Another Letter

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

- Pink, Dear Mr. President

- - -

This letter is to my Calfornia Congressman.

Dear Congressman,

I’m a 17 year old junior. I recently visited Washington DC through the Close-Up Program. I had the experience of a lifetime where I met kids from across the states, explored all the memorials, and debated domestic issues. On Wednesday, May 19^th, all Close-Up students had a Capitol Hill Day. Close-Up had arranged meetings for us with our respected senators and congress men and women. Foothill students met with Senator Boxer and Feinstein’s staffers, and were severely disappointed to learn that a meeting was not arranged with you. You represent a good majority of our town, and we were looking forward to meeting with you. Rumors said that you didn’t want to meet with us; others said that you were out of town. Whatever the case may be, I’m also disappointed that you were present or willing to be present.

Through Close-Up, we learned that America’s youth has a voice. We have a voice, and we are seldom heard. Close-Up wants to break down those barriers that restrict us from becoming involved. If you met with us, you’d understand as well. To the other staffers, as well as to Congressman Stark (who was the replacement for you), Foothill students posed many intelligent questions. What’s your opinion on the stimulus package? Where’s the morality in Arizona’s new immigration law? Do you support affirmative action? What about “don’t ask, don’t tell”? Should gays have equal rights? Where do you stand on the gun ban proposition? Should the DREAM act for immigrant children be passed? What’s your plan for the Louisiana Oil Spill? Do you place all the blame on BP? As a congressman, what charities are you openly involved with?

This past week at Close-Up has inspired me to become more involved in these issues facing Americans. I’m considering interning for a congress man or woman in the future, and you may just see me working on the Hill one day. America’s youth have a voice, and while Congressman Stark and our senators’ staffers listened, you did not. Please take this into consideration next time you are given a chance to meet with some of today’s youth. As they say, today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders.

Thank you,

Megan

17 years old

California