Advice to the President

Inspired by this book, I asked my students to write a letter of advice to President Obama.

What follows are some of the highlights:

Me, my mom, my dad, sister, dog, and cats are all so happy that you are our president. I think you should fix the the economy and all the other wrongs Bush did.

I know that our country is in trouble with all sorts of things like the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care. But I know that YOU will change all of these things and more. How does your family feel about you becoming President of the United States? Did you get to spend a lot of time with them on the campaign? Hope you have a good time being president for the next 4 years.

Hi Obama. Can you please fix the economy and stop wars?

Something that I want you to do is stop extinction of animals because not every human is nice and humans don't get extincted.

I’m really glad that you won the election because my mom said that if another Republican won, we were going to move out of the country and I’m glad you won so now I don’t have to move out of the country. You are really lucky to live in the White House and your kids Malia and Sasha are really lucky to live in the White House with a bowling alley and a movie theater and tons of rooms. I'd love to live in the White House.

I think you should paint the White House blue because that will show everyone that you are a Democrat. I also think you should get a Labradoodle. I also think you should make gay marriage legal in every state because gay people have rights to love each other for who they are. And one more thing. My cousin told me there is a virus in banana trees that are killing the bananas so I think you should get expert scientists to find the virus so that they can stop it. They make these really tasty banana cream chocolates at the Coco Bar. So please, please do it!

I think you should really try to help the economy because if you don’t you’re going to go to the pound and say “I’m looking for a German Shepard for my daughters, do you have any?” And the guy will say “Yes we do. Normally they cost $1 but because the economy is bad they cost $100,000,000,000,000.00. But because you are the president, we'll lower it to $99,999,999,999,999.00 Ok?" And it will be too much so you won't get a German Shepard, but you'll fix the economy, I know it.

I am 10 years old and my father runs a division of a hedge fund, so I get a good look at stocks (though I can't understand the graphs at all). I think that your inauguration is probably the milestone of the decade that we must break the color barrier of only old, white men becoming president. You came along and smashed the color barrier! I hope you will be the best president that ever was and ever will be. I admire your ability to speak in great crowds so powerfully.

I think you will be a great president because you have a great talent that is unique and nobody else will be born with. I think you should make sure that everybody can go to a good school and not be teased because of who they are.

Here is a list of things you should do:
1. Spend more time with your family.
2. Try to fix the economy.
3. Stop the war in Iraq.
4. Give yourself a break.
5. Lower taxes.
6. Make more jobs for people.
7. Try to get this letter.

I hope you can change the economy, the police, stop the wars, the police, stop global warming, and lower the prices of video games.

I have some suggestions for you about your dog.
1. Make sure the dog you get is potty trained.
2. Make sure that your dog/puppy has an absolutely adorable name.
3. Get a dog for a dog shelter rather than a pet store because you can get one for half price at a shelter.
4. Get a small dog rather than a big dog because small dogs are cuter.

Thank you for giving me so much hope this year! I’m positive you will be a great president but there are a few things I’m nervous about: war, economy, foreclosure, and global warming. Also, my street is littered with junk and no one cares!

I am so happy that you are our new President. It is so amazing that once African-Americans were not even allowed to vote and now you are the first African-American president. I know it will be very hard to stop the war but I think that you will do a very good job, at least, trying to help. Will you lower tax prices and help the stock market?

Make sure the puppy doesn't make the White House brown!

I'm so glad you won and not McCain. Can you please make my dad Vice-President? I think you should lower the prices of … taxis and U-haul vans. Songs for iPods should be less money. Do you like the Jonas Brothers?

P.S. Ask Sasha and Malia if they want to have a sleepover with my friends and me.

P.S. My dog is a border collie/black lab. She doesn’t shed a lot and she loves to cuddle.

P.S. I really liked Malia and Sasha at the inauguration. They looked really grown up! And Michelle's dress was just beautiful!

P.S. Write back.