the 2^nd amendment, and they will be watching to see if you have the real strength of leadership to buck the GOP.

Purpose of Assault Weapons... to KILL people

People say everything happens for a reason, but I don’t believe that… some things defy reason, and are beyond reason, like the senseless slaughter of 20 innocent babies and 6 innocent adults. Like the shooting in the head of an innocent girl in Afghanistan for wanting an education for herself and other girls, and like the brutal rape of a young woman in India… yes, Mr. President, some things are beyond reason.

Reason is something you can calculate, something that is justified, like you are our President because more people voted for you than Mitt Romney… that’s the reason. Or, more people are murdered in this country because we have more guns than any other country… that’s the reason.

It’s not because our people are angrier, or more evil than people in other countries, because that’s just not the case, we are a caring, loving, compassionate people (for the most part), we give more aid after disasters anywhere in the world, than any other country, and when disaster strikes here at home, people come out of the woodwork to help and pull together. Even people with very little money of their own, often donate what they can, when people are hurt or suffering.

So the problem in this country is not the people, it’s the guns. There is no “reason” or justification for ordinary citizens to own assault weapons, the only “reason” for a person to have an assault weapon is to KILL people. The only “reason” for a person to possess clips that carry multiple rounds, is to KILL multiple people at the same time, and there is NO “reason” or justification for this unless you are in the military and under attack.

Mr. President, the whole world will be watching.

I’ve heard many critics that say you are just another “corporate” politician, that you are just as beholden to the interests of big business and Wall Street as any other politician, but I refuse to believe that. I refuse to believe that you are unwilling, or unable to stand up to the NRA and the manufacturers of assault weapons used for non-military reasons. I refuse to believe that because I saw the look on your face, the tears in your eyes, and heard the catch in your voice when you responded to the horrific slaughter of those babies at Sandy Hook.

The whole world will be watching, and waiting to see what kind of a leader you really are, and they will be judging you by how you handle this issue above all others. I implore you to be the kind of a leader we need… one that puts the lives of OUR CHILDREN above the “bogus” hue and cry over the infringement rights of the 2^nd Amendment. 

The time has come… our “children” are our “reason” to act now.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers, 

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #162... Dear Mr. President... It's time to support the 1%

Dear Mr. President,

You may be surprised to learn that I support the 1%, even though I am part of the 99%. The 1% that I support are the 78,000 men and women still serving in Afghanistan, and their families still praying for their safety. I support bringing them home much sooner than the end of 2014. Move that timeline up by one year.

Soldiers in Afghanistan... Bring Them Home Now!

When you first announced that all troops would be out of Afghanistan by 2014, I thought, well, that's not too bad, one more year to wrap things up seemed reasonable. Upon reflection, my thoughts are that it is not reasonable. It's not reasonable because nothing further can be gained by keeping our men and women there. It is counter productive to keep forces there that are being attacked by the very people they are training to take over their own security. The Afghans.

What is the gain verses the cost of remaining where we are clearly not welcome? The gains are negligible compared to the losses. The loss of additional American lives, the loss of billions of dollars, thousands more injured requiring extensive medical rehabilitation, and mental rehabilitation, more marriages destroyed by long and multiple deployments, including the Generals. And hundreds of children living with single parents, some of them permanently due to the death of one parent. This is no longer acceptable, it time to end  the charade of this terrible war.

What are the gains, war profiteers will continue to make billions while our young men and women who put their lives on the line, make pennies on the dollar compared to the war profiteers. The Afghans who profit by what we bring to their country, including millions of dollars given to corrupt Afghan politicians.

The election is over and the war in Afghanistan was hardly even mentioned during the campaign, let alone actually talked about. Why are we still committing our men and women to a war no one wants to talk about? It's not right and we need to end this travesty sooner rather than later.

I'm sorry Mr. President, the costs are too great, the loss of American lives is too great, and the sacrifices of the 1% are too numerous to justify continuing this war for another TWO years, because that's what you're really talking about.

Yes Mr. President, it's time for you to support the 1% now, it's time to bring our 78,000 men and women home from the longest war in our history, they have sacrificed enough, and so have their families. It’s time to move that timeline up by one year and it’s time to bring the 1% back to the country they fought for… America.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers,

Your Gadfly Granny

Letter #161... Dear Mr. President...It wasn't even close... it was a Landslide!

Dear Mr. President,

This morning while I was in the shower I couldn’t help but feel it was one of the best showers I’ve ever felt… it felt like I was washing off four years of racism, bigotry, homophobia, birtherism, and hate… washing away the divisiveness, ugliness, and anger that has raged through our country for the last two years.

The People have spoken... again.

As we head into this season of Thanksgiving, I’m extremely grateful to the over 60 million people that voted to re-elect you as our 44^th President. I’m grateful that the big money of Citizens United, the Koch Bros., the Adelson’s, the Trump’s and many like them, learned that the American people cannot be bought and the White House is not for sale. I’m grateful that the haters like Trump, Rove, Limbaugh, and Fox viewers learned that over 60 million people are not buying their relentless messages of lies, cynicism and divisiveness. I’m grateful that the 30 states that tried to impose voter ID laws and that they too were rebuffed by the voters. I’m particularly grateful to all those people who stood in long lines just to vote and send a clear message that those un-American tactics will not be tolerated, and are not acceptable in this country.

People say that this election isn’t a mandate, but it is… it’s a mandate for women’s rights, it’s a mandate against Citizens United, it’s a mandate for everyone paying their fair share in taxes, and that the very rich should pay a little more. It’s a mandate that discrimination will no longer be tolerated, and that includes a persons right to love and marry whom they choose. The State of Wisconsin proved this with Tammy Baldwin being the first female Senator and the first openly gay candidate ever elected.

I’m grateful that you opened the door and emboldened so many women by setting an example and appointing two women to the Supreme Court, one of them being the first Latino ever appointed. I’m grateful that you will make the next two or three appointments to the Supreme Court, ensuring the protection of women’s rights and the ACA. I’m grateful that you are using drones to help fight al qaeda, saving the lives of our men and women. I know it is not a popular position, and that innocent lives are lost, many of them women and children, and I know you do not make these decisions lightly, but that is what a great leader and the Commander and Chief is supposed to do... make the tough decisions that protect American lives.

My granddaughter came home from school yesterday visibly upset, upset because only 11 people in her 4^th grade class voted for you, and she thought that you’d lose the election. Her mom assured her that they lived in a neighborhood that was mostly Republican and that the kids would vote like their parents, but that because we live in California, she had nothing to worry about… you would win. I wish I could have gone to school with her today, I wish I could see the pride on her face and the faces of the other kids that voted for you, even though the majority of their friends didn’t. I hope the teacher explained what a meaningful election this truly is.

In closing, I want to thank you for always taking the high road, never stooping to the level of those detractors that have tried so hard to delegitimize your presidency. You have truly been an inspiration to many of us who have not always been on the same high road with you, myself included. To push back and respond to the ugliness and rancor was easy enough to do, but not necessarily the right thing to do, because it just added fuel to the fire… you never did that. This country is so fortunate to have you remain as our President, you lift us all, you lift the poor, the sick, the weak, the disenfranchised… you in fact, lift the whole world by your example.

Congratulations Mr. President, we’re fired up and ready to go… ready to go forward and raise this country back to its former greatness… we can, and will, do it together.

Most Respectfully,

Marcia Reimers

Your Gadfly Granny