My Thanksgiving Letter to President Obama - #NoDAPL

In an effort to become more active in the democracy I've enjoyed all my American life, I am starting a weekly series of Letters to the President. Regardless of the topic, I wish to engage my lawmakers directly. Facebook posts are great for venting, but they don't get work done. Here's this weeks letter:

"Dear President Obama,

                As my husband and I wrap up our Thanksgiving weekend, we ponder over those things we often take for granted. Sure, we’re grateful for our high-speed internet connection and our subscription to Netflix. But all too often, we forget that there is so much more we have that others do not: some do not have heat in the winter, or even a roof over their heads. People without their health, their family, or their safety. Or worse, there are those who thought they were safe, protected by the promise of the ethical and humane treatment of their fellow man, but are instead cheated out of a good and healthy life by those who are more concerned with acquiring wealth. Is that a fair exchange?

                For as long as you’ve been in office, and before that, on the campaign trail, you’ve stated time and again that healthcare is a right, and I agree. But does not health care start with preventing harm? Preventative care through the Affordable Care Act is available at no cost, thanks to you. We are grateful for that. But medical care doesn’t always prevent disease; identifying ailments in a timely fashion is sometimes all we can hope for. No, preventative medical care, which you so passionately campaigned for, includes protecting the environment that provides for our sustenance. The air we breathe must be protected to prevent disease. The food we eat must be of sound quality to avoid illnesses. The water that sustains us must be kept clean, as some wrongs cannot be made right.

                Perhaps you know I am referring to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Perhaps the Dakota Access Pipeline isn’t the only instance where the integrity of our water has been violated. Perhaps the negligence in Flint, Michigan has given the American civilian population a very good reason to be grateful for something as simple as clean, accessible water. And we want to continue to be grateful for that modern luxury. A luxury that we, as Americans, are actively working to bring to developing countries (www.water.org). But how do we justify improving the lives of others in this manner when we actively allow for the contamination of our own water, here in the continental United States?

                In an effort to get out of our heads and back into the world, it occurs to us to simply do what is within our means. We can sign the petition, but will you listen? We can call and write, but will you heed us? We can donate money, but will it be enough? Not unless you act with us.

                The protesters, who have opposed the Dakota Access Pipeline for more than seven months, have done more than “what is within their means”, risking life and limb. Why? Because they know what the people of Flint, Michigan now know – it IS a matter of life and death. I ask you, as someone who has fought for the improvement of health for all, please take a moment to consider what is within your means. As you may or may not know, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has filed a lawsuit but the courts have not filed the paperwork yet, and are allowing construction to begin. As such, the protesters now face harsh weather conditions in addition to violent opposition from law enforcement. The Army Corps of Engineers, the same Army you command, has issued an eviction notice, supposedly to keep the protesters safe. The eviction notice, you can imagine, seems like a backhand to our native brothers and sisters, who have suffered great loss over the centuries already. But I believe you can do more than protect the protesters as they exercise their first amendment rights. I believe you can do the right and moral thing, and stop the construction for good.

I believe you can save lives, Mr. President, just as you’ve done with the Affordable Care Act. Stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It may be the best decision you make yet.

Most sincerely,

A Concerned Citizen of this Great Nation"

Want to write the President? Go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact - it's easy! Want to get involved? Sign the petition! Call the White House! And donate if you can!

***PLEASE NOTE: The form on the WH.gov site only allows for 2500 characters, so write out the long form, like I did above, and then shorten it for online submission. You can always send the full version via snail mail, if you wish.

Here's the abbreviated version I sent online:

"Dear President Obama,

I wrote a longer letter you can read on blog here: http://embracethekayoss.blogspot.com/2016/11/my-thanksgiving-letter-to-president.html . But for now, here is my abbreviated version:

As my husband and I wrap up our Thanksgiving weekend, we ponder over those things we often take for granted. Our family? Our health? Our safety? In an effort to get out of our heads and back into the world, it occurs to us to simply do what is within our means. We can sign the petition, but will you listen? We can call and write, but will you heed us? We can donate money, but will it be enough? Not unless you act with us.

The protesters, who have opposed the Dakota Access Pipeline for more than seven months, have done more than “what is within their means”, risking life and limb. Why? Because they know what the people of Flint, Michigan now know – it IS a matter of life and death. I ask you, as someone who has fought for the improvement of health for all, please take a moment to consider what is within your means. As you may or may not know, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has filed a lawsuit but the courts have not filed the paperwork yet, and are allowing construction to begin. As such, the protesters now face harsh weather conditions in addition to violent opposition from law enforcement. The Army Corps of Engineers, the same Army you command, has issued an eviction notice, supposedly to keep the protesters safe. The eviction notice, you can imagine, seems like a backhand to our native brothers and sisters, who have suffered great loss over the centuries already. But I believe you can do more than protect the protesters as they exercise their first amendment rights. I believe you can do the right and moral thing, and stop the construction for good.

I believe you can save lives, Mr. President, just as you’ve done with the Affordable Care Act. Stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It may be the best decision you make yet.

Most sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen of this Great Nation"