Saturday, I received a letter from someone in a 3x5 plain white envelope. I could tell it had something folded tightly inside. The printing of my name and address was bold and appeared done with some strong emphatic strokes. There was no return address on it. The post marking suggested it originated in nearby Cedar Rapids, IA. Like most people, I wondered for a moment who might have sent me a letter. I could easily find out and just go ahead and open it. Instead, I tried to piece the puzzle in my mind and predict who it was from. Silly. But, we all do it.
Rrrrrriiiiiiiippp! went the opener. Out came five 5x7 sheets of paper very tightly folded to fit into the envelope. They were printed and definitely for me. It was a response to a letter to the editor of our local paper I had written last weekend. It was published last Wednesday. Apparently, someone was moved by it. They took time to look up my address, write some point-by-point comments, not sign it, and send it anonymously for me to read. What they had to say was not in agreement with my letter.
Join me below for more and for what this person had to say.
Two weeks ago, I was involved in a local Volunteer Training Workshop given by the Obama headquarters team out of Des Moines. We were reminded of the campaign message we are going to deliver in the coming months, what roles we can choose from in our local teams, how to use different outlets, and how much work is ahead of us. It was a sobering and moving evening. We came away inspired to do more to get Obama re-elected.
One thing I like to do is write letters to the editor. Frequently, the letters are in direct response to a letter by someone else. There is one person in particular that writes letters so full of ignorance and lies about Obama and this administration, that I usually send a countering letter within a few days. Two weeks ago, J. Fried Dumbos (not his real name
) wrote such a letter. I pondered how to reply. He stressed how urgent it was that Obama NOT be re-elected. You know the arguments. Other things kept me busy that week. But the letter was cooking on the back burner in my mind.
Then, one morning, my friend Craig posted this image on his facebook wall. He was also at the volunteer training workshop. Perfect. This was how I would do my letter to the editor, with modifications. Maybe you have seen this picture. Click it to go to the MoveOn.org web site if you want more information about it.
I used this excellent message as the template for my letter. Here is what it said.
Why I am Working for President Obama's Re-election
Health care reform has only been talked about until President Obama led us to passage of the Affordable Care Act. It removes restrictions of pre-existing conditions, makes health care affordable for small businesses, keeps young people on their parent's plan until age 26, removes lifetime caps, and much more to come soon.
He ended the war in Iraq and is drawing the war in Afghanistan to a close. Along with that, the United States has gained respect in the eyes of people of other nations. We have been supportive of the struggles by people to overthrow their repressive and dictatorial leaders.
He believes women should access to preventative health care and that they should be the ones making the decisions about their own life, health, and bodies.
He believes in equality for everyone. He signed the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for equal pay for equal work. He promoted the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
He supports and promotes clean energy, education, and more college assistance.
He believes the wealthiest Americans should also pay their fair share like the rest of us. He believes in a fairer economy where hard work is rewarded with decent wages and reasonable security in later years.
He inherited the terrible economic mess created by the previous administration and responded with policies that have added nearly 3 million private sector jobs. The economy is continuing to improve since the low point when he was inaugurated. The Dow has nearly doubled since then.
I appreciate his integrity and sincerity and intelligence. I voted for him in 2008. I am working hard to see that he is re-elected in 2012. I urge you to do the same in whatever way you are able.
I don't know who wrote the anonymous letter to me in response. It could have been J. Fried Dumbos. But, I doubt it. There are many of him out there. It is likely another of his clones lives in CR, IA. Their paper also publishes our local paper and uses much of the same content to fill the pages. Whoever it was doesn't matter. Read it for yourself. Do you think they made their case strongly? Should Obama be re-elected? I think he should be. I am working toward that goal. I hope you will, too.