Reporter's Note: The President of the United States wants suggestions on how to run the nation. I, a citizen of the United States, write a letter every day in hopes of being helpful. You can’t say I’m not trying.

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Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent

Dear Mr. President,

Here’s something I don’t get. Politicians are always saying that Americans should pull together. We should be more bipartisan. We should unite to promote understanding, acceptance, and implementation of the President’s plans.

Mind you, there is a caveat here: I’m talking about the party in charge at any given moment. They are the ones who say this, and of course they would. If everyone gets behind the ruling party’s leaders, it’s easier to lead. The party out of power? You don’t often hear them rattling on that way.

But back to my point. We’re always told to join forces, all strive toward the same goals; but as soon we do, if it makes Washington nervous, we’re accused of being a senseless mob. People from the Lexus and loafer set start lobbing around the word “populism” as if it’s something they found molding at the bottom of the pool.

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