Every day I get a half dozen e-mails from my good friends, Barack and Michelle (we are on a first name basis, you know.)
They usually share some upbeat little story about their lives. Today there was cute picture of Barack and Michelle giggling – it looked like he was telling her a big secret. The note said I could have a chance to join them in Chicago on election night if I send them $5. I wonder what the secret was about?
They look great, but I suspect beneath the surface they are having some problems. They ask me for $5 several times a day.
My friend Barack is trying to get re-elected as President. In his notes to me he never talks about things like the economy, unemployment, terrorists attacking our embassies, or the $16 trillion national debt. I know he doesn’t want me to worry about that stuff. And I don’t think it bothers him much. Mostly he is worried about getting elected.
A couple of days ago he wrote:
Tom —
I don’t want to lose this election.
Not because of what losing would mean for me — Michelle and I will be fine no matter what happens. But because of what it would mean for our country and middle-class families.
This race is very close.
I’m not willing to watch the progress you and I worked so hard to achieve be undone. Time is running out to make an impact — please don’t wait any longer. Donate $5 or more today.
Barack
I’m so glad that my friends Barack and Michelle are going to be fine no matter what happens, because I’m afraid he may be right – the progress he worked so hard to achieve could be undone in a couple of weeks. The $16 trillion debt might stop growing. The government takeover of the entire health care industry might be prevented. The EPA may have to stop shutting down coal plants and allow those mean oil companies to drill again.
I’m sorry to say I am too embarrassed to write back to my friends, Barack and Michelle, and tell them that I can’t send them $5 today. I’m still unemployed, I can’t sell my house, the dollars I have saved don’t earn any interest and I can’t buy much with them anyway. So I’m going to use my $5 to buy a couple of beers.
Good luck, though, Barack and Michelle.
Tom Balek – Rockin’ On the Right Side
How about a country classic today?
Let other folks worry what the future might bring
Just to sit and worry won’t get you a thing
My pants may be ragged but that’s all right
I’ve got five dollars and it’s Saturday night
Rockin' On The Right Side 