Dear President Elect Obama,
Congratulations on becoming our nation's 44th President. I am hopeful for our country and continue to believe, even amid difficult financial and social challenges as a nation, we can be more prosperous, secure and generous in the coming years under your leadership. I am praying for you and committed to follow your lead. I will not speak negatively about you and will encourage others to be like-minded. I am unwilling to believe much of what I hear about you until I have a chance to see from you what I've heard. I am going to speak my convictions but do so respectfully if I disagree with you. I am going to protect the unity of our United States and if necessary fight for it. Lastly, you have my commitment that I will sacrificially serve the people of this country, I will endeavor to speak boldly against bigotry and stand for the equality of all people and I will seek justice for those who have no voice. You have my word!
Here is what I ask of you... Respect the office to which you were elected by hearing the voice of ALL people, not just those who share your views or voted for you. You represent the people meaning, not only shall you hear but you must serve the people. Therefore, it must be asked, "Who are the people?"
I believe the people are those who the constitution states are to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity... We are the people. We are... minority and majority. We are... poor and rich. We are... sick and healthy. We are uneducated and graduated. We are... weak and strong. We are... employee and employer. We are... young and old. We are... secular and spiritual. We are... in the words of President Lincoln, a government of the people, by the people for the people.
Now I realize you will not be able to please all the people all the time. I will, no doubt, be disappointed at times with decisions and actions that are made in favor of another. However, I heard you talk about sacrifice and I agree with you. Sacrifice comes in many forms such as those made by men and women who are giving and have given "the last full measure of devotion" for this country. But sacrifice should not be theirs alone; call all Americans, not just those who have, but those who receive to a greater call of duty. You have an opportunity unlike any other, to end entitlement expectations, to silence racism and to promote union. May God grant you wisdom, give you favor and protect your way as you begin this new journey down a familiar path we have never seen before.
You have the job of leading us. However, the work is ours.
