Gerard --
Two years: That's all the time I have left as your president.
I know what I'm going to be fighting for until I leave this office.
And the work you do now with OFA -- whatever it is that you choose to fight for -- will define what we can achieve together in that time.
So let's go. If it's raising the minimum wage for hard-working Americans or fixing our broken immigration system that fires you up, I need you to stand up for it. If it's gun violence prevention, speak out. If it's marriage equality, or women's rights, or getting serious about fighting climate change, your voice is needed like never before.
The elected officials I'll work with in the last two years of my presidency need to be reminded that people like you aren't going away.
They need to know you won't let the special interests in Washington drown out the voices of Americans who want to drive our country forward. That's what OFA was built to do.
So today, I'm asking directly: Will you commit to finish what you started with OFA?
I want to be clear about this: The difference you make isn't theoretical -- what you choose to do has a concrete impact.
When it comes to health care reform and the effort to help Americans across the country get covered in the months ahead, the role you play will be life-changing for real people. I've seen it.
Because of you, and groups like OFA, the face of American politics is fundamentally different today. You've changed what it means to get involved, and you've redefined how power is built.
Last week's election doesn't change that -- it just makes your job all the more critical.
With or without help from Congress, I'm not done making real change for the American people. And I bet you aren't, either.
Let's hear it:
http://my.barackobama.com/Lets-Go
Thank you,
Barack Obama
Mr. President,
I agree that my legislators need to hear from me. Here's a letter I recently sent to my Representative Susan Delbene:
I cannot tell you how upset I am about the coming threat of an Executive Order by President Obama to legalize 5+ million illegal immigrants. This is a usurpation of the legislative powers of Congress. It is a lawless act by a President who seems to believe he has nothing to lose.
If this is allowed to happen we will be sliding toward Banana Republic status where laws are ignored and “strong men” do whatever they want.
Do I have to tell you that the legalization of millions of illegal immigrants will result in millions more rushing to come here? And who is to stop them? It’s easy because our executive branch has failed to enforce our border.
Sovereign nations enforce their borders
We have the right to defend our borders. We also have a system for welcoming immigrants to this country. Those who have ignored our immigration laws are as much criminals as those who have broken into our homes and robbed us. Can we not remember that we used to be a nation of laws – not of the desires of one man or one political party.
Comprehensive immigration reform is not popular because there is no trust that the executive branch would actually close the border. So far they have done an ineffectual job and why would that change after a law is passed that provides a path to legality for those who are here illegally?
Do not let the President usurp your power as a legislator. Even if you want reform, you should recognize that once the President has successfully bypassed you on this, what is to stop him from just ignoring Congress all together. That is how it works in Banana Republics.
Let’s not go there!
Mr. President, if this letter doesn't meet your approval, tough shit! We conservatives can rag on our representatives too, ya know.
Posted by Jimmy J. at November 15, 2014 2:11 PM
Posted by gerardvanderleun at November 15, 2014 2:18 PM
Mr. President,
I agree that my legislators need to hear from me. Here's a letter I recently sent to my Representative Susan Delbene:
I cannot tell you how upset I am about the coming threat of an Executive Order by President Obama to legalize 5+ million illegal immigrants. This is a usurpation of the legislative powers of Congress. It is a lawless act by a President who seems to believe he has nothing to lose. If this is allowed to happen we will be sliding toward Banana Republic status where laws are ignored and “strong men” do whatever they want.
Do I have to tell you that the legalization of millions of illegal immigrants will result in millions more rushing to come here? And who is to stop them? It’s easy because our executive branch has failed to enforce our border.
Sovereign nations enforce their borders to stop invasions by foreign armies, to prevent invasion by unwanted communicable diseases, to keep agricultural pests and diseases out, to prevent aliens from taking jobs from legal citizens, to prevent illegal drugs from coming in, to stop terrorists from infiltrating in, and other things to protect the citizens and the nation. We have the right to defend our borders. We also have a system for welcoming immigrants to this country. Those who have ignored our immigration laws are as much criminals as those who have broken into our homes and robbed us. Can we not remember that we used to be a nation of laws – not of the desires of one man or one political party.
Comprehensive immigration reform is not popular because there is no trust that the executive branch would actually close the border. So far they have done an ineffectual job and why would that change after a law is passed that provides a path to legality for those who are here illegally?
Do not let the President usurp your power as a legislator. Even if you want reform, you should recognize that once the President has successfully bypassed you on this, what is to stop him from just ignoring Congress all together. That is how it works in Banana Republics. Let’s not go there!
Mr. President, if this letter doesn't meet your approval, tough shit! We conservatives can rag on our representatives too, ya know.
Posted by: Jimmy J. at November 15, 2014 2:11 PM
HOME