Dear President Obama

Hope.

As a word, I am getting tired of hearing it. It is said by every pundit, in every speech, muttered by every politician, civilian, soldier, and it was on the minds of everyone, not just today, but since you started running on a platform of "hope and change."

As tiresome as the word is becoming, as the clock hit 12 PM, I was full of hope. A new era arrived and a new President and a new administration. I feel as if America is being lead by people who care about being accountable. I feel that she is being lead by men and women who are competent, who care more for country than for wealth and power and I feel that we can turn the nation around.

Yes We Can.

It was the mantra of the acceptance speech, three simple words. But it shall become the slogan of the next four, maybe eight, years. A slogan of optimism and hope.

But Mr. Obama, I must warn you. My first impression of you is that you are an honest and sincere man. I have a deep mistrust of politicians, so my apologies, but my cynicism gets the best of me. I want to trust you, I really do, but I hesitate to do so until I see you in action.

Do not make the mistakes the Bush Administration made.

Do not lie to us. Be sincere and honest. If a mistake is made, don't cover it up; man up to it, and fix it. Prove to us that you are honest and sincere. Prove to us that you are more than a man who can make brilliant and stirring speeches.

Do not fear monger. It is unnecessary and it is wrong. Fear mongering is dishonest. We are under threat from terror, but to use fear to manipulate the people is a terrible thing to do and leads down the dark road of fascism. Explain to us what the threats are but rather than scaring us, assure us.

Do not strip civil liberties for security. Freedom is first. I'd rather die to a terrorist than live in a police state.

Listen to the people, respond to the people. Give us communication and don't ignore us. Be transparent.

Do not condone acts of torture in the name of security. Torture brings us down to the level of those who terrorize us and it is our duty to maintain the moral high ground. We cannot defeat them by becoming them.

I know you are not a superhuman. I know you are not God. I know you are not the messiah come to save America. You will make mistakes. I accept that. America accepts that. But show us that you are doing what is best for the country. Show us we can trust you. Show us that the government can learn from the mistakes of past administrations. We do not expect the economy be fixed by tomorrow, nor do we expect our troops home within a year. But you must show us, within a year at the least, that you and your administration are doing your best.

I must admit, I was a bit unsure at first. Until around September, I was on the fence, unsure whether to vote for McCain or for you. It was then I decided that I was tired of the GOP and their incessant fear mongering and war hawking. So I voted for you and your administration. And I must say, since the 4rth, I have not seen much to disagree with from you and your administration. Please show me that I, and millions like me did not make a mistake on November 4rth.

I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope for the best. I believe you can do this. I have faith in you. But let that faith be rewarded.

And if there is anything I could do to help, I would.

Yes We Can.

Sincerely

Jonathan Charles Kuhl