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January 19, 2009
An Open Letter to Almost-President Obama
Dear Mr. Almost-President,
I didn't vote for you.
Yeah, that's a terrible way to start a letter like this, but I figure I'd get it out of the way upfront, so as to avoid all the awkwardness. It wasn't personal. I just had some issues with some of your ideas, and I was disappointed when you won the presidency last year. Of course, the fact that John McCain was the Republican nominee tempered those feelings a bit. Anyway, now that I've got that off my chest, I figured this might be a good time to share some thoughts.
Tomorrow, you will take the oath of office and become the 44th president of the United States. Congratulations. Your ascension to the presidency is an historic moment for the country, and as an American, I can appreciate the significance of your inauguration. I wasn't sure I'd see such an event in my lifetime. The fact that I have makes me appreciate the country in which I live.
But...
Like I said before, I don't agree with you on a lot of issues. Actually, make that most issues. I'm a mostly conservative guy who is for low taxes, free markets, pro-life views and a strong military. During the campaign, your rhetoric didn't match up all that well with my beliefs.
Unlike many of those who voted for you, though, I'm not going to hate you for simply disagreeing with me. There's no point in it. After all, hating you diminishes me. One of my major issues with you is that you never spoke out against the vicious Bush-hatred that infected your party. Your refusal to do so did not, and does not, speak well of you.
Since becoming the almost-president, you've made some good choices on cabinet officials and economic advisers. I hope you heed their wise advice and ignore the bad. Your outreach to conservatives and moderates has been welcome, but I'm still not entirely convinced.
Let's be frank, though. You belong to the party that opposes mine. I will be hard to convince, but not impossible. If you were at all serious about wanting to reach out to people like me and be a post-partisan president, you'd better do it quickly. If you go hard left immediately, those of us who are willing to give you a chance will be forced to conclude all of your campaign rhetoric about a new politics was simply lies, and we'll spend a lot of time criticizing you.
Okay, most of us will do that anyway. But your actions will determine the degree of criticism.
Still, congratulations Mr. President. I wish you luck, but not too much. After all, I like low taxes.
Regards,
Slublog
P.S. - Not to get pushy or anything, but where's my unicorn?
Posted by slublog at January 19, 2009 09:11 PM
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Comments
My bed is now lined with unicorn fur, my mortgage and car payments no longer need to be paid, my hair is regrowing and my waist is shrinking by the minute.
The world loves us and even Hugo Chavez wants us to be friends. Everything is free for everyone - and poor people are smiling because they too are now rich and happy. Yes, the blessed messiah has brought forth joy and plenty for all.
(Enjoy today folks - because tomorrow that cold hard thing called reality will drop on Team Obama like a thousand ton hammer.)
Posted by: Murph at January 20, 2009 01:27 PM