I practiced a version of that phrase in my high school typing class. That phrase keeps replaying in my mind whenever I think about the radical GOP agenda, lies told about President Obama, voter suppression and intimidation. Additionally, I think of that phrase when I think of President Obama's American Job's Act stalled in Congress by the Republicans.
I come from a long line of Democrats. When I was growing up, my mom told me that one of the reasons she was a Democrat was because Republicans were for big business and Democrats were for the people. That description rings truer now more than ever.
My mom died last year. She was a woman of character, integrity and conviction. She taught my family to live by "The Golden Rule" and that kindness matters. She was a nurse, a political activist, an animal lover and a humanitarian in the truest sense of the word. She was a proud Democrat. FDR and JFK were two of her favorite presidents. Her support for President Barack Obama never waivered. I miss her deeply, but she lives on in me, my siblings and our children.
Recently we found a letter that my mom's father wrote to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938. He wrote:
April 19, 1938
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of my family and myself, I write this letter to you that we are thoroughly in accord with your recommendations to Congress in regard to the appropriations for the WPA and the PWA.
Fortunately, neither now nor in the past have I needed aid but I cannot remain indifferent to those who are unfortunate.
Yours respectfully,
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
My grandfather understood that his tax dollars would be used to invest in people, to give others a hand up and to rebuild America.
The Public Works Administration (PWA), part of the New Deal of 1933, was a large-scale public works construction agency in the United States. It was created by the National Industrial Recovery Act in June 1933 in response to the Great Depression. It built large-scale public works such as dams, bridges, hospitals and schools.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) focused on smaller projects and hired unemployed unskilled workers.
The following is the response my grandfather received from President Roosevelt's office:
April 21, 1938
My dear Mr. XXXXXX:
The President was delighted to receive the recent letter and has asked me to assure you and your family of his appreciation of the thoughtful spirit which prompted you to send it.
Very sincerely yours,
W. H. McINTYRE
Secretary to the President
My grandfather took the time to express his support to an embattled President, even though he wouldn't directly benefit from the enacted policies. He demonstrated the best of the American character. The response from the President's office was equally valuable because my grandfather was heard, acknowledged and appreciated. Reading those letters made me cry with pride.
Not knowing about these letters at the time, when President Obama was inaugurated, my daughter (then 7 years old) drew a picture and mailed it to him. He responded with a letter the following August. We framed his letter and its hanging in her room.
My grandfather's letters told a story about the roots of our beliefs and my daughter's letters tell a story of our future. They symbolize the connectedness of our personal history and that of our country, the communication between citizens and Presidents and that each individual can make an impact in some way.
Now in 2012, just like in 1938, President Obama faces challenges similar to FDR. He needs our support, our voices and our votes. He needs a Democratic Congress that will support his policies and state governments that will partner with the federal government to benefit all of the people of this country.
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of our country.
Americans have a very clear choice on November 6, 2012.