The Ruler Who Misunderstood

Dear Mr. President,

Christmas is just two days away. The day we celebrate the King of all King's birthday, the King that is above all people in authority as we speak. A star tracked by the wise men of the day was their GPS indicating the location of this auspicious individual, the GodMan.

The ruler in power at that time spoke out of both sides of his mouth. He directed the wise men to come for a meeting. Where is this baby? Of course the ruler did not want to convey his intense jeaoulousy, concern, and horror at the news of this baby so instead he directed the wise men to come back and relay all that they discovered about this "Babyking." The ruler conveyed interest and concern atop intense hatred, fear, and utter jealousy.

What the ruler was remiss in understanding, due to his lack of wisdom or wise men surrounding him, was his inability to do diddlysquat about this "Babyking" born to save the world. The men from the East who had followed the star were guided in a dream, not a memo, not an official letter, a dream, to not obey the ruler of the land but to obey the orders given via a dream.

Everything was done via visions,dreams and encounters with intense spiritual beings. Directions were given within the spirit, a place of protection, a hidden spot, no hidden microphones. The "Babyking's" stepfather was receiving these visions that today might be relegated to the lunacy bin of information. But this man had already been visited by an angel and he knew, oh, he knew!

The ruler did not understand that though man has many plans within his heart, many views about how things should be done, God's purpose will prevail! The ruler wanted all power, thought he had all power, and understood not how very little power he actually did have. Out of the intensity of his misunderstandings fueled by his jealousy he directed all the boys ranging from the age of two and under to be executed. Pro-death to all potential rulers could have been his motto.

God's purpose prevailed and the "Babyking" survived only to be disgracefully executed in his early thirties after having fulfilled every single prophecy uttered hundreds of years prior to his birth. He was executed unjustly having overcome every temptation man has every suffered. His final hour was an hour of accusation for everything he had never done! All the evil of the world was thrown on him.

The Pro-death king was unable to kill this baby because God's purpose was for this baby to live to die. This baby grew to be the wisest man ever and the most loving man. Wisdom and love go hand in hand. You want to view a wiseman, go find the most loving man. This baby was meant to die. His death in his early thirties gave you and I the option of living free.

Have yourself a Merry Christmas, President Obama. Throw away any jealousy, any need to control, and reveal in all that the "Babyking" accomplished! May your children enjoy their first Christmas in the WhiteHouse!

Anytime you feel like something HAS to be pushed through...........think again.

Blessings!

Lynne

What about these seven story lines?

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning to you. I trust your Thanksgiving was spent reviewing the reasons this country first celebrated this holiday. Our nation has much to be thankful for, much to be forgiven for, much to strive for, and much to learn. But we should never stop being grateful for all that we have.

Do you, Mr. President, actively thank God for this nation? I heard you talk about this nation in terms that made me shudder. You stated this is not a christian nation anymore. When did that happen? Who wrote that script for you? What do you stand for, what do you appreciate? Why were you motiviated to become the president, what is your desire for the United States of America?

I just read an article that listed seven story lines that would not be favorable to your politicial scene if the media ran with these seven story lines. I'll list John Harris' list for you to read: (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29993.html)

1.You think you are playing with monopoly money.
2.You can describe the nuances of problems but your lack of experience
renders you useless when it comes to understanding the real life issues.
When former president Bill Clinton would say, "I feel your pain." Though it
was seemingly a pat answer it truly was grounded in a true understanding of
many people's situations because of his experience of 8 years as a governor.
Mr. President,you don't have any previous real life experience that trained
you for your new position.
3.That's the Chicago way You are not really interested in a non-
partisan government. You and your administration are "dominated by brass-
nuckled polls.
4. You are a pushover. You have nothing to show for your time in
the office thus far.
5. You see America as another pleasant country on the U.N. roll call,
somewhere between Albania and Zimbabwe.
6.President Pelois. This woman has had more success than you.
7.You're in love with the man in the mirror.

All of the above potential story lines could be used against you. Which of them have any merit? Which of them do you agree with,and which of them can you throw onto the heap of human perceptions?

Mr. President, look to the One and Only source for guiding the remainder of your days in the White House.

Sincerely,

Lynne T. Burkholder

Anthropogenic, Do You Know What That Means?

Dear Mr. President,

Wow! I just scanned the Copenhagan Treaty. It felt as if I was walking through a sterile metallic hall squinting through small windows of steel doorways. There is not a sound in the hall. The only sound is the poor fellow escorted to the exit door. Too many beans last night and this treaty requires complete compliance. Reading the treaty was akin to reading the scariest SciFi Novel ever produced, it lulls you along with a monotonous tone deceiving you to believe that there is no vile, no evil intentions here. But as you read you hear the crescendo of the dull, faint scream in the background.

It was the YouTube clip that first informed me of this treaty. "On October 14, Lord Christopher Monckton, a noted climate change skeptic, gave a presentation at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN." I felt like I was getting my info from tabloids..........However, it lead me to the actual treaty that has been posted online. Of course the language was written by a committee who took delight in expressing themselves in humdrum, coded language that is an attempt to leave you feeling dumb but I'm way smarter than that.

This honestly has "smart" people behind it? The essence of this treaty is "to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system in a timely manner." Got that? Anthropogenic seems to be the buzz word. Anthropogenic emissions, now that's a phrase that will surely have your tongue tied but will untie your pocket book strings. WHERE ARE THE WISE MEN OF THE WORLD? I know where they are not! Behind the closed doors that cloistered this committee!

So, this has me on a quest to learn more. The sterile poppycock will take some decoding! First, I discover that the term, anthropogenic, "designates an effect or object resulting from human activity." This term is derived from Paul Crutzenan's term, "anthropocene" he first used in the mid-1970's. Paul is an atmospheric scientist. Two other men, Sherwood Rowling and Mario Molina "published a series of articles putting forward the idea of the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)on the stratospheric ozone." So now we have a new word, anthropogenic- the pollution emissions produced as a result of human industry. (thanks to Wikipedia)

The group of people who came up with this treaty are looking for carbon levels that reflect the pre-industrial period. We can all be re-enactors now! Honestly, honestly, honestly, thank you for whatever your administration did to put off the signing of this stupidity. May you and your administration do everything in your power to see that this treaty is disposed of and don't worry about how you do it. Any emissions from the burning of this treaty will fill the air with more wisdom than carbon. Go ahead do it while you still have the freedom.

The site where I read the treaty was http://assets.panda.org/downloads/treaty_vol2_web_compl.pdf and the YouTube clip was from http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=copenhagan+treaty&search_type=&aq=f This should provide one with some entertainment, treaty and YouTube, and in that order!

Mr. President, scanning this treaty I couldn't help but stumble over this in the treaty, USD 160 Billion. Am I correct in assigning U to United, S to States, and D to Dollar? I believe the group that wrote the treaty are men and women looking for a job, there's an abundance of homo sapiens looking for cash. A cash for carbon progam in the making.

Keep your chin up, don't wade through this muck losing your dignity!

Blessings on your day,

Lynne Burkholder

My Eight Year Old Daughter

Dear Mr. President,

My eight year old daughter after listening to a speaker from another country describe the Copenhagan Treaty put her hand to her chest and uttered, "Freedom is what we have here, and now that is going to be taken away?" As I reflect on her statement, knowing that someday she will be a problem solver, I wonder what her response will be when she discovers that Malia and Sasha's daddy supports abortion and in essence supports taking away the freedom to live when that person is not fully developed?

Nicole understands on a black and white level what abortion is, the ending of a life. We believe, in this family of six children, that you become a person at conception. It takes a mighty amount of arrogance for any person to think they KNOW when a person becomes a person. What a mystery the beginning of life is.

Does that cell at conception look like a person? Of course not. Does this mean you're not a person? Who am I to make a reasonable judgment about this and further more who is anyone to err on the side of "maybe not." Are you developing into a person in a mother's womb, yes we know this for a fact because if you and I heard the correct version of the birds and the bees this is where we have are start. All of my children started small and undetected.

When an abortion occurs it many times is beyond this point and at a time when an actual being is seen but still in development, not looking like it will look. Somehow, a number of people have felt the "freedom" to tamper with this fetus in development. I know that you and I don't need to go any further with this. You will believe what you will and though you say we share the same faith we definitely diverge on the sanctity of life, for this is truly the issue, how we view the preciousness of life at all stages. It boils down to honoring one another. You have made a definite decision as to when you believe honor is appropriate and I have made a definite decision as well.

Mr. President, I want this to keep you up at night. I will pray towards this end. I will pray for dreams and visions for you during the night that will challenge your status quo. May you wake up with a reverence for life. May you look at your daughters and shudder knowing that there are millions of little girls and little boys with the same uniqueness and specialness that never saw the light of day because someone exercised THEIR choice against theirs. You and many others don't have me or the pro-lifers to answer to,it will be God.

Enjoy the day with your children. Look at them and admire their beauty, wit, charm,and uniqueness. Why would you be on the side where appreciation for this runs thin. There is much laughter in our home and I am beyond delighted that my children will never consider tampering with human life. They will err on the side of honoring life.

May your day be filled with unexpected views of God's wisdom! Blessings to you and my prayers are with you. May your presidency find success as you ponder the essence of true life and come to an understanding of freedom.
Sincerely,

Lynne

Oldest Document

Dear Mr. President,

Have you studied one of the oldest documents STILL in existence? This ancient document that has survived for us today is one which I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, would assist you in your presidency.

First, the wording is not political jargon that leaves one shaking their head wondering why the confusion? Second, it goes all the way back, kinda James Michener style, to the beginning of time revealing why we are in the mess we are in. Third, it goes all the way to the end, the end of life as we now know it.

History is revealed in completeness in this document zooming to the fullness of time. You, as the President, will be awed as to your position, you have been put in place by the one and only God of the universe. Humbling when many and possibly you were duped into thinking it was just your amazing ability to plug into the social media of the day.

You have some significant people, will not mention names, threatening you and pushing you to take sides. You and I both know the side which you need to support and an in depth study of scripture will confirm that. You do not want to mess with the God of the universe, with His chosen people. It is a mystery, one in which I am baffled by but also propelled by as I continue to discover His plan for them while I study scripture.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This will happen, it is not a question of if but when. As I type this I begin to feel like the church lady satirized on Saturday Night Live. I do a good impression of her, however this will not be a funny skit when we watch every knee bow and confess. At that time there will be judgment.

The time will come when the Righteous judgment will assess our alignments, where our hearts are poised and lead by, and this will happen when everyone will be acknowledging that God is God and that His son Jesus is God. Decisions will not be made at this point, there will be no turning back.

Finding the Wise Men, Mr. President?

Sincerely,

Lynne T. Burkholder

Mr. President,

It has been too long since I've penned you. When I fail to write you daily, I fail to keep you in my prayers and I fail to keep current with the latest. As you swirl through your day I have something for you to keep in mind. You are in a position that is still revered, a position of authority over the United States. Will this always be a revered position? That I believe is up to you.

Former President Clinton certainly did not do his fair share of raising the bar while in office. They say that he left the White House in shambles and the amount of cleaning alone that was required was indicative of the level of respect his administration had for their positions of authority. How will it end for you?

I need to tell you that I am on a countdown, similar to the one that starts twenty-five days before Christmas. I ask myself, "when is the next election?" I shake my head when I realize that not even a year has passed. It seems like eternity. The confusion I believe stems from the parties preparing earlier than normal. Instead of a two year campaign it looks like it will be a three and a half year campaign. Why the early campaigning? What is it about your administration that has caused this early start? Have you delivered unrest instead of change?

Your presidency has certainly brought much to the forefront and for that I am grateful. The republican party is undergoing a major reassessment and one can only hope that the party will be better for it! But I ask you, how will it end for you? Will you leave knowing that you raised the bar for the position of authority you now hold? Or will you bring it down a notch like Clinton did?

How can you manage to leave and still remain a positive political figure as I believe former president Ronald Reagan was able to do. I watched his October 1964 speech titled, "A Time for Choosing" and was inspired, awed, ready for the fight. Have you listened to this speech? It might be time to watch it again.

Please, Mr. President, take time now to view this speech and require your family, your administration, and maybe even your dog to watch. Determine to leave the White House a better place because you were there!

Have a nice day! Remember to revere life, learn to revere life.

Sincerely,

Lynne Burkholder

Resignation Letter of Weight

Matt P. Hoh, a Senior Civilian Representative stationed in Zabul, Afghanistan resigned September 10, 2009. Riveting... He states,"We want to have some kind of governance there, and we have some obligation for it not to be a bloodbath," Hoh said. "But you have to draw the line somewhere, and say this is their problem to solve."

The people of Korengal did not want the American troops. "The insurgency appeared to have arrived in strength only after the Americans did, and the battle between the two forces had achieved only a bloody stalemate."

In the article from the Washington post it states, "If the United States is to remain in Afghanistan, Hoh said, he would advise a reduction in combat forces." The article goes on to say "he also would suggest providing more support for Pakistan, better U.S. communication and propaganda skills to match those of al-Qaeda, and more pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to clean up government corruption -- all options being discussed in White House deliberations."

" 'We are spending ourselves into oblivion' a very talented and intelligent commander, one of America's best, briefs every visitor, staff delegation and senior officer. We are mortgaging our Nation's economy on a war, which, even with increased commitment, will remain a draw for a few years to come. Success and victory, whatever they may be, will be realized not in years, after billions more spent, but in decades and generations. The United States does not enjoy a national treasury for such success and victory."

Thank you, Antony Blinkin,Vice President Biden's foreign policy advisor,for requesting a meeting with Matt P. Hoh. Thank you, White House Administration for taking this resignation letter seriously. Thank you, Matt P. Hoh for conducting your life in such a way you are heard for such a time as this. May we listen.

Mr. President, continue to listen to intelligent, thoughtful, people such as Mr. Matt P. Hoh. I would also suggest conducting a meeting with men and women who have served their lives for the Afghanistan people in a capacity other than combat. A variety of people lend to more wisdom.

Matt P. Hoh ends his resignation letter with a boulder, "The dead return only in bodily form to be received by families who must be reassured their dead have sacrificed for a purpose worthy of futures lost, love vanished, and promised dreams unkept. I have lost confidence such assurances can anymore be made. As such , I submit my resignation."

I can not get this part of his letter out of my head.

May the God of long suffering, redemption, and mercy lead and guide the land of the United States!

Mr. President, you have so much to consider, my prayers are with you!

Sincerely,

Lynne Burkholder

If you want to view Matt P. Hoh's resignation letter go to this web address and find a link to the letter: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/26/AR2009102603394_2.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2009102603447

Slipping Through Your Fingers Like Sand

Dear Mr. President,

You took your wife on an anniversary date and people were not happy. Our tax money is used every time you step outside the White House and this was no exception. People are not interested in you using their money for this.

You tried to get the Olympics to come to Chicago. They didn't even give you a chance. I heard that your presentation was not worthy of being noted. Why didn't you plan better? As we watch your lack of planning, you need to know it affects the casting of our votes for Health Care.

You gave out white coats to doctors coming to do a push for Health Care Reform, some forgot to bring theirs, too much on their minds, maybe? Were you shooting for a commercial? Did you think we needed this view?

I just viewed a SNL sketch of you listing all that you have not accomplished. Funny and sad. I was shocked that SNL was making fun of you.

The war in Afganistan is eery. There is talk of the dollar being ditched as currency for oil.

Wisdom, have you been doing any thinking about Wisdom? Do you know where to go for Wisdom? Do you know who to listen to for Wisdom? Do you know what to read to gain insight about Wisdom?

Again, I will tell you that there is a Man who embodies Wisdom, ancient wisdom, Wisdom that always was, is , and will be.

Like sand slipping through fingers power flees from your grasp. You are in a perfect position. Nobobdy is expecting much from you, the pressure is off. You are not capable, you feel that every morning you wake up.

But Wisdom is! ANd Wisdom is yours for the asking! The only cost is humility. Go for it, Mr. President. You have nothing else to lose! He will give you Wisdom without finding fault.

Sincerely,

Lynne Burkholder

Why I Write to You, Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

It's been over a week since I last penned you a post. I do realize that you are not reading these posts. But somebody is and to you, that somebody, I hope this finds you well. The writing of these letters has done many things, all of them important. In referring to this little exercise I am doing I use the word, cathartic.

It is keeping me in the know. I scan the headlines, read articles, keep my ear to the ground for this endeavor. For many individuals that I know, keeping in the know is the last thing that they want to do. I am providing a service for my "head in the sand" friends when I give them my updates. I do what I can......

My heart is softened to you. The day President Clinton became president is a day I'll never forget. I remember what I was doing when I heard the news. It was a gloomy day, a dark day, an apocalyptic day for many of us. I didn't want to succumb to that with your presidency. You are a person, if I met you tomorrow I would not turn and walk away because of our vast disagreements, I would shake your hand and smile. I do not want to be a hypocrite.

I want to be in prayer for you with a right attitude. A right attitude never has anything to do with circumstantial surroundings, contrary to public opinion. I am a Christ follower and His ways are "Just Love". I desire to be like Him. Writing to you is keeping my attitude in check. (I think it took me far to long to get to this point!)

I disagree with you on many accounts. I am concerned for the anger I see brimming beneath the surface that leaks out by some of your unguarded comments. But my heart is there with you walking alongside of you in prayer. You and I have much in common by way of our humanness.

I want to be humble, I want to be of service, I want to be compassionate. These posts are aiding me in my pursuit of all that. I am saddened, however by the miles that separates me from my desires.

Today, have a good one. Go to the wisdom giver, the wisdom creator, the one who puts all things in perspective, the "I AM."

Blessings on your day, Mr. President.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Color Blindness, No Provision for this ailment in the Health Care Reform Bill

“Here is what I know, here is what you know, here is what the hundreds of people here and out in the street know,” Rose said. “If Dr. Cason were black and 80 percent of the school children in his district were white, and he arbitrarily decided not to allow white children to watch a white president’s ‘back to school’ speech,’ and whites came here tonight in the numbers that blacks have come to protest, he would resign, or be fired. And we are here to demand no less.”http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/homepage/local_story_258000146.html

Dear Mr. President,

We just can not seem to move around the racial boulder. I read that quote from Valdosta Daily Times today and feel like I've been doled out a riddle. (hate riddles) I know, you know, hundreds of people know, I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

I have to break it down into parts. If Dr. Carson were black with lots of white children under his care,( got it! )and he did not show the white children (not black) a white president's speech! Can you imagine that?! "Don't cha know!" as My Grandma Esther would say. The white parents would be irate.

Is it that we have before us a white Dr. Cason with lots of black children under his care not showing them a black president's speech and all the black parents are irate? I think I unraveled this one.

Here's the deal, how in pete's name are we going to move on if we can't stop the labeling? You've created one interesting section of history. A Black/white man in office, an historic event. Why? because you are black. But you are white also, so it's not one hundred percent black, but you are black enough to make an historic mark.

Dr. Cason made a decision to not show your speech. Do they really think it was because you are black? I think it had everything to do with timing. The timing of your speech was in poor taste, Mr. President. The beginning of the school year is a frenetic time. Did anyone on your staff consider this and likewise consider the doldrums of winter? I'm telling you, you need more wisdom surrounding you.

Your inauguration for some of us felt like we were watching a huge family reunion in a local park, everyone hugging and carrying on like they hadn't seen their Aunt Elma or Uncle Elmer in years! Everyone at the reunion was talking about a black president. "Us White folks" were inside the park but outside the family gathering and did I mention black family gathering. The inauguration of the president of the United States didn't feel like a shared event.

I thought about this for a long time and realized that the lack of a "shared event feel" might be what the blacks always battle. Your inauguration just might have been what I needed to head me in a more sensitive direction.

Just make sure, Mr. President, that you don't get caught up in labeling. Your color has nothing to do with your brain. Your color is just what your skin looks like.
In your health care reform can I make a suggestion...make sure there is no provision for treating color blindness.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

September 12, 2009...History in the Making

Dear Mr. President,

Wow! The rally Saturday on the streets of Washington D.C....did that take you by surprise? Looking at the pictures reminded me of your inauguration this past January. Eight months and counting.

I am not quite sure what to make of all of this. We are friends with a man who owns a bus company. He says that, but for prior reservations, there was such a request for buses that his entire fleet could have been in D.C. that day.

Saturday for me was just another day, I had no idea this was happening only three hours from our home. You have awakened the nation. Your alarm has sounded throughout the hills and vales, over rivers, cross lakes, zooming over mountains and dodging through forests. We are awake.

You have the privilege of leading a nation of ready, prepared, and strong people who are fully awake. There has not been a president in the recent past who has what you presently have. The question is, Mr. President, what will you do with this nation, with this opportunity?

Will you see these people Saturday in D.C. as dissident, divisive and disagreeable? Or will you look beyond the placards and see an army of people ready to be Americans, free Americans that our founding fathers foresaw? You have the amazing privilege of wisely leading these Americans who came from all over the country to communicate with you.

Mr. President, do not let this opportunity pass you by without you taking the high road. The Health Care Reform Bill needs much more consideration, Saturday indicates this. Listen to the people over whom you are presiding. You are a leader of a nation of people standing strong, not their dictator.

I believe you still have the opportunity to make your mark on history. Be the president who listened to wisdom. There is nothing to ram, there is nothing to push, there is no hurry.

Please Mr. President, be wise. Wisdom just might have marched to you on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Remember................

Dear Mr. President,

I am aghast and I am amazed at my lack of remembrance. I just emailed you about a rainy day, blah, blah ...and I forgot about the heartache that swirls around this day, September 11, otherwise known as 9/11!

Today the clouds weep. Eight years ago the streets of New York City and Washington were swarming with people unaware what their future held, unaware that this day was their last, unaware that war was forthcoming, unaware.

The day was brilliant, a movie rendition of these cities in their late summer splendor.

We are never to assume anything by the way it looks. That day helped us to understand this.

I am grateful for the lack of an attack in the eight years that have followed. I am sick to my stomach, however, for the many men and women who have died because of the declaration of war on terrorism.

How will you honor the previous administration and their valiant efforts to abort any such further attacks? How will you honor the men and women who are still fighting against terrorism?

There is nothing for me to boast of for my lack of rememberance. However, there are many men and women who have, for the past eight years, put their lives on the line, intercepted possible attacks and helped to stop them. These men and women have been agents of protection and change and enable knuckleheads like myself to wake up and forget. These men and women are to boast of while the rest of us must honor them and all involved with intentional rememberance. We are Free to forget but with that freedom let us remember the lives lost, the families broken, the soldiers wounded, and our need to be men and women of valor.

You are the President of the United States in a remarkable time of history. May your name be remembered with gratitude.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

If Opinions Were Based on Knowledge....

Dear Mr. President,

It is a rainy day, a day for a cup of tea. The sky is gray and if you just stand straight and tall and on your toes I believe you could touch those lumbering clouds.

I know this is a bit forward of me to suggest, but why don't you ask your wife in for a hot steaming cup of tea. When the children come home from school, why not offer them hot cocoa. You have the power to create lasting memories while you are living in the White House.

I have been wondering, are you finding some wise men and women who can provide you with clear counsel? It is important to remember that the look of wisdom is often disarming. You will find wisdom where others won't search.

This quote I take from a sliver of a book created by Ann Allan.

"People's opinions pour forth as water bubbles from a spring. How much quicker the world would be, with how much less tension, if opinions were silent unless based on knowledge."

As opinions swirl around you and if you feel you can not take it anymore, go to the Creator. Have a cup of tea with Him. The tea is out of this world and furthermore He is in Control!

Blessings on your rainy day,

Mrs. Burkholder

You are the President not the Father of the United States

Dear Mr. President,

I can hear you singing with Bob Marley, "Let's Get Together and Feel All Right!" It must feel that no matter what you say or how you say it you just can't win. This is the bane of existence of a leader. Your task of communicating effectively with innumerable perceptions of what you are communicating is daunting.

I am sure as a leader you are not discouraged by this but inspired to strive for clarity in all you communicate. Every instance where your administration has to regroup, rewrite, and reconnect is another day closer to a tighter, stronger O'Bama Administration.

You have sent a message to schools to be viewed by children all around the nation next week. This is causing an uproar amongst conservatives. You might be shaking your head with a feel of "I can't win." But I can help you with this one. I should just give you my cell phone number, but for now I'll just type.

In all that you do with children, here is what will serve you well to assume. Assume they have a set of parents who desire to raise them to not only be law abiding citizens, but individuals who are loving, compassionate, and intelligent. This is a shared goal between you and I and all the other parents that are on American soil (and all the parents on this planet for that matter).

Last night I was standing in a checkout line and discovered that the clerk was from St. Martin's of the Caribbean Islands. Why are you here was my question to this dear woman. She chuckled and said it was her children's education. This woman was tired, ready to go home after working two jobs. Why working so hard? Her children period. We will do anything for our children.

Mr. President, you need to keep this in mind, when you were elected it was not to be THE FATHER to all the children it was simply (and as you now know, not so simply)to be president. You must leave the parenting to us, the parents. Your administration has a tendency to tread on other people's issues, territories, responsibilities, and families. When you step on toes the owners yell. These are the sounds you hear.

We as parents are protective of our children and rightly so. You as a father know what I am talking about. This is what your administration did not foresee. They did not counsel you to understand the uproar this would bring and the perception it would cause. It makes you look like you are indoctrinating our children. Why would you want to indoctrinate? We are not a third world country, you know what freedom is, you want to uphold it! But to assure us of this you need to honor the family structure.

Here is what I would suggest. Pull the plug from showing the video in schools. Air your speech on television so we as parents can sit right beside our children and process it with them. This is a democracy, show your administration how to respectfully maintain our democracy and how to uphold the family.

Something else you have not considered...my children would not have seen it. We are a home schooling family.

You have a good day. Find something positive about each one of your family members, including your mother in law and tell them!

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Wounded and Uncertain; Turn To Wisdom

Dear Mr. President,

This quote gives me hope.

"So Obama and Democrats will return from vacation wounded, divided and uncertain of the best way to turn things around. Many Democrats, especially in the House, were spooked over break by the rowdy town hall meetings and flurry of polls showing independent voters skeptical of their leadership and spending plans."http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26672_Page2.html#ixzz0PwMHjYS7

It's the wounded part in the quote where hope rises. You might be saying, what in the world is this woman talking about? I'm talking about the point of recognition we must all come to as human beings. The point of recognition where we clearly see our inabilities, our need, our uncertainties, are woundedness. When we clearly see this "end of the rope" state of being then and only then we begin to look for help.

Help is present. When one is uncertain one needs to find someone certain. You will find Him, He is present.

As I read the news I'm hopeful. You are making concessions, compromises, and adjustments to the Health Care Reform Bill. Your willingness to re-adjust this Health Bill despite the liberals reveals your desire to pass this for the good of the nation.

I will be praying for you, Mr. President. Search for certainty. You'll be certain to find Him. Allow Him to guide you with this Health Care Reform Bill. George Washington Carver kept a Bible in his science lab. He was guided by truth and his accomplishments reveal where Truth can lead.

Mr. President, tell your party they don't have to be spooked on their own soil amongst their own people sharing their varied views. Did they not know what they signed up for when they entered politics? Individuals only interested in "milk toast" individuals reveal their identity.

Stand tall amongst your party and lead with dignity, you are assuredly capable of this.
Blessings on your day. A President who recognizes His need will lead a nation with Wisdom.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

That Perfect Fall Day of September Changed The Way We Look at a Perfect Fall Day of September

Mr. President,

Today is a crystal clear day. There is not a cloud in the September Sky. The air is superb. I'm walking in the early morning.

And then I stop.

I am remembering that fateful day when the sky was empty and blue. The day when life in America suddenly looked foreign.

September eleventh not only brought heartache to this nation. It changed our view of a beautiful fall, cloudless, sunny day. What once we associated with apple trees loaded, harvest bountifully laid out on a farmer's market bench, striking fall flowers, is now associated with terror.

If we let it.

Mr. President, what did the last administration do during the time of terror that is worthy of commendation? How did President Bush and Dick Cheney handle the matters of national security that was exemplary? There is no other administration known to our young republic that endured such painful moments, that endured a shaking at its core.

There must be something you can find that is worthy of your praise.

As we near the anniversary of this fateful day I encourage you to take a few moments each day and ask your administration to scratch the surface (it will not be a deep dig) and come with up with a tribute to the former administration's handling of America under attack. What you affirm, acknowledge and commend will be done to you as well.

We, Americans, are grateful that the years have accumulated with out another major catastrophe on our land. Would you and your administration engage in a counting of blessings? Would you be willing to name them one by one, as the old hymn goes.

I promise you this exercise in gratitude, giving credit where credit is due will fall back on your administration this fall with positive results. Prove that the Democrats are not negative.

I don't know enough to weigh in on the debate that is ensuing with the CIA and your administration. But I do know enough of life to suggest that you probably should tread cautiously.

Your administration's handling of the former administration's modus operandi during those terrifying days will pave the road for when you attend the next president's inauguration. These kinds of positive activities, the counting of blessings and honoring of people, might afford you another term.

I'm telling you, Mr. President, I'm here to help. Just please remember I'm opiniated as Americans are freely allowed to be!

Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Humility Leads Despite Popularity

Dear Mr. President,

Your popularity is reported as dropping. Don't let this deter you from leading the country with strength, purpose, and humility. I was recalling a time in the "MAN'S" life that revealed the fickleness of humanity. He was surrounded by a crowd in awe of ALL His Words. Oooohing and ahhing were probably audible. But then there was something He said. That did it! Done! All Done! The crowd turned on Him. He slipped away with stones hurled at His back.

He made a comment to His followers that gives me perspective when surrounded by a lack of support. He told them He didn't put His trust in anyone. What is odd about that statement is that this Man was devoted, dedicated to the point of death for that very crowd and every other crowd and finally the crowd that had him murdered.

Love that crowd, indeed He did! Trust that crowd, indeed He didn't. His love for them was not dependent on His trust of them.

I was wondering, Mr. President, what you think of His perspective? I watched the nation oohhh and ahhh after you. I heard terms such as Messiah and Anointed One slapped on your back. I was waiting for you to humbly deny them. I watched crowds gaze at you as if they had just made a long arduous pilgramage, their eyes finally gazing at their destination.

I was stunned. I don't think I ever heard you say to the public that these terms of divinity were totally inappropriate. You didn't create separation between the terms of divinity and you. Why?

This "Man" came to serve humanity. His main mission was not to gain support but to serve. He knew what He was about. He was THE MAN! He had everything. He owned everything. Even Knowing this and because of this, He rubbed shoulders with everyday people all the time and everyone was important to Him. He never allowed the opinion of others to deter or affect His love of them, His service to them, and His mission for them.

Wisdom allows us to serve with and in humility the crowd that can turn on a dime. This Man saved the crowd, it's been done, this is not part of your job description. What do you have to do? Walk in perspective and make sure that you are understanding where you need to get your affirmation from, don't look to the crowd.

This Man when pelted with rocks did not deter from His purpose, His mission, His service to the crowd. Their opinion did not steer His ship. His love, His wisdom, His insight, His humility steered His ship.

Do not accept labels that flatter, it will get you no where. The Messiah, the Anointed One is only one Man, no one will ever take His place. No one should ever want to!

Your priviledge of leading this country needs to be seen in light of the "MAN." Understand Americans are listening to your silence. You shout acceptance silently when you accept being called what you are not.

Seek Wisdom. Serve with Humility as the polls reveal the fickleness of man.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Read Heschel on The Sabbath!

Dear Mr. President,

Today I will be returning from my "vacation." Four weeks ago I planned on coming to Rhode Island to play with my three younger children, have meaningful talks with my parents and return home to face the next school year.... rested. Instead as life would have it the plans changed. I was a caregiver to my mother who had open heart surgery. My children had fun with my brother and his family and I had meaningful talks with my parents but it looked a little different than we all had anticipated.

I will go home rested but my feet will have to hit the ground running. Saturday I will assist my nineteen year old in one of the age old traditions, taking your child to college. After Labor Day I will officially start my new job and begin another school year of home schooling with the three youngest. I look forward to teach another kindergartner to read!

It was stated in one of the news articles that you are going to Camp David to rest from your vacation. I can understand that. This was your first "official" vacation with your family and I'm sure with the death of Ted Kennedy in the middle of it there was mental arranging to do. You wanted, and rightly so needed, to share your condolences and then come back to your vacation with the work laid out for you; figuring out how to rest as President of the United States.

God gave us a gift, the Sabbath. Abraham Heschel has a book called "The Sabbath" that would do you well to read. It helps to form the perspective that is needed for the day of rest. Imagine the Creator resting. You also need to rest one day as well. I pray that during your administration you can cultivate this discipline that not only allows for rest but gives life.

It is humility that allows one to have a day of rest. It is the arrogant who assume they simply can not rest for fear that all of their best laid plans would unravel without them vigilant at the helm.

Rest, Mr. President, rest. Learn how to rest so that all of the world's issues, the Americans issues are placed in perspective. There is a proverb that is worth quoting here:
"....lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight." Prov. 3:4,5

Try to pass that proverb into legislation................heaven on earth!

Why don't you also give a call to Ms. Pelosi and ask her to abort her fund raising mission, tacky! One hundred thousand dollars will be doing what? There is today some child who is in desperate need of that money to pay for the much needed medical attention. Ms. Pelosi would do well to find that child, today.

Also, it is not looking good for the democrats to be using Ted Kennedy's death to raise support for the Health Care Reform, truly it is not. This is not the time. This is the time to come around his family with comfort, maybe in a couple of weeks but not now. Call Ms. Manners on that one and confirm my advice.

You do need your rest!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Win One For Ted?? Seriously?

Dear Mr. President,

I have much to learn about Ted Kennedy's dream "of quality health care for all Americans." I have not been following politics over the last forty years like maybe I should have. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hoping that the health care for all Americans will be made a reality because of Ted Kennedy's leadership and inspiration. This is a noble sentiment.

You do understand that Americans would love affordable, accessible, quality health care. But the working American does not want the GOVERNMENT to be the provider of health Care because our concern is that the Federal Government is unequipped to provide QUALITY health care. You do understand this.

There are many Americans who could care less about the quality of the health care that the government would provide, who could care less if there is anything they have to do in return, who could care less. But the Americans who do care are the ones you are receiving your money from, the working Americans who are not comfortable with handouts. If they are receiving government funding they are anxious to get on their feet so that they don't have to receive government funding. This begs the question, so why are Americans not drooling all over the Health Care Reform?

In the Town Halls all over the nation they are telling you why. This quote really bothers me with all due respect to Ted Kennedy, ""In his honor (Ted Kennedy) and as a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling and have a civilized debate on health care reform which I hope, when legislation has been signed into law, will bear his name for his commitment to insuring the health of every American," Byrd said.

Byrd is suggesting a civilized debate on health care reform. Go for it, Mr. President, request Americans such as myself to be involved with the solution, see how civilized we are. Let's stop the shouting and name calling, Mr. Byrd says. So far the town hall sessions that I have viewed have been filled with concerned citizens, American citizens. Some are a little heated, some a little out of control, but Americans are talking and last time I checked this is a government run by the people, is it not? Is it that they are in disagreement that bothers the democrats and allows the democrats to put them in a box that is labeled, "Disagreeable, disgruntled, and uncivilized?"

This is America, Mr. President. We fought for freedom of speech. I believe your Administration should do some history lessons, dust off their history books, see from whence we have come. I think then you'll not be shaking your head in disbelief over the response of the American people. Instead you'll sit straight and tall, listen up and be careful as to how you proceed. A giant has been awakened, a giant.

It is not Ted Kennedy that should be the focal point of this bill. It is not the chant, "win one for Ted" that should be the point that changes people's mind. This is a mammoth bill not requiring a simplistic chant as one would do at a football game, for Pete's sake! This is increasing the Federal Government's roll in ways in which Americans don't believe the Government was intended to run. We are all for quality health care but let's allow the American people to bring it to fruition. Focus on the ways in which the government can encourage the nation to be a quality health care provider and a compassionate one.

When you look into the workings and goings on of any Veteran's Administration Hospitals do you come away impressed? If you do you are not with the majority.

Any of the quotes were taken from this site: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TedKennedy/story?id=8420408

Have a good day.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

The Beast? No, I Don't Think So!

Dear Mr. President,

I was traveling on Route 114 in Rhode Island this morning and there were police cars surrounding picketers. The picketers were waving their placards adamantly. It was a struggle to stay on the road and see what they said. However the big lettering on the posters made it easy. They were all about the Health Care Reform, every one of them. One said, "Stop the Beast!"

You and I both know they were referring to you. My insides flinched. I might disagree with you but I would never call you a beast. You are a man who desired to run for president. You and your team successfully communicated with the younger generation via their mode of communication such as facebook, emails etc. winning their votes . You raised money like a mad man determined to raise as much capital needed for the hoped for business plan. You did it, you were successful. But beast? No, I don't think so.

Your wife validates you. Michele does not look like a woman who would stay married to a beast. And though her mother looks quiet you can tell she has steel for a backbone and if you mess with her daughter or her grandchildren.....you'll pay! So, Mr. President, beast I would not call you. I am sorry for these strong labels and I hope that you keep it all in perspective.

Americans are awakened. They, we, have been sleeping for too long. You are going to have to give us some time to get the sleepies out of our eyes and the morning grumps worked out. Being called a beast is what an early morning riser could be accused of, you just have to give us room.

I will always look back on your administration as the time when Rumpelstiltskin, a.k.a. the American woke up. You did it, you have engaged us. Now, it behooves you to listen, take notes, and reflect on how you should proceed. There are some great ideas in this land and it is time you harvest those great ideas.

Though I am a republican I will do my part to encourage my fellow republicans to not bash you just because they disagree. We are all in this together.

Here's a thought. Why not create a contest of sorts that has to do with the Health Care Reform.
Why not award the state that successfully pulls off a Health Care Program that follows a set of criteria established by your administration (and established with the help of "WISE" people.)
For example,the state that insures 100% of their indigents is awarded a monetary value to be determined. Actually why don't you create a series of contests with a variety of criterias?! Mr. President, you need to get creative. Step out of the politics paradigm and enter the REAL world.

Today, I lift up my prayers for the family that lost a great family member, Ted Kennedy. May you learn from his successes and his mistakes and may you continue to pour into your family with us much persistence as you used trying to become President. When all is said and done and life comes to a close as it has for Ted Kennedy the only thing that will matter to you is your relationship with your children and wife!
Think on these things!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

"Let Them Eat Cake!"

Dear Mr. President,

As I viewed the picture of your family walking out of Air Force One I couldn't decide how I felt or how I was to feel. What fun for your children to be experiencing life like this and hopefully you will help them keep it all in perspective. What fun for your wife to be experiencing life like this. But then I wonder what you and your family are communicating by this extravagant visit and are you tracking, are you really putting your ear to the ground and understanding what you are conveying?

I am the last one to be a wet blanket, I love opportunities. However, as a mother of six children, owner with my husband of two businesses that are hand to mouth existing, vacations are few and far between. Our oldest daughter got married just two weeks ago. To prepare for the reception in our back yard, I was out gardening from late spring up until now. All the while trying to figure out where the money for the wedding was coming from .

The nation is financially struggling, many people are losing their homes, their businesses, their careers and you are staying on an island at a home that's worth beyond what most of us will ever see. Why aren't we all in politics, I don't get it?

You have requested privacy and that is understandable for a movie star but honestly, Mr. President, not for the President of the United States. It is our tax money (quite the struggle to pay) that you are using. You don't have the luxury of privacy for things such as this. You owe us a view into your time. You ran for office and not under duress, you knew this was part of it.

Most Americans respect you and your wife's need for protecting your young daughters from the public eye and scrutiny but how you are handling this vacation is making me uncomfortable with your lack of transparency during it, it verges on elitism, not going over well! We Americans are taking note and I can safely say that these notes are bipartisan.

Again, who is advising you on such things?

Of course, I believe we all need to have some rest and relaxation but you had an opportunity to show the nation how to do it within reason, not in such affluence. And now you are shutting the door and requesting privacy, this is rude. "Let them eat cake" is all I hear communicated through your Martha Vineyard Vacation.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

When Will You Meet with those in the Trenches of the Medical Profession?

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. I believe you are in Martha's Vineyard this week. Hopefully hurricane Bill will only add to the marvel of it all and not detract from a needed vacation. As you take time to rest ( and honestly how do you do that as president?) please allow yourself to let your mind wander to different scenerios that you might not have in D.C.

You need to make sure that the voices you are surrounded by are the voices that will help the United States remain a blessed nation. Do not take for granted God's blessing on this country and do not take for granted God's moral laws. Don't mess with those Mr. President and if you are unsure of what I mean please do what needs to be done to determine what I mean.

I am with my mother for the week to attend to her after her open heart surgery on Monday. Today the visiting nurse visited. I asked her what her take was on the Health Care Reform Bill. I wasn't sure if she would engage or if she would politely let me know that this is not what she came to do. She engaged.

She had some excellent ideas. I encouraged her to write to you, to talk to her elected officials and to not just sit on her wisdom. These are the men and women I am talking about when I ask you, Mr. President, to search for the wisdom of the land amongst the citizens. She wonders where are the Doctors in all of this, what are they thinking. She feels there is an eery silence and wonders why.

She thinks you are a genius and yet she has no faith in the government being able to manage such a mammoth beast as the Health Care Reform, no faith whatsoever. She believes there is a problem with insurance companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield who keep care from patients. She in contrast sees herself as a part of the medical community that desires to see care given where need be regardless of cost.

She sees a real need for the ER rooms to be managed better and better options for indigents rather than the ER rooms. More clinics is clearly a need in her mind. This woman would do you well to talk to and it confirms my belief that the creative solutions are roaming the streets and your challenge is to allow them to roam into the White House. Let the Doctors and Nurses, the clinicians figure this one out. The insurance companies should stay seated until the medical profession works out the kinks.

Focus on the uninsured, don't mess with the insured. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Start with the poorest of poor and go from there. Rush not, only fools rush in.

Enjoy Martha's Vineyard and make sure you take advantage of the this time with the three women who matter the most!

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Engage the public about the public insurance

Dear Mr. President,
Good morning! Are you a coffee drinker? My husband and I have started a small coffee business, www.TwinValleyCoffee.com. A couple of years ago my husband, Lynn, began roasting. We were entertaining some missionary friends who brought with them a hostess gift of their home roasted coffee beans. We had no grinder and ended up trying our blender. This was the beginning of the good smells in my kitchen.

Lynn is an entrepreneur and I thought this was another rabbit trail that often takes more money than makes more money. Not so. We have discovered that he is an exceptional roaster, who would have thought? He has since created quite the local following in our area. We sell to the grocery store in town and to a couple of local farm stores.

All this to say I am drinking my one cup a day surrounded by the smell of a coffee shop in my own kitchen. I wish I could give you a try of our coffee. I can imagine the furor if I would try to send you a package in the mail. If you like coffee, you'd love his roast. Maybe someday if I have the privilege of meeting you face to face I will be able to give you one or two bags (or however many you want within reason).

Though I do not understand all that the Health Care Reform entails, means, hints at, etc. etc. I do know one thing, I can identify with your frustration of not feeling heard. I marvel at how things can be jumbled in the listeners mind even when you know you are making yourself perfectly clear. And the question is what to do, how can we pull the listener onto the same page? This is the trick and for the sake of America I pray that your points to be communicated will be communicated well. We need to know exactly what you have in mind.

Having six children has given me some help in trying to pull people onto the same page as well as showing me how difficult it is. All six of my children have six different and unique personalities and six different ways of hearing. Some of them readily agree with me and I know instantly they are not listening. Some of them argue the entire time ,totally engaged and are easier to pull onto the page than the readily agreed ones. And what it ofttimes boils down to is not giving up, but rather having the persistence in relaying the message in a variety of ways.

Why don't you pose some questions and ask the American people to do a bit of research on their own. Ask them what does it mean when one says the following; single-payer, public option, nationalization, socialization etc. etc. What do you like about your health care at present? What don't you like about your health care at present? What keeps you up at night in regards to your health care?

When you ask people questions in a transitional period, a crossroad moment, you are engaging them to be part of the solution. You are asking them to invest their thoughts along with yours to this mammoth issue. People appreciate the recognition that their input is valid. When their approval is required without giving them the dignity of involvement, you are setting yourself up for a mountain climb in winning them over to your side.

Mr. President, I am here to help. I am not here to agree but I am here to help. I cannot put you in a box and cynically view you as trying to lead our nation into a straight jacket government where you say jump and we say how high? You deserve more credit than that. We don't know you, you need time.

It all boils down to communication and if you keep in mind the need to respect the American's need to be engaged in this issue I do believe you'll make some progress. Start by asking the Americans the questions that hound you on this Health Care Issue, the questions that are before the congress. Ask the right questions, engage the public.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

You are a good man, Mr. President. Have a good day.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Familiarizing Myself with Unfamiliar Terms

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. I am trying to become more educated with some of the terms that I am hearing for the first time. You are responsible for this interest and I want to thank you. This morning I am roaming through different websites trying to inform myself about single-payer health care and public option. I had never heard these terms before your administration and I believe now is the time to understand the definition of these emerging “household” phrases. Where have I been?

Here all along ( all along defined as the amount of time since I heard the phrase- all of two months- and now) I thought single-payer health care referred to the patient, a single-patient paying. But in fact it refers to the fund that pays for the patient's care. I go to the doctor and the doctor receives payment from one fund no matter who his patient is. I sit in the waiting room with a number of people and we all receive services and the payment for those services is from one fund. There is not a myriad of different papers for the secretary to fill out reflecting each patients' different insurance companies, just one.

I realize that there is more to this than what I am describing but am I on the right track? So, now the question is where is the source of the money coming from that feeds this single- fund? Is it taxes, or money that would have been spent on the patient's health insurance premiums?So, the money is coming from the government but it's not being paid to government workers, correct? That would be socialism, correct?

Is this something that could really work? Is the government capable of efficiently running something like this? I am praying that clarity will be given to you as you plow through the many issues you face.

May God bless you, Mr. President!
Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Thank you for pulling the plug on flag@whitehouse.gov!

Dear Mr. President,

Yes!! Thank you for shutting down this monitoring of rumors. I was happy to read this in the morning news:
"Following a furor over how the data would be used, the White House has shut down an electronic tip box — flag@whitehouse.gov — that was set up to receive information on “fishy” claims about President Barack Obama’s health plan. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26188.html#ixzz0OXVdHcQW"

We, Americans, are not looking for perfection, we are looking for an administration willing to listen to us the people who are part of this nation. We know we make mistakes, it's the humanness of us all and when we recognize our mistakes and rectify them we become even more loved by others. I am grateful that your administration is listening to the people and rectifying your mistakes. This will endear you to the people.

Yesterday I was talking to a man in his fifties, it didn't go so well. He is a devout democrat, truly devout and I was telling him that I have been emailing you. I am not quite sure where or why the conversation went south but south it went.

I asked him about this collecting of rumors that could be sent to flag@whitehouse.gov. I wasn't clear if he really knew about this but he adamantly agreed with it. He thought it an excellent idea.

He called me self-righteous and honestly I can't even remember why I was given that label. The conversation became confusing to me. I had warned him I am not smart enough for a rousing debate of the Ivy league sort. I didn't need to warn him I don't think there was any Ivy league debate going on between the two of us. I deal in simple, common thoughts and ways on a issue that makes more sense to the person next door than the person in the dorm.

He wondered what I thought about the Health Care Reform and I commented that I thought the Administration needed to give it time. He said it needed to be pushed through or it will never happen. I said that I didn't know enough about it and I needed more clear information. He didn't seem to hear that. By his reactions I could tell he thought I was preposterous for wanting more information. I believe he translated my caution about the speed of pushing the bill as a total disagreement with the bill.

He also made it perfectly clear how ridiculous it was for me to have our state representative come, pre-election, to my house to talk about the state of affairs. The state representative is a republican and a Christian. I think that combination for him is nauseating. I had not remembered telling him about the state representative's visits but clearly he was tracking the political events in our home.

I told him he was putting me in a box and this began what I call the monkey act. He mimicked everything that I said and before I understood how far he was going to take this we were into a mirror, mimic scene. "Caps For Sale" have you and your daughters read this? That's all I could think of when he repeated everything I said.

It went like this:

"You are putting me in a box, " I said.

"You are putting me in a box," he replied.

"I can't believe this."

"I can't believe this."

"Wow."

"Wow."

Thankfully two of my friends came to the door. They wanted to help clean up after our daughter's wedding this weekend. As you can see there's not a whole lot of wisdom that went back and forth between the fifty year old man and myself. I thanked him for coming and said goodbye.

I love a debate. I enjoy talking with people who have opposing views. I revel in diversity,I have never surrounded myself with people of the same views. When I am with people who are all alike I am bored and the word that comes to my mind is "milk toast." But this was no debate, this kind of banter doesn't even come close to a debate.

All this to say, I desire for our nation to be filled with people of opposing views who are willing to talk and listen, talk and listen, talk and listen. Wisdom is listening, thinking, processing, calculating, not reacting without thinking, nor rushing headlong into a decision without calculating.

Mr. President, I believe I am seeing wisdom come out of your administration. This is not surprising to me. I know you are more than capable. You have been gifted by the Gifter, this in and of itself marks you a remarkable man. I ask you to raise the bar and encourage us to be civil and cordial with one another as we discuss our views.

You showed us how we can come together after hurtful words. In your backyard you had Sgt. Crowley and Mr. Gates come over for a beer. Thank you for that! As a president you can encourage people to think and not rush into passing bills before they are truly understood.
We look to you for clear leadership! Lead with wisdom. Just make sure it's wisdom from the right source.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Have we asked the Canadians about our Health Care Bill?

Dear Mr. President,

If your weekend was as splendid as mine you are truly facing the week with all the joy and hope and contentment that I have. This weekend my daughter's heart was finally satisfied with marrying the man she knew to be hers since she was sixteen.

Life is full of contrasts. This weekend my mother could not attend the wedding, she was watching via webcam operated by my brother because her heart was in need of bypass surgery and the traveling, potential excitement, possible stress was too much to risk. Two hearts, one content and beyond beyond and one sad, sick in need of help.

The surgeon called my mother on Sunday to see how my mother was doing to comfort her the day before the surgery. Health care in America.

Mr. President, please read this

"The pitch for change at the conference is to start with a presentation from Dr. Robert Ouellet, the current president of the CMA (Canadian Medical Association), who has said there's a critical need to make Canada's health-care system patient-centred. He will present details from his fact-finding trip to Europe in January, where he met with health groups in England, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and France.

His thoughts on the issue are already clear. Ouellet has been saying since his return that "a health-care revolution has passed us by," that it's possible to make wait lists disappear while maintaining universal coverage and "that competition should be welcomed, not feared."
(http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jbjzPEY0Y3bvRD335rGu_Z3KXoQw)

The Canadians want their health-care system patient-centered. Hmmm, now this is fascinating. We have what they want and we want they have.

This is what I have observed in my life. At critical points, turns, crossroads, obstacles it is crucial to stop, look, and listen. Wisdom will guide us if we ask for wisdom. Mr. President, I am not convinced that your aides, your "wise men" of your administration, are the wise men you want and need.

You would not believe the bad rap you and your administration are receiving over your desire to recieve "fishy info." Not good. Truly what were you folks thinking, or not thinking. Where are your bright men and women? Honestly, this couldn't get any more un-american.

Why don't you all take a real (pun intended) fishing trip. Catch the fish you can eat, throw back the ones you can't and make a good meal at the end of the day. There's nothing fishy about this. Inactivate that email address, put the retrievers of "fishy information" to better, more dignified work. You must live up to what you were created for, good deeds.

Blessing on your day, Mr. President. Let me know what I can do to help, just remember I do have opinions.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Focus on Hope-the Right One!

Dear Mr. President,

I hope your day proves to be a substantially good day. It is raining in Elverson. This weekend our daughter will be married and the reception is in our back yard. We are praying for weather that will allow such activity. Gardening in my backyard all summer long has afforded me much time to ponder and pray for our nation. There is Hope.

Hope placed in an individual is exactly what I am talking about. This Hope needs to be completely focused on one person. Many focused on you. Although this was/is flattering, you and I both know how fickle popular opinion is and how incapable you are of fixing the nation's ills. The nation's Hope must only rely on the Creator and Savior. This individual is THE only Messiah for this nation and every other nation since the beginning of time.

It has been said that you are a christian. Allow the Judeo/Christian worldview to permeate your White House endeavors. Pray for wisdom from the only one who can provide you with Hope. What an opportunity you have been given.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

A democratic blogger's point of view

Dear Mr. President,

Ms. Camille Paglia is a democrat and a blogger of whom I enjoy checking in on every once in a while. She is refreshing, doesn't cut any corners and gets right to the point. I enjoy hearing the otherside's point of view and she is definitely a clear thinking democrat. She proves they are out there. Ms. Paglia is one of your supporters, Mr. President, but not the kind that nods her head in subdued obedience afraid of being reported. Here is what she wrote today.

"I just don't get it. Why the insane rush to pass a bill, any bill, in three weeks? And why such an abject failure by the Obama administration to present the issues to the public in a rational, detailed, informational way? The U.S. is gigantic; many of our states are bigger than whole European nations. The bureaucracy required to institute and manage a nationalized health system here would be Byzantine beyond belief and would vampirically absorb whatever savings Obama thinks could be made. And the transition period would be a nightmare of red tape and mammoth screw-ups, which we can ill afford with a faltering economy." http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/08/12/town_halls/

If you are closely listening to this nation, Ms. Paglia is expressing our sentiments well. There is nothing fishy about this, the burden lies on your administration to present the issues in a clear fashion that makes sense to "common" man. Just remember that when I say "common" it does not in any way shape or form mean unintelligent, dull, boring, lacking,etc., etc. "Common" takes on a spectacular meaning when used of man.

I am beginning to wonder if this is your Administrations' biggest problem, your inability to assume intelligence when relaying pertinent information to the "common" man. Your administration is lacking in common sense and clear communication. Common sense is what has kept our nation running and common sense is clearly running out in the White House as we hear jumbled communication coming from the Administration. Talk to us, Mr. President, talk to us clearly.

You have in the land of the free, free men and women who revel in common sense, who frown on the simpletons with massive degrees. Those of us with common sense can sniff out a knuckle- head ten feet away. They can have as many degrees trailing behind them as they like but when all they do is talk on and on and can't fix a darn thing, don't know how to change a tire, check their oil, build a shed, or do handy work to keep their houses in order we know they are lacking.

Let Ms. Pagalia's words ring through your mind, "Byzantine beyond belief!" Let those words wake you up at night, "Byzantine beyond belief!" Mr. President, there is nothing to rush towards and you want to know what we all think? We think you don't realize you are rushing towards a cliff. Don't do it! Stand back and surround yourself with wisdom!

I'll end my email today with Ms. Paglia's closing words.

"And what do Democrats stand for, if they are so ready to defame concerned citizens as the "mob" -- a word betraying a Marie Antoinette delusion of superiority to ordinary mortals. I thought my party was populist, attentive to the needs and wishes of those outside the power structure. And as a product of the 1960s, I thought the Democratic party was passionately committed to freedom of thought and speech.

But somehow liberals have drifted into a strange servility toward big government, which they revere as a godlike foster father-mother who can dispense all bounty and magically heal all ills. The ethical collapse of the left was nowhere more evident than in the near total silence of liberal media and Web sites at the Obama administration's outrageous solicitation to private citizens to report unacceptable "casual conversations" to the White House. If Republicans had done this, there would have been an angry explosion by Democrats from coast to coast. I was stunned at the failure of liberals to see the blatant totalitarianism in this incident, which the president should have immediately denounced. His failure to do so implicates him in it."

Please read what Ms. Paglia has to say,this is good, this is good.

Please take some moments today to pray for wisdom. I will pray for you as well.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Put your ear to the ground, hear the rumble.

Dear Mr. President,

Mr. President, good morning. I am hoping your weekend was restful. I can not imagine how a president juggles all the tasks facing him every day. You have the country looking to you for fine quality leadership and then you have two little girls looking to you for clear fatherly leadership. You are in my prayers.

Not only do your children need for you to lead them, my children need for you to lead this nation with wisdom. My grandchildren just by being born face debt right off the bat. Your grandchildren do as well. How can our country turn that around? Do you realize we can? Do you believe that the American people are capable of this?


We want you, Mr. President, to believe in the American people. The leaders that are successful are the ones who want to empower. You are surrounded by people who are capable of leading our nation out of debt and into freedom. However, though they surround you I don't believe they are in close proximity to you.


Look at what Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have to say, this just has to be the most outlandish thing.

"However, it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted "Just say no!" drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion." http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/unamerican-attacks-cant-derail-health-care-debate-.html



Mr. President, you have to do something about them, Nancy and Steny, not the protesters. The people surrounding you are not encouraging differences of opinion. An "ugly campaign " is how they describe the protest. Now the effigy is taking it a bit too far but you need to listen, listen to the protests, listen to the protesters. What are they saying? How can you answer them? What information have you not clearly expressed? Do not allow your administration to quell the crowd because they disagree or are providing "fishy" information.

So many of my friends are talking about this request of "fishy" information from your administration and honestly we are guffawing. There is no better word to describe our disbelief that you have allowed your administration to request the American people to tattle. Someone said that they are discovering that this is illegal. You might want to check that out?

Please, Mr. President, seek for wisdom, look for it in the common places. The "common" man has immeasurable capabilities for the sole reason that he is created by the one who calls Himself, "I AM." Mr. President, you are in such an amazing position afforded with phenomenal opportunities. How can I help you accomplish them?



Have a good day and remember to not take for granted your family!

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Make John Peter Zenger proud!

August 6, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Is this true?

“There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”

Information that seems fishy? You are really asking people to tattle? Are you giving us more of a view into your parenting than you want to? In my circles of friends this is not acceptable. Tattling is viewed as wimpy, a true weeny child with no backbone. My friends and I are trying to raise children with strong values, and a solid character.

Since when do we try to curtail rumors? Since when do we want to keep track of them? Honestly, there are folks frustrated in the White House because they can not keep track of all the disinformation? Yikes. Mr. President, you can stop all of this. You can stand tall amongst this group of people wasting their time wanting to know what every one is saying about the Health Care Reform that they feel is not true.

I know, I know, you want the truth to be known about the reform. You don't want people to misconstrue what it's really saying. Just remember that truth is truth and truth sets one free. In the end truth remains, rest in that. Don't allow your administration to waste their time in encouraging the american people to engage in one of the most universal, disrespected, anti-american endeavor of tattling.

If this health care reform has any merit it will stand on its own. Why don't you see this "fishy disinformation" as helping you to trouble shoot? You do know there is always another way to look at something. Help your administration to perfect the art of keeping perspective, not in tattling.

I'm hoping you were not aware of this quote. I can't imagine you would have allowed this to be sent. I'm trusting we are not forgetting Freedom of Speech....you are going to do something about this, correct?

Mr. President, you want to encourage our nation to work together. You want the United States to remain united. You have a ways to go in this endeavor, and the first thing you should do is discourage these kinds of memos from coming out of the White House. Tell me you don't have a bunch of adults who were the weeny kids tattling on their brothers and sisters?! Some people never learn.

What I'd like to know is what are you going to do with all the people who disagree with this Health Care Reform? Are you going to do something with them? I'm not clear on why you want "fishy info" sent to the White House.

Here's how I handle these things, I deal with this all the time. I know the information I have communicated either to a class or a group of people or my own six children. Talk about fishy information coming back! You'd think I was speaking in a different language! I don't ask for anyone to keep ears to the ground for this. I ignore it, move on, and when someone wants to come and make a clear logical point about what they didn't like about what I said, I listen.
We are adults, let's act like it.

You are in an awesome position. Please discourage these types of memos in the land of the free. You have had a fair share of history lessons in your lifetime. You've heard of John Peter Zenger? Now that's a man of courage and these are the kind of men the American people love to remember, the ones who are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Refresh your memory of John Peter Zenger and share it with your daughters and tell them to watch you closely as you make strides to keep this nation free while upholding the freedom of speech that came at a price!!!

We must never take our freedom of speech for granted. Our diversity, our differences of opinons are what unite us, don't forget that Mr. President, don't forget that! I am a republican, I have a democratic President. Am I leaving the country? No, because this nation allows for checks and balances, this nation allows for differences. We must revel in this.

God Bless you, Mr. President, in this endeavor. I believe that you will do the right thing. The truth will set you free.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Time Travel

It is like having a baby. I'm asked, "are you ready?" I'm getting there is my reply.

Robyn, my oldest will be married in eight days. To this culture she will be a young bride at age twenty-one. Her future husband is twenty-six and has waited patiently for this moment.

We are praying for a beautiul evening that will be still, no wind, full of warm orange/yellow sunlight casting shadows on the lawn, and a perfect temperature with no dew created on the green grass.

Last Friday was the night I had been requesting. I stood still in my yard and declared it. Ahh yes, let it be, let it be.

We have planned many outdoor events in our back yard with optimism that makes one gag.
When I'm asked if we are going to have a canopy I love watching the faces. Ohhhh, o.k., well that's interesting, so what ARE you going to do?

We're going for the gusto. If a storm decides to come on us fast and furious it will be great fun to challenge ourselves with; how many people can fit into the studio, how many people can fit into our home, how many people can fit into our suburban? We'll have fun.

I have been in my yard all spring, all summer, and now that I've created my bit of heaven, all fall. What a blast to have an excuse to do this. My twelve year old helped me to see that. "Mom, you 've been given the best excuse to do exactly what you love to do!" Perceptive little guy.

It's the countdown. Will I cry? Just yesterday I was close to it. This is surreal, I'm the same person. Aren't you suppose to be different with all these rights of passage. I keep taking my same self everywhere! My daughter who was born yesterday is getting married in a little more than a week. She will be starting her family next Saturday (by virtue of her marriage).
Please pray with my specs I shared in mind. Thank you!

Reverence for Life

Dear Mr. President,

We are here in this world for a reason. Both of our mothers allowed us to be born. We were allowed to live, to discover, to create, to contemplate, to marry, to have children. What a priviledge.

I believe in life and I believe that I have no right to take life from anyone.

I believe in the intricacies of human life and that because of how amazing our bodies are there had to be a creator. I'm not at all interested in upsetting the creator. I look around and there has not been one person that I have met that I am not awed by (even those who tick me off).

I do not want any of my money destroying life. I believe that when that egg and sperm meet there is life. This is marvelous, this is cause for reverence. What I cannot see, what I cannot understand never means that I have the right to destroy it.

Please make sure that this Health Care Reform never allows for public money to be spent in destroying life. Our country is paying a high price for the reckless taking of someone else' s life. Those fighting for the right to live our the ones in this country to be honored. They are true soldiers fighting for freedom. Freedom to live.

Do what you have to do to stand by life, to support life, and to honor life. It will go well with you.

Please have a good day and take time for reflection on all the lives that have been snuffed out by individauls who have chosen to not reverence life, who have chosen to make blind decisions for an individual that was created at conception. And maybe the creation of the person was before conception. There are many mysteries that must not be taken for granted.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

ps. Where is the lawyer for that life hidden in a womb?

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

August 5, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Good Morning!
Happy Birthday to you. Did you ever imagine that you would be celebrating your birthday in the White House with two lovely young daughters and a beautiful wife???????????

I am praying for you today that you would revel in the day of your birth and recognize the uniqueness and marvelousness of life. You were given the right to be born. You were uniquely created and when you leave this earth there is no replacement for you. The mold that was used for you will never be used again. This is why each life is critical and so important. The moment the Barack Obama cell began was the day you were to be respected.

God created you for good works even before He created the world. That is an awesome thought and it's not original, it is taken from the Book. What are the good works He created you for? Obviously the presidency. You have a unique and momentous opportunity to be the solution for the ills that plague the United States.

Humility is required for your position. Humility to seek the good men of God who desire compassionate and unique solutions for the citizens of the United States.

Today on August 5, 2009 may your day be blessed with the recognition that you are loved by a wonderful family, a White House staff, and citizens of the United States.

Stand tall, go deep, pray hard, serve with humility, and find the wise men of God. These wise men will surround you not only with love but with truth.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Go Deep, Mr. President, Go Deep

August 4, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. It is another day to enjoy. I hope you are able to revel in the relationships you are surrounded by. Are your daughters enjoying their stint at the White House? All that they are learning will be immeasurable for them in life. Don't forget they are your first concern along with you wife. If you don't make time for them now and even if your presidency ends on a good note it will be difficult to face the sadness looking out from their eyes. Take time with them. I'm sure you are.

The news again reports people actually chanting, “Just say no!” to what they are calling Obamacare. Or to a congressman in NY they are chanting, “Silent no more!” This congressman is not representing them, they are ticked off and not going to have it anymore.

The American people have awakened, are you aware of this? I venture to say that there is coming a time when you will have no options but to listen. Interesting that the media is reporting that these angry Americans are sent out by Republican and Libertarian parties..........Honestly, C'mon, the media needs to give credit where credit is due. You certainly don't believe that you became president of noodles, do you? Why would you have wanted to do that? You do give the nation credit, correct?

Your popularity is dropping. There are Joker posters in LA and no one knows who is responsible. There is a video circulating where you are saying that you eventually want to see it go to a single payer health care plan. People are chanting in their streets against their democratic elected officials. I guess you could say, “the party is over.” (the pun wasn't intended and still isn't, differences are needed in this nation)

I watch you and you impress me as someone who has the potential to be a solid president, a significant president. For pete's sake you got yourself elected, everything else is gravy. It was an historical moment. But you will only go down in history as truly significant if you take the time to make wise decisions. If you are changing your mind about certain things, tell us. We all understand changing one's mind. Your words in the past are catching up to you. Have you changed your tune or are you still consistent with how you felt back then? Here's hoping you changed your tune?!

Again, find the wise men and there is a wise man who will meet with you anytime, anywhere for anything. He just needs to be asked. Go deep, President Obama, go deep.
I am praying for you and I know many others are as well. You are significant. Make sure you snuggle with those daughters today!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Too Clunky

Dear Mr. President,

Good Afternoon. Is it less humid in DC as it is in Elverson, PA? What a beautiful day.

Let's talk for a bit. I was reading about the “Cash for Clunkers” program. It doesn't sound like things are going so well. Maybe the program is a wee bit Clunky?

There are so many wise people in our nation who I'm convinced have not been asked to weigh in on programs such as this. It is easy for a population of politicians to pander to the majority and become a bit dull on critical issues while living right in their midst are wise men and women who would offer advice upon being asked. Wise people tend to be so humble and tend to open their mouths only when asked. (I have a ways to go!)

All I can think of is “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.” Your daughters have surely read this or even you might have read it to them. There's a role for these engines like there was a basement for the Mike's steam shovel.

Did anyone give thought to the consequences of this program, a yard full of inoperable machines, not available to that family visiting the junk yard trying to make ends meet looking for an affordable engine? The past four years we have survived four accidents, thankfully. Unfortunately we lost four cars. Only one of those accidents was our fault, only one. It's been tough with five driving members of our family and three more to hit the road (not in the near future but in the future). We were just at the junk yard in the winter looking for a cheap part.

I laugh at how we concern ourselves with such things as “Global Warming” and then turn around and balance ourselves with a junk yard of non-recyclable engines. This is when I wish I had the mind of an inventor. Surely something splendid can be done with these clunky engines. Center pieces? Put them in a shadow box on the wall like you might an old antique garden on the wall? Naw, too heavy.

Government needs to be contained. You do realize that as we watch this clunky program overflow with clunky problems our minds race to the Health Care arena and for some you prove their point, government should not have control of this.

Let's make sure this Health Care Reform is truly helpful and not government driven. Is that possible? Let's make it possible.

Did you find some wise men? Did you ask for wisdom? I promise you this, if you seek diligently for wisdom and ask for it God will give you just what you ask for! I dare you. These are exciting times to look for unique solutions, solutions that the American people know how to come up with, go to them.

Affirm the innovative strain that runs through this nation, that waits to solve problems, that has held this nation together for over two hundred years. Government's role should be one of encouraging the American people to do what they do best, invent. We, as a nation, love challenges. Be the president that fosters a nation to flourish under the toughest times. Be the president that influences us to be compassionate not the president that incites us to frustration.

You, Mr. President are capable of this. What's Michele saying about all of this? If you were perceptive at all you probably married a wise woman, what is she saying?
Scrap the “Cash to Clunkers” as it is now. Drive this program out of the yard.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder