Memo to the New President

Didn't get a chance to write last night. I had to finish my final paper when we got back last night. Yesterday was our last day with the Washington Center. We attended the Newseum, museum of news and it was one of the coolest museums I have ever been to. Very interactive and hands on. After that Crystal, Jenna and I went to see one of those Madame Tassaud's Wax museums and hob-nobbed with the life-like figures of famous people, because their real counterparts would never actually give us the time of day. The whole concept of the museum is actually quite amusing.

Anyway, I can't write much this morning, we're about to head out to a concert which will probably the closest we will get to the new President. Here is my memo;

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to congratulate you on becoming the 44th President of the United States of America. I supported your campaign from the beginning and I am proud to say that I am a true believer of your vision and agenda.

The purpose of my memorandum to you is not to give tactical or strategic advice, as both are clearly beyond me. I simply wish that my writing will provide some inspiration for you and be a reminder of the support and promise in which the citizens of the world have placed upon you. Mr. Obama, when you were elected, the world rejoiced. The world rejoiced not because you are a brilliant political tactician (even though you are), not because of your charisma, but because we truly believe you are a good man.

The presidency is obviously a position full of contradictions; contradictions between strict adherence to the constitution or bending the rules, between interests of local agenda and the national agenda, between immediate fixes and long term strategies, even between your individual morality and the moral judgments’ of the constituents. It is clear that there is no one absolute right answer to everything. The American people have realized that the Presidency cannot be run on an agenda focused on ideology. We want our President to have the ability and intelligence to bend rules when needed. Therefore, the most important quality of the President is character. We need someone we can trust to bend the rules. We need a President whom is intelligent enough to set reasonable and progressive goals. We want a President whom is socially adept and has a vision of something better for everyone. We need a President whom recognizes that we exist in an interdependent world and realizes that win-win solutions do exist. Mr. President, we have no other choice.

Mr. Obama, your campaign was developed on the idea of shared values. It is the belief that despite our vast differences, all Americans are bound together by some basic principles and desires. All Americans would like to live in harmony with one another, send their children to safe schools and earn a living with dignity. You have recognized the dangers of leaning too far left or right on any issue, which is why the world identifies with you.

Mr. Obama, it must be difficult for you to grasp the impact and significance of your Presidency. Perhaps many years down the road, when you contemplate in retrospect, you will comprehend the gift you have been given. To put it bluntly, the world is enamored with you. With this adoration comes a great expectation on the delivery of promises. As you have demonstrated already, now is the perfect time to initiate change by passing bills with a pressure on congress to take action. At this point, congress does not wish to stand in the unemployment line. The honeymoon is not quite yet over.

Furthermore, now is the time in which history will judge your greatness and place within the Presidential ranks. The difference between the greats and the failures were their actions in a crisis such as the one we are facing now. Your ability to pass legislation and reforms (perhaps in the first 100 days) that will boost the economy will be your ultimate measure of greatness.

Mr. Obama, after experiencing a President with the lowest approval ratings in history, we want and need a transparency of your administration. We want to know the truth and the whole truth, which is why personal leadership was the first issue mentioned. Mr. Obama, your campaign was very successful because for the most part you were accessible. The micro-funding and the revolution of the internet allowed you reach more people than ever before. Maintain this relationship with the media please. We connected with you personally, like no other candidate before you.

Thank you Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity and pleasure to congratulate you on your achievement. I truly believe your character, actions and relationships will determine your greatness. Your campaign not only transcended history, it has transformed lives. Your Presidency is both a reflection and symbolization of the journey of our young country and our young people. You have provided me hope, inspiration and optimism.

Thank you.

Yeeka Yau