Barack Obama was three years old when Americans with his skin color were guaranteed the right to vote.  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 officially ended many other forms of discrimination but it was years before things really changed in many parts of our country. 

Shortly before Barack Obama was elected the 44^th President of the United States of America, a letter was published that purported to be from the year 2012.  It detailed the ruin of America that began when President Obama was sworn into office on January 20, 2009.  This letter was full of hate, lies and unsubstantiated fear of the woe that would become us all.  It contained accusations and innuendo that were not only un-American; they were attacks that should never be launched by one Christian against another brother in Christ.

So, I wrote my own letter.  It is to my two children and it is also to be read in the year 2012.  Let’s see which letter comes closer to the truth.

Hey, Kids!

It’s Mom.  It’s your first time to vote in a Presidential election and I couldn’t be more excited for you.  Now is the time for your voice to be heard.

Don’t mess it up.

The last four years have not been easy.  President Obama had a lot of damage to repair and he’s only had four years to do it.  But change has happened! 

The deficit, while still present, is so much lower.  Financial responsibility has been restored and our country has stopped spending money it doesn’t have on worthless endeavors.  Instead, we have invested in the people. 

The Roads and Infrastructure Program has put thousands of Americans back to work at good-paying jobs.  When you have money, it’s easier to spend money and the economy has started the slow road to recovery.  Good folks have felt more secure about making larger purchases and as a result, the real estate market has begun to respond.  I know prices have not reached the heights of the Bush-administration years but those values were overinflated to begin with.  Also, with more Americans working, Social Security has been placed on more solid footing and schools have reliable funding.  With an administration that values and supports education, students have returned to the study of the sciences and the results have been astounding.

Vaccines for more cancers are being discovered.  Research and development has found ways for those with spinal-cord injuries to able to regain use of some of their limbs.  The treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s has leapfrogged and the study of pain management has flourished.  Euthanasia, while legal in most states in 2012, has actually decreased since patients do not have to endure unbearable and purposeless agony.

Now that health care has become available to all, it has become more affordable.  People no longer have to declare bankruptcy as a result of falling ill.  Homes are not mortgaged to pay medical bills so the foreclosure rate has dropped.  Emergency rooms are reserved for real emergencies so those who need immediate care can now receive it from trained and rested medical personnel. 

Those who wish us harm are still out there.  They always will be.  And they tried to test President Obama.  They made the mistake of thinking maturity and composure was weaker than fuss and bluster. 

They were wrong.

Alternative fuels made it possible for us to tell the oil-producing countries who hate us so that their services are no longer required.  Wasn’t that great?!  The new automobile technology has restored the industry, put even more people back to work and has helped clean the air.  The ice caps have not been restored but they’ve stopped melting.  Your grandchildren will be able to see polar bears after all. 

And without the need for oil, even Russian and China have started behaving themselves. 

Our troops are still in harm’s way and I’m afraid they always will be.  It’s kind of the nature of the beast.  But they are fully equipped now and have strong government support once they return from active duty.  As a result, more have enlisted and now the National Guard has returned to its original purpose.  When catastrophe strikes on our soil, action is taken immediately and the people are served.

The Constitution has been restored and protected.  All of the rights have been enforced from the right to privacy and the right to bear arms to the right to free speech even if that speech is hateful and disgusting.  Different sides of the same coin, I’m afraid.

The freedom you enjoy comes with responsibility and the necessity of gratitude.  You are where you are because of the sacrifice of others.  Those who came before you gave up their social standing and material possessions and were imprisoned, unfairly punished, beaten and even died so that you and your children’s children could have it better.  But with every “first” your country achieves, you build another rung on that ladder and you get ever closer to that “more perfect union” when all are not only created equal, they are treated equal.

So don’t drop the ball now.  You need to study the candidates and research the issues.  Prayerfully consider for whom to cast your vote and if you don’t like any of them, run yourselves!  Get involved.  Apathy and ignorance will destroy this country long before disagreement.  Remember those who have different opinions have also used logic and reason to reach their conclusions.  They deserve your respect.

Don’t take anything for granted.  When the elections don’t turn out the way you want them to, it’s easy to say you will never vote again or rashly proclaim your decision to move to another country.  Never forget: this is YOUR country.  Fight for it.  Don’t let Them have it.

You say America still has problems.  You’re right.  No one President can fix it all nor should he or she be expected to do so.  That’s your job now that you are voters. 

Get to work.

Love,

Mom