Reporter's Note: President Barack Obama wasn’t too happy to hear that some of his fellow Dems were talking smack about his health care plan while he was away; but I’m pretty sure he’s delighted to be catching up on my Letter A Day to the White House.
Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent
Dear Mr. President,
Well, I guess this may not be much of a letter. And that’s saying something, since I’m sure plenty of folks would say even on my best days, these letters don’t amount to much. It’s well past midnight and I am so tired I can’t see straight. Didn’t really seem like a particularly hard day, but it lasted a long time. I went to have dinner at an ambassador’s home tonight to get his read on some issues involving his country. (Not going into the details of that right now, but I will probably bring it up later.) In any event, I made it home only about an hour ago, and now I am slouched on the sofa watching a stage of the Tour de France that I Tivo’ed while I write this. Yes, it’s the glamour life for sure.
Your Supreme Court nominee seems pretty well on the way to confirmation now, so congrats on that. I thought the questioning, which started out like the usual Congressional dog and pony show, eventually took on a bit of substance, and even more surprisingly some reasonable civility. Imagine that. Maybe it’s a sign of better days on Capitol Hill…or the apocalypse; not sure which.
I often wonder what we might accomplish as a nation if all of our leaders truly worked together with our collective best interests at heart. They could still debate issues, and disagree on a wide variety of matters, but when it came to the brass tacks I just wonder what a difference we would see if the guiding principle for all was “What is best for the country?” without so much regard for “What is best for me?”
My experience tells me that a great many (maybe even most) politicians start off with the idea of always putting the public good first. I have met scores of them who began their political careers because they were upset over the way other politicians seemed to ignore the public interest in favor of their own private desires. But a few years go by, the endless demand for fundraising settles in, the man or woman in question gets kicked around by his colleagues a bit, and pretty soon he or she starts sounding like the very politicians he or she once despised.
I’m sure I had some kind of point to make when I started that paragraph, but frankly it is lost on me now. I’m not kidding. I’m sitting here nodding like a bar bum at closing time.
Call if you wish, but I may not answer. Need a nap. Need a break. Can’t wait for the weekend.
Regards,
Tom
| RLWellman |
July 17th, 2009 8:50 am ET It is supposed to cost a trillion dollars for the Health Care Reform Bill that the Government is going to run. This is going to be a joke. Even some of the Democrats are starting to wonder where the money will come from. The independent study that was done said it will cost more money than it will save. We already have a trillion dollar deficit and they are trying to add another trillion dollars on top of that. The Government is dumber than I thought. Why do you think all these bills are being rammed down our throats so fast? President Obama knows his approval ratings are slipping and if he waits too long, people will finally read what he is trying to pass and turn it down. For those of you that don't have a job, your taxes won't go up, but everyone that does have a job, your taxes will to pay for this. The Government will then have a 5th program that it can run into the ground. |
|
| Arshika Perry |
July 17th, 2009 8:55 am ET Tom, it's good you see you need to take a break... your article shows it. please come back when you're refreshed, we need you at full mass. |
|
| Rachel / Texas |
July 17th, 2009 8:58 am ET the day is coming when we can agree to disagree with mutual RESPECT, and stop the slinging of mess, teach us Mr President!!!...long day, have to roll God bless, get some sleep |
|
| Norma Labno |
July 17th, 2009 9:42 am ET 07/17/09 Tom, no apologies required for Letter 179 to The President! I particularly take your point: about the guiding principle "What is Good advice for numerous situations like "What is best for my And the very same thought applies to friends, almost all personal Thank you for abundant food for thought this morning. norma from nevada |
|
| Lori |
July 17th, 2009 10:02 am ET I really like your letters Tom. Thanks. |
|
| Alexis: Bensalem,PA |
July 17th, 2009 10:05 am ET Tom, I love reading your letters to the President. I can see him sitting up with his laptop reading them in my head too! This was my favorite so far! They're lighthearted, but raise good points. To me, that's a great way to do it. Thanks for doing this! |
|
| Fernando |
July 17th, 2009 10:17 am ET Anderson, your point was that it was late and you were tired. |
|
| Wondering Wendy |
July 17th, 2009 10:20 am ET I was just wondering, does the President actual GET these letters? |
|
| Donna Wood, Lil' Tennessee |
July 17th, 2009 11:10 am ET Au' contraire Mr. Foreman, I don't know about the President, but, your letters are the highlight of my day. You may think that just means I need to get a life, but I beg to differ! Thank you Mr. Foreman! You are delightful! And it was great seeing you in the copilot's seat on AC360. Don't stop on my account, please! Donna Wood |
|
| Lynn ~ Illinois |
July 17th, 2009 11:30 am ET I so very much agree with that paragraph. I too think that so many truly good people go into politics to change the way things are being done. Instead of them changing the politics, politics changes them. Where does it stop?? |
|
| Annie Kate |
July 17th, 2009 5:08 pm ET Tom I always thought that there were 2 types of politcos – those that want what is best for the country and are willing to listen to and engage in the debate as to what that might be and will compromise to get that elusive best; and then there are those who are convinced that they KNOW what is best for the country (usually the same thing that is best for them) and are not willing to debate or reach a compromise. If we had more of the first type and a lot less of the second type we might make some real progress. |
|
|
Comments have been closed for this article |
||
A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.
We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.
For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.
Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.
- About our show
- Father Henry, a secret father
- Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 11/12/09
- Evening Buzz: Hasan Warning Signs Missed?
- Beat 360° 11/12/09
- Pelosi plays whack-a-mole on health care
- Raw Data: Religious preference in the military
- Sesame Street – A place where everyone owns a piece of the street
- Preventing an epidemic: An eco-perspective
- Obama can't count on Karzai
