Destiny’s Child — Say My Name.

On December 12th, I wrote President Barack Obama a letter and wrote a Seminal diary about the letter and my frustrations with his adminstration.  In my letter – sent via the White House website – I checked the box that I wanted a response.  If ya haven’t read that diary, scurry on over and take a gander at it so we are all up to speed.

*humming Jeopardy think song*

Ya back?  Great – ya didn’t miss a thing.

On December 23rd, I received a reply.  I gotta say, any good will the White House intended in its response was lost in the salutation:

Dear Friend

I gave my full name in my letter and it is not in the salutation.  I was a legal secretary before I joined the force.  I used macros in correspondence in the 1970′s to personalize form letters.  I know how much my input was valued when the White House phones it in and doesn’t even bother to use my name in its reply.

Let’s see what that response was:

Thank you for writing to me.  I appreciate hearing from you and value your input.

Each day, I am moved by the messages I receive from people across the country.  Far too many Americans are struggling–falling behind on mortgage payments, coping with illness, or losing a job without warning.  My Administration is working to address the serious challenges our Nation faces.  I am committed to taking immediate steps that generate job creation and economic recovery, and I am determined to make investments that lay a new foundation for real and lasting progress.

To build this new foundation, we need health care reform–this year–that reduces costs, protects health care choices, and assures quality, affordable care for all Americans.  I encourage you to visit www.HealthReform.gov to learn more about my commitment to enacting comprehensive health care reform in 2009.

I am also dedicated to building a clean energy economy that creates millions of jobs, helps us achieve energy independence, and reduces pollution as we tackle the effects of global warming.  Please visit www.Recovery.gov to read about the more than $60 billion in clean energy investments my Administration has made to jump-start our economy and build the jobs of tomorrow.

To prepare our children to thrive in the global economy, we must guarantee every child a complete and competitive education.  For information about my education reform agenda, please join me online at:  www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/education.

At the same time, we have an obligation to rein in our budget deficit by cutting wasteful spending and ineffective programs.  We can do all this, and change the way business is done in Washington, by building the most open, transparent, and accountable government in our history.

While we repair our communities, we must also recognize the important contributions of our service men and women in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other nations.  Our military and their families have borne an enormous burden for their fellow citizens, serving with honor and succeeding beyond any expectation.  For those who have been injured or lost their lives in pursuit of our freedom, we owe them our undying gratitude.  I am committed to assisting our servicemembers, veterans, and their families and honoring our debts to them.

Information on jobs, health benefits, housing assistance, and other public resources for those in need can be found by calling 1-(800)-FEDINFO or by visiting:  www.usa.gov.

The only way to solve the problems of our time is to involve all Americans in shaping the policies that affect our lives.  I hope you continue to explore www.WhiteHouse.gov, which is regularly updated and more interactive than ever before.  Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

To be a part of our agenda for change, join us at www.WhiteHouse.gov

You see anything in there that specifically responds to the issues raised in my letter?  Me neither.  I got a generic form letter that is probably sent to anyone who isn’t a somebody and writes the President.

As Beyonce sings in the video, I’m not one to sit around and be played.  Barack Obama had no trouble saying Suzanne when he wanted my money for his Presidential campaign.  He knows my name when he wants me to organize locally for OFA. He knows my name when he wants something from me but not the other way around.

Did you get a reply?  Did he say your name?