Dear Governor Palin,
I am writing to you not as a Republican or Democrat, but as an American—and a young American at that. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a high school senior in South Carolina. I have been interested in politics since I watched the results of the 2000 presidential election with my mother. It has become a hobby of mine, especially since I am now in my last year of “childhood.” I’ve been paying special attention to the world around me, trying to make sense of our tumultuous government so I can prepare for the future. And frankly, it scares me.
I’ve chosen to write to you not because you are a politician or even a favorite of mine, but because you are a woman who actually seems to care for her people. I’m afraid that this is becoming rarer and rarer in American politics. We have a president who made a lot of attractive promises, but two years after the election, we are still waiting to see the fulfillments of these vows. We have a Congress who keep pushing acts and bills that the American people do not want. And it seems that the media is more enchanted than ever by political scandals focusing on the private lives of politicians. (I’m sure that you are especially aware of that last one, but I can honestly say that you are one of the most graceful politicians when it comes to handling “scandals.” Thank you for finally bringing some classiness back to the American government.)
But amidst all of this craziness, the American people feel ignored and betrayed. Right now my family is going through a rather tough time concerning finances and insurance. My parents—both veterans, I might add—have lost a lot of money in the stock market. We’re pinching pennies for Christmas. As President Obama’s healthcare plan looms closer, I am forced to wonder if my “pre-existing condition” of bipolar disorder will prevent me from obtaining my necessary medications and any other healthcare. However, right now my biggest fear is college, which I will be attending in fall 2011. My illness, triggered by my older brother’s sudden suicide, has interfered with my ability to sleep, which of course has negatively affected my grades. If I can’t win a full-ride scholarship to college, how in the world am I going to pay for my education? (Meanwhile, at Texas A&M, illegal immigrants are receiving in-state tuition and scholarships.) I’m currently trying my hardest to pick up the pieces of my life and maintain a solid grade point average, but what if I’m not one of the lucky few to receive help?
It’s hard for me to believe that my generation is being “provided for” by today’s decisions. We will be taxpaying adults very soon, and so many costs are already being thrown on top of us. You mentioned in your latest book that you saw a Tea Partier with a picket sign that said “My child is not your ATM.” As much as Tea Party signs tend to exasperate me, I feel that this one should be taken seriously. We are already facing a future of mediocre, unfair healthcare. Why should my generation have to pay for the mistakes of people we are not yet able to influence? This literally breaks my heart. One of the reasons I admire you is because you are a dedicated mother and grandmother. I truly believe that I was put on this earth to be a mother. But what if I don’t want to raise my children in such a nation as America? (Before the past few years, would you have ever thought those words would be spoken by a citizen of “the greatest country in the world"?)
It terrifies me that one day, I will have to pay for the mistakes of today’s politicians. Of course, as President Obama so delicately phrases it, we “inherited this mess.” However, unlike President Obama, I realize that today’s problems are not solely produced by President Bush’s two terms. Today’s mistakes are the products of yesterday’s mistakes, and so forth, and so forth. This pattern has been the trend for America since our earliest days. We have allowed politics to become a popularity contest and a football game. How many times do the American people have to play defense against the government’s offense? How many times will biased referees call the shots and make the public’s home team suffer? How long will this go on? Of course, we cannot blame it on one person or one political party. The Democrats have lost touch with reality in so many ways—of course we need heightened national security, President Obama. Of course the American people are suspicious of a healthcare bill we are not able to preview and understand. However, the Republicans are just as guilty. The GOP has become a party of compromises, and it is the latest victim to factions. The Tea Party, considered to be the most radical group of Republicans, has members who are begging for a third party. In my eyes, there is nothing wrong with a third party, but how can the right side of the political spectrum set the country right-side-up if they are divided over who is “conservative enough”?
It’s hard for me to believe that my generation is being “provided for” by today’s decisions. We will be taxpaying adults very soon, and so many costs are already being thrown on top of us. You mentioned in your latest book that you saw a Tea Partier with a picket sign that said “My child is not your ATM.” As much as Tea Party signs tend to exasperate me, I feel that this one should be taken seriously. We are already facing a future of mediocre, unfair healthcare. Why should my generation have to pay for the mistakes of people we are not yet able to influence? This literally breaks my heart. One of the reasons I admire you is because you are a dedicated mother and grandmother. I truly believe that I was put on this earth to be a mother. But what if I don’t want to raise my children in such a nation as America? (Before the past few years, would you have ever thought those words would be spoken by a citizen of “the greatest country in the world"?)
It terrifies me that one day, I will have to pay for the mistakes of today’s politicians. Of course, as President Obama so delicately phrases it, we “inherited this mess.” However, unlike President Obama, I realize that today’s problems are not solely produced by President Bush’s two terms. Today’s mistakes are the products of yesterday’s mistakes, and so forth, and so forth. This pattern has been the trend for America since our earliest days. We have allowed politics to become a popularity contest and a football game. How many times do the American people have to play defense against the government’s offense? How many times will biased referees call the shots and make the public’s home team suffer? How long will this go on? Of course, we cannot blame it on one person or one political party. The Democrats have lost touch with reality in so many ways—of course we need heightened national security, President Obama. Of course the American people are suspicious of a healthcare bill we are not able to preview and understand. However, the Republicans are just as guilty. The GOP has become a party of compromises, and it is the latest victim to factions. The Tea Party, considered to be the most radical group of Republicans, has members who are begging for a third party. In my eyes, there is nothing wrong with a third party, but how can the right side of the political spectrum set the country right-side-up if they are divided over who is “conservative enough”?
Basically, I think that Americans have grown lazy and apathetic toward government. My government textbook from school claims that voter apathy simply does not have an effect on elections and how our country is run. I disagree. I am a member of the most apathetic generation yet and I can already see how we are starting to further destroy the government. Most people in my classes only care about one political topic: the legalization of marijuana. Of course, this is not a topic that is central to our government. But how can we be blamed for our apathy if our lethargic parents have not raised us to be political thinkers? I really think it is time for the American people—liberal and conservative—to stand up and say that no, the new millennium’s ‘10s, ‘20s, and ‘30s will not repeat history. The 1960s and 1970s were times of great revolution, but in the end, we still became victims to gridlock and failure. This has been going on for long enough. It needs to stop.
President Obama needs to know that we need transparency in government. Whatever happened to those promises of Congressional meetings on C-SPAN? I have lived in a socialist nation while my father served in the Army, and I know that this large, regulated government of smoke and mirrors is not the American way at all—nor does it benefit the people. Americans are supposed to take pride in the fact that they can have a say in the future of the nation. What has happened to take this pride away from us? Our president doesn’t seem to understand the suppressed spirit of Americanism. Our president also needs to realize that as long as he doesn’t involve the people, he will continuously lose support in everything he does. He needs to see that we do not want socialism, we do not want lessened national security, we do not want our country’s benefits to be taken from us and given to illegal immigrants, and that we absolutely should not lay down our nuclear weapons as long as North Korea and Iran are creating new nuclear weapons. I tend to be an idealist and I dream about a nuclear-free world, but I know that it is folly to drop your own defense as our enemies heighten theirs. Sure, Russia agreed to destroy some nuclear weapons, but have other hostile countries? No, they haven’t. Sometimes I want to say, Mr. Obama, I don’t mean to talk to you like a kindergartner, but aren’t you supposed to look before you cross the road and see if any Mack trucks are coming?
This may seem like a great Tea Party rally cry, but really, it’s only common sense. No matter how liberal or conservative you are, you should always look out for yourself and your family. And the current generation in power should look out for their children. We’re about to “inherit this mess.” I will finally be able to vote in the 2012 election (which I’ve been longing to do since 2000) and with that right comes responsibility. How will I know who to vote for when almost every single politician, party, and government faction seems to be crooked? What politician, activist, simple citizen on the sidewalk will finally stand up and say “Enough is enough, let’s get this done”? Who will pay voters back with kept promises and sound decisions?
It’s quite disturbing to me that I don’t have any answers to these questions. I would love to know if you have any answers, and if you have any opinions of how Americans can finally say “Enough is enough.” You’re not only famous for being a former vice-presidential candidate. You’re famous for your spirit, charisma, and enthusiasm. And as a mother who is already taking care of members of the uprising generation, I’m sure you have special concern for the young people like me who are standing at a fork in the road and saying, “What in the world is going on here?”
Governor Palin, a response would be most appreciated as to how we can finally find some genuine “change we can believe in.”
Sincerely,
Sarah Meadows
Sarah Meadows
very well said. I am proud to know you as a young lady and a true American.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDelete