
Dear POTUS,
This year, I’m sending you a Valentine, not because I love you or respect you, but because I love my country. And you are the duly-elected symbol of that country. You may not know that I love my country, since I’m not in the pro-life movement, I don’t attend church, fear immigrants, or verbally wave the flag every chance I get. I’m not even Christian, which I suspect is becoming ground zero for patriotism. In fact, I pretty much don’t fit any of the recent descriptions used for those who love our country.
My love of country stems, instead, from deep, unwavering gratitude. Gratitude that my parents were allowed to emigrate here, and that this country made room for them. Gratitude that I was given a childhood that was dramatically different than theirs. Gratitude that my life choices were those of people who have enough food to eat, a home to live in, and a government that protects them and not hunts them down. I had only to decide which clothes to wear for school that day, which homework assignment should be done first, and which children’s shows I would look forward to seeing on TV over the weekend. These were decisions my parents never got to consider when they were growing up.
I also love my country because my experience growing up was that people of different religions living together was entirely normal. My friends were Jewish, Protestant, Catholic. We attended the same school, borrowed books from the same library, watched movies on Saturday morning at the same theater. My parents did not experience this. Because of their religion, they lived only where the government allowed them to live. Their lives were so insular that they never learned the languages of the countries in which they lived.
This is what I’d like you to understand, that, because of who I am and because of the circumstances of my family history, I love my country. You and I speak the same language, and we may use the same terms, but I may mean something a bit different than you when I do so. For example:
pro-life: My belief is that life is sacred, and that being pro-life means that we have an obligation to those, like my parents, who seek asylum within our borders. And we have an obligation to those who live here now, to be inclusive. Pro-life means not shutting them out, either economically, socially, or educationally. I do not believe that they are here to suck us dry or kill us. I believe they are, like my parents, here to have a chance at a better life.
“radical Islamic terrorism”: a favorite term of yours. You’ll be happy to know that I believe radical Islamic terrorism exists and that it is a threat to us and to the world. I also believe radical non-Islamic terrorism exists. It has resulted in Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing, Dylann Roof and the Charleston Church shooting, Adam Lanza and the Newtown School shooting, Charles Roberts and the Amish school shooting, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and the Columbine High School massacre. The list goes on and on. Terrorism, no matter its motivation, is unacceptable.
“government-run education monopoly” Democracies depend on the educational system they provide their citizens. Corporations that are monopolies have consumers at their mercy, and may set prices to increase profit. They don’t have to consider the welfare of the people who use their products or services. Education, as a monopoly, ensures that common standards are upheld. They are beholden to the people who use their services. There is a big difference between a business and an educational system. People of means will always have the option of sending their children to private school, just as people of faith will always have the option of sending their children to faith-based school. And people will (and should) have the option of home-schooling or sending their children to charter schools. But none of these alternatives should impact in any way whatsoever on the public school system that the vast majority of Americans attend. Alternatives mean choice, not the standard.
“fake news”: I agree wholeheartedly that fake news exists. But, in this era of unlimited avenues in which people can gather information, it’s irresponsible to accept any news (no matter where it comes from) without checking sources. If you limit yourself solely to one source or one way of thinking, you become vulnerable to manipulation. And that is a very dangerous place to be. A free society is based on a free press. It is not up to any leader of this country to decide what people should read and/or listen to. It is up to us, the people,to do due diligence to weed through news sources, in order to make ourselves better-informed citizens.
I also have definitions that differ from yours, regarding what it would take to “make America great again” and “make the inner cities safe” and “keep our borders safe.” I will happily share them with you, if you’d like.
So, here’s your Valentine, POTUS, from a grateful-to-be-here patriot of this amazing country. I suspect that no matter what path you choose to lead this country down for the foreseeable future, I will make my opinion known. I will continue to exercise the right that was not given to my parents. And I will continue to love this country as much as anyone possibly can and to get chills whenever I say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the national anthem.
Gabe Burkhardt
February 6, 2017
Yes! Well said.
We’re following a hard road, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks, Gabe. I just need work on my feeling of dread.
Gabe Burkhardt
February 7, 2017
Blog it out. Blog it out…
Shelley
February 6, 2017
This touched me deeply and brought tears to my eyes (and down my cheeks). Beautifully expresses.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks, Shelley. Dems, in general, have been accused of being low on the patriotism scale. It’s even worse now. If you don’t lap at the heels of POTUS, you aren’t a true American. It offends me greatly.
ammaponders
February 6, 2017
This took my breath away. Thank you.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Wow, thanks for this. I’m always grateful that people take time from their lives to read my pieces, even more so that something I’ve written resonates.
Roxanne Jones
February 6, 2017
Amen.
Roxanne Jones Freelance writer specializing in health & medicine Hurley Communications 207.829.2023 (office) 207.607.0210 (cell) roxanne@hurleycomm.com http://www.hurleycomm.com
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks, Roxanne, and thanks for reading.
jmnowak
February 6, 2017
I second that. Could apply to my country too in many respects.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Where is that?
jmnowak
February 9, 2017
Australia. 🙋
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 9, 2017
Ah, the country that POTUS favors less than than Russia
jmnowak
February 10, 2017
All I can say about that matter is that I heard on the news recently that his cabinet has advised him of who his allies are.
Eileen Adickes
February 6, 2017
And another, well done!
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks, Eileen!
Keith
February 6, 2017
Renee, well said. I like to ask the man and his followers when I hear about how terrible things are, is what country are you talking about? Yes, we have issues, but our country is doing pretty well. I would also make comment which is still not too late, Mr. President please remember our allies are allies for a reason, so please respect that history. Keith
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
I’m not sure the man knows the meaning of the word “respect.” I suspect he only knows “win” and “deal.”
Keith
February 7, 2017
Renee, he is a transactional guy. Since he has misrepresented so much in business, he has exploited relationships. So, unless they are sycophants fawning over him, he could care less about them. Keith
puppiesinparadise
February 6, 2017
I really enjoyed your letter to Trump. I hope Trump reads it. I hope it inspires others to write their own letters. Your parents must be very proud of the woman you have become.
honey
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
While I believe there is no possibility that he will read this, perhaps others who do will connect to it in some way. Aside from African Americans who were brought here as slaves, we are all descended from people who came here to find a better life. We owe it to them to honor their journeys and to honor, as well, the journeys of those who continue to come here for the same reason.
familytreedet
February 6, 2017
This is one of the most thoughtful and creative pieces I have read in a while. Great way to affirm the love one feels for their country.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks so much for reading and for these comments.
Andrew Reynolds
February 6, 2017
Well said. Will you also send one of those boxes of candy hearts?
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Absolutely not. The man needs a strict diet.
Donald John
February 7, 2017
Matthew 7
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Native Americans call it “walking the red road.” Our president needs a road map.
Donald John
February 7, 2017
Agreed.
that little voice
February 7, 2017
Love this. Reblogging.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 7, 2017
Thanks, and thanks for the reblog!
theamericanfrau
February 9, 2017
Excellent ideology.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 9, 2017
Thanks, and thanks for reading!
teachinglife2016
February 9, 2017
Well said, but trump will never read anything like this because he iis smarter than everyone
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 10, 2017
There’s pretty compelling evidence that the man can’t read, or, that he is a bit dyslexic. For example, he signed thousands of leases without ever reading one. He is either the most trusting soul who ever lived, or he has an issue. Many other examples of his avoiding reading things that any other human being would naturally read. And, speaking of reading, thanks for reading this blog post!
wi119455
February 10, 2017
So you do not believe in keeping Americans Safe? Well it is sad that you live where we protect you no matter what you do to try to destroy it. Americans need to come first from our leaders. In the past we have had it where Americans are not first. I lived in EL Paso and my house got robbed of food. I was told by the police, who seemed to think it was my fault for buying food and putting it in my fridge. I guess I should have put the food outside so they did not have to break the window. But they broke the law so it seems illegal’s are not breaking the law, hoiw are you going to feel when the illegal or not vetted person comes and rapes you? Kills one of your family members? Yes we have our own problems here, like Timothy McVeigh but please at least we are not importing them
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 10, 2017
William, I am so happy to see your comments, because I believe this gets to the heart of a lot of the divide that exists in this country right now. I believe that we all, no matter our political beliefs, want to be safe. We want safety for ourselves, our families, our country. The divide is how that is to be accomplished. I, along with all liberals, believe that illegals break the law. The divide is that you believe that illegals are here to break the law. I believe, based on a ton of research that I’ve done, that the incidence of crime among illegals is lower than crime among legals. I also believe, based on the research I’ve done, that illegals have contributed in a positive way to our economy. Lastly, the borders. I trust the two year vetting process we have in place. Remember that those who come here from abroad are not illegals. They have been vetted. And, I know that more Mexicans are going back to the US than are arriving here. Because of those two factors, I see no reason to either heap more vetting onto arriving immigrants or to spend tens of billions of dollars on a wall between us and Mexico. I am sorry that you were the victim of crime due to illegals, and I am sorry that the police had the reaction they did. It reminds me of certain GOP Congressmen who have said that rape is the fault of the women. But your experience doesn’t mean that all illegals want to do you harm. It is too easy to see the world in terms of us/them, and it leads to conclusions that do not serve us in the long run. Fear created the Holocaust. Fear created the Inquisition. Fear is what is fueling all of the unrest in the Middle East. Fear created most of the atrocities throughout time and over the planet. Fear is what dictators and demigods use to keep people in place and to destroy human rights. And, to answer your question, if an illegal does harm to me, I will suffer greatly, and will want that person to be tried in a court of law. But I will not then believe that all illegals mean me harm. Family members were killed by the Nazis. I do not believe that all Germans mean me harm. I choose not to live that way. I will not make decisions based on fear and I will not justify the actions of a government that rules by fear. The consequences serve to reduce the rights of all of us.
janice
February 11, 2017
Beautifully said. I am proud to have been your friend.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 11, 2017
Thanks, Janice. And I’m honored you took the time to read.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 8, 2017
Thanks for the reblog!