Our One Hundredth (and Final) Letter to President Trump

18 December 2017 

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500 

Dear President Trump, 

This is the last letter I will be writing to you.  When you were elected, my family and I decided to try to engage in the democratic process by writing you letters.  This is our one hundredth letter.  Though it took quite a while, we finally began getting replies from your staff.  IIt is clear to us fromt he nature of those responses, which thank us for our support for your policies on various issues, that your staff are not even acknowledging when we respectfully disagree with your policies.  While we have tried our best to engage in civil discourse, they have not been letters of support.

My family and I are Christian.  Since taking office, you have evidenced clearly a disregard for the people that God put on the earth, particularly those that are poor and vulnerable.  You have evidenced a lack of respect for women that has set a horrible example for the rest of the world.  You have made fun of the handicapped.  You have expressed scorn for the press as a whole and shown that the truth does not matter to you.  There is nothing in your behavior or policies that we can reconcile with an awareness of (let alone conformity to) Christian values (nor the values of any other faith that I am familiar with).

You have taken steps that will do great harm to the environment and leave my children and their children a world far more polluted than it was when you took office.  You have consistently showed that you care only for those with money and more specifically, only for yourself and your fame. You have behaved badly toward our trusted allies and have shown an unreasonable amount of trust for Vladimir Putin who has given every indication that such trust is misplaced.

Frankly, we have come to realize that writing you letters is nothing more than a waste of our time.  And so, we are going to stop now.  Instead we will write letters to other legislators who have minds that might consider the ideas and arguments that are important to us. Hopefully they will be able to oppose your initiatives.

We hold no particular ill will toward you.  It is simply clear to us that you have a lot of work to do at becoming a virtuous human being before you attempt to be president.  If we could offer any parting advice to you, it would be this.  You need to start listening to other people, particularly those that disagree with you.  Doing so may be the only way to change the way history will remember you, which, if things continue in the direction they are, will likely be as an ineffective leader who care more about himself than the people in the democracy that he was elected to lead.

Regards,

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Our Eighth Grader Writes President Trump About Climate Change

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500

9 December 2017

Dear President Donald Trump,  

I recently read an article about your stance on climate change, and how you do not believe in it. As a young person who will have to deal with the effects of climate change and figure out ways to prevent it to cause further damage so that there is hope for future generations, I am writing to inform you that climate change is real, and it is something that you need to address.

    There is an incredible amount of scientific proof that climate change is real, and it is dangerous. For example, I read on climate.nasa.gov that that satellites orbiting Earth have allowed scientists, through that data, to see the signs of a changing climate. “The planet’s average surface temperature has risen about two degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere. Most of the warming occurred in the past thirty-five years.” (climate.nasa.gov)

    Are you still not convinced, President Trump? Well, here’s some more evidence. Ice sheets are shrinking. Antarctica lost about thirty-six cubic miles of ice between 2002 and 2005. Glaciers are retreating all around the world. Based on satellite observations, snow cover is decreasing. Seas are rising. Global sea level rose about eight inches in the last one hundred years, and they are rising more rapidly. Extreme weather events are occurring, such as intense rainfall in America, the hurricanes we had this season, and the California wildfires.

 Why is it important that you address climate change now, President Trump? What will happen if you don’t take action? Well, temperatures will keep rising. There will be more heat waves. Hurricanes will become more powerful and more intense. The Arctic will become ice-free. Ocean levels will rise putting people in danger.

Climate change is real, and it does need to be addressed. Climate change is not “a hoax.” By not doing something as the President of the United States, you are putting yourself, and future generations, at risk.

It’s time to get off twitter and do something. Now.

 

Sincerely,

F,,

Eighth Grader

 

 

P. S.,  If you remain skeptical, please check out climate.nasa.gov for more information on climate change, global warming, their causes and effects, evidence, and frequently asked questions regarding those topics.

 

President Trump, What legacy will you leave?

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC, 20500

23 October 2017

 Dear President Trump, 

How do you imagine history will remember you?  Your policies so far have done little, though they have attempted to cut funding for the agencies that protect our clear water and air, cut health care from those Americans who need it most, cut taxes to those who have the most to give (and need the tax cuts the least), and have failed to offer aid and refuge to those fleeing war and oppression.

 Your off-the-cuff comments have offended women, athletes, members of your own party, the media, veterans, American citizens in Puerto Rico, the disabled, and many countries that have been America’s allies for decades.

All this noise (Twitter and otherwise) has increased the level of anger and misunderstanding between the left and the right, polarized important issues we should be working on, and gotten you in the headlines on a daily basis.  It has increased your infamy (though not your popularity which continues to drop according the Gallup approval polls)

But what about history?  Popularity comes and goes on a daily basis.  There are countless examples from Hollywood, the business world, sports, and politics that show how low once-famous people can dip.  Infamy is slower, but much the same.  History, however, takes the long view.  President Bush will be remembered for his response to 9-11.  President Obama will be remembered for his initiatives on Health Care and his restoration of America to a place of respect internationally (culminating in his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize.)

 What will you be remembered for, if anything?  A wall that never got built?  Deregulation that polluted our country so that later generations had to spend all their resources to clean it up?  Yet another tax cut to the rich? 

Consider the legacy you wish to leave when you are gone.   

Regards,

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Another Mass Shooting, Mr. President. What Are You Going To Do About It?

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500

7 October 2017 

Dear President Trump, 

One week ago, on October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas, a lone gunman killed 58 people and injured 489 people with an AK 47, an assault weapon designed for war.   

Since I was born in 1966, 948 people have been killed in 131 events in which a lone gunman or pair of gunmen willed four or more people.  The gunmen in these separate events each used an average of 3 weapons per shooting.  The oldest victim was 98 years old.  The youngest was an 8 month old baby whose mother tried to shield her.  The mother was killed too. 

51 years of deaths from mass shootings have taken parents, friends, sons, daughters and others away from those who loved them.   

You are the president of the United States.  These are American citizens dying.   

What are you going to do about it? 

Regards, 

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Sometimes we don't know why we do this letter writing thing. Sometimes we do.

25 September 2017 

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500 

Dear President Trump: 

It has been a while since I have last written to you.  Frankly, it is getting harder and harder to write to you.  I would like to be able to engage in civil discourse with you, but I am becoming more and more convinced that is not possible. 

I realize that you haven’t read any of the 90 or so letters we have sent (though someone has – we got two nice form-letter replies, and one generic letter about health care.  We appreciate that).  So it really shouldn’t matter to me, but it does.  I need to know that, in theory, I could send you a letter and you could read it, and it might make a difference. 

But, Sir, in the last couple of weeks, you have threatened and provoked a madman with nuclear weapons, used vulgarities to address sports players who are exercising their right to free speech, and have alienated members of your own party.  I am sure that you must have advisors who have counselled you against each one of these actions.  Clearly you do not listen to them.  Why would I think you would listen to me.  I am not a fool.  I know you will not listen to me. 

So why do I keep engaging in this futile task of writing letters to someone who I know won’t read them, and who I am sure, if he did read them, would ignore them anyway. 

The answer to that questions is important.  You have been elected president of this democracy.  It is your job to listen to me, Mr. President, because I, along with the rest of the American people, am your boss.  If you choose not to do your job, that is your business – but I am going to keep doing my job. 

So in that spirit, Sir, I have this advice for you to improve your job performance.  Start acting like a wise ruler who cares for his people.  Stop acting like a petulant child, a bully, and a hothead.  Start thinking before you speak and considering before you act.  Stop tweeting your every thought and acting as though those people who like you are the only people who matter.  Start serving this country.  Stop treating it like it exists to serve you. 

If you keep insulting your boss, mocking your coworkers, and making the institution you run look bad, you may not have your job for much longer.  

Sincerely,

 

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Trump responds again!

A day or two after we got the first response from President Trump (or whoever responds to his mail), we got a second response.  This one was addressed to our daughter.  I assume whoever is answering the letters is finally catching up. 

Here is the letter that K. originally sent the president:

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500

27 March 2017

Dear President Trump,  

 This week, the health plan put forth by you and the Republicans of Congress failed. While I am sure this was disappointing to you, it made me happy that the plan failed.  It was not a good plan.  

I read in several articles about an Urban Institute study and a case study on the state of Massachusetts that said that, at a minimum, 27,000 people would die due to the enactment of the new health care law. That is unacceptable. Knowingly enacting a law that will likely cause U. S. citizens to die is intolerable.  Instead the bill should ensure that all Americans have access to good health care.  

I don't know whether this means that you will leave the Affordable Care Act alone for the foreseeable future or will attempt again to replace it, but I wanted to encourage you to understand e that the lack of support behind this bill means that if you ever present another one, it should be tangibly better than the current Affordable Care Act that is currently ensuring health insurance for more Americans, not fewer, across our country. 

Sincerely,

 
K.



Here is the letter from the President (I am retyping it as I can't get BlogSpot to load the scan I made.)

(seal)

The White House

Washington

August 18, 2017

 

Ms. K. Boerman-Cornell

South Holland, Illinois

 

 

Dear K.,

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to express your views regarding healthcare policy. 

 

Healthcare is a large and complex part of the economy that affects every person and family in America.  Due to Obamacare, our healthcare system is imploding.  That is why we must repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and, at the same times, encourage quality healthcare and innovation.

 

Since my first day as President, we have been working to save Americans from Obamacares's failures.  On my first day in office, I signed an executive order to minimize Obamacare's regulatory burdens and to give the states greater flexibility and authority to create a more open healthcare market.  My Administration has worked ever since, and will continue to work, with Congress to enact permanent reforms that will finally address the needs of our healthcare system.

 

My Administration will work to replace Obamacare with a system that meets several critical objectives.  Obamacare's replacement should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage.  Additionally, it should provide a stable transition for those currently enrolled in Obamacare's health exchanges and Medicaid expansion.  And it should use tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts to help Americans purchase healthcare coverage of their own chosing.

 

Thank you again for your suggestions.  Please visit the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov to read more about my health care policy.  As President, I am committed to providing Americans with more affordable health insurance, access to more choices, and quality care.

 

 Sincerely,

 

(signature)

 

 

And here is K.'s reply to President Trump:

 

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC  20500

2 September 2017

Dear President Trump, 

Thank you for your August 18 response to my letter of March 29. I appreciate you taking the opportunity to encourage civil discourse between citizens and yourself by sending me (and many others, I assume) a response. Back in March, I wrote to you about health care. I would just like to reiterate to you that any health care plans you make to help out our country must include the entire country, and must allow every citizen of the United States to receive health care coverage, regardless of race, social class, geographic location, and so on. Thank you again for replying, and I look forward to more civil discourse with you in the months to come. 

Regards,

K.

 



Trump Responds!

After writing and mailing to President Trump 90 letters since January, we have received our first response.  As near as we can figure, this is in response to the letter we sent on January 20.  Here is the text of the letter we think he was responding to:

The White House.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Washington, DC 20500.

20 January 2017

Dear President Trump:

As of today you are serving as our president.  In a monarchy or a dictatorship, we might say that you were the ruler of the people.  The United States, however, is a democracy, which means that you work for the people of this nation.  You have taken a step out of the position of being the boss of everything, and into a position where you are a public servant.  In short, Sir, that means that you now work for me and all the other citizens of this country.

You ran for office on a strategy of inducing fear of terrorists, and transferring that fear to all those who were different – either because of the color of their skin or their country of origin.  Unfortunately, while that strategy has gotten you into office, it has also divided our nation, sewn seeds of distrust and fear, and increased racial tension.

So let me address you as your boss.  Now that you are in office, it is time to put the fear-mongering behind you and treat those who live in this nation – who are under your care -- with the dignity that every human deserves.  This is the sobering responsibility of the office you have undertaken.  I pray you will rise to it, sir.

Respectfully,

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Here is President Trump's responese
BlogSpot is not letting me upload the scan that I made of it so here is the text of the reply:

(seal)

The White House

Washington

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions on how to address important issues facing our Nation.  I am honored to work on behalf of all Americans to grow our economy, protect our citizens, and strengthen American leadership around the world.

When America is united, there is no challenge too great.  Together we will prosper, and we will get the job done.

(signature) 

Finally, here is the letter that I wrote this morning in response to his reply:

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC  20500

30 August 2017

Dear President Trump:



Thank you for your reply to the letter that I wrote you on the day of your inauguration. Even though it was a form letter, I appreciate your acknowledgement of the letter I had sent.

You say in your letter that you are honored to work on behalf of all Americans.   I am glad to hear that.  As I had mentioned in my letter, the president is supposed to work for the people of this nation and not the other way around.  That includes the two-thirds of Americans who are not part of your base, and many of those Americans think you have turned a deaf ear to their concerns about global climate change, domestic racist hate groups, public education, and our relations to other countries.

I also appreciate that you said in your letter that, "When America is united, no challenge is too great."  I believe that is true as well, but insulting the press, not taking a clear stance on hate groups like the KKK, making immigrants into scapegoats and objects of fear, and looking more to the needs of Wall Street than the concerns of main street -- all this has not unified the country, it has driven it further and further into extremist camps. 

I am old enough to remember a time when democrats and republicans could find huge areas of agreement and work together.  Both parties want a robust economy, clean water and air, good schools for our children, and peaceful interactions with the other nations of the world.  Surely you could build on that rather than using twitter to drive a wedge between the parties.

I hope you can hear your own words and work as a public servant to all citizens of this country.  I also hope you can work toward bringing groups of Americans together for the public good rather than driving them apart.

Regards,

Bill Boerman-Cornell