#13) Better Luck Next Time

February 6, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

I was so happy and grateful to see that the checks and balances that our forward-thinking fore-fathers created finally kicked in.  Yeah!  You may want to run this country as an authoritarian autocratic regime…but you can't.  And Hallelujah for that!

When Federal Judge Robart (appointed by a Republican no less) did his job and blocked your immigration ban he wasn't "taking law enforcement away from our country" as you so elegantly tweeted. He was doing exactly what he was appointed to do, namely, checking the power of a renegade president trying to govern by executive order rather than in partnership with the Congress. He was also upholding the rule of law.  It took two weeks for you to bump into this fabulous system of checks and balances, but I knew you would eventually.

Better Luck Next Time,

Amy Beaton

P.S.  I find it ironic that waiting 120 days to vet already pre-approved travelers seems reasonable to you but waiting only 7 days for a background check to purchase a gun isn't.  Maybe next time we can talk about the number of mass shootings in this country and just who, exactly, is wielding the gun.

#12) Don't Bring Me Down

February 2, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

The Dalai Lama says, "Don't let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace."  But Donald, you are seriously bringing me down.

Sincerely,

Amy Beaton

#11) Betsy DeVos

February 1, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

I was so disappointed to see that Betsy DeVos was confirmed as Secretary of Education since she knows practically nothing about public education and education policy.  Her tweet during your inauguration with the spelling and grammar mistakes made its' way around the Internet because people thought the irony was funny.  But I didn't think it was funny. I thought it was sad.  And then Ms. DeVos blamed the errors on her staff and I moved from sad to scared.

Can you share with us your rational for nominating her?  Is there some hidden skill or knowledge she has that we don't know about yet?  Please…enlighten us!  Because all I see is her $200 million in donations to the Republican Party.  Is this nomination her pay off?

Remember when George Bush put Michael Brown (his old friend, Brownie) in charge of FEMA? He didn't have the skill or experience for the job either, but he was a nice guy and Bush must have owed him something.  Everything was going fine until Hurricane Katrina hit and actual leadership was required.  Then the whole thing kind of blew up.  What an embarrassment. Well, Betsy DeVos seems to be headed down that same path.

Vice President Pence is on record as saying that gay marriage could lead to "societal collapse."  But that's not true.  That's not what you should be losing sleep over.  In truth, it's the dismantling of public education (which Ms. DeVos is on the verge of doing with her plans for publicly funded charter schools and vouchers) that will lead to societal collapse. 

The foundational beliefs of this country are that,

1)    education is key to success

2)    all children have equal educational opportunities regardless of race, religion, or ability

3)    schools are governed by public accountability

I hope that you believe these things.  I do.  But it looks like maybe Betsy DeVos doesn't.

Sincerely,

Amy Beaton

#10) Firing Sally Yates

January 31, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

Now, regarding your dismissal of acting Attorney General Sally Yates…

1)    During her 2015 confirmation hearing Jeff Sessions (oh, the irony!) asked her if she would be able to say 'no' to the president if he asked her for something 'improper.'

2)    Yates said 'yes' she could say no to the president because she was bound by the Constitution to do what's best for the country.

3)    2017 you – as president – ask her to do something improper (and possibly illegal).

4)    She says 'no' and gives clear, legal rational for her decision through proper channels.

5)    You fire her.

Hmmm.  I'm put in mind of certain third world dictators who are so desperate to cling to power that they silence (sometimes forever) any voice of dissent.  It's usually a sign of the fragility of their position that they must surround themselves with sycophants and toadies who tell them only what they want to hear and act quickly to remove anyone who questions them.  We students of history who have seen this story play out before know that "swift and harsh" is often a false front for "pathetic and desperate". 

When the people begin to ask questions you should be ready to provide answers.  Because that's what a democratically elected president does.

Sincerely,

Amy Beaton

P.S.  Wait, it's not just third world dictators… Stalin was pretty good at silencing his detractors too.  I just thought of that.

#9) WTF?!

January 30, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

I am still reeling from your sudden, thoughtless, and very un-coordinated ban on travelers from 7 predominantly Muslim countries.  I say travelers because in your haste to look tough and in charge you stupidly included vetted and approved refugees as well as green card holders (who are lawful, permanent citizens of this country).  This is not a security crack down…this is chaos!!  This wasn't even communicated to the agencies and airports that it would affect.  What were you thinking?!  In a fit of rage, Gov. Jay Inslee said your administration, "couldn't run a two car funereal." And unfortunately for you, most of the world agrees with him!

Have you truly not realized that our most important allies in the fight against ISIS are Muslims?  President Obama knew this.  He was building bridges and building community when he said,

"If you're ever wondering if you fit in here, let me say it as clearly as I can, as president of the United States:  You fit in here – right here.  You're right where you belong.  You're part of America too.  You're not Muslim OR American.  You're Muslim AND American."

Instead, you've got Rudy Giuliani on national TV saying that this is a "Muslim ban" done "legally."  You are effectively turning Muslims all over the world against the United States.  This is not going to keep Americans safer Mr. President.  This is adding fuel to the fire of radical Islamic terrorists and their propaganda machine. Haven't your intelligence agencies told you that ISIS leaders recruit followers by saying that the West (specifically the U.S.) is at war with Islam?  And you just played right into their hands!!

You are a very dangerous man Mr. Trump playing a dangerous game that you neither understand nor respect.  You scare me and you scare most of the world.  Your short-sighted, ego-driven policies could destroy our country. I hope that you are prepared to live with that.

For 241 years American security has been able to work hand in hand with American values.  With one stroke of your pen you have undone that.

With Regret,

Amy Beaton

#8) The Interwhat?

January 29, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

I live in rural, northern Vermont (which is a far cry from the urban jungle of metro D.C.) but up here in the hinterlands we have this thing called "The Internet" which is super helpful for information gathering and fact checking.  Like, 'What is the diameter of Jupiter?' and 'Who won the Super Bowl in 2003?' and 'What awards has Donald Trump won for his environmentalism?' (You did mention on Jan 23 that you were "to a large extent an environmentalist" and had, "won awards.")

As near as I can tell, you got just one award.  Well, it wasn't actually even given to you. In 2007 the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ was issued an award from the Metro Golf Association.  What makes this funny is that in 2011 that same golf course was cited for a "series of environmental violations" by the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection.  How embarrassing.  Maybe it is was good that the award wasn't specifically for you.

Anyway, these are the kinds of things that you can find out on the Internet.  You might want to check and see if you get internet service in your new house there in the big city.  That way you can check facts before you open your mouth and make yourself look like a complete ass.

Just a thought.

Sincerely,
Amy "The People" Beaton

#7) Bernie Knows Best

January 28, 2017

Dear Mr. President,

"Today, a CEO making $50 million a year pays the same amount into Social Security as someone earning $117,000.  If we lifted the cap and applied the Social  Security payroll tax on income above $250,000 we could extend the solvency of Social Security for another 47 years.  And that's exactly what my legislation does."
                                                      -Bernie Sander (I-VT)

Now as a business man...doesn't that just make sense?!  Could it be any more simple or clear? You mentioned many times during the election that you would run the country like a business.  Well, now's your chance.  This seems like a pretty straightforward business decision to me.

Sincerely,
Amy Beaton