By Mickey Friedman
March 9, 2014
It’s not often I get a letter from President Obama. In big letters on the front of the envelope it asked: “Do you still have my back?”
My legal name is Michael but my parents insisted on Mickey. Until my 13th birthday, thinking I should transition to the more adult-sounding Michael. A little late for that, I told them.
I don’t think the President knows it’s usually a sign of trouble when someone calls me Michael.
“Dear Michael,” he wrote. “You and I have come so far since I first took office. And your friendship and support as a dedicated Democrat is the reason for our success.”
Really, Mr. President? How far is far?
“Friends?” Did I misplace my invitation to dinner at the White House?
“I would not be here today without you,” he continued — underlining “without you.”
Sensing my skepticism, he tried reassurance: “You have been an essential partner in everything we have accomplished. Pulling our country out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Putting Americans back to work. Ending the war in Iraq while winding down the war in Afghanistan. Finally reforming health care after a century of trying. Cutting carbon pollution to tackle climate change. Winning two major elections. All that and so much more was only possible with you by my side.”
Not everybody gets dinner, but: “You should be proud of what we have been able to accomplish together.”
Yippee. Yippee.
But hey there, Michael, if you’re thinking of resting on your laurels, “there is still so much we need to get done in the remainder of my term …”
And “I can’t do it without you.” Really, truly because the President again underlined “without you.”
I took another look at the envelope. Checking the address. Because maybe I got Michael Douglas’ mail. He and Catherine Zeta Jones probably had dinner at the White House. Or Michael Bennet. The senator. He had dinner with that French President.
But there it was: Me. Rosseter Street. GB. MA. 01230.
So yes, it’s me:
“So my question to you, Michael, is this: Do you still have my back?”
The whole sentence was underlined. Obviously, a very big deal. Because if I have his back, Barack and me, together we can win next November.
And there’s a lot for us to do. Yes, “our economy is rebuilding, but too many Americans still need jobs.” Yes, “we have taken important step to curb emissions, but climate change will require further action.” Not to mention the gun violence which “still plagues our schools and communities.”
The President says there’s a couple of things I can do right away: “You can help me by officially joining our Party and becoming a member of the Democratic National Committee.” Me, Michael, no dinner but his friend. “It only takes a contribution of $35 or more.”
The President is so confident I’ve got his back he included a thank you present even before he got the dough:
“Enclosed, you will find a small gift that is a token of my appreciation for your steadfast support.” It’s a decal that says “I’ve still got his back.” Barack adds, “I encourage you to display it on your vehicle or in your home as a way of showing your support.”
Well, it’s a week later, and I’ve still got his decal. And I’ve still got my 35 bucks.
Because I don’t really got his back. Because I don’t really think he’s got my back. Or the back of most ordinary Americans. Which is not to say that the Republican pretenders to the throne, like Governors Christie and Scott Walker, aren’t worse. Only that I’ve had it with phony change.
Under President Obama, approximately 95 percent of income gains have gone to the top one percent. We’ve lost middle income jobs and replaced them with low wage jobs. According to the National Employment Law Project (NELP), “mid-wage occupations constituted 60 percent of recession losses, but only 22 percent of recovery growth.” While “lower wage occupations constituted 21 percent of recession losses, but 58 percent of recovery growth.” And not surprisingly, “higher wage occupations constituted 19 percent of recession job losses, and 20 percent of recovery growth.”
So whose backs did President Obama have?
According to factcheck.org’s January 2014 update, “Latest statistics show stagnant wages, persistent long-term joblessness, soaring profits and stock prices, and moderating health care spending.”
According to the factcheck.org’s 2013 fourth-quarter report: the Standard & Poor’s stock index is up 128 percent since he took office. Corporate profits are up 178 percent. Real weekly earnings are up 0.3 percent. The debt held by the public is up 95 percent. Regular gasoline prices are up 80 percent. Consumer prices are up 10.3 percent. And 15 percent of our population receives food stamps.
Guantanamo remains open. His government invades our privacy and prosecutes whistle-blowers. And still each day 22 U.S. vets commit suicide.
So no President Obama. I don’t still have your back.
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To learn more:
http://www.factcheck.org/2014/01/obamas-numbers-january-2014-update/