Letter to Mr. President George W. Bush,

Mr. President,

I would like to start off saying I truly respect your position as chief
commander. I am, in no means here to disrespect you or your authority. I am
here, as a taxpayer, to share with you my frustration.

I would like to present some background beforehand. I am originally from
Brazil. An immigrant who grew up listening to American music, and watching
Hollywood movies. I remember when I was a kid, trying as hard as I could to
learn English so I could make my family proud, and be able to translate American
music. Approximately 8 years ago, I landed in the United States of America with
a tourist visa because I believe (d) in the dream. I have tremendous respect for
the US, and the people that here live. I believe Americans are hard workers. I
decided to make US my home, and began working towards that. As an immigrant, I
refused to stay here, and live off the benefits of the government becoming
illegal (This letter is not to attack illegal- this is a topic for another
discussion that makes me wonder. US is capable of devastating Iraq, but cannot
control its borders…). I wanted to contribute for the growth of this nation, a
nation where I could raise a family safely (my father was murdered in Brazil),
and be proud of. Currently, I am working on my green card; so far, I have spent
10K to earn it. I also spent 10K+ towards my education….

Mr. President, as you can see I believe the American dream. No matter what
people tell me or how discouraged they look. However, the past 6 months have
been a bumpy road for me, and my investments. Some background on that:

- in the past 6 months, both my 401K and IRA have lost 8K combined
- in the past 6 months, my portfolio lost 10K
- in the past 6 months, I still managed to pay extra payments on my mortgage

As far as my 401K, IRA, and portfolio at first, I believed the loss was a
consequence of my immaturity on investing. Then, I observed my colleagues of
this forum also concerned, and I concluded it was not only my fault. I question
you Mr. President: How should I face my wife, and explain to her that the major
provider of the family is failing to build a solid future for the family????

As far as my mortgage, I was able to manage it because I come from a poor
country (Brazil) where money is scarce. I like to compare the Brazilian
mentality to those who lived during the great depression of 1929/ 1930: where
people save, then buy.

Mr. President, the point that I am trying to make here is: why, myself, and
ordinary people like myself need to face this? The US is a capitalist nation, so
why the bail out? People ought to be responsible for their actions. We need to
change the mentality of those who spend more than they can afford.

Mr. President,

My suggestions may be naïve, but that is what I love about US. The freedom of
speech. I have been brainstorming for a while some things and would like to ask
for your opinion:

1) Why don’t we end the war, and have Iraq pay us for us freeing them? They
can pay with oil or some raw material. I see four benefits by doing so
a. Our troops will finally come back- and relieving those who have relatives
fighting for us (THANK YOU)
b. We can save money by NOT spending more
c. We can send our companies there for reconstruction (FLR, FWLT) of that
nation
d. We can be repaid in oil- This will result in taking the stress in our pumps,
meanwhile congress approves a plan for a fund to invest in alternative sources.
Therefore, when Iraq finishes paying, we already have a plan B
2) Why the golden parachute?
3) Since the bail out is our only alternative, I question:
a. Why don’t you, the government, sell these homes that are being held by
banks NOT to investors, yet to us, ordinary people. Let us make some money off
this. Why don’t you come to us, ordinary people that pay our bills/ taxes, and
offer these homes for a low low mortgage? This way, we can rent it out, and make
some money as well.


PS: My sincere apologies if I did not use the proper greeting towards the
President, yet my vocabulary is limited. I am not an economist, engineer, or
lawyer. I am just a guy with BBA trying to make a living in US.

Mr President,

I am not asking you to look after us, instead, give us the tools we need to
achieve the American dream.

Pickers,

I am sorry for sharing this in this forum, but I did not know how to make this
letter delivered to our commander in chief.

May God Bless America