LetterstothePresident

A Day to Remember-King, Alito, Bernanke and the State of the Union Address (2-1-06, #157)

Good Morning!

I am watching your State of the Union address while writing this. It has been quite a day. We've experienced the loss of Coretta King, the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito, the transition at the Federal Reserve Bank from Alan Greenspan to Ben Bernanke and your stirring address to the nation. It truly is a day to remember.

Let me start by congratulating you on the lasting judicial legacy you are now leaving future generations with the appointments of Roberts and Alito. When I fought for your re-election in 2004, I was hoping that you would be able to appoint new, young, conservative judges to bring balance to our Supreme Court. You have given the Democrats a defeat in the one area they controlled-the courts where liberal judicial activism had given them the victories they could not sell America. You have changed that. God willing, these young giants will be with us for many years to come.

Your focus on an advanced energy initiative, healthcare and Social Security are all a must. Our dependence on foreign oil acts as a tax supporting our terrorist enemies; we must look to technology and alternative energy. I was particularly excited about your comments on making healthcare more affordable and portable; if you do not take this ground, the Democrats will. As for Social Security, the sarcastic response by Democrats to the defeat of your plan was disappointing. I hope your bipartisan effort will surface new options both sides can accept; the problem is not going away.

You must keep talking about winning in Iraq. The media will continue to look for failure instead of progress; keep coming to the people. You are handing over more and more responsibility to Iraq's own military and security forces. The elections are done and a government will be formed. Winning peace requires your administration's continued work to ensure minority rights and support freedom and opportunity. Hold your ground on your policy of monitoring communications from terrorists.

Let the Democrats focus on hating you while you focus on building a strong and secure vision for this county. Your Competitiveness Initiative will help do that for future generations. We have a lot to do to make 2006 what it can be. May God bless you and our nation! Know that we support your efforts and appreciate all you do in ensuring the future of our great country. Years from now you will be seen for what you truly have been-one of our greatest Presidents!

In Conservative Support…with Renewed Excitement, 

Terry L. Paulson, PhD

Sell the Need for Energy and Social Security Reform (5-1-05, #148)

Good Morning!

Keep coming to us directly to drive the tough issues that we must face. Your comments and press conference on your energy plan and the social security proposals were well received. Keep selling the need first. Without a clear awareness of the need, it will be tough to move it forward, but it is critical to do so. When the middle man is the media, we never get your message. When you come directly to the people, it begins to sink in.

Some of your social security changes may make political sense, but they do concern me. By offering to slow the advance of increases for the wealthy and middle class while maintaining the increases for the poorest Americans, you took the most common ammunition away from the Democrats. They can't say, "He's only concerned about the rich!" But you have changed the nature of social security from being an investment plan for all working Americans to a welfare plan to support those who never take responsibility for their own retirement. Republicans talk about earning success and taking responsibility for one's own future; you are slipping into creating a broader entitlement that the Democrats will only try to expand. When and if Democrats ever get into power, they will take on the second challenge-increasing the taxes on the rich. Ultimately, it will mean, those who pay the biggest load will pay far more and receive far less. What you did may have been politically expedient, and, in the short run, it may move the ball along for change. But in the long run, I fear that we are losing ground on the values that are so important to what we are as America.

I love your balanced energy plan and the call for drilling in the Alaskan reserves and nuclear energy. For once you can use Europe as an example of what can be done now with nuclear power. Your balanced plan deserves to be put into effect. We can't continue to depend on a bigger and bigger share of our oil needs on foreign countries.

Now, my biggest concern that is growing and taking on a sense of total frustration for many of us here in the West-the illegal immigration problem! That you called the Minuteman Project a bunch of Vigilantes is very frustrating. They are Americans who are tired of no one stepping up to the plate to do what the federal government is not doing. If you attempt to create legal ways for people to be here but do not first stop the abuse of our borders, you will lose the silent majority in this country and set the stage for our loss in 2004. There is no will to return all of the illegals to Mexico-there are far too many here who are now part of our country and the cost would be too great. No, I agree with much of your plan, but your failure to balance that with a strong focus on stopping illegal immigation is a big mistake. You may be getting pressure from business interests and Mexico, but you are losing the trust of many citizens who worked hard to elect you and who feel they are losing the America they love. 

In Support and Celebration,


Terry L. Paulson, PhD

Trade the UN for the UFA-United Freedom Alliance (3-1-05, #146)

Good Morning!

I want to send you my most recent column regarding the need for a new international organization in parallel with the UN. I call it UFA-United Freedom Alliance! Please take this concept seriously. On a talk show last week, I discussed the concept with Bruce Herschensohn, the former Republican Senate candidate. He was excited that I brought the issue up. He agrees calling for what he calls NOLA-Nations of Liberty's Alliance! It is the same concept! Both of us suggest keeping the UN but limiting its mission. As the Indians used to do, when a tribe no longer felt a chief could function, they would leave during the night leaving the chief to wake up alone. We need to let the UN have what it deserves-a limited future with a limited budget.

I have had many interesting responses since they published my column. There are the predictable lines about you lying to America and killing thousands of Iraqis. There is no love for the UN, but there is even less love for you and your leadership. I have decided that Democrats are not used to being out of power, and it shows! They are stuck attacking and railing at your administration and all it does is remind the rest of America how glad you were elected instead of Kerry.

In fact, I am glad they write letters to the paper. I hope they are published as it only strengthens our case for change and keeping freedom on the march. Whether they can see it or not, your moves in the Middle East are having quite an impact. There are election changes in Egypt, marching in the streets in Lebanon, and progress in Israeli/Palestinian relations (albeit with ups and downs). The Iraqi progress is clear. History will show that your leadership has changed the world. Democrats will call it a happy accident; I call it principled leadership.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has already distinguished herself in bridge-building to our wayward allies. Your visits are also wise. Giving France and Germany a chance to save face by being a small part of the solution is wise. Having them close is far better than keeping them distant.

The need to change Social Security is critical. Keep up the pressure. You know how to lead-sell the need by pointing out the threat and building up the opportunity. Yes, there will be costs, but the long-term growth and citizen ownership of more rewards makes it worthwhile. Keep up the pressure to make a difference early in your second term. We are counting on you to continue to lead; we are ready to follow.

In Support and Celebration,


Terry L. Paulson, PhD