Dear Hillary,
By now you have likely heard that my vote is up for grabs. I know you are shocked and I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you before I posted the blog, but, you know, we are both so busy these days. The internet has been on fire since I posted my blog earlier. No doubt one of your staffers ran onto your campaign bus and told you Michigan is back up for grabs, the conservative hot bed that it is. That reminds me, I’m heading over to Michael Moore’s for a cook out this weekend. What goes better with patriotic self-loathing, Budweiser or Coors? You know what: I’m going to pick up some Molson. Importing Canadian is probably something he would appreciate.
But I digress. Yes it’s true, for the first time in forever, including the 1988 election, the last time Michigan voted Republican, my vote is for sale. You can put away your pocket book, this isn’t Chicago. My vote can only be bought with principles. I know it’s a crazy idea.
First of all, let me assure you, I am not looking for you to become suddenly prolife, repeal Obama care, or turn down donations, although telling that Soros guy where to stick his Euros would get my attention. Realistically, since you are a democrat, expecting you to turn your back on the platform of your party is not going to happen. If I wanted that, I would vote Trump.
What I am looking for is someone who will lead all of us as Americans. We come into a deeply divided election cycle and we face tough times ahead. I understand how a pluralistic democracy works and I won’t get everything I want. I realize that our system of helping people manage the health care costs was broken and needed to be fixed. By the way … I’m still paying over $200 a month for my daughter’s meds that she can’t go without… this is a selfish plea, but can you do something about that? Executive order? A little cash on the side? Take over the drug companies? … you know I’m only kidding.
I know that we don’t live in 1950s America and expecting everyone to hold my set of values is not fair to those who disagree (I’m sure you read my tolerance blog too … could you give me one like? … it would really boost my readership). But I am looking for someone who recognizes that we conservatives exist and sometimes change is hard. I am looking for someone who is sympathetic to people of religious conviction and understand that sometimes we make choices that are out of step with modern culture. You know the whole in the world but not of it thing. Every piece of legislation is not going to go my way, every executive order will not be one I agree with, and every Supreme Court decision will not seem fair or just to me. But, an ounce of humility and a sense that we are doing the best we can with an imperfect system would go a long way. Quite simply stated, be my president too.
Second, I know you are a lifelong Methodist. I have bounced around a lot, denomination wise, but I have never really left Methodism. John Wesley’s assertion that the world was his parish always struck me as close to the heart of God. We have to have compassion and reach out to those who are lost and in need of help no matter where we find them. The “big tent” theology of the Methodist church has arisen out of this concept. I think this is a great mode of operation for governing in a richly diverse country. The problem is that many of us who are more conservative in our thinking have found ourselves pushed out of the tent. Big tents need to have room for everyone. When people feel they don’t have a voice, they become louder. Explains a lot doesn’t it? Can you commit to reaching across the aisle and working with the Republicans … including the Tea Party? I know, it’s a two way street, and I will hold them responsible if they do not meet you half way. I am only asking you to lead by example.
As I look back in history, this is something Bill was pretty good at. I know, you remind me every time we get together that I didn’t vote for Bill … twice. But history has shown that he governed left of centrist. He didn’t push personal agendas, he paid attention to polling data (some would say too much), and he worked with the Republicans. Let’s not get into the blue dress. I can only imagine the ice he felt in the bedroom was ten times worse than the heat he felt from Congress. I’m not asking you to be Bill, I’m just asking you to show that you know how to compromise in order to move the country forward.
Third, and this one is novel, be willing to say I screwed up. The two most powerful words in the English language are I’m Sorry. I’m sick of politicians who double down and circle the wagons when things don’t work out, and I don’t think I am alone. Just say Hey you know what? Going into Iraq was a bad idea. Or Maybe we should have been more honest about what was going to happen to people’s insurance plans. Or (this one might hit too close to home) I miscalculated the threat in Benghazi. I know, I know, I don’t understand politics and that would be political suicide. Did Shakespeare write, in Julius Caesar, Better to lose a limb than sacrifice the republic? Well if he didn’t my brother or daughter will correct me. And besides, he should have written it. So, if you have to lose a little political capital to keep us united, that’s a price I’m willing to have you pay.
And last, please stop with all the executive orders. We have a pretty good system of division of powers and limited federalism. Certainly, the wheels of democracy move slow, but that’s by design. There is tremendous strength when consensus arises from the people rather than by fiat. I don’t have to tell you that the power to govern is derived from, the consent of the governed. I am looking for someone who understands, once again, that governing is about serving the people. And sometimes that means saying, I am going to let this change happen organically because then it will truly be the will of the people. I think we have all forgotten that in our desire to see our personal agendas advanced.
I’m not saying you got my vote. I just wanted to outline to you, friend to friend, how you could get me to consider Hillary in 2016. Be better than politics. I think we are all waiting for a leader who will show us that the cause that unites us is greater than the issues that divide us. Well, enough of my prattling on. I know you got stuff to do. Give my love to Bill and Chelsea. And this time around, please don’t seat me at the same table as Alec Baldwin at the inaugural ball, he’s insufferable and arrogant, and have you seen the picture of him going around the internet of him shoving down a hot dog? However, sitting with the members of Fleetwood Mac would be cool.
Have a good day and go Bulldogs!
Your friend, Jonathan
doctor kohns 