Dear Mr. President

45th and 47th President of the United States of America.

Hey President Trump, I know you're super busy, but I just had to get this off my chest. You promised to have our backs when you took office, and that really gave us hope. But now, it feels like things are getting worse, which is pretty concerning. I might not agree with everything you do, but at the start, you seemed like the best option in a split political scene. A lot of us bought into your vision for change, but it's getting harder to match that hope with what's happening now. We're facing economic struggles, social unrest, and health issues, and sometimes it feels like your administration's actions are out of touch with what we're going through.

I used to really believe in your leadership, so I'm asking you to think about the promises you made and how they impact everyday folks. Being a leader is more than just campaign talk; it's about making real changes that matter. I hope you'll listen to what people are saying, tackle their concerns, and close the gap between your administration and those who rely on you, especially now when things are so tough.

I'm not even a political person at all. I am not a Democrat, Republican, or whatever else there is. I am ME. I have my own opinions. I know what I think this country needs to get better, so of course, I would go for the option that aligns closer with my views. It’s not like I’ve been given many options anyway. Honestly, I think you are all awful; none of y'all are qualified to run a country. It’s quite ridiculous actually.

I recall an interview with you, back in the day, with Ms. Rona Barrett. Do you remember that one? You were 34 years old; maybe that was too long ago? Maybe you don’t remember, or maybe someone wrote that “speech” for you, or maybe not, because it does sound ignorant and naive. Do you remember that she asked if you would like to be president one day? If you don’t remember, I will give you a reminder of how the conversation went…

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THE Interview

Oct 6, 1980

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Rona Barrett: For some people, the ultimate goal in life has been becoming the president of the United States. Would you like to be president of the United States?

Donald Trump (that’s you): I really don’t believe I would, Rona. But I would like to see somebody as the president who could do the job, and there are very capable people in this country.

Well, it seems you should have listened to yourself there, because there are definitely more capable people who can run this country. Moving on.

Rona Barrett: Most people who are capable are not running for office. Most men are frightened of politics today.

YOU: It is a shame. Isn’t it?

Rona Barrett: Yes

YOU: It is a shame. (You really love to repeat yourself.) The most capable people are not necessarily running for political office, and that is a very sad commentary on our country. (Indeed it is, Mr. President.) They head major corporations, and they had this and that, but they are not running for political office. (Well then, let’s find these people.)

Rona Barrett: Why wouldn’t someone like yourself run for political office? You have all the money that you possibly need. You’ve accomplished a great deal even though you are only 34. I know there’s a lot of things that you possibly can do in the years ahead. Why wouldn’t you dedicate yourself to public service? (Why Rona, did you fill this man’s head with all of this?)

YOU: Because I think it’s a very mean life. I would love, and I would dedicate my life to this country, but I see it as being a mean life (man, your life must be so hard), and I also see it in somebody with strong views, and somebody with the kind of views that are maybe a little bit unpopular (like loving people and showing kindness? That’s what we need), which may be right, but may be unpopular, wouldn’t necessarily have a chance of getting elected against somebody with no great brain but a big smile. (Well, you have no brain, and a big, cheesy, fake smile. And that entire sentence just confused the hell out of me.) That’s a sad commentary on the political process (you don’t say?)

Rona Barrett: Television, in a strange way, has ruined the process, hasn’t it? (Just you wait and see, Rona; it’s only going to get worse.)

Now, Mr. President, this answer right here just cracks me up. Literally, I'm in tears.

YOU: It’s hurt the process very much. I mean the Abraham Lincolns of the world (sorry, he looks better than you, not to be mean, just being honest). Abraham Lincoln would probably not be electable today because of television. (Or it’s because he actually had morals.)

Now, Mr. President, this is the part that cracks me up the most.

YOU: He was not a handsome man (yet that didn’t stop you from becoming the president, and we have to see your face on TV way too much. How are you the president then?), and he did not smile at all. (Please don’t; your fake smile and fake orange skin are too much to handle). He would not be considered to be a prime candidate for the presidency, and that’s a shame, isn’t it? (ROFL, apparently you haven’t looked in the mirror. Are there no mirrors in the White House?)

Rona Barrett: But if all men are like you (thankfully, they are not), then when are we going to get somebody who might be good? (Good question, Rona; we are still trying to figure that out.)

YOU: I don’t know. I hope it’s around the corner (me too), but I don’t know (again, me too). I really don’t know (ok, we get it). What I would like to be involved in is trying to help choose somebody, or working with a group of people whereby they put up a candidate who would be acceptable to be a presidential, you know, to be president. (Did you go to college?)

I'm going to pause again real quick. Not only did you get to help choose who the president was going to be, but you also became the president. And, just like you have yet to come through on your promises as president, it seems you didn’t keep any of the ones from this interview either.

YOU: The country, if we have the right man, and it’s really not that big of a situation. (What does this even mean?) You know, people say, “Well, what could anybody do as president?” One man could turn this country around. The one proper president could turn this country around. I firmly believe that. (I just lost hope in this country completely)

HALT! When is this going to happen? Apparently, you are not the right person. When will we finally get that "right person"? Because you literally have the chance to turn this country around RIGHT NOW, and this is your second time having this chance, yet you still haven’t done it. Why?

Rona Barrett: You think there is one man? (It’s definitely not him)

YOU: There is one man who can turn this country around (not you, we got that). I could tell you, I know a number of people who would be excellent presidents. (Then where are they? Why isn’t one of them the president instead of you?) I will not tell you who they are (I see why now, so that you can weasel your way in), but I know a number of people who could be excellent presidents of this country (Palm to face) But they are not running for political office (Well then give us their names and we will track them down. But then again you said you weren’t going to be president and here you are. I'm finding it hard to trust you. Maybe we wouldn’t want them as president either). They are not in political office. (Obviously) They are extraordinarily brilliant (there is a difference between you and them, that’s a plus). They are very, very confident (so are you and what does that help with?). They are leaders. (Then lead us, fine leaders). They have the respect of everybody (oh look, another massive difference between you and them, I’m liking them way better now), and they would be fabulous presidents (well, now I’m not too sure anymore what to think). But they are not running for political office (yeah, we really do get that), and I think that’s very sad (still not sure how I feel about it), and I think you said it. Maybe television is the thing that most hurt the political process in this country.

Oh Lordy, I’m going to stop there. Because I could go on and on with this ridiculous conversation that you had with Ms. Barrett. But to do that would make me feel even more stupid than I do now, just from your speaking.

My point is: either step up or ship out and let someone who is qualified do the job. Someone who actually cares about people, someone with empathy. Someone who wants to take care of the citizens of the country they swore to take care of.

Still can’t stop shaking my head; those were actually YOUR words. I’m dumbfounded.

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No News is Good News

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Watching the news has become pretty uncomfortable for me because it's just a nonstop stream of negative stories that mess with my peace and drain my energy. The constant focus on things like natural disasters and political chaos leaves me feeling really weighed down. To keep my mental health in check, I've decided to take a step back from the news forever (as long as I can help it) and embrace the idea that sometimes ignorance is bliss. This choice helps me stay calm, even if it means I'm not up-to-date with everything happening. Don’t worry I have social media to keep me informed. Scary huh? It should be scary.

I'm also pretty skeptical about the news because it often seems misleading or overblown. This makes me question why certain stories are told and whether our leaders are really effective (I think I already know the answers). Even with your influence, I believe real change comes from community action, not just waiting for leaders to fix everything. I prefer to put my energy into making my immediate surroundings better instead of stressing about the world's chaos. You should do the same.

## Local Issues Over Global Woes

I live in a tourist town that looks lively on the outside, but it's got its own problems like gangs, drug issues, poverty, and crime. I prefer to focus on these local challenges instead of getting wrapped up in global matters.

I've jumped into local groups to tackle these problems by volunteering, donating, and spreading the word. I'm hoping to get others to notice local issues, bringing us together and building a sense of shared responsibility. By focusing on our community, we can really connect and make a positive impact.

This way of doing things helps me feel purposeful and satisfied, turning my worries into meaningful actions. Stepping back from the nonstop bad news has made life more fulfilling, letting me focus on getting involved locally instead of stressing over negative headlines.

The more I engage with my community, the more I see the potential for positive change. Every little action, like organizing food drives or helping neighbors, adds to our community's resilience and hope. Focusing on what I can control empowers me to create a brighter future for everyone around me.

Ultimately, committing to my community enhances my life and builds a sense of togetherness. Staying engaged locally allows me to lead a meaningful life, positively impacting those around me and creating a harmonious community.

Why am I even talking about this to you, Mr. President? Because there is a lesson to be learned here. It’s that you should focus locally and let others countries deal with themselves. We have millions of people begging for your help here, in America.

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Here's What I See

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A lot of folks are having a tough time without enough support, dealing with emotional, mental, or financial issues. Millions are going through depression, anxiety, unemployment, and homelessness, and the help out there just isn't enough. Even with the hard work of volunteers, social workers, and community groups, the need for support is way bigger than what's available, showing that we really need a better support system to build a caring community.

Over 20 years of working in different jobs has taught me a lot about how people behave and the importance of empathy. My experiences, like serving in the military and being a nurse, helped me learn about resilience and how crucial mental health is, especially for veterans moving back to civilian life. Many veterans feel like they're not getting the support they need, which highlights the need for better mental health resources.

Mr. President, my 15-year military career ended because of mental health care, pointing out the bigger issue society has with how mental health is viewed, especially for veterans. We need to change how we think about this, recognizing that mental well-being is crucial. By encouraging open discussions and pushing for policies that improve mental health awareness and support, we can help close the gap between those who need help and the support systems available.

All I’m asking, Mr. President, is that you follow through on your promise when you took the oath TWICE. An oath that you would take care of YOUR people. I have yet to see that happen.

How I feel on the inside when I think about what the government is doing to our country.