Change I Want to See

Mr. President,

Here are some of the issues I want to see change during your second term in office. I doubt my views will be read, let alone considered, as they are just the views of an average, ordindary American trying to live on a retirement annuity and get a new career and business going.

Just like many Americans I'm trying to survive the economy on an income that's decreasing in value and buying power as everything rises faster and the income is barely rising if at all, when two of the last three years you froze my annuity for political gain.

Gee, thanks there Mr. President, nice to know how little you care about retired federal employees. Anyway, outside of actually helping us do more than tread economic water for the next few years, here's some things you should do.

First, get significant gun reform through Congress. You know what needs to be done to provide for the safety and security of Americans in public places.

Second, shut down the war in Afghanistan this year, not next year or later. We can't win and it's draining our economy where the money could do more for Americans and jobs at home.

Third, restore personal liberties and rights over intelligence gathering, surveillence and eavesdropping. The American people aren't the enemy so don't treat like we are suspects and terrorists.

Fourth, cut the Defense Department budget by at 5-10% per year for the next 4 years. Make them do with less like 98% of Americans do. We don't need all the things the DOD wants.

Fifth, increase the Veterans Administration budets and veterans benefits. Enforce the law to get them the jobs they lost when they served or get new jobs.

Sixth, raise taxes on the top 2% with respect to income tax, estate tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax and so on. Make them pay back the 10 years of the Bush tax cuts, all of it over the next 10 years.

Seventh, solve immigration problem. If we can get the 10+ million people here illegally into citizenship with rights, they can add to paying taxes and Social Security.

Eightth, increase the ceiling and tax on the wealthy for Social Security to make it solvent for 40-50 years. It's easier done than said, some tweaks and it's solvent.

Ninth, improve the Affordable Care Act by going after the cost of healthcare which is the problem, not the people.

Tenth, everything else the American people want you to do. Yeah, lots, but that's why you're the President. We support and trust you to get it done. And oh, did I forget the highest priority?

Help Americans to create jobs and the improve the economy!

Take care.