Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Put 'Em Up, Put 'Em Up!



This is my letter to President Barack Obama.      09/02/2009



Mr. President, 


Up until Thanksgiving 2008 I guess you would have considered my family to be middle class. Everything except our mortgage paid for. My wife and I would take a nice trip every year. I have three grown children with the first and the last trying to stay in college. But after losing my job to the failing economy I don't know what category I'm in today. But the one thing that is crystal clear is that I have been married to my first love for 32 years. And for the past 18 years my first love has been dealing with Lupus.


When she first took her disability we were paying more than $700 per month for her prescription drugs. But thanks to a government controlled healthcare plan (Medicare) she now gets her prescriptions for less than $100.  And I'm not even mentioning the 5 or 6 different doctors she has. You see, there are millions more folks out there just like my wife, but no one is listening to their needs. Everyone is caught up in the Tea Baggers, Birthers, and now people openly carrying loaded weapons to town hall meetings.


You see, this is just a short note to explain why I'm a bit confused about your promise of change. I, like a lot of folks I know are maybe not disappointed, but question your strength and your toughness these days.


I know you campaigned on bipartisanship, and transparency, but I believe the time has come for you to get Southside on these folks who call themselves REAL PATRIOTS.


The fight over your healthcare plan is getting out of hand, and it's time to stop the rope-a-dope now!  If you're thinking these folks will tire while banging you against the ropes, I think you've mistaken this for a boxing match, and not the tag team wrestling that it truly is. While you're waiting for your opening, they keep tagging with everyone they have, and then some. They, are not playing by the rules.


I am sick of seeing these people all over the airwaves, the internet, and in print dogging you, and you not fighting back. They are hitting you so hard that no one is paying attention to the economy getting better. They tried to dog you on the Cash for Clunkers, but had to back off because GM was calling folks back to work, and opening plants that had been shut down. Very hard to argue that point. But they are keeping everyone's mind off the stock market, and more so away from a civil healthcare debate.


You have the right wingers blatantly lying about your reform bill, and we hear nothing from the left strong enough to make even the people who are on the fence listen to reason. If it's true that 78% of the population are with you on your health care plan and public option, why don't we see them? Why don't we hear them? Why is it that I don't see the people in need twice as hard as I see everyone against it? Where is our rallying cry?  What is so hard about letting people know that insurance companies as they stand today already have been dealing us death panels. What is so hard about letting people know that everything the REAL PATRIOTS say against your healthcare plan, insurance companies have been doing for years. And why can't your people put your plan out there so the majority of people can read it, and understand it. 1500 pages seems a bit much. That in itself makes it seem that you have something to hide.


And then there are the folks calling themselves Democrats, but pulling you down at every turn. You have to expose these folks for what they are. Traitors to the Democratic cause. Because if you really think these people are going to give up the cash money they're bringing in behind insurance, and pharmaceutical companies, you are wrong. 


Good Lord man do something! I didn't vote for you because you're a Black man. I voted for the change we so desperately need in this country. I voted for the strength and sincerity I heard in your voice in every speech.  

This is not about Black, or White, Brown, Pink, or Purple. This problem concerns everyone. 


I'm hoping you turn into the president we elected. The senator with the strong will to do right by all Americans. Not the wimp I'm checking out day after day.


With folks showing posters of you as Hitler, and those bringing guns to town hall meetings, they are saying the same thing to you as Whites told Black officers serving in WW2. You may have the rank, but you don't have the right! And we know this because? Because of the rhetoric about your death, or comments made about hunting you. These REAL PATRIOTS have no respect for you. They don't care what they say, and don't care that you know they're packing!


I could go on, but I think you get the idea where I'm coming from. If you stay on this same track they will be waiting with baited breath to send you packing in 2012.


But if you knock a few of these folks down to size, then you can declare "you ain't going nowhere without your luggage"!


You have a great and blessed day. PEACE!



Stephen M. Wilburn





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