Open Letter to Obama

Spurred on by a friend, I decided to send a letter to President Obama. Although I am doubtful of its effect, there is a tiny kernel of hope that if we just shout louder, maybe we can out-shout the sound of money raining on our politicians…

Here’s a copy of the letter:

Last I checked the United States is a representative democracy. That means, technically, that you represent us, the people. It seems hard to believe, though, since you don’t seem to listen to us. Maybe that is because the sound of incoming campaign contributions is too loud? I believe, maybe naively, that if we, the people, up the ante and start shouting louder, maybe you will start listening. Really listening, not spying on us as you are doing through the NSA.

What might you hear? Supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda hitting the Philippines is a cruel reminder of the issue that is most important to us: Global climate disruption. It’s not only that it might endanger our security as a nation. We are endangering the very survival of the human species (together with lots of other species). The science is clear: Unless we quickly and dramatically change the way we live, life as we are experiencing it right now will become impossible. It seems our choice is between a more gentle, humane transition to a different way of life or a brutal, violent change imposed on us from an increasingly hostile nature.

What might you hear? Fukushima. The disaster at Fukushima isn’t only reminding us about the risks of nuclear power in a world with natural events, it is also impacting us right now. I live on the West coast of the United States and am terrified about the effect continued radiation leakage in air and water has on my body, my son’s body, and everybody else’s body. The United States should do whatever it can to support the Japanese government in limiting the further impact of the reactor melt-down. Ignoring it isn’t going to make us safer.

There are lots more things that you could hear, if you were to listen to those you represent. I look forward to seeing your policies reflect a true representative democracy!

Yes, it’s angry. I am angry. Underneath that anger is a deep deep worry about the course of our world, though. And tons of helplessness: I see us hurling toward more disasters – and hardly anybody seems to care…

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