Dear Mr. Obama - Suggestions for Change: Recent Comments

Comment on Dear Mr. Obama

Kristi — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:24:33 GMT

Mr. President,

I cannot claim this idea as my own, but it is one of the best that I have come across yet. Since it is planned to give out millions and trillions in stimulus payments over the next two years why don't we put those payments to good use.

There are approximately 55 million seniors over the age of 50 years old still in the work force because they cannot afford to retire. If you would give each of our senior citizens 1 million dollars a piece based on the following stipulations:

1. They are required to quit/retire from their present employment (opens up approximately 50 million jobs).

2. They are required to pay off present mortgage and/or buy a house (takes approximately 50 million houses of the market or out of foreclosure).

3. They are required to buy an American made vehicle (bumps up American made car sales approximately 50 million)

So, this would create more jobs, help the housing market and stop all of our car manufacturers from laying off workers. Also, if these seniors cooperate, it would leave money for their children (if there is any left when they are deceased).

Thanks for taking this into consideration.

Comment on Congratulations

Dan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:17:27 GMT

Everyone is tired of hearing about Wallstreet, Fortune 500 Companies, and Banks needing bailout money. There should be regulation imposed that clearly states no extra compensation retention or bonus or anything in excess of salary unless the company is succeeding and making a profit for that year. Otherwise they should receive nothing. Also if bonuses or any other compensation is given a certain percentage of profit is required to be reinvested in said company or given as dividends for stockholder distribution. Further, Wall Street and CEO pay should be a set standard percentage and maybe also set to a percentage of stock issuance that could be sold only upon retirement or termination from said company. Additionally stockbrokers need to have a fee or tax on every transaction (say $1.00) that would be put into a separate fund for rainy or stormy times like this one. Addressing these two issues would stimulate the stock market as individuals would see the executives are no longer robbing the stockholders and companies may re-invest more within themselves. I'd be more inclined to buy stock if I new the executives weren't taking all the profit.

Comment on Dear Mr. Obama

Freida Powers — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:57:35 GMT

Mr. Obama,

We're making great progess but something I think you should consider is allowing folks to deduct credit card interest again even if it is for a limited number of years. With so many having to live off credit cards and the very high rates of interest, I think you will see even more improvement in our economy. Thanks!

Comment on Don't Run From The NRA

Mark Goodberlet — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:37:06 GMT

When filing the 2008 tax return for my elderly mother, I noticed the "qualified widow" filing status. At first this seemed like a nice gesture for someone like my mother who lost her husband a little over a year ago. However, upon reading the fine print, I found that this filing status applies only to a widow who had a dependent child living with her for part of the year! The IRS already gives a tax break to someone with dependent children. I fail to see the fairness/reason behind the IRS decision to make dependent children care a precondition for being a widow. I suspect that most widows are elderly with children who have move away from home. Hence, I think that the "qualified widow" filing status will apply to very few. In effect, it is a filing status that appeals to our sense of fairness, but is one for which few will qualify.

Comment on Dear Mr. Obama

paul — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:32:04 GMT

this is just a suggestion that i think president obama would agree with and perhaps make the changes to correct this unjust system.this is not my personal situation but i have alot of friends that fit into this criteria that suffer every day because of the system.basically i believe that a person should be granted the opportunity to get a decent job with a felony on there record providing they have not been in trouble for at least 5 years and should not be condemned for the rest of there life.i think everybody makes a mistake in life time to time and it is not fair to not offer them a chance to better themselves and have equal opportunity to the american dream.the prez says its time for change well this is just some food for thought...

Comment on Congratulations

Pete Blomquist — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:43:06 GMT

I am pro Obama, but am becoming a bit disillusioned. I see the president came out today in support of Tom Daschle. First was Geithner with his tax problem, now Daschle. Thus, I do not think the administration can continue to stand by the campaigned slogan, "Change we can believe in." That has been compromised and adulterated in less than two weeks.

Comment on Congratulations

Pete Blomquist — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:46:22 GMT

l. Get out of Afghanistan, you cannot win. I lived in Peshawar, Pakistan 45 years ago and have, as an historian, been interested in the region. I have paid attention to the history and have some understanding of the culture. If you decide to pursue military goals in Afghanistan, you will fail and find yourself in the same situation as Lyndon Johnson, who campaigned against the war but got sucked in and it was his downfall. Lots of lives, millions counting those in the far east, died for a fools errand.

2. I am a big fan of yours. But I was a big fan of Bill Clinton and in his first hundred days, with the congress on his side, was perhaps the worst days of his life (aside from the Monica thing.) You should have gotten rid of Geithner. No man is indispensable. Remember, "Change you can believe in.!" You looked foolish criticizing Wall Street when you are framed with a person who knowingly did not pay his taxes.

3. I have been a big fan of Daschle. But, sadly, get rid of him. "Change we can believe in."

Comment on Dear Mr. Obama

Donna Lock — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:45:20 GMT

Dear President Obama,

I have been listening to the pundits this morning and it seems they feel that we need more consumers and more jobs. I remember in the seventies we could write off the interest on any consumer spending done by credit card. I know that credit is a problem for many of us, but I also know that if we could write off the interest charged on consumer items, there would definitely be more spending. Otherwise it is simply too costly to make purchases. The government gives tax breaks to business that purchase SUVs, trucks, and other "capital" equipment. For consumers, "capital" equipment is furnaces, roofs, automobiles, air conditioners, appliances, etc. Why can't the consumer have a tax break using the interest as a write off? Wealthy people can pay cash for their needs, the middle class needs a loan plan.

Thank you,
Donna Lock

Comment on Don't Run From The NRA

Steve Foley — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:52:40 GMT

Unfair Bank Bonuses for Executives with Tax Payers’ Money!

Pres. Obama should push a bill that all bank bonuses are accumulated in a trust account and will be paid in the future, if and when all tax payers’ money is paid back. This would be a great incentive for both the top executives and tax payers’.

Comment on Dear Mr. Obama

Elizabeth — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:25:49 GMT

Are you sending this to President Obama? Please add a suggestion about welfare. How about if you are on welfare, you must also be on birth control? If someone is unable to care for the children they already have, they must not increase the load, or they are OFF welfare?