Dear Ashley . . .

**John (Grampa) is 63 years old and owns his own business. He is a life-long conservative and sees his plan for retiring next year is now gone. With the stock market crashing and all the new taxes coming his way, John knows he will be working for a good number more years as well as relying on Social Security to support his needs.

**John has a Granddaughter; Ashley is a recent college grad. She drives a late model car, wears all the latest fashions, and also likes going out and eating out a lot. Ashley campaigned hard for Obama, and after he won the election she made sure her Grandfather (and other conservative family members) received more than an earful on how the world is going to be a much better place now that Democrats won the election.

**Ashley recently found herself short of cash and cannot pay her bills, again. As she has done many other times in the past, she e-mailed her Grandfather asking for some financial help (unable to maintain Credit Cards, Car payment, Apartment rent, Student loan).

Here is his reply:

Dear Ashley,

I am replying to your request for more money.

Ashley, you know I love you dearly and am sympathetic to your financial plight. Unfortunately, times have changed. With the election of President Obama, your Grandma and I have had to set forth a bold new economic plan of our own. Let me explain. Your grandmother and I have been hard working taxpayers for many years. As you know, we have lived a fairly comfortable life but in return have forgone many things like fancy vacations, luxury cars, etc. We have worked and saved and were looking forward to retiring soon. But this plan has changed. The new administration is significantly raising our personal and business taxes. The president says it is so we can all have a better life.

But you know what this means, Ashley. It means less income for us. Less income means we must cut back on many business and personal expenditures. One example is, we were forced to let go of our receptionist today. You know her. She always gave you candy when you visited my office. Did you know she has worked for us for over 18 years? I just can't afford her anymore. And since we cannot afford to retire, a job and business that may have been available for the next generation will not be there for some time. Well, this is just a taste of the business side.

Some personal economic effects of new taxation policies include none other than you. You know very well that over the years your Grandmother and I have given you thousands of dollars in cash, tuition assistance, food, housing, clothing, gifts, etc., etc. But now, by your vote and many others, you have elected a government that has a much different way in serving their constituents. They believe that government is a better means of allocating resources than a free-market system with appropriate government regulation and oversight. You have chosen a different 'family' for help. So, now you will have to rely on your new family. I recommend you call 202-456-1111. That is a direct number to the White House. I can't guarantee that they'll answer, but you can hope they do.

You yourself repeatedly told me I was foolish to vote Republican; 'more of the same'. You said Mr. Obama is going to be the people's president and is going to help U.S. residents enjoy a better life. Based upon everything you have told me and things we heard from him as he campaigned, I am sure Mr. Obama will try to provide for all our needs. I'm just not sure if or when that might happen or what the quality will be. If history has any meaning, the policies established by the leadership during the Great Depression caused a longer and deeper depression than what we now know could have been. It seems that we're ignoring past mistakes in the hope that it may work this time. We'll see.

I hope you now understand what I have been saying for a long time; Those who vote should consider what the impact of an election will be on the nation as a whole, and not just with what they may get for themselves. What voters don't seem to realize is that all the money we are spending is taken from the earnings of tax-paying people and productive businesses or borrowed from future taxpayers such as yourself and even your children and grandchildren. Remember how you told me; "Only the richest of the rich will be affected"? Guess what, honey? Your Grandmother and I are now considered to be rich for tax purposes according to Obama. It might look that way to him, but in the real world we are far from being 'rich'. As you said while campaigning for Obama, some people will have to carry more of the burden so we all can prosper. You understand what that means, right? It means that raising taxes on productive people results in them having less money. Less money for everything, including granddaughters.

I say facetiously; Congratulations on your choice for 'change' since you now have what you asked for. I 'hope' you get what you expect the next four years from a Democratic majority. When you lose a job opportunity to someone who is less qualified because they are willing to work for less, remember the good deed you are doing. When you lose your nice car by not being able to make the payments, remember that the person who gets it probably needs it more than you; they got a great deal on a used car in nice condition and they'll have reliable transportation to that new job they just got instead of you. When you lose your nice apartment near where you'd hoped to work, remember that through your sacrifice, you've provided a place for the one who did get the job. When your credit cards have been frozen . . .

. . . and please be sure to vote in the next election.

Remember, we love you dearly... but from now on or until we once more control our own produce, you'll need to call the number above when you need help.

Good luck, sweetheart. I'm sorry for the 'change'. I 'hope' this helps.

Love,

Grampa