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.