President Bush, 3/9/09

I hope this letter reaches you, because I have always wanted to personally thank you for your fine service to our country. Right before you left office, things had gotten pretty ugly and how this country treated you was inexcuseable. People forgot that you handled many difficult events during your eight years, and did a wonderful job at it. You never gave up on us as a nation, when so many had foresaken you. I am embarrassed that my fellow human beings would ever say some of the things I've heard said about you. It must have been very difficult for you, after you tried so hard, for so long. I'm not comparing you, because you, of course, are mortal, but you might know alittle of how Jesus felt in the Bible when everyone turned on him. Unfortuntely, I don't think many of these people will ever know the wrongs they have committed towards you. After all, there are so many people who are blindly following a trend and an idea that is made of sand. There's nothing there solid to stand on and will someday sink. The problem is, when it sinks, I'll be one of the ones to fall too, even though I don't agree with or participate in "burning of America". What's going on reminds me of that scene in Gone With The Wind, where they survey the land and as far as you could see, was fire, smoke, injured and dead people, people crying, etc. It seems our country is falling down around us, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. I wish you were still our President, and now to the real reason for my letter, besides thanking you for your service, please don't give up on us.... I know you've earned yourself a good long rest, but we still need you. You know people, the in's and out's of Washington, how to get things done and I know, have the heart and soul to continue to help this great nation. Not to leave your father and brother out, because they have both been trying to save this great nation as well. But, you have the best chance of helping us, I believe.

What can I do from where I am to make a difference? Is there anything...? I'm a single, 51 year old woman, who owns a restaurant equipment company in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have been in business for 21 years, but may not make it through this year.
My father started this company many years ago, after serving in the Air Force for 22 years. I also had two sisters who served in the Navy for several years, and their husbands. I have a son, who is 22, and I hope never has to serve in our military. If I ever lost him, I think I would die of sadness and dispair.
Is there anything my family and I could be doing, besides pay taxes and pay more taxes... My company is barely alive, but I keep trying. I am still paying for my employees health and dental insurance, however I took them to a 4 day work week, cutting their pay by one day. My son, who works with me, and myself, also took a pay cut, but continue to work full time. I've changed insurance companies, trying to cut my costs, and ended up paying about $5000 out of pocket expenses on medical costs for the year. When you find a plan you can afford, the co-pays are so high, it's almost like not having insurance at all.
I know my employees cannot afford health insurance, so I keep paying that for them, for now...I only have 4 people now, including myself. We've taken pay cuts, insurance cuts, gotten rid of our dumpster, froze this winter trying to keep heat costs down, and I still paid $3,000. for last month's bill?
We've lowered and lowered our prices on our sales floor and on our internet site, which is why I still owe a few invoices from last September. I've had major competitors move in right up the street from me, who pretty much sell products for what I can buy at....There's no way to compete with that, is there? I've recently applied for the EDGE Program in the State of Ohio, and am hopeful that it will help me and my company. Other than my own family, my other employees have been with me for ten and three years. That tells me it's a good place to work, when an employee stays with you that long, and because of that I want to make sure we all continue to have a job. I know you're busy, but are there any other obvious things I could be doing. You were successful businessman before you held the greatest postion in the free world, weren't you? Could you take a minute and share anything with me that might help my situation?

Once again, I thank you for your many years of service and want to apologize for my fellow Americans, who know not what they do.
I prayed, when America voted Bill Clinton in office, and much harder when they did it again, but I don't know what to do this time. (Of course, I pray regularly) When McCain didn't make it, I was not surprised, but surely disappointed. Mr. Obama's ideas scare me to death, and I am truly worried in my soul as to where he's taking our great country. I realize that he inherited a mess, it is what it is, however it's hard to beleive that anyone could really belive that some of these ideas are going to be helpful in any way?? How could you...
There are so many of us out there, and we need you and your trusted colleagues to continue to help guide us. When our poor country wakes up, and I have to have faith that they will someday, they will be shell shocked and ashamed, but it will be too late then. What can we be doing now to help? Is there anything at all that would inspire us and make a difference?

Please consider my request, maybe while you're riding the herd or bailing hay, you know in your down time.... That's what Americans do, work hard, play hard, and when need be, combine them both. I also want to take a moment to thank both your wife and your mother for their service to our great country as well. Your wife and daughters are an inspiration to many of us. Laura, is a classy lady to be sure, and your mother, a true lady through and through. I always loved a story I heard about her, when ask if those pearls she always wore around her neck were a valuable, keepsake, or family heirloom, she laughed and said no, she just wore them to cover the wrinkles on her neck. I loved her from that moment on. After Nancy Reagan, she was a breath of fresh air - just what the country needed at that time. God bless you and your family, and thank each one for me, please. If you're too busy to respond, just say a prayer for me and mine, Susan, from Cincinnati