Essay #2

Pre-Writing Statement

        

         This is the image I have chosen to write about.  I have chosen to write in a very unique way in this writing.  I chose to write a letter to Barack Obama, but as if I have known him for quite some time.  Of course this is fictitious, but I think it adds more personal depth to the writing than just writing a letter stating how you feel about him becoming president.  My intended audience is my classmates, and my instructor.

 

Dear Barack,

            It’s been a long time since we have talked with each other.  I know you have been busy with winning your election as the next president of the United States, which I want to congratulate you on.  I believed that you would be able to one day become the change that the people of the United States desperately needed.  I am glad to be able to write this letter to you knowing that the day has finally arrived, where I, along with many others can finally feel somewhat relaxed; if only for a brief moment.

            Barack, you represent much more than just the next president of our nation.  You represent hope, peace, morale, and ethics of the United States.  You were chosen to lead this country not by only politics, or by the color of your skin, or by what party you belonged to.  You were chosen to lead the United States because you believe, just as most of the citizens of the United States believe, that we can bring a change to this country.  You believe that everyone should be able to live a life where they don’t have to worry each and every day of how they are going to pay their bills, or how are they going to heat their homes, let alone how to keep their homes.  You believe that everyone deserves to have a life to live, not a life to pay for. 

            I have known you for a long time.  I remember when I met you in Illinois working alongside each other earning just enough to be able to get by.  I remember when you left, and how shortly after the factories were shut down.  I remember how every time I would want to give up hope on “the American dream”, you would write back to me simply saying “There will be change.”  To be honest Barack, I started to doubt your words after our nation was on a downward spiral.  It wasn’t until I have seen on election night, just how far our country has come along.  I then realized at that moment, that change wasn’t coming; change has happened.

            You have said to me many times while we would talk about the problems facing our nation “In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.”  I believe that you are the one to lead the change.  You aren’t like many of the former presidents this country has had.  You started out as just a regular hard working citizen just like I am.  When you ran for president, I remember talking to my friend Bryan.  He said to me “I feel like I’m talking to a co-worker at the factory.”  You weren’t playing politics, and you weren’t feeding lies to the public.  Your words gave the United States something to believe in again. You gave this country hope once again.  I remember you telling me those facts just as they were.  You didn’t tell the people of this country that all of this change is going to happen instantaneously, nor did you just tell the nation that everything is going to be smooth.  In your election speech you said “The road ahead will be long.  Our climb will be steep.  We may not get there in one year or even in one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there!”  I can never forget those words as long as I live.  It is what I have wanted to hear for such a long time. 

            Barack, you have given this country hope at a time when it has felt hopeless.  This country, which was once looked at as a great country, is now suffering. With a war and a bad economy, everyone needs a strong leader to give hope, and guidance through these rough times.  I have always known you to be a strong leader.  Change is possible and because of you we are now a country that has hope and the belief that things will change.  With you as the United States president, I do see the impossible being possible.  I see where there is something wrong, that it can be fixed.  To fix America, we need not only a strong leader, but a strong nation.  You have always motivated me to do the best that I can every day.  Now you have motivated me to do more than my best, because my best is never good enough. 

            Barack, I see myself in you. You understand that the government should work for the people, not against it. You also make me see that in order for the country to work for me, I have to work for the country.  I have often looked at our government as nothing more than a pack of useless lies.  That there was no longer such an idea of a government, by the people, for the people. Often I wondered what the government really did for the country other than watch it implode and be too worried about individual needs.  You have the power and the will to change this country.  You have the chance to change the foreign opinion of the United States.  You are a strong man with words, not weapons.  You have always been a firm believer in fighting should only be the single last resort anyone ever uses. 

            We all have a long road ahead of us.  You have given me the hope that I need to know that if everyone does their part in changing America, we can change. You said it perfectly during your election speech; “This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes we can.”

            Barack, I know you have a lot of work ahead of you.  Never forget that I am here to help, and to talk with you.  I hope to be able to hear from you again, with the same never-fading spirit that you always have had.  I wish you the best, and hope that at the end of the day, we all feel a little bit closer to our goal.  That goal is to bring the united, back into the United States.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                            Jeff Veach

 

Works Cited

Obama, Barack. “Barack Obama’s Election Speech.” Obama Speeches. 04 Nov 2008. 2 Feb 2009 <http://obamaspeeches.com/E11-Barack-Obama-Election-Night-Victory-Speech-Grant-Park-Illinois-November-4-2008.htm>.

 

Obama, Barack. “Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech.” Obama Speeches. 04 Nov 2008. 2 Feb 2009 <http://obamaspeeches.com/E11-Barack-Obama-Election-Night-Victory-Speech-Grant-Park-Illinois-November-4-2008.htm>.

 

 

 

 

Post Writing Statement

              I feel that I have succeeded in staying within my writing genre.  The writing was a unique experience, because I had to think as if I was his personal friend.  It gave a lot of more thought, and personalization to the writing.