Write a Letter to the (admittedly generic)President

[Firebird]

The president only has so much power. Obama's not the problem; Congress is, along with the reliance on rich donors due to the expense of running campaigns and the cannibalization of campaign finance reform laws, along with a radically conservative Supreme Court.

I would ask that he strongly push a Constitutional amendment affirming that corporations do not have the Constitutional right of freedom of expression that people do, and that Congress may pass laws restricting the amount of money they may use for political purposes. Technically the president has no part of the actual amendment process, but he has a powerful bully pulpit and a point of view most people would agree with. None of the other admirable goals puts forth so far will likely happen otherwise.
Second, when the health care reform mandate is ruled unconstitutional in June (sadly, yes, this will likely happen) he should push to expand Medicare to everyone, using the GOP and Court as a foil.

First of all, Obama is a problem just as Bush II, Clinton, Bush I, etc were a problem. Congress is also a problem, but the president is to blame as well. He holds the power to veto bills. Yes Congress, if they have a large enough majority can overrule the president, but it's a moot issue when the president fails to veto items.

Hell, Obama authorized the murder of American citizens without a trial... I would not consider that a position of limited power.

The president certainly is a problem, he simply isn't the only one.

And I can't wait for the health care bill to be overturned. I hope the court throws out the whole fucking thing. It's bullshit they write a 2,000 page bill and don't give people enough time to read it, not that most congressmen would read it anyway.

Added: Also, Bush II went to war without congressional approval, and with no repercussions. So don't try and say our presidents are not to blame.

Also, I apologize for my aggressive tone, but that seriously got under my skin.

I am not saying the Presidency is a position of limited power. My position has always been that I like Obama overall and hate this Congress. Yes, it bothers me greatly that they killed an American citizen without judge or jury too.
And universal health care is a good thing.

[ThinkAnarchy]

I am not saying the Presidency is a position of limited power. My position has always been that I like Obama overall and hate this Congress. Yes, it bothers me greatly that they killed an American citizen without judge or jury too.
And universal health care is a good thing.

I dislike both positions. But the president, for the most part, can veto anything congress passes that he doesn't agree with. I would love a president that vetoed 99% of the crap that comes out of congress.

As for universal health care, we will have to simply disagree. I'm convinced it's terrible just as you are convinced it's good. 

[Ali]

Dear POTUS,
Are you completely overwhelmed by the problems of climate change, pollution, wealth distribution, continued dependence on dwindling natural resources, increasing hunger, poverty, and homelessness among our fellow citizens, and the total fuckupery of a for-profit healthcare system?  Me too!  We should hang out.

Love,
Ali

[Hector Valdez]

Nice one, Ali. I was beginning to think that political emotions were going to completely take over the thread. Here's my letter:

Dear Mr.(admittedly generic)President

Welcome to the Presidency, Mr. President. It took a lot of hard-work to get to this point, and you're probably going to be busier than most of us for the next four years. It is my earnest hope that you try your best to do what is right for this country.I hope that you might pardon much, compromise much, and love much, for now that you are President, you have gained many rivals, enemies, and false friends. Do not worry too much about them. In the annals of history, you will be recognized by your sentiment, rather than by your actions. I pray your actions reflect your sentiment, and I pray your sentiment is a love for country.

p.s.(If you want to see the post in a cool way, install this font I created. )
ElGallo

:edit:The link should work now, though for some reason the font doesn't seem to look very good on the forum...

[Amicale]

Nice one, Ali. I was beginning to think that political emotions were going to completely take over the thread. Here's my letter:

Dear Mr.(admittedly generic)President

Welcome to the Presidency, Mr. President. It took a lot of hard-work to get to this point, and you're probably going to be busier than most of us for the next four years. It is my earnest hope that you try your best to do what is write for this country. I hope that you might pardon much, compromise much, and love much, for now that you are President, you have gained many rivals, enemies, and false friends. Do not worry too much about them. In the annals of history, you will be recognized by your sentiment, rather than by your actions. I pray your actions reflect your sentiment, and I pray your sentiment is a love for country.


p.s.(If you want to see the post in a cool way, install this font I created. )
ElGallo

Nice letter!   And I liked Ali's, too.

Sem, I take it you don't think Obama will have a second term?  

P.S. - when I clicked on your font link, it instructed me to sign into their service rather than download it.

[Hector Valdez]

Oh damn. Well, hold on. Let me try something else.

[xSilverPhinx]

Nice one, Ali. I was beginning to think that political emotions were going to completely take over the thread. Here's my letter:

Dear Mr.(admittedly generic)President
Welcome to the Presidency, Mr. President. It took a lot of hard-work to get to this point, and you're probably going to be busier than most of us for the next four years. It is my earnest hope that you try your best to do what is write for this country.

I hope that you might pardon much, compromise much, and love much, for now that you are President, you have gained many rivals, enemies, and false friends. Do not worry too much about them.

In the annals of history, you will be recognized by your sentiment, rather than by your actions. I pray your actions reflect your sentiment, and I pray your sentiment is a love for country.

Proof-reading?

[Hector Valdez]

Oops.

[Amicale]

[derail]

This is briefly off-topic, but it reminded me -- the other day I was trying to explain the difference to a student between:
- Right (the opposite of wrong)
- Right (said in conversation, to mean 'yes' or 'correct' - similar to the opposite of wrong, but not quite - meant more as an affirmation or indication that you understand)
- Right (the opposite of left)
- Right (used as an intensive. In conversation you'd say 'keep right on going')
- Right (as in, 'I know my rights!' - something you're allowed, granted, etc... usually by the government)
- Right (as in to right a chair or a boat that's been overturned)
- Right (part of a title, like 'the Right Honorable... etc)
- Wright (the last name)
- Write (print or cursive)
- Rite (a religious ritual)
- Rite-Aid (the pharmacy)

And I'm sure I've missed some.  

What we know and take for granted turned into a 15-20 minute conversation. There are many, many words in English like this. It gives me an appreciation for those who are trying to learn it!

[/derail]

[ThinkAnarchy]

^^^
Out of curiosity, what ages do you teach?

[Amicale]

^^^
Out of curiosity, what ages do you teach?

Adults in several different countries. My youngest student's in her early 20s, my oldest is in his late 40s.

[ThinkAnarchy]

^^^
Out of curiosity, what ages do you teach?

Adults in several different countries. My youngest student's in her early 20s, my oldest is in his late 40s.

Where english is not their native language I assume. That makes sense, I doubt I would understand this language if I didn't grow up in an english speaking country. It doesn't seem to be the most intuitive language.

Added: Even though I know the difference between different words, I still tend to use them interchangeably. I simply think "there" without further thought as to which form should be used. Only when I edit (closely) something, I actually notice the incorrect usages.  

I edited this post three times already and I'm sure there are still mistakes...

[xSilverPhinx]

English has so many goddam words. I think, like, Shakespeare went on a spree and invented like 16 000 of them.

Like, don't some people have like better things to do?

[Amicale]

English has so many goddam words. I think, like, Shakespeare went on a spree and invented like 16 000 of them.

Like, don't some people have like better things to do?

Yes. Like writing letters to a generic President, for instance.

*tries to get the thread back on the rails, since she derailed it*

[xSilverPhinx]

I think I'll give the genetic president letter a try, so as to consolidate the putting of this thread on the right track again:

Dear Mr. President,

I couldn't for the life of me know how difficult it must be to hold such an office, and I'm glad that I will never have to know, personally. To have important decisions fall on your shoulders, some of which will affect many lives in some way, is not an easy burden to bear. I respect that you're even able to stand and walk while carrying your country on your shoulders.

However, there are pressing issues that need to be addressed, in regards to better paying jobs (add generic smiley).  The sort of unfavorable distribution is leaving people restless, Mr. President. I pray you lend an ear and hopefully remedy this situation before it goes out of proportion.

Reader, please, after you've finished reading this letter that was not addressed to you, pass it on to the president. Thank you. Didn't your mother teach you any manners regarding reading other people's mail and spying?

Love,

your bud