WA#4: Final Draft

Dear President Barack Obama,

I am a high school student from Charlottesville, Virginia and am finally proud to live in America. I have never before been more active in the presidential race than I was in 2008, let alone any sort of political campaigning. Through canvassing, phone banking and simply being around many other Obama hopefuls I learned an immense amount about your campaign, goals for presidency and views on many issues our country currently faces. I am an avid supporter of your Presidency and I would like to congratulate you on being elected as the first African American president our country has seen. More importantly, I would like to give you input on where I believe you should center your energies during your first year in the White House.

The current state of the environment is an issue I believe should be made of extreme importance in our country. Former President Bush kept much of the increasingly detrimental behaviors of Americans in the shadows for eight years, and its terrible effects are showing. I believe you can bring awareness to these concerns. It is difficult living in America and knowing that our country is one of the main reasons for worldwide environmental distress. To change this, I would like to see you make alternative fuel options more readily available and more widely used. Also, I think small changes in the lifestyles of every American should gradually be encouraged or enforced by you and the capital government. I fully support your aggressive climate and energy plan to reduce emissions levels greatly, and I see no reason to hold out on putting it into full effect. I am also excited that it is now legal for states to determine their own harsher regulations for fuel efficiency. Our world can’t wait much longer for our country to continue behaving as it currently is, and I hope you know that your admired position in, not only America, but the world, is a key place to begin making changes to a more environmentally friendly country.

I also believe jump starting the economy should be of utmost importance during your first year of Presidency. I understand that the terrible state the economy is currently in may take more than a year to improve, but changing former President Bush’s old, unfavorable policies is a solid place to start. I have never been able to understand why Bush would make tax policies that ultimately made the wealthy more wealthy and the poor poorer, but taxing the rich more than the poor would be a positive change I think you should bring about. Rewarding the working class with tax cuts would be a great route to take in your first year of presidency. Also, as a student in high school beginning to look into college, tuition and other fees are of great concern for me. With the cost of college rising rapidly, many college hopefuls are seeing the doors to a successful life close abruptly simply because of money. Reducing that cost would be a gateway for students across the nation seeking further education and a foundation for a successful life, just like I am.

My uncle, David von Storch, who has shared his experiences of meeting you with me, can easily confirm my passion for a greater country. We both strongly support change, and I think he is a perfect representative for every American that is so keen to see the great change you are capable of bringing about. I hope you will take into account my hopes for your presidency, and I would like to thank you for your time and consideration. I speak for young liberals across the country, like myself, who share a fervor and excitement for an improved country. I am sincerely looking forward to the next four years as a citizen of the United States of America.

Sincerely,
Ellie von Storch