A Letter to President Bush from a Middle Class Family by Kerry L Marsala (9/08/04)

Dear President Bush,

I certainly don’t claim to be an economist. I could never match wits with Wall Street brokers, or begin to comprehend all the jargon of the Neil Cavuto Show (Fox News). Reading the latest numbers on our economy from the business section of our local newspaper, needs to be left to those who are the professionals. Number games aren't my thing, but having the ability to live comfortably in Middle America is and on a daily basis our family understands this well.

Our family represents the classic portrait of middle class America. We are a blend of third generation immigrants from one side and a mix of various races from the other. My husband works as a manager for an office technology company and has been with his company for approximately a year now. He puts in long hard hours, but loves what he does. Motivating his sales staff and teaching the art of persevering to become the "cream at the top"-- is his forte. He drives an economy car to work that is approximately eight years old. He is the main breadwinner for our large family. We decided when we married that we'd do all we could, for as long as we could, to have me stay at home and care for our family. Over the years to help us make it through lean spots I have cleaned homes, sold my writing and art work, but most importantly I've learned to spend our money prudently.

We reside in a modest home, one that at times appears to tight for us, and at other times seems too much to keep up. Our abode sits within a typical middle class neighborhood. A subdivision filled with families who reflect similar family values, opinions, and economic status. We've parks, schools, places of worship, shopping centers and all anyone could possibly need to care for their own.

No one around us is rich, but we're all comfortable. We've all some form of medical insurance, we can all take short vacations, all of us drive used automobiles, have more than enough to eat, and clothing to wear. All in all, this middle class family, sitting within a middle class neighborhood-- is doing pretty good.

Certainly, as middle class American's, we slipped into the recession during Clinton's last few months of office and then the horrid atrocity of 9/11 affected us all economically. We stopped, just as many did, buying anything that wasn’t necessary for our daily lives. We felt the unease and uncertainty of an economy already in a downslide and then --hit-- literally on 9/11 and it made us all a bit afraid. Job security was questionable and many of our middle class friends became unemployed. But since that time, when our lives changed on 9/11, the unemployment rate has corrected itself into a positive upswing. Job security and small business opportunities have been bounding and are continuing to do so.

Since you, Mr. President, took office our family has always felt the hope of believing together we all can make America stronger, safer and proud. Whether we are talking of economic security or homeland security--President Bush you've always taken a stand. Our children have more than one great man to look up to and we desire to have you serve as our Commander and Chief. All our boys since 9-11, even though they aren't old enough to vote yet, have sharpened their knowledge of politics and what it means to their future and their freedoms. They have become engaged and educated-one son, his freshman year of high school, joined Air Force ROTC as his way of serving in some fashion to support our military, and their sacrifices.

As one representative of middle class America I am not saying I've agreed with all the stands you've taken or all the plans you've laid out. What I am saying is, just as children need a sense of constant stability and accountability of honesty, under your leadership there hasn’t been flip-flopping. Mr. President you say what you mean and you mean what you say--unwavering. Something America and the world seem to have forgotten how to do. When words leave your lips-- we as American voters can rest assured you have thought about what you're saying and understand the consequences of what you're espousing. Under your direction honesty has returned to the White House and perhaps those watching could learn a thing or two about the necessity of speaking truths. Wetting ones finger and holding up to see which way the political winds are blowing from moment to moment isn't a good way to forecast weather or our country's direction.

Whether our economic status brings us to rich, middle or poor we are responsible for what we say and for what we do. Voting with the knowledge that your candidate is consistent in his direction-- is ultimately the most important thing to this middle class family. The tax cuts (real after-tax incomes are up by 10% since December 2000, the increased child credit, and the reduced marriage penalty) all have helped us immensely, every penny in our household is counted, and we are not flippant about a tax cut of a few hundred dollars. Perhaps there are some on the far left that don’t feel a few hundred extra dollars a year makes a difference, but it does. It has helped us and many of our friend's purchase new home's (some for the first time). We can all pay our mortgages on time and for us it has helped our family save for our oldest daughters wedding. I may never fully comprehend the economic layouts by any party, but I do understand tax cuts. The tax cuts have helped our savings account grow, made bill paying possible and buying grocery's to feed our large family possible.

What your economic plan and vision for America reveals, President George W. Bush--is your honest genuine concern for all classes is real and unwavering. "Waffles" is not what your "W" stands for--your "W" stands for Winning for all American's-- as we move forward together as one. Middle class America is moving forward under your guidance, why would we want to return to higher taxes and less take home pay? America as a whole, (economics, race, religion, party affiliation-all American's) can believe your words of playing offense on the war on terror. We must take the fight to where the enemy lives or more than 3,000 souls may be murdered next time.

America first in every way-- our middle class family votes--President George W. Bush--the only truthful, and steadfast man for the job.

God Bless the United States of America and may God help keep our Republic.

Sincerely,

A Middle Class family living in suburbia USA

 It has been our brave soldiers who have given us our freedoms...not the media, not the flag burners, not the United Nations and certainly not the socialistic dissenters.  Thank a soldier today- for what you'll have to keep tomorrow.