A letter to Mr. President

Dear President Bush,\nCongratulations on your recent inauguration. I voted for you, and I know you will be a creative, innovative and compassionate commander in chief. If you can overlook the fact that I supported Libby Dole, then John McCain and then you, I will try to overlook your past judgment flaws and work with you toward making the United States a better country.\n(Now that I've said on paper that I voted for you and will support you, please don't let me down! Believe me, it's hard enough being a conservative on a college campus.)\nThe main reason I voted for you is because I am not a Republican, a Democrat or a third-party member: I am a citizen. Had you belonged to any other party, I still would have voted for you (as you were the second-best man for the job and I couldn't vote for the best woman).\nIn a time of striking partisanship in this country, I support your view on working across party lines. That is important to me, especially when the media and the public thrive on political warfare. At the end of the day, I believe that each and every legislator wants to serve this country. While we might disagree on issues, bills and taxes, we agree that our nation needs strong and effective leadership. \nI come from an outspoken Republican family, one I often agree with on issues but disagree with on a negative attitude toward Democrats. My circle of friends includes staunch Democrats, whom I adore, respect and learn from every day, but whom I want to knock some sense into when they stubbornly stick to party lines.\nAs a reporter, editor and columnist for the IDS, a paper to which you should definitely give many exclusive interviews, I read a great deal of political and opinion copy. When I read letters from readers and writers blindly supporting their party, I wish they could read about and consider both sides of the issue as much as I do. (Sure, I get paid to do it, but I don't get paid that much. And not to sound as corny as your whole "I'm a uniter, not a divider" bit, knowledge is its own reward.)\nPresident Bush, as I watched the inauguration protests, I wanted to speak up for you. I think it's terrible that people accused you of being a racist. Racism and bigotry involve making a judgment before you get all the facts about a person -- often citing the color of their skin, their economic and social background or where they live. For protesters to accuse you of racism based on the fact that you are a white, upper-class, Christian Republican man from Texas is a racist statement in and of itself. \nToo often in this country, we forget that racism works both ways.\nI don't object to protest, especially when people are fighting for their most precious right: the right to vote. But I do object to the fact that you have not been given a fair chance as president. Perhaps if people had stopped booing for a few minutes during your moving inaugural speech, they would have heard the same words of hope and a call to action that made me confident you will be a good leader. \nBut while I will support you, I will not do so blindly. I believe the death penalty must be made illegal. Many human lives have been wrongly ended. This "perfect justice" can only exist in a perfect court system. And as long as humans serve the court, it will never be perfect.\nWhile I agree with you that America must take steps to decrease and limit abortions, I urge you to present this idea with great care. Women must have the right to choose. But they must realize that unprotected sex is a choice, a risk, perhaps a mistake. And each woman, while she must have reproductive options, must also take responsibility for her reproductive freedom. Listening is needed on both sides of this issue, and I am confident that activists on both sides can communicate without prejudgment and violence.\nI have a lot more ideas about many other issues, if you would like to hear them, Mr. President. Feel free to e-mail me at letters@indiana.edu with any questions you have about how I am going to change the world. I hope my fellow students will also seek to work and communicate with you.\nHow else will you know what we want?