Open Letter to President-elect Donald Trump
Dear Sir:
Yes, it certainly was an unusual election campaign (to put it mildly); yes, you won the Electoral College by a large margin; yes, I appreciated what you said in a public announcement shortly after the election indicating you want to be a President for “all the people.” I am trying to hold onto that hope.
First, though, and with all due respect, may I remind you that there are over 325 million people in this United States. Of those, nearly 133 million voted – this represents only 55% of those who are of voting age.* Many of those who are voting age apparently didn’t voice their opinion for some reason or another. However, I digress a bit from the main points I wish to make.
As a President for “all the people”, I am of the opinion that you work for us, we are your constituents. You were “voted” into this office, you were not “hired.” We are not your employees, and you cannot fire us – this government you are now leading is not a corporation. Although some do feel it should run as such. Yes, we need business acumen, but there are differences. The cabinet members picked by you are also ultimately working for us – “all of the people.” We need your, and their, integrity. I am glad our Constitution has established checks and balances unlike most corporations. There are many lives at stake; those of us who have worked our entire lives to provide a decent home environment, either “blue” collar, rural or middle class – there are lots of us. Please don’t treat us, or this government, as if you are a “CEO” – the ultimate goal is not something for monetary profit. Yes, we do want a strong economy, and we were on the road to one. And yes, we can do better. The opinions you hold based on the party under which you campaigned, do not necessarily agree with all of those in this United States. Just because you have one belief, does not mean that it is good for all. Find a way to protect the good part of our government – understanding that there are many who respect the laws/regulations. The entitlement programs need to be revamped, but not scrapped – many of us have legitimately paid into the process and depend on that monthly income for survival.
Additionally, I would like to say that diplomacy and humility play a very important part in the way a President (or anyone who is an elected official) interacts with his constituents. Taking care to be considerate of thought and speech is paramount – words have a huge impact on interactions. You are now on a different platform – one that is held to a higher standard than that which you may have been accustomed. The display of ethics is incumbent upon you. With our social network sites, people have forgotten how to be considerate, much less diplomatic, and don’t seem to believe in ethics – comments have been irrevocably mean, and many untrue. As your constituent, I humbly request that you think carefully before you “tweet.” As a constituent, I prefer not to feel as if I am a pawn in the game of politics because your “tweets” incite action and fear. We are more than pawns, we are people with feelings – and, we deserve to be treated with respect. Please be more reserved with your social media reactions. How you react in private can be spoken in private, but all thoughts should probably not be broadcast. Trust needs to be established.
There is another word that is important, and that is compromise; and I’m continuing to speak in generalities. I feel that the “swamp” to which you have referred, was exacerbated by the lack of ability to compromise. This failure to compromise ignores the needs of many. Who knows, compromise just might serve you better than you expect. There are probably some issues, though, on which compromise won’t work. And, I cannot be privy, nor do I want to be, to everything that happens on The Hill – but, I do think that blaming the other party for one thing or the other just creates more divisiveness and hampers compromise. To get what one wants shouldn’t be by an act of bullying or demeaning others.
One last thing – please do trust the people that have worked in the various government departments for years on end. They are worthy of your trust, they are working for this United States, not just for you - many of them tirelessly keep its operation flowing, others also keep it safe. These are valuable people. Treat them as such, with respect.
Thank you for your indulgence and tolerance – may your tenure be fair and productive.
Signed,
A voter with over 45 years working experience, holder of two degrees (one achieved while working full time), single parent, middle class income – proud United States citizen – idealist.
(*www.statisticsbrain.com “Voting Turnout Statistics”)
Dear Sir:
Yes, it certainly was an unusual election campaign (to put it mildly); yes, you won the Electoral College by a large margin; yes, I appreciated what you said in a public announcement shortly after the election indicating you want to be a President for “all the people.” I am trying to hold onto that hope.
First, though, and with all due respect, may I remind you that there are over 325 million people in this United States. Of those, nearly 133 million voted – this represents only 55% of those who are of voting age.* Many of those who are voting age apparently didn’t voice their opinion for some reason or another. However, I digress a bit from the main points I wish to make.
As a President for “all the people”, I am of the opinion that you work for us, we are your constituents. You were “voted” into this office, you were not “hired.” We are not your employees, and you cannot fire us – this government you are now leading is not a corporation. Although some do feel it should run as such. Yes, we need business acumen, but there are differences. The cabinet members picked by you are also ultimately working for us – “all of the people.” We need your, and their, integrity. I am glad our Constitution has established checks and balances unlike most corporations. There are many lives at stake; those of us who have worked our entire lives to provide a decent home environment, either “blue” collar, rural or middle class – there are lots of us. Please don’t treat us, or this government, as if you are a “CEO” – the ultimate goal is not something for monetary profit. Yes, we do want a strong economy, and we were on the road to one. And yes, we can do better. The opinions you hold based on the party under which you campaigned, do not necessarily agree with all of those in this United States. Just because you have one belief, does not mean that it is good for all. Find a way to protect the good part of our government – understanding that there are many who respect the laws/regulations. The entitlement programs need to be revamped, but not scrapped – many of us have legitimately paid into the process and depend on that monthly income for survival.
Additionally, I would like to say that diplomacy and humility play a very important part in the way a President (or anyone who is an elected official) interacts with his constituents. Taking care to be considerate of thought and speech is paramount – words have a huge impact on interactions. You are now on a different platform – one that is held to a higher standard than that which you may have been accustomed. The display of ethics is incumbent upon you. With our social network sites, people have forgotten how to be considerate, much less diplomatic, and don’t seem to believe in ethics – comments have been irrevocably mean, and many untrue. As your constituent, I humbly request that you think carefully before you “tweet.” As a constituent, I prefer not to feel as if I am a pawn in the game of politics because your “tweets” incite action and fear. We are more than pawns, we are people with feelings – and, we deserve to be treated with respect. Please be more reserved with your social media reactions. How you react in private can be spoken in private, but all thoughts should probably not be broadcast. Trust needs to be established.
There is another word that is important, and that is compromise; and I’m continuing to speak in generalities. I feel that the “swamp” to which you have referred, was exacerbated by the lack of ability to compromise. This failure to compromise ignores the needs of many. Who knows, compromise just might serve you better than you expect. There are probably some issues, though, on which compromise won’t work. And, I cannot be privy, nor do I want to be, to everything that happens on The Hill – but, I do think that blaming the other party for one thing or the other just creates more divisiveness and hampers compromise. To get what one wants shouldn’t be by an act of bullying or demeaning others.
One last thing – please do trust the people that have worked in the various government departments for years on end. They are worthy of your trust, they are working for this United States, not just for you - many of them tirelessly keep its operation flowing, others also keep it safe. These are valuable people. Treat them as such, with respect.
Thank you for your indulgence and tolerance – may your tenure be fair and productive.
Signed,
A voter with over 45 years working experience, holder of two degrees (one achieved while working full time), single parent, middle class income – proud United States citizen – idealist.
(*www.statisticsbrain.com “Voting Turnout Statistics”)
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