Dear President Obama,
I know you have been going through some hard times trying to run our nation in such a difficult situation. If you want to succeed in fixing this "Great Recession" you should look to President Roosevelt and all of the action he took. He came into office almost the same way you did, with a lot support from the American people and a determination to change the way things were done in the white house.
An article in the New Yorker written in 2008 said "Last week, the Department of Commerce reported that the economy is shrinking. Almost certainly, the United States has entered its twelfth official recession since Roosevelt’s death." You arent the only president who had to deal with recessions since Roosevelt's time in office. Even if some in America are beginning to lose faith in you, they have no idea how hard it is and how many other times this has happened. Its all a part of the economy. And for all those calling you a socialist, dont worry, imagine the things they were saying about FDR when he organized the economy and made social security.
Our economy isnt in its strongest place, and I think your efforts so far have been pretty good. Roosevelt created a lot of new jobs and created agencies that helped improve our country. For instance he created the REA (Rural Electrification Administration) which gave jobs to electricians to bring rural areas electricity. You too have done this, Ive seen the construction that has been a result of it, but maybe you could work on creating more agencies like FDRs. I think that what you did for research universities was a great move because it helps advance science, and puts money into the subjects who are everyday people like me.
Your relationship with congress has definitely been a difficult one, especially with the split congress and so many conservatives accusing you of being a socialist. President Roosevelt actually threatened his congress in his own inaugural speech, which was bold and he was lucky enough to have a positive outcome. He said "I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis-broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency..." I don't think that this would be the right path for you, at least not right now. What you're doing seems great, calling together members for a summit so you can hear them out is very gracious of you. You just need to work on winning more republicans over by hearing them out and compromising. People these days are very stubborn and want to do what they think their state wants, hear them out but still assert your power and judgment. As for democrats speaking against you, do the same thing. Just because they are in your party doesnt mean they have to think the same way you do, but youre doing a great job leading them whether they agree with you or not.
As for you look among the American people and leaving your mark in history, you have already created a positive image that many people admire and will remember. FDR spoke to his nation when an important time was upon them. One example is when he re-opened the banks and encouraged people to keep using them, and the deposits ended up exceeding the withdrawals that day. I know you address the public much more, especially with so much technology to utilize, but its important to always be speaking to your people. FDR did this, and "people were amazed, almost flattered that a president would talk to them directly on such an important subject." Speak directly to the people of the United States, and do it before something important happens.
Take charge in congress and work with them, be bold, speak to the people, come up with new ideas to better our nation and work to get new legislation passed. Try your hardest and keep your head up, whether people like it or not, you're the best thing our country has right now, and you have at least three more years to prove that to them.
Good Luck,
Emilie Colwell
Sources:
(Packet Sabrina gave us in class) Chapter 4, FDR's First Term: Battling the Great Depression page 55-67
Packer, George. "THE NEW LIBERALISM." The New Yorker November 17, 2008
Coll, Steve. "THE TEST." The New Yorker November 10, 2008
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