Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ThePeopleofMiddleTennesseesendtheirgoodwishes,criticisms,concernsandquestions
PreparedbyTheTennesseanforPresidentDonaldTrumpsvisittoNashvilleonWednesday,March15,
2017.
Editorsnote:TheTennesseanreceived160lettersfromitscalltoactiontoreaderslastThursday
eveningtothenoondeadlineMondaytowritemessagestoPresidentTrump.TrumpvisitsNashville
WednesdayforhisfirsttimeascommanderinchiefandisscheduledtostopatTheHermitage,President
AndrewJacksonshistorichome,andholdarallyattheMunicipalAuditoriumindowntown.
Oftheletters,65(41percent)directlycriticizedthepresidentand38(24percent)praisedandwelcomed
him.Supporterswrotethattheyareprayingforhimandhopingforhissuccess.Criticsgenerallysaidthey
wanthimtostoptweetingandreleasehistaxreturns.Theremainderconsistedofrequests,questions
andsuggestionsonavarietyofpolicymatters.
ThetopfiveissuesaddressedweretheAffordableCareActandtheproposaltoreplaceit,thepresidents
behaviorandhisfitnesstoserveinoffice,theenvironmentandclimatechange,immigrationreform,and
holdingTrumpaccountabletofulfillinghiscampaignpromises.
WehavepublishedasmanyaswecaninprintandarepostingallonTennessean.com/opinion.
Thankyouforsharingyourvoicesandaddingtothecommunityconversation.
DavidPlazas,opinionengagementeditor.(Reachmeat(615)2598063,emailmeat
dplazas@tennessean.comortweettomeat@davidplazas.
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youandothershavetoldusrepeatedlywhatanexcellentbusinessmanyouare,stressingthatyour
businessacumenoffsetsalackofgovernmentalandpublicserviceexperience.
AsIhavewatchedandwaitedforthisexpertisetobedemonstrated,Ihavebecomequiteconfused.
Wouldasharppersonwhocanspotagooddealdeliberatelymakeuninhabitabletheplacewhere
prosperityissupposedtotakeplace?
Wouldasmartindividualignoreexpertsandpretendtherearenolongtermconsequencestoclogging
streamswithminingwaste,pollutingtheairsomuchthatpeoplehavetostayindoors,andallowing
watertospreaddiseaseratherthanlife?
Iencourageyoutoshowthatyoudoindeedhavetheabilityandcouragetobeagoodleaderforall.
PleasedonotexchangethefutureoftheEarthforshorttermprofitsforafew.
SumaM.Clark,Murfreesboro37129
***
DearPresidentTrump:
EachdayIwatchthenewsandseethedangerandproblemscreatedbyformingnegativeopinions
aboutgroupsofpeoplebasedontheirreligion,sexualorientation,race,countryoforigin,age,gender,
etc.
Itiscommontothink"Iamright.Theyarewrong."Perhapsweimposeourbeliefsonothersorblame
themforourproblems.ManyU.S.politicaldebatescenteraroundlegislatingmoralityand
discrimination.Opinionsaboutthesedebatescanberootedinhateandintolerance.
DiversityisthehistoryofAmericaandweshouldnotfearthat;wewillallprosperifwerespectand
protecteveryone'srights.Prosperityisnotachievedalone;everyonereceiveshelpalongthewayfrom
family,friends,andthecommunity.Prosperityandfreedomshouldnotbereservedfortheselective
few.PleasehelpAmericabecomewelcomingandinclusive.
StephanieZ.Fox,Nashville37216
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Whileargumentumadhominemisnotalwaysalogicalfallacy;attackingopponent'scharacterfirstand
debatingsubstancelastmakesAmericaweak.
AndyMorris,Nashville37221,executivedirectorofFastPrayGive.org
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Agreatnationtakescareofallitspeople.UntiltheAffordableCareActweweretheonlydeveloped
nationintheworldthatdidn'thavehealthcareforallitscountrymenandwomen.
TheACAisflawedbutfunctioningandyoucouldfixit.Twentyfourmillionpeoplewilllosetheir
healthcarewithyourproposedreplacementfortheACA.
FixtheACA,don'treplaceit.Orevenbetter,letMittRomneycreateabetterversionashedidin
Massachusetts.Romneycareworksverywellthere.
SusanAnders,Nashville37216
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iappreciateyouvisitingourgreatcity.Ihavenotalwaysagreedwithpastpresidents;however,Iwas
neverscaredandIwantedtogivesomereasonswhy:
Youstatedyouwouldbringinsuranceforeverybody,butearlyestimatesoftheRepublicanplanyou
supportisatleast24millionpeoplecouldlosetheircoverage.
YouheldanuclearstrategysessioninthepublicdiningroomofyourFloridaresort.Youallowedyour
administrationtoasktheFBItoleakfavorableinformation.
Yousuggestedthatcriticizingyourmilitarydecisionsisaidingtheenemy.
YouusedtheexecutivebranchsauthoritytoinflictarbitrarycrueltyonthousandsofMuslim
immigrants.
YoucreatedadiplomaticcrisiswithAustraliaandthreatenedtoinvadeMexico.
YouselectedyourbankruptcylawyerasyourpickforambassadortoIsrael.
Yousaidthecourtsareathreattonationalsecurity.
AmandaLaBonte,Nashville37216
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Trumpcarestripshealthcarefromwomenandputsagreaterburdenonlowincomepeopleandthe
elderly.Iwillhavetwoyearsofstomachchurningfearasmyhealthinsurancecostssoar(untilIturn65)
underyourplan.Iaminsultedbyyourinsurancesubsidiesforthewealthy.Thisisnotwhatyou
promised.
YourexecutiveorderstocuttheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration,theEnvironmental
ProtectAgencyandtoremoveenvironmentalrestrictionsoncoalnotonlyendangerourchildrensair
andwater,theykilljobsinresearch,innovativeindustriesandtourism.Notwhatyoupromised.
Therampantdeportationswillcost$400$800billion(excludingTheWall)andreducetheGross
DomesticProductby$1trillion.Youwillincreasethenationaldebt,killjobs,raisepricesonworking
familiesandthrowtaxdollarsintoauseless,ineffectualholethatdoesnotmakeussafer.NOTwhat
youpromised.
CandaceWade,Franklin37064
***
DearPresidentTrump:
I'dliketothankyouforyouremphasisonjobcreationandpreservationintheprivatesector.Even
beforeyoutookofficeyoumetwithexecutivesofCarrierandFordandpersuadedthemtoinvestinthe
U.S,insteadofmovingjobstoMexico.
I'msureyourplanstoreduceU.S.corporatetaxes,thehighestinthedevelopedworld,andslash
regulationsthatstranglebusinessplayedabigroleinkeepingthosejobshere.
Whenyoutookoffice,yousignedexecutiveordersthatwillfinallygettheDakotaAccessandKeystone
Pipelinesunderway.ThoseprojectsnotonlywillcreategoodjobsinNorthDakotabutalsointhegulf
refineriesthatwillprocesstheoilpipedinfromCanada.
Itissatisfyingtohaveanadministrationthatcreatesopportunitiesforjobsforpeopleinsteadofpushing
peopleintogovernmentdependence.ThanksforyourstartinmakingAmericagreatagain.
JohnFox,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thankyouforbringingabusinessapproachtogovernment.WhiletheaverageAmericanmustlive
withintheirbudgetandnowlivewithsubstandardhealthinsurance,Washington'spoliticiansspend
recklesslyandenjoyqualityinsurancepaidforbyme.
Iappreciate,too,thatyouareplacingqualifiedCabinetmemberswhomayhavedifferingopinions.
PresidentLincolnfilledhiscabinetwithqualifiedleaderswhohadopposingviews,too.Youlisten.You
arefocusedandtrulyhearingwhatisbeingsaid.
Thankyouforthesacrificeyouandyourfamilyaremaking.Youhavethesupportofagratefulnation
whoistiredofpayingforthosewhodon't/won'tworkandwhotakeadvantageofthisgreatnation
withoutgivingback.
Thankyoufortakingonthetoughissuesoftaxreform,veteransaffairsandhealthcare.Youhavemy
supportandgoodwishes.
JaneHarrison,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IwanttoexpressmyfearsabouttheupcomingrepealoftheAffordableCareAct.Ihaveheardthatthe
newhealthcarebillwillgiveusallmorechoicesinthemarket.However,whenyoudon'thaveasteady
incomeandworkforyourselfthebackboneofAmericaningenuityandinnovationthereareno
choices.Youaresimplyleftoutofthesystem.
TheAffordableCareActgavemyhusbandandItheopportunitytohavehealthcarewithoutthehuge
deductiblewewereusedtoo.Lastyearmyhusbandhadaheartattackandhehassaidmanytimesthat
ifwehadnotbeeninsuredunderthecurrentsystem,hewouldhavenotgonetothedoctorduetothe
cost.Hewasworriedwewouldloseourfarm.Hewouldmostlikelybedeadbynow.
YoupromisedtoprovidehealthcareforallAmericans.ThecurrentproposalgoingthroughCongressis
notforallAmericansandwillleavemanyofuswithoutpreventativeandevenemergencycare.Weare
supposedtobetheleaderofthewesternworld;however,ourcountryistheworstofanyofour
democraticallies.
Ihopeyou'llreconsideryoursupportofthecurrentRepublicanhealthcareproposalandworktoput
togetherasystemthatallAmericanscanuse.
LisaShively,PleasantShade37145
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YouhavepromisedtoreplacetheAffordableCareActwithbettercoverageatlowercost.Theplanyou
nowsupportthreatensthehealthcareofmillionsandisbasedontaxcutsforthewealthy.Liveupto
yourpromises.Tellthetruth.
RobertC.Goodrich,Jr.,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YouvowedduringthecampaignthatyouwouldbuildabeautifulwallbetweentheU.S.andMexico.
However,constructionestimatesofupto$25billiondollarsmaynotincludefeatureslikelandscape
lighting,mulch,muralsofVladimirPutinandyourchildren,waterfeatures,shrubbery,andasound
systemthatplaysImProudtobeanAmericaneverytimeanimmigrantgetswithin5feetofthewall.
YouwillbejudgedbycampaignpromisesyoumadesoImconfidentthatyouwillsacrificehealthcare,
research,education,Medicaid,publicbroadcasting,andtheenvironmenttoconstructabeautifulwall
thatonly39percentofAmericans(PewResearch)believeisapriority.
JimBellar,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WomenfromaNashvilleearlymorningBibleStudyareprayingforandwithyou.Wehopeyoulljoinour
dailyascentexploringhowtohonorourCreator.
Nashvilleunderstandshealthneedsperhapsmorethanmanyothercitiesinpartduetothemanyhealth
careCEOshereandinpartduetothemanyimmigrantsandGenXerswholiveherewithoutinsurance
coverage.
OurBaptismalvowscallustoloveourneighbors,striveforpeaceandjustice,andrespectthedignityof
everyhumanbeing.Providinghealthcarecoveragetoallisafirststep.Youcouldbeginrightherein
Nashville.Manyexpertsareheretohelp.
Askandyouwillgetanswers.Seekandyouwillfind.Knockandmanydoorswillopen.Betteracquaint
yourselfwithourKurdish,Sudanese,Syrian,Burmese,andHispanicAmericanneighborswhowantonly
tosharetheAmericanDreamofindependence,communityandgoodwill.
HelpmakeourdreamscometrueinNashvilletoimprovetheentirenation.
TheRev.JaneBoram,Nashville37204
***
DearPresidentTrump:
The15,000womenwho(protested)walkedafteryourinaugurationdonotrepresentmostTennessee
women.
Youcarriedourcounty(Putnam)andourstateintheNovemberelection,andweareveryproudofthat
fact.Wepraythatyouwillbringourgreatcountrytogether,maketheU.S.asaferplaceforall
Americans,createjobs,andprovideahealthcareplanthatwillenableallchildrentobecovered.
MayGodblessyou,yourfamily,andtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
DonnaGarrett,Cookeville38506
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Whenyouaregone,andyouwillbewhenweareallgone,andwewillbe,whatwilltheywrite?
Thattheairtheybreatheiscleaner.Thewatertheydrinkisclearer.Thatthepolaricecapsareholding.
Andsealevelsstabilizing.ThattheGreatLakesandtheChesapeakeBayareteemingwithfish.Andthe
skywitheagles,honeybeesandmonarchbutterflies.Thatstarsarevisibleinadarknightsky.
WilltheywritethatdemocracythrivesintheUnitedStatesofAmerica?Thatjusticeprevailsthere.And
peoplearehealthierandsaferbecausetheworldisabetterplace.
Orwilltheywriteabouttaxcuts,thequestforfossilfuelsandawall?Noonealivewillcaretospinthe
truth.Noonealivewillcarewhatwesaidnow,onlywhatwedid.
CaroleRichardson,Murfreesboro37129
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Mr.President,yousayyouwanttomakeAmericagreatagain.WellIvebeenlisteningtoyousince
youvebeeninoffice,andnotoncehaveyouspokenonhomelessness.
HowwillAmericabegreatwhenwehaveanepidemicofpeoplewithouthousing?Homelessness
doesntdiscriminate.IvelivedinNewYorkandvisitedWashington,DC,soIknowyouseehomelessness
everyday.Now,youareintheMusicCity,andwehaveithere.
WhydontyoucomeandvisitsomeofthesheltersinNashville?OnegoodoneistheRoomintheInn.
Meetsomehumanbeingswhoaredownbutnotout,becausetheyhaventgivenup.
Weknowthesystembetterthananyone.YoutalkaboutawallontheborderofMexico,butwe
homelessfaceawallhereintheU.S.Thiswallneedstobetorndown,andabridgeneedstobebuilt.
HowardAllenJr.,NashvilleHomelessUnderground,Nashville37203
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IwatchedyourinaugurationfromadiningroominHavana,Cuba,whereIspentamonthofcultural
exchangeonabrilliantvisacalledPeopletoPeople.Iambackinourcountry,now,butatanyborder,
wecarryunsearchablebaggagewhateverwecarryinourhearts.
Iwelcomeyouhere,butIalsowelcomeyoutotheborderofyourownimagination.Goalone,with
whateveryoucancarry.Gowhereyoudonotdreamthelanguage,whereahumansworthisnot
measuredbywhattheyproduceorconsume,butbythedepthoftheirhumanity.Itmaybe
transformative.Buttonight,IwelcomeyoutoNashville.
Whenyouarefinishedspeaking,Iwelcomeyoutomyhome,tomytable,foradinnerparty.Letsinvite
theneighbors,andtalkaboutourfuturetogether.
MayadeVitry,Nashville37216
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iamascientistwhohasspentmorethan45yearsinresearch,andintrainingmedicalandPh.D.
students.Iseekanswerstoimportantquestionsbyreading,experimentation,analysis,andcollaboration
withothers.Ifindyourlackofinterestinthisapproach,andyourenthusiasmforattributingnefarious
activitiestootherswithoutprovidingevidencetobeverytroubling.
Duringyourcampaign,youconvincedyoursupportersthatyouweretheonlycandidatecapableof
improvingopportunitiesforgoodjobs,education,universalhealthcare,andforincreasingnational
security.AsPresident,inyourchoiceofCabinetsecretariesandyourexecutiveorders,youappear
interestedonlyindismantlingtheagenciesvitaltothewellbeingoftheoverwhelmingmajorityof
people,andloweringtaxesontheveryrich.
Moreover,inyourhatefulrhetoricandexecutiveordersinvolvingimmigrants,youhavemadeusallless
secure.Thus,regretfully,IcannotsupportyourPresidency.
ShirleyB.Russell,Ph.D.,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Pleaselistentotheoverwhelmingmajorityofscientistswhoknowthathumancausedclimatechangeis
realanddangerous.PleasesupportandfundNASAandNOAAresearch.
DonotletScottPruittdismantletheEPA.Weneedregulatoryprotectionsagainstindustrialpolluters.
JessicaK.Zammit,Sewanee37375
***
DearPresidentTrump:
FromtheminuteIheardyourearlycampaignspeechIwasontheTrumpTrain;Ihadallbutgivenupon
theUSAevergettingontherighttrackagain,andyougavemehope.
Yousaidthethingsthatneededsayingandnowyouaredoingthethingsthatneeddoing.You
overcamealloddstowintheelection,andalthoughyoufacehostilenewsmediayoursupportersare
stillhereencouragedbyyouractions.
Iprayforyoursafetyandforyoursuccess.
NinaTackett,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoTennessee.ThoughIdidnotvoteforyou,yourCabinetappointmentsareimpressive.Stay
strongonillegalimmigration,terrorism,reducingregulations,andtaxes.Also,reducetheTwitter
addiction.
PhilHarper,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thisgreatnationneedsleadershipwhichisabovepettinessanddivisivenessandiswillingtoworkwith
allpartiesandpeoplestogrowthatwhichhasalreadymadeusstrong.Thatisthechallengewehope
youcanriseto.
TomandKathyPatten,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
I'manoctogenarianwhohaslivedandworkedinNashvillefor55years.Idonotwelcomeyourvisit.I
workedfor30yearsataresearchcenteratVanderbiltUniversitywhoseimportantworkondiagnosis
andtreatmentofdevelopmentaldisabilitieswasfundedlargelybyfederalgrants;Ifearyouwillcutsuch
funding.
Nowretired,IdependonMedicareandSocialSecurity;youhavesaidyouwillnotcutthem.ButcanI
trustyou?
Ihavefivechildren,13grandchildren,andmanyfriendsandneighbors,allofwhomItrust
implicitly.BasedonthenumberofliesyouhavetoldtheAmericanpeoplesincetheinauguration,and
mybeliefthatthebestpredictoroffuturebehaviorispastbehavior,Imustsay,No,Idonottrustyou
andIdonotwelcomeyourvisit.
DonaTapp,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
MorepeoplelikeObamacarethanlikeyou.Thinkaboutthat.
CharlesA.Brau,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ourcurrentpresidentiseitherextremelydeceitful,extremelyillinformed,orextremelyconfused.
Thusfar,thepressseemsafraidtocallthepresidentaliar,butifthepresidentisunwillingtocorrectthe
record,clearly,completely,andwithoutanyfurtherobfuscation,onthefollowingdeceitfulstatements,
itistimetostartcallinghimaliar:
1. TheunbelievableinformationhisdetectivesunearthedinHawaiiabouthowPresidentObama
fakedhowownbirth.
2. ThethousandsofMuslimswhocheered911inthestreetsofNewYorkandNewJersey.
3. Thethreetofivemillionpeoplewhovotedillegallyinthe2016presidentialelection,resulting
inTrumpsdecisivelossofthepopularvote.
4. Hishealthcareplanwouldcovereveryone.
5. PresidentObamaillegallywiretappedTrumpTower.
6. TheTrumpcampaignneverhadanycontactwiththeRussians.
UntilTrumpacceptsresponsibilityforthesedeceitfulanddivisivestatements,itwillbeimpossible
forthenationtomoveforwardwithanyunity.
LynneBerry,CedarHill37032
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thankyouforworkingsohardonturningthisoncegreatcountryaround.Youhaveahugejobaheadof
youandyouhaveshownthatyouaremakinglotofchangesinsuchashorttime.BelievemewhenItell
youthattherearemanypeoplebehindyouandsupportingyou.Ilovethefactthatyouandyourfamily
areChristians.Godwillbegivingyouthestrengthyouwillbeneeding.
Thiscountryneedstobecomeunited.IwasshockedtoseesuchasplitinCongress.Iwatchedyour
speechandtotallybelieveineverythingyousaid.TheDemocratsneedtowakeup!
IfIlivedinD.C.Iwouldlovetoworkwithyou.
KathleenStokes,OldHickory37138
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Over70millionAmericansbenefitfromMedicaid.Thisprogram,inplacesince1965,coversthosewho
arethemostvulnerable.InTennessee,itincludes61percentofpeopleinnursinghomes,halfofall
children,halfofallbirths.Duringthecampaign,whenvotersaskedPresidentTrumpquestionsabout
Medicaid,SocialSecurityandMedicare,hepromisedthattheseprogramswouldnotbetouched.Ifthat
istrue,thenwhyishesupportingRyansbill?
AlthoughbothSenatorsAlexanderandCorkerhavesaidthattheAffordableCareActneedstobe
repealedandreplacedsimultaneously,neitherofthemmentionedincludingMedicaid.Infact,they
explicitlysaidthattheydonotwanttonotincludeMedicaid.
WhattheHouseGOPbillandTrumparesupportingwillrationhealthcare.Howdoesrationingcareto
themostvulnerableAmericansMakeAmericaGreatAgain?
TonyGarr,Nashville37214
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville.IwanttotellyouhowhappyIamthatyouwereelectedourpresident.Iworked
veryhardinyourgrassrootsmovementbecauseIknewthatyouwouldbeagreatpresident.Youhave
alreadydonesomuchtomoveAmericaforward.Ihaveneverseenanyonethatworksashardasyoudo
andIseehowmuchyouloveAmericaandthepeople.Istandbehindyou100percent.
ElizabethRoberts,OldHickory37138
***
DearPresidentTrump:
TheAmericanHealthCareActrepealstwotaxesthattheAffordableCareActimplemented:the0.9
percentMedicaresurtaxonwagesanda3.8percenttaxoninvestmentincome.TheMedicaresurtax
onlyaffectsthosewhoseincomeis$200,000ormoreannually,whichisonly6.1percentofthepeople
whofiledtaxreturnsin2015.
Thisrepealwouldresultinalossofaround$275billionthatwenttohealthcareunderACA.Republicans
areencouragingtheAmericanpeopletoinvestintheirownhealthcareinsteadtocoverthatloss.
PertheU.S.CensusBureau,in2015,themedianhouseholdincomewas$56,516;inNashville,that
numberwasonly$1,000higher.MostpeoplecantaffordtosavelotsofmoneyoropenHealthSavings
Accountsformedicalcosts.ManyothersandIareconcernedaboutthislossoffundsandcoverage
undertheTrumpAdministrationandhowitwillbeaddressed.
MonikaIlicic,Antioch37013
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Yourpastworkexperiencehasn'tpreparedyoutohavebossesbutwiththeoathofofficecomesthe
dutytoanswertothepeopleforallyouractions.
PleaserememberthatmundanemeasureslikeTVratingsorcrowdsizecarrynotruevaluevisavisthe
difficultworkthatyoupromisedtodo.Knowthatthepraiseofsycophantsdoesnotequatetoreal
worldaccomplishments.AllthatyousayanddoshouldliftthecommonwelfareofallAmericans.
Yourfocusshouldnowbeoutwardandunselfish.Youwillfindthatmuchoftheanxietyanddistrustthat
seemstofomentsofarinyouradministrationwillfadewhenyourgoalistohelpothers.Ifyougoona
positiveoffencefueledbythetruedesiretoserve,therewon'tberoomfordefensivenesstothrive.Do
goodworkandnoonewillbeabletomakeanyviablenegativecriticism.
MatthewCarlton,Nashville37216
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WhenIwasgrowingupalongtheshoresofLakeErieinthe1960sIsawfirsthandtheimpactof
unregulateddumpingofwasteintoourwaterresources.Tripstothebeachbecamelessandless
frequentasthewaterbecameunsafetoenterandtheshoresbecamelinedwithstinking,deadfish.I
thoughtweasanationlearnedalessonfromthat,butitseemsnot.
Howironicisitthatconservativehascometosignifyapersonwhoadvocatesdestructiveexploitation
ratherthanconservationoftheonlyplanetthatweknowiscapableofsupportinglife?Your
administrationsneuteringoftheEPA,suchaswholesalechangestoorcancellationofregulations,your
proposeddraconianstaffcuts,andpreventingitfromevencollectingtruthfuldatamuchlessreporting
it,isshortsightedandshouldbereversed.
GregoryMagavero,Monteagle37356
***
DearPresidentTrump:
CongratulationsonyourvictoryandwelcomeagaintoNashville.Mywifeinterviewedforajobwithyou
inthe1980's,andherstepbrother,KellyPerdew,waschosenbyyouasthewinnerofsecondseason
of"TheApprentice."
NowthatAttorneyGeneralJeffSessionshasrequestedtheresignationsof46USAttorneys,Ihopeyou
willdirectAttorneyGeneralSessionstoinvestigateanallegedsophisticatedchildmolestercoverup
effortwhichhasnumerousconnectionstoDeputyPressSecretarySarahHuckabeeSanders.
OnMarch31,IwillreturntocourtbeforeJudgeKelvinJonesasJudgeJonesmakesarulingtoallow,or
todeny,myabilitytodeposeMs.SarahHuckabeeSanders,amongothers?
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou,orAttorneyGeneralSessionsverysoon.
WillieAustinDavis,Jr.,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Underyourleadershipwewitness:
unprecedentedgreedandconflictsofinterestinourcountry
wehavelostourstatusasLeaderoftheFreeWorld.
ouralliesandcitizensareunsettled
yoursonwillgrowupinamorepollutedworld.
racismandbigotryhasskyrocketed
Russianinterferenceinourdemocraticprocessisencouraged
onlybillionairesareprotected
IfeelshametobeanAmerican.
FarrisRalston,Monteagle37356
***
DearPresidentTrump:
AsacareereducatorandTennessean,IurgeyouandtheU.S.DepartmentofEducationtocontinueto
ensurethatallstudentsincludingthosewhohavebeenhistoricallyunderservedreceivean
educationthatequipsthemfortheworldbeyondtheirschooldoors.Thisrequiresstrongaccountability
systemsthatcreatetheconditions,supports,andpressuretoimproveopportunitiesandoutcomesfor
allstudents.
UndertheEveryStudentSucceedsAct,Tennesseenowhastheflexibilitytodefinehowtheywill
improveoutcomesandreducesystemicachievementgaps.Todoso,ourpublicschoolsacrossthestate
mustcontinuetoreceivefederalTitledollarssothattheycanprovideessentialresources,supports,and
programsforstudentswhoneedthemmost.Finally,wehopetoseethecontinuationofdatacollection
andenforcementattheOfficeofCivilRightsintheDepartmentofEducation.Theirroleremainsvitalin
ensuringaccessandopportunityforeverystudentacrossthecountry.
GiniPupoWalker,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Wehavevariouscampaignsalreadyinprogresswhichsupporttherightsofrefugees,immigrantsand
peopleofeveryethnicityandreligionthatsetfootintheseUnitedStates,andspecificallyhereinour
CityofNashville,Tennessee.
WestandbythefundamentalhumanrightsuniversallyprotectedwithintheU.N.sUniversalDeclaration
ofHumanRights,whichrecognizestheinherentdignity,safetyandinalienablerightsofallmembersof
thehumanfamilyasthefoundationoffreedom,justiceandpeaceintheworld.Thisiswhatweare
seekingalsofromthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.
EdMeyersandLynnGrassmeyer,Mt.Juliet37122,NashvilleAmnestyInternationalChapter
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ourcountryhasbeenattackedelectronicallybyaknownhostileenemy.Althoughtherewerenolives
lostorvisibledamages,ourdemocracyisinperil.
Pleaseopenafull,independentinvestigativecommissionregardingthisattackasyouwouldhaveona
conventionalattackorrespondtomeasyourreasonfornotdoingso.
JamesM.Grout,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThehistoricNashvilleCordellHullChapteroftheUnitedNationsAssociation,USA,sendsitsgreetings
andwelcomeonyourvisit.
However,werespectfullyremindyouofthefoundingprinciplesandvaluesoftheUnitedNationsmore
than70yearsago.Wecontinuetostandforhumanrightsglobally,forthesafetyofimmigrantsand
refugeesfrompoliticalviolenceandpersecution,andforAmericashonorableroleinsupportinghuman
developmentworldwide.Wealsostandforthetimely,fullpaymentofourfinancialcommitmentsto
theUnitedNationsandotherworldorganizations.
ThankyouforyourattentiontoourconcernsasfellowAmericancitizens.
Rev.DanRosemergy,president,NashvilleCordellHullChapter,UnitedNationsAssociation,USA,
McMinnville37110
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Congresshasfailedatimmigrationreform,whileAmericanbusinessesandmostAmericanslookedthe
otherway.Willyoudeport?Orworkonpolicy?Herearewelldocumentedimmigrationfacts:
Undocumentedworkers,orimmigrants,pay11.64billionannuallyinstateandlocaltaxes.
Undocumentedworkerspay$12billionannuallyintosocialsecuritytrustfunds.
ArisingshareofundocumentedworkershavelivedintheUSforatleastadecade.
NetmigrationfromMexicoisnegative.
Crimehasnotincreasedbecauseofimmigration.
UndocumentedworkersarenotstealingjobsfromordepressingU.S.workerswages.
Ingeneral,personsofHispanicdescentarefamilyoriented,hardworkersreligiouslyobservant
andsociallyconservative.
Thedeportationofmillionsofworkerswhohavepaidtaxes,obeyedthelaw,contributedtoour
communities,wouldbecruel,unAmerican,andpoliticallyunwise.
Sources:DefineAmericaFactsMetter,PewResearchInstitute,NewYorkTimes,UrbanInstitute
PaulaGrout,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Pleaserememberthatthepresidentissupposedtotakecareofallcitizens,notjusttheoneswithalot
ofmoney.Thecountryismadeupofawidevarietyofpeopleandthejobofleadersistomakesurethat
allthepeoplearetreatedwithrespect,dignityandequality.
TrytomakedecisionsthatwillmakethelivesofallAmericansbetterinthefuturethantheywerewhen
youwereelected.Youcandoitifyoutry:you'veprovedthatyoucandoanything.
LiveuptoyoursloganandtrulymakeAmericagreatagain.
MickeyMcConnell,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Tennesseansareprayingforyoursuccessasthepresidentforall.Pleasestoptweetingandembarrassing
yourselfandus.WewantyourtimetobespentonbecomingtheMr.Presidentforallpeople.
CarolMosley,Gallatin37066
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville,myhomeforoverthreedecades.
Thereisaconceptthatgoodjobsandastrongeconomyconflictwithahealthyenvironment.Inmy
experience,thissellsAmericanmanufacturingshort.Industryhascontinuedtoremakeitselfoverthe
past40years,eveninresponsetoregulation,becominginnovativeandefficient,resultingincleaner,
leaneroperations,morecompetitiveworldwide.
Sincereceivingachemicalengineeringdegreeinthe1970s,Ihaveservedthechemical,oil,waste
management,andmanufacturingindustries.Economicbenefitsofreducingandeliminatingpollution
havebeenprovenoverandover.
ExamplesinTennesseeareseenthroughthegovernor'sEnvironmentalStewardship
Awards.International,multibilliondollarcompaniesandsmallbusinesses,alikehaveturnedwasteinto
profit,controlledandeliminatedpollution,workedwithcommunitiestoimprovethe
environment,whileprovidinglongtermvaluetothebottomlineandintangiblebenefitsofcommunity
relationsandgoodwill.
Thismakesforgood,sustainablebusiness.
DianeScher,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YourvisittoNashvilleisbeingbilledasanothercampaignrally.Whydoyoustillfeeltheneedtotellthe
Americanpeoplehowyouwontheelection?Itsover.Youwon.YouarethePresident.Moveon.
Ifthisisacampaignrally,youarewastingourmoney.YoushouldbecomingtoNashvilletotalkabout
ourfailing,cloggedhighways,ourdamagedbridges,ourwaterresourcesbeingstrainedbyhuge
populationgrowth.YoushouldbecomingtoNashvilletomeetwithourthrivingbusinessleadersinthe
healthcareandotherindustries.
YoushouldbecomingtoNashvilletolearnabouthowwehaveembracedourimmigrants.
MostofallwewantyoutoprovetousthatallofAmericaisgoingtobepartofmakingAmericagreat
again.Otherwise,yourvisitwilljustaddtoourhorrendoustrafficjams,andIdpreferyoujuststayback
inWashington,D.C.andtweet.
KathrynSquires,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Weneedcommonsense,humanesolutionstofixourbrokenimmigrationsystem.Withoutapermanent
fix,wewillloseyoungandpromisingpeoplelikeIvanRuiz.IvanwasbroughttoNashvilleattheageof8
byhismotherwhowasfleeingviolenceandpovertyinMexico.
AftergraduatingfromhighschoolhereinNashville,heattendedTreveccaNazareneUniversitywhile
workingfulltimetopayhistuition.NowateacherinDenverandformerTeachforAmericacorps
member,Ivanhasappliedandbeenacceptedtoseveralgraduateschoolsallwithfullscholarship
offers.
AsIvancapitalizedontheopportunitiesaffordedbyourcountry,sodidhismother,whoisataxpaying
businessowneremployingeightotherNashvillians.
Ivansfamilysfutureashardworkingmembersofourcommunity,however,remainsuncertain.Ivanis
justoneofthousandsoftalentedyoung,aspiringAmericansourcountrystandstoloseifyoufailtofix
thebrokenimmigrationsystem.
RenataSoto,Nashville37209
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ignorethosecreatinghavocinthestreets.Itisthesilentmillionsofpeoplewhovotedforyouthatare
yourimpetustomoveourcountryforwardtogreatnessandcivility.Thoseofuswhogrewupinthe50s
knowthatAmericanswanttoprosperontheirownanddon'tneedthegovernmentisprovidefree
everythingforus.
AlfredJ.Dittmar,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamopposedtothebudgetcutsproposedforsciencebasedagenciessuchastheEPAandNOAA.
Amongotherthings,thesecutswill:
Crippleclimatechangeresearch(theobviousbutunwisegoal)
SlashfundingforNOAA'ssatelliteprogram,whichprovidescrucialdataforweatherforecasts
EliminatefundingforprogramssuchasSeaGrantthathelpstatesaddressissuesrelatedtotheir
localenvironment
LimittheabilityoftheEPAtoensurethattheirstandardshaveascientificasopposedto
emotionalbasis
Weignorethelawsofnatureatourperil.
MarthaR.Weller,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Withallthatyouhavebeendoing,saying,andtweetingsincethecampaignbeganuntilnow,Iwonder
howyouthinkhistorywillseeyouandyouradministration,unlessbythenwearelivingintheworld
describedbyGeorgeOrwellin1984.
Myself,Iseeyourlegacyasoneofthegreatestinlies,corruption,manipulation,andanti
humanitarianism,certainlyofpresidentsofthe20thcentury,andpossiblyofallpresidents.How
extraordinarilyfortunatethiscountrywastohavethehumbleGeorgeWashingtonandthebrilliant
founders,BenFranklin,JohnAdams,ThomasJefferson,AlexanderHamilton,andothers,tolaythe
groundworkforthisnation.
Youradministrationisdevoidofanyofthecharacteristicsofthesemen:Integrity,honor,humility.Itis
frighteningtoimagineyouradministrationinthepositionthatourfoundersfoundthemselvesin.
ClaudiaReynolds,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Rememberthattherearemillionsofuswhoarewithyouandbelievethatyouwillgodowninhistoryas
oneofthebestandgreatestU.S.presidents.
MelanieDittmar,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youpromisedbetterhealthcarehealthcareavailabletoeveryone!Whathappened?Iamso
disappointed!!
BarbaraSnell,Joelton37080
***
DearPresidentTrump:
TennesseeGovernorFrankClementfamouslyasked,Howlong?Oh,howlong?Iaskyou,how
many?Oh,howmany?
HowmanyAmericansmustbedeprivedoftheirhealthcaretosatisfyyourdeterminationtodestroythe
AffordableCareAct?Howmanyinsurancetycoonsmustbefurtherenriched?
Howmanyservicemenandservicewomenwilldiebecauseofyourbellicosedeterminationtoassert
Americanpower?
Howmanyofthepoorhuddledmasses,yearningtobefreewillbedeterredbyanilladvisedborder
barrier,orthrownoutoftheirjobsandhomes?ToparaphrasePresidentReagan,Mr.Trump,dont
buildthatwall!
Howmanyearthlingswillbesacrificedtoyourdenialofmanmadeclimatechangeandyour
subserviencetothefossilfuelscartel?
Howmanymoreliesmustweendureaboutyourpredecessor,yourtaxreturns,youraudiences,and
youraccomplishments?
Howmanyunqualifiedappointees?
H.CarlHaywood,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thankyouforstickingtoyourpromises,whileenduringalltheabusethatisthrownatyou,yourfamily
andstaff.Youarethehopeofthefuture.Onbehalfofmytwocherishedgrandchildren,thankyoufor
tryingtosecureafreeAmericatolivein.Haveasafetriphome.
SusanRSullivan,Hermitage37076
***
DearPresidentTrump:
PresidentNo.45,inmyopinion,isanillegitimatepresident,votedinbyafaulty,antiquated,Electoral
College,withmuchhelpbytheRussiansmeddling.ImthoroughlydisgustedbyNo.45scontinual
tweets,hisweekendjauntstoFloridacostingustaxpayersmillions(whounlikehim,actuallypayour
taxes),everypolicyhestandsfor,andeverypersonhehasappointed.
IwishTennesseewouldsuehimoverhisMuslimban,likesomeoftheotherstatesaredoing.Moreand
moretruthiscomingoutdailyabouthiscollusionwithRussia.Imjustprayingforthedayheis
impeached!
HollyButler,Nashville37204
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Whenweasspiritsarebornintohumanbodies,insideeachofusisplantedasoulourconnectionto
thecreator(Loveinitspurestform).Humansareflawedandyetoursoulspointustothetruthofwho
wereallyare:Love.
Sometimespeoplegetsocaughtupinwealthandfametheyforgetwhotheyare.Andsometimesthey
evengosofarastothinktheyrebetterthanGod.Thisisthesaddestofall.NomoreconnectiontoLove.
Insanity.Thatisinsanity.
Donald,itsevidenttomethatyouandmostofthepeopleyousurroundyourselfwithhavesoldyour
soulsandhavegoneinsane.Thinkofallthegoodyoucoulddofortheworldifyouwokeup,
rediscoveredyoursoulandputitbackinLoveshands,whereitbelongs.
Iprayforyou.
NancyTerzian,Nashville37211
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Haveyoueverbeenwithouthealthinsurance?Idoubtit.Didyoueverhavetochoosebetweenpaying
yourhealthinsurancepremiumsandfeedingyourfamily?Idoubtit.Yet,theAmericanHealthCareAct
wouldput24millionAmericansatriskoflosingtheirhealthcoverage,and11millionofthosepeopleare
closetolivingatthefederalpovertyguidelines.
Yes,thebilloffersataxcredittobuyinsurance,butthatamountfallsshortofpayingforanythingbut
highdeductibleplans.Haveyoueverbeenturnedawaybyaproviderforelectivemedicalcarebecause
youcouldnotaffordthecopayordeductible?Idoubtit.
AsyousitintheopulenceofyourMaraLagoestate,Ihopeyoumightthinkabouttheimpoverished
peoplewhowillbeaffectedbyyourpolicies.Orwillyoutweet:Letthemeatsteak!Trumpsteaks,I
presume.
AnneCarter,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
OnyourmysteriousarrivalinNashvilleforyour2020campaignevent:
AsaChristianIamdeeplydisturbedbytheclaimsthatyouhavebeenordainedbyGodandthatyour
presidencyisanointedbyGod.ThisiswhatIheardatarecentTrumprallyhereatLegislativePlaza.
Pleaseputastoptothis.
I'daskyoutoputastoptoallthenonsensebutIdoubtyouwouldlisten.Whatyouaredoingistragic
forourcountry.Putcountryoverparty.
CorabelShofner,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Unfortunately,offeringMr.Trumpadviceisasusefulasprovidingadeafpersonwithticketstothe
symphony.
SamCraddock,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
LikemanyAmericansIhaveseriousconcernsaboutthequalificationsandsuitabilityofourpresident
andhismostofhisadministration.Foremostamongmyconcernsarethemanyfinancialandbusiness
connectionsbetweenthepresident,muchofhisCabinet,andthebrutaldictatorshipofVladimirPutinin
Russia.
Itiscriticallyimportantimmediatelytoconductanindependentinvestigationofalltheseconnectionsto
findthetruthtoprotectourdemocracy.Thisindependentinvestigationshouldbeabipartisanspecial
commission,alongthelinesofthe9/11Commission.Ibelievethatthemostimportantevidencethat
willbecriticaltotheinvestigationisthepresidentspersonalandbusinesstaxreturns.
ThecurrentinvestigationsunderwayintheHouseandSenateIntelligenceCommitteesandFBIarenot
adequatebecausetheywillbeheldinsecretfromthepublic,andboththeattorneygeneralandthe
Presidentwouldbeabletoshutdowntheinvestigations.
JosephH.Weigel,Franklin37064
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IfIcouldaskforonechangeinyourleadershipstyle,Iwouldaskyoutoapproachdiscussionswithawin
winattituderatherthanawinloseparadigm,asStevenCoveyrecommendedsolongagoinhisbookon
theSevenHabitsofHighlySuccessfulPeople.Thewinloseapproachistremendouslycostlyforyou
andforthenationinyourrelationswiththemedia,withDemocrats,andwithothernations.
Thinkingwinwincouldgreatlyimproveyouroutcomesandbuildtrustandconfidenceinyourleadership
bothhereandabroad.
ArtWitulski,Franklin37064
***
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WeneedyourbusinessexpertiseandleadershiptoguidereplacingtheAffordableCareAct,notahasty
solution.MyfamilyhascoveragethroughACAsinceIrunasmallnonprofitandmyhusbandrunsasmall
business.Ourinsurancepremiumsincreased$600amonth,alongwithhigherdeductibles.
InsurersarepullingoutofTennesseesexchange,andchangesareneeded.However,Iamvery
concernedabouttheAmericanHealthCareActbecauseofthenegativeimpactitwillhaveshifting
Medicaidcoststostates(61percentofnursinghomeandhomeandcommunitybasedservicesin
TennesseeareMedicaidfunded)andtheprovisionallowinginsurerstochargeuptofivetimesmorefor
olderpersons.
FixingACAisacomplexissuethatrequirestime,informeddeliberationandattentiontotheroot
problemsthatmakeourhealthcarecostssomeofthehighestintheworld.Wedontneedarushed
solutionthatmakesmattersworse.
GraceSutherlandSmith,LMSW,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YoucrowaboutyouramazingNovembervictory.ThefactisthatmillionsmorevotedforHillarythanfor
you.
YoukeepdrivinghomeyourmessagethatObamacareisatotaldisaster.Thefactisthatwellover10
millionindividuals(mostworking,lowincomefamilies)nowhavecomprehensivehealthcarecoverage
whodidnotbefore.
Youpromisedamuchbetterreplacement.Thefactisthatwealthyindividualsgethighersubsidiesunder
yourreplacementplan.
Thebiglosersareolder,lowincomeworkingAmericansinruralareas:theverypeoplewhovotedyou
intooffice.
Youranasapopulistcandidate,apresidentforthepeople.Thefactisthatyou,yourcabinetof
millionairesandyourstaffofnarrowmindedracistsseektodeconstructtheverytreasuresthattruly
makeAmericagreat:democracy,equality,freedomofspeech,transparencyofgovernment,welcoming
immigrants,cleanairandwater,publiclandsandbasicdecency.
SarahMartinMcConnell,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Doyoupersonallybelieveinthatclimatechangeisrealandiscausedbyhumanactivity?Ifnot,what
datadoyoubasethatopinionon?Ifso,whatisyourplanforprotectingourplanet?
MaryMotley,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThoughtsforthePresidentfromaMillennial.
Thewayyouhaveconductedyourselfforthepast50days,tosaynothingofthelasttwoyears,hasbeen
disgraceful.Yourtreatmentofthepeopleinthiscountryisterrifying.Wearenotallwhitemale
billionaires.YourrefusaltocondemntheracistultraRightsupportyouhavereceivedisunAmerican
andyourinclusionofSteveBannonasasenioradviserisdangerous.Youaregettingintobedwith
peoplewhowanttodestroyourcountryandourgovernment.
ChristyBerryessa,Nashville37211
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WeareveryhappyandexcitedthatyouhavecometovisitourbelovedcityofNashville.
WeareprayingforyourpresidencythatGodwillbehonoredasyouandMr.Penceseekthecounselof
godly,principledadvisersthroughoutyourterm.GodblessyouandMrs.Trumpandyourentirefamily
asyouworktoestablishallthatisgoodandrightforournation.
AnditwillonlybeblessedaswelooktoGodAlmighty,makerofheavenandearth,forHisdirectionin
thiscountry.
MayHedirectyourheartanddecisionsforthisgreatlandandforHisglory!AsinProverbs21:1:The
king'sheartisinthehandoftheLORD,liketheriversofwater;HeturnsitwhereverHewishes."
MayGodbeyourguide,Mr.President!
CourtneyRice,Dickson37055
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Asaretiredsmallbusinessowner,Iunderstandwhythe$10anhourwageearnersfeelnobodyin
politicscares.Andasaformerexecutiveinaunioncontrolledindustry,Ihavewatchedthesametypeof
peoplebelieveeverythingtheirunionleaderstoldthem.Theunionliesleadtothebusinessesclosing.
The$10anhourguyisbelievingliesandwillalsoendupgettingnothingforit.
WhatIdon'tgetistheconservativerightbelievingamanwholiesabouteverything.Iunderstandthe
hatredforHillary,butcomeon!Thisguyisnotaconservative,heisnotaRepublican,hedoesn'tgoto
church,hehasbeenmarriedmultipletimes,anddoesn'tshareanyofyourvalues.
Itistimetotakeyourblindersoff.Getridofhimandtheradicalsinhisinnercirclebeforeweallhaveto
becomePutinpuppets.IvotedforReagantwice,aBushthreetimes,andFord.ButIalsohavethe
commonsensetoknowwhensomethingain'trightandthisstinks.
GregMartin,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Welcometoourcity!Wearehappytohaveyouhere.Thankyouforbeingoneofthefirstpresidentsto
bedoingthethingsyoupromisedduringyourcampaign.
Weareexcitedtoseewhatthefutureforourcountryhasinstoreunderyourpresidency.Weprayfor
yoursafetyandforthewisdomanddiscernmentyouneedtoleadourcountry.
MayGodguideyoudaily!"IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?"(Romans8:31).
MyhusbandandIarebringingtwoofourgrandchildrentotherally!Kaylais8yearsoldandParkeris6.
TheyareexcitedtobeabletoseethepresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandtelltheirfriendsin
KnoxvillewhattheydidontheirSpringBreakinNashville.Blessingstoyou!
CharlotteStewart,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashvilleandthegreatstateofTennessee.
Iexpandittothestatebecauseyouwonallbutthreeofthe95countiesintheNovemberelection.
TheredandbluecountybycountymaprepresentingRepublicansversusDemocratsoverwhelming
showsyourlopsidedappealoverHillaryClinton.
Isincerelyhopeyourbriefvisitispleasantandproductive.
SinceDavidsonCounty(Nashville)isoneofthethreethatfavoredClinton,Iwouldn'twantyouto
departthinkinganyshenanigansandrudenessbytheDemocratswhostillsee"red"andaresingingthe
bluestocastanydoubtonhowmostTennesseansfeel.
I'mconvincedthatClintonwouldhavefollowedPresidentObama'sstyleofignoring
lawsandopaquegoverningtofosternationalandinternationaldivide.
TotwistaquotebyaTrumansupporter:"KeepontweetingandgiveemHellDonald!"
MiltHerring,OldHickory37138
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamsogladyouarecomingtoNashville!Ithinkyouarethegreatestpresidentever.Iveryexcitedto
seeyoudothemakeinAmericaandbuyinAmerica.
Ifanyonecangetourcountrybacktothewayitshouldbe,itisyou,DonaldTrump,andI'mproudtosay
Ivotedforyouandsupportyoualltheway.
GailVanetten,Smyrna37167
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ideeplydisagreewithsomanythingsthatyouvedoneandsaidthatitsdifficulttochoosejustone
(blanketbanonMuslims,denialofclimatechange,repealingtheAffordableCareActforaplanthat's
halfbakedatbest),butyourongoingattemptstoundermineandbelittlethemediaaredangerouslyun
American.
Ifyouhavesuchaproblemwithcriticism,whyonearthdidyourunforPresident?Yourconductinpress
conferenceshasbeenembarrassing.Journalists,reporters,writers,analyststhemembersofthefree
presstheyarenot,asyouputit,theenemyofthepeople.Theyarethecornerstoneofdemocracy.
Also,yourparticipationinthebirtherrumorsaboutPresidentObamaweredespicableand
inexcusable.Andfinally,stoptakingsomanyvacationdays(atourexpense)andreleaseyourtaxreturns
already.
BillDeMain,Nashville37209
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IfyourepealObamacarewithoutreplacingitwithanequivalentplan,I'llseeyouatthevotingboothin
2020.
Dr.SamGlasgow,Cookeville38501
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Over50yearsagohereinNashville,collegestudentsstagedsitinsandFreedomRidestowagea
nonviolentbattleagainsttheunjustsystemofJimCrowinequality.TodayasaFiskstudentandheirto
thatlegacy,IfindmyselfoneofmanyyoungTennesseansdeeplytroubledbyyoureffortstobringus
backtoatimewheresuchactionisrequired.
Yourattackonhealthcareiseconomicallyinsane,yourscapegoatingofracialminoritiesis
constitutionallyinconsistent,andyouradherencetotheideologyofwhitesupremacyismorally
indefensible.
Assuch,Iwilljoinwithmyclassmatesinthetraditionofpatriotismthatcannothelpbutdissentagainst
yourabusesofpower.Mr.Trump,youmaybePresidentatemporaryemployeetothepeopleofour
nationbutweholdthepermanentpowerandnoelectioncanchangethat.
Readhistory,readtheU.S.Constitution,andreadthespiritofthetimestoknowthatlikeourancestors
wetooarerising.
JustinJones,Nashville37208
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThankyouforcomingtoNashville!Ivotedforyou,andIstandbehindyou.Iprayforyou,yourfamily,
andallwhoareinvolvedinyouradministration.
Severalyearsago,Isawanarticleandavideoabout"TheBigDig"attheWhiteHouse.Therewasmuch
speculationastowhattookplaceunderground.Notknowingifyouareawareofit,Iwanttoaskyouto
questionwhatthetruepurposeofthisenormousundertakingwas.Itwasshroudedinmysteryand,I
believe,couldbepartofthereasonyouhavefacedunprecedentedopposition.
ThankyouformakingAmericaGreatAgain!GodblessyouandGodblessTheUnitedStatesofAmerica!
Ms.Clair(Mathis)DeCorte,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
In2006PresidentGeorgeW.Bush'sMedicarePartDPrescriptionInsurancePlanwentintoeffect.Itwas
notperfectandhasbeentweakedovertheyears,butnobodyeventhoughtofrepealingit.Whycanthe
AffordableCareActnotbetweakedinthesameway?
MarthaShepard,Dickson37055
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThankyouforyoureffortstoMakeAmericaGreatAgain.Youhavebroughthopetomillionsof
Americanswhotrulybelievedthatforthelastfewyearswehavebeengoinginwrongdirection.
Mydadisa93yearoldWorldWarIIveteranandtoseethepridehehasjustputtingonhisMAGAhatis
awesome.Pleasedon'tlettheseprotesterschangeyourresolve.Weprayforyoudaily.Thankyou.
TomD.Jones,Hendersonville37075
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Asincerenoteofappreciation,Mr.President,FirstLadyMelaniaTrumpandfamilyforyourunwavering
dedicationto"MakeAmericaGreatAgain!Iammostthankfulforyourselflessdecisiontorunforthe
highestofficeinourcountry.
IamgratefultoGodforyoubecomingour45thPresident.ThishasnothingtowithDemocratsor
Republicansandeverythingtodowithwhatisrightorwrongwithourcountry.
Iprayoftenforyoursafetyaswellasyoursuccess.LookforwardtoseeingyouinNashvilleon
Wednesdaynight.
TammyTreeceJones,Hendersonville37075
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IhavemanyconcernsaboutPresidentTrumpsleadership,butoneprimaryconcernisrepealingand
replacingtheAffordableCareAct.ThepresidentsaidNobodyknewhealthcarecouldbeso
complicated,yetthenewAmericanHealthCareActisbeingrushedthroughwithoutthoughtfulstudy.
ThenewactwilldrasticallycutMedicaidandaddpercapitacaps.Itwillalsoincreasecostsforthe
averageTennesseanonthemarketplaceby$3,880in2020.
Myson,aselfemployed30yearold,hasaffordablepremiumsandgoodcoverageforthefirsttime
undertheACA.Adearfriendwithachronic,lifethreateningdiseasewillfaceunaffordablecostsif
lifetimemaximumsreturn.Theyreprohibitedinthenewplan,butwhoknowsifitwillchangeasits
rushedthrough?Thenewplanwillmakehealthcarelessaccessibleandcostlierforthosewhoneedit
most.Healthsavingsaccountsdonthelpifyouhavenomoneytosave.
HelenGayeBrewster,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ireadrecentlythatbehindthescenesyouareacajoling,personableman.Thiswasashock,whenasa
citizenIonlyknowyouthroughyourTwitterpersonaanddarkspeeches.Thiscountryneedstobe
unified.Familiesaredivided.Citizensareunderduress.Youradministrationischoosingpartyover
country.Youranasapopulistcandidate.Sowhyareyoualignedwithsmallinterestgroups?
Thegovernmentshouldleadbyexample,startingatthetop.Stoprepresentingsmallinterestgroups
andlayoffwomensrights,theenvironment,LGBTQrights,andimmigrants.Idontwanttowatcha
realityshow.Iwanttohaveachildwithoutgoingbankruptachildwhocanbreathefreshair,attenda
goodpublicschool,havetherighttochoose,andcelebratethiscountry'sgreatdiversity.
KristinStone,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamlistingherefourofthemanyproblemsIhavewithDonaldTrumpaspresidentoftheUnitedStates.
Theyareprincipallyasfollows:
1. HiscandidacyandpresidencyareavalidationbysuchgroupsastheKuKluxKlan,andotherneo
Nazi,militantextremist,andantiSemiticgroupsinAmerica.Theywereevilbefore,andtheyare
evilnow,andTrumphastacitlyencouragedthem.
2. HisrelianceonSteveBannon.TheappointmentofBannontotheNationalSecurityCouncil
shouldhavebeenawarningsigntoallAmericans.
3. Trumpisunfitforthepresidencybothintemperamentandexperience.Theconstant
purveyanceofuntrueandparanoidtwitteringindicatesmentalimbalanceandshocksourallies.
4. HisapproachtoforeignaffairsisnaveandhisentanglementwithRussiaisundeniable.
MichaelCiminoHurt,Sewanee37375
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IprotesttheHouseofRepresentativesbilltorepealandreplacetheAffordableCareActand
fundamentallyrestructureMedicaid.
TheAmericanHealthCareActiscruelandfiscallyirresponsible.ItwouldharmAmericanswhoarepoor,
sick,orelderly.Itwouldcuttaxesforaffluentcitizensattheexpenseofthosewithlowormoderate
income.
Ifenacted,thislegislationwillbeparticularlyharmfultomanyofthecommunitiesthatsupportedyouin
the2016electioninTennesseeandelsewhere.IstronglysupportimprovingtheACA,notrepealingit.
Manystategovernmentsdonothavethecapacityorthepoliticalwilltomeetthehealthcareneedsof
theirmostvulnerableresidentswithoutsubstantial,reliablefederalsupport.
WeneedourfederalgovernmenttoassurethatwhereveronelivesintheUnitedStates,affordable
healthcoverageandcomprehensivehealthserviceswillbeguaranteedtoallcitizens.
PatriciaPost,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thankyouforthegreatsacrificeyou'remakingtohealournation.Myfamilyandclosefriendsarewith
you100percent.
Godblessyouandyourfamily.Youareallconstantlyinourprayers.
MichaelC.Sullivan,OldHickory37138
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Fortheexampleyouaresettingandforthesakeofourchildren,stopthelyingand"gaslighting"
manipulation.Ihearyouprojectblameonotherswhenyourspokenwordsareproventocontainthe
lies.Recoveryfrommasteringsuchsickbehavioroveralifetimerequireslongtermmentalhealthcare.
PleasereadtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatestounderstandattemptstowardautocracyoroligarchy
donotapplytoourgreatcountry.
Thisdesire,neitherDemocraticnorRepublican,alongwiththementaldisorderisdestructiveand
dangerousbothnationallyandinternationally.
Pleasegetpsychologicalandpsychiatrichelpsoyoucanbesecureenoughwithintobehonestno
bigotrynorbullyingneeded.
CarolWilliams,Nashville37206
***
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville.Wemovedhere30yearsagoandareveryproudTennesseans.Thecitizensof
thisstateapparentlyfoundyourcampaignverycompellingandwereaninstrumentalpartofyour
electoralvictory.
Havingwitnessedthefirstfewweeksofyouradministrationhowever,thereareagrowingnumberof
Tennesseanswhoarebecomingincreasinglyconcernedforourcountry.Shortofthe"StateofThe
Union"speechyoudelivered,theperformanceofyourstaff,andyoupersonallyhavebeenvery
disconcerting.
Thecarryoverfromyourcampaigncontinuestolackinsincerity,credibility,andtheabilitytodealwith
otherswithoutnamecallingornegativeconnotation.Thisleadspeopletoquestionyourmanagement
andadministrativemotives.
We,andgenerallyallthefreeworld,holdthepositionofpresidentofUnitedStatesinhighesteem.
Pleasedemonstratetoourcountrysomerealleadershipandpoliciesthatwillfosterrespectforyou,and
ourcountrythroughoutthewholeworld.
CurtStone,Columbia38401
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ihaveafewconcerns.Iamstunnedbythewayyoumalignthejournalistswhodontsupportyour
agenda,askingthehardquestions.Theseprofessionalsaremyeyesandears,andvitalforawell
informeddemocracy.Whydoyourefusetoreleaseyourtaxreturns?Youpromisedyouwouldifyou
wontheelection.Justdoit!ShowtheAmericanpeoplethatyouhavenothingtohide.
Also,canyousendEPAAdministratorScottPruitttotalkwiththeNASAclimatologists?Heneedsa
briefingonthefactsofclimatechangebeforehebeginstoimplementpolicy.Ourgrandchildrenand
greatgrandchildrendependonthis.
Finally,regardingtheAffordableCareAct,letsmakesurethatwehaveaviablereplacementbeforewe
repealit.Manylikemyson,aType2diabetic,dependonACAinsuranceplans.Dontthrowthebabyout
withthebathwater.
LynnCiminoHurt,Sewanee37375
DearPresidentTrump:
MollytheTherapyDogandIarelookingforwardtoseeingyouinNashville.OurMollyhasmadeover
1,700visits,makingalastingdifferenceinlivesyoungandold.Sheisthecrisisresponsedogforthe
NashvilleFireDepartmentandvisitsthefolksatthe911communicationscenteronaregularbasis.Let's
roll,remembering9/11.
RonLeonard,Hermitage37076
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Pleasekeepyourcampaignpromiseandallowstatestodeterminerecreationalmarijuanapolicy.With
allduerespect,stopwastingourtaxpayerdollarsonthefailedWaronDrugs.KeepourCountrysafeby
puttingmoreresourcestowardsinvestigating,prosecuting,andincarceratingviolentoffenders.Iworry
aboutprotectingmyfamilyfromviolentpeoplenotnonviolentmarijuanausers.
MywifeandIrecentlyvisitedbeautifulandwonderfulColoradowheremarijuanaprohibitionendeda
fewyearsago.TheyhavethebestofeverythingandoneofthestrongesteconomiesintheU.S.The
marijuanaindustryhascreatedthousandsofjobsandgeneratedmillionsinnewtaxbaserevenuein
thosestateswherethepeoplevotedtolegalize.
Lastly,youcouldboostoureconomy,helppatientsandearntherespectofmillionsovernightby
workingtochangethefederallawstoallowmedicalmarijuanaandindustrialhempthroughoutour
country.
FrederickH.Agee,Milan38358
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamwritinginregardstoaconcernIhaveabouthealthcare.Weareallalreadyonourtoesregarding
therepealofObamacare,andthoseofuswithpreexistingconditionsareespeciallyworried.
WhileIwouldlikeforhimtospeakaboutthisconcern,Iwouldalsoliketheissuesofdeductiblesand
outofpocketexpensestobeaddressed.IfObamacareispulledinthemiddleofthisyearornext,what
willbecomeofthemoneywehavealreadypaidintoourpoliciesfortheyear?Willwehavetopaya
secondtimewithournewpolicy?Andwhatwoulddeductiblesandoutofpocketmaximumsbelikeina
highriskpool?
Mostofussickareunabletopayforthesecoststhefirsttimearound,letaloneasecond.Andourhigh
riskpoolbeforewasimpossibletogetinto.
KelleFoor,Franklin37064
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IbelieveintheAffordableCareAct.Mysisterhascancerandwouldnothaveinsurancewithoutthe
provisionaboutpreexistingconditions.Also,weshouldallowwomentodecideaboutwhattodowith
theirbodies,sokeepPlannedParenthood.Theservicestheyprovidehelpmanywomenwith
preventativecareandsavesdoctorvisits.
TheACA,whilenotperfect,isfixable.Thatfixdoesnotneedtopunishseniorsforgettingolderand
needingmorecare.Theyareatatimewhentheirmoneyneedstogotofindingwaystolive
independently.Itdoesn'tneedtopunishthepooreither.
Let'sbasethecostoftheACAonincome.Thatmeanseveryonewillpaytheirpartfairly.Andlet'smake
prescriptionstreatedthesame.I'mgoodwithMedicareandmysupplementalplan,butweneed
everyonetousetheACAandweneedinsurerstostopthehighdeductibles.ThatisanACAkiller.
K.M.Kelley,Nashville37217
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville.Nashvilleisaverywelcomingcity,andIexpectyoursupportersandopponentsto
makeyoufeelathomeduringyourstay.
YouhavemadeAmericagreatagainbyaccident,asmillionsofAmericansarenowinvolvedinpolitical
activismandinterestedinobjectivejournalismforthefirsttimeintheirlives.Iamnotabigfanof
dislikingpoliticians,andIstrivetogiveyouafairshot,butIfeelthatyouwillputtheTwitteraccount
beforethebankaccountsoftheAmericanpeople.Thatconcernsme.
WhenIheardyouwerecomingtoNashville,IdecidedtogoseethepresidentoftheUnitedStatesgivea
speechbecausetheseopportunitiesdonothappenveryoften.Hopefully,youwillcoverrelevanttopics
thattheAmericanpeopledealwithintheirdailylives
AustinPert,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Havingworkedinwaterqualityasahydrologistformorethan35years,onstudiesinCalifornia,
Colorado,Utah,Kentucky,Florida,Ohio,IndianaandTennessee,Iurgeyoutothinkdeeplyandact
carefullywhenmakingdecisionsaffectingourwaterresourcesandsupplies.
It'seasyandquicktocontaminateourriversandgroundwater,especiallywithoutlawsinplace.Once
thedeedisdone,contaminationmaygoundiscoveredandistypicallymuchcostliertodetectand
remediatethantopreventinthefirstplace.Andremediationisnotalwaysviableafterthefact.
Protectingourwaterisprotectingourpeople.Businessprofitscanbeshortlivedandnarrowly
focused.Listenandconsultwithscientists.Strongprotectionsandfederalsupportforsamplingare
critical.Citizensandfuturegenerationsaredependingonyourdecisionsbeingsoundones.Donotlet
usdown,fartoomuchisatrisk.
AnneFurbishChoquette,Nashville37215
DearPresidentTrump:
Dude,you'reanadult.Putthephonedown,turnofftheTV,quitworryingaboutwhatpeoplethinkof
you.Yoursupporterswillsupportyouandyourdetractorswon't,regardlessofwhatyousayordo.You
holdtheworld'smostimportantoffice,conductyourselfinamannerthatshowsyoucomprehendthis.
DanPowell,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThisPresidentcontinuestodemonstratethathedoesnotrepresentthemiddleclassorpoorwiththis
newhealthcareplan.Offeringataxcredittothepoorislikegivingacookbooktosomeonewhois
hungry.
MyhusbandandIpaidintoMedicareandSocialSecuritythroughoutourworkingcareersandnowthis
newplanwantstogiveustaxcredit!Idon'tthinkso.Weareonfixedincomeandachangelikeheis
suggestingwouldbedevastatingtousandsomanyothersweknow.
Thisisourmoney,wepaiditingoodfaithandheisnowtryingtocheatusjustlikehe'sdonetosub
contractorsonhisdevelopmentsandrewardthewealthyandtheinsurancecompanies.Shameonhim!
CathryneHall,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YouareresponsiblefordirectactionstodestroyAmerica.
1. Yousignedtherepealofcleanwaterregulationsanddenyclimatechangeprotectiveactions.
2. Youandyoursecretaryofeducationaredismantlingpubliceducationand,thereby,robbingour
childrenofrewardingfutures.
3. YouareresponsibleforJeffSessionsbeingAttorneyGeneralandthehorrificviolationofvoter
rightsandequalprotectionsofthelawsfortheLGBTcommunitythatfollows,
4. Youareatraitortodemocracyandfreedom,everywhereandfreedomofthepresshereat
home.
5. Yourdemeanorandpublicpersonademeansthenationbeforetheworldandismorally
repugnantforthechildrenoftheworld.
6. TheTrump/Ryanplansforhealthcare,medicalcare,Medicare,MedicaidandSocialSecurityare
immoralandtheystealfromthepoortobenefittherich.
Iam74yearsold,youarethemostselfishandimmoralpublicofficialIhaveeverseenorstudied.
BillMcConkey,PleasantShade37145
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iam71yearsoldandliveinNashville,Tennessee.For40years,Ididprofitablework.NowIfindmyself
ontheshelfanddisturbed.IamespeciallyupsetaboutTrump'splantoreplacetheAffordableCare
Act.Thisis,asCongressmanJosephKennedyIIIsaid,notmercybutmalice.
MaliceisespeciallynotneededinTennessee,whichhasneverexpandedMedicaidanddoesallits
businessthroughthefederalwebsite.Trumpistryingtokickmillionsofpeopleoutofcoverageand
givingtaxbreakstotherich.Pleasestophim,foralloursakes.
CatherineHill
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IfyouaredepressedaboutwhatishappeningtoourcountrysinceDonaldTrumpbecameourpresident,
youneedtodosomething!Youneedtoprotesthispoliciesconcerningtheenvironment,theState
Department,immigration,healthcarewhateverissueisimportanttoyou.
Youneedtomakeyourvoiceheardcallyourlocal,stateandfederalrepresentatives,sendthem
letters,postcardsoremails.Speakupattownhallshostedbyyourcongresspersonorsenator.
Andbeforeandduringthoseactivitiesyouneedtolearneverythingyoucanabouttheissuesthatare
importanttoyou.Learnabouttheproposedlegislationandwhoisproposingit,thetalkingpointsof
institutionsandpeopleonallsides.
Listenandreadreputablepressoutletsandgotogovernmentandinstitutionwebpagesonthesubject.
Ifyouwanttosaveourgovernmentinstitutionsthosethatkeepussafe,protectourenvironment,
protectourrightsandbalancepoweryoumustgetinvolved.
NancyCappuccilli,Nashville37211
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoMiddleTennessee!Asoneofyourmanysupporters,Iamproudthatyouarevisitingthe
VolunteerState.
HealthcarereformcertainlyisanimportantissueforallAmericans.Wearecountingonyoutofulfill
yourcampaignpromisetoprovideallcitizenswithaffordableandsubstantialhealthcare.
MayIofferthissuggestion,onethatbothRepublicanandDemocraticvoterswillagree.Ifallmembers
ofCongressarerequiredtobeinsuredundertheplantheyareproposingforAmericancitizensrather
thantheprivilegedplantheyhavenow,wecanbeassuredthatthenewplanwillofferthebest
coverageatafaircost.
Asourelectedrepresentatives,theydonotdeserveaspecialplan.Whatisgoodenoughforthepeople
whovotedforthemisgoodenoughforthem!
SandraJ.Hawkins,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WhatdoesPresidentTrumpplantodotostoplargecompaniesfromabusingandfiringAmerican
workersandrehiringforeignpeoplewithH1Bvisas?This,especiallyconsideringcompanieslikeDisney
andIntelabusingthisprogramandtheirUSworkers.ThereisnoshortageofU.S.workersavailableto
fillhightechjobs.
BillieSpringer
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youweregoingtoripapartbad,badObamacaretoprovidehealthcoverageforeveryoneaffordable,
better,beautifulmedicalcare,butthefirstalternativeplanoutofCongressyouwilltrytopushonto
Tennesseansandtherestofthecountryisunacceptable.
ItwillnotbefundedbythewealthiestAmericanswhobarelyfeeltheadditionaltinytaxestheypay,but
byincreasedpremiumspaidbytheillandelderly.Medicaidcutsviapercapitacapswillcrippleprograms
thatassistchildren,pregnantwomen,thedisabled,residentsinnursinghomes,thementallyillanddrug
addictedInTennessee.
Thelossoffederalfundswillimpactusfordecades.Youwillreversethelowestuninsuredratewehave
everhad.Youdidn'tevenwanttowaitforthefactstoseehowwouldimpactthefederalbudgetandas
theyarebecomingavailableyouwon'tbelievethen.Yes,yourplan,ifitpasses,willtrulybeTrumpcare.
SandraRice,Sewanee37375
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Healthcareandinsurancearenotthesame.Weshoulddiscusshealthcareandwhatisreasonableto
provide.Taxcreditsaremoneythegovernmentisnotgoingtotakefromcitizens.Ifwestarted
discussingtaxesinthatway,wewouldhaveadifferentattitudetowardgovernmentspending.
Healthcarecannotbeaffordableuntilweknowthecosts.Theconvolutedbillingsystemusedby
providersshouldbeeliminated.Thesameprocedureshouldcostthesameforeveryoneinalocation
whethertheyhaveinsuranceornot.
Wecansolvethepreexistingconditionsbysettingamaximumliabilityforinsurancecompaniestoa
limitof$1millionto$2million.Atthatpointthesepeopleareinsuredinanationalriskpool.Sincewe
allagreetheyshouldbecovered,wecanadda1percenttaxoneveryonetocoverthecost.The
insurancecompanycanthensetpremiumsatreasonablerates.
DonnaBrooks,Fairview37062
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Americaneedsaprofessional,notarichkidwhowantsto"play"president.Getajobsuitedforyour
qualifications.
BobbyF.McKinney,Fairview37062
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youaredoingagreat,greatjob.Youhavedonemorein50daysthanObamadidineightyear.
PleasedefundPlannedParenthoodforever.
Hurryandbuildthewall,Imsickofalltheillegalsandnoonedoinganythingaboutitlikeourpolice
chief,whoalsoletsprotestgroupsblocktrafficwhenevertheywant.
HireMilwaukeeCountySheriffDavidClarkinyouradministration;he'sgreat.
KeepdoingwhatyouaredoingintakingourcountrybackfromtheliberalDemocratswhohaveno
morals.Theyareallaboutthemselves,theirpoliticsandtheirmoneyitswhat'sbestforthecountry.
RebeccaBates,Joelton37080
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Hypocrisyhasalwaysbeenrampantamongourlawmakers,butyou,Mr.Trump,haveknockeditoutof
theballpark.Fromtheonsetofyourcampaignyouhaveaccusedothersofactsthatyouandyourmob
havecommitted.
Thusfar,yourpoliciesareblatantlydestructivetoourcountryandtheworld.Theenvironment,human
rights,healthcare,educationandtheartsarecrucialtotheenrichmentofallpeople.Unfortunately,you
havesurroundedyourselfwithpeoplethatdontcareaboutwhatisgoodandforthright.Sad.
Whilegreed,religion,powerandpartyarethedrivingforcesthatgovernustoday,thefoundationofthe
Constitutionandthemoralinfrastructureofourgovernmentarecrumbling.Pleasestoplyingtousand
leadourcountrywithintegrityandmaturity.
Andlastly,thankyouforgettingcomplacentAmericansofftheirbuttstofightback.
BillBrimm,Nashville37206
***
DearPresidentTrump:
DonotgutfundingfortheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,whichiscurrentlyfacinga20percent
reductioninstaff,basedonyourproposedbudget.
WeneedtheEPAtokeepournationsafe:TheClimateSecurityConsensusProject,abipartisangroupof
26nationalsecurityandmilitaryleaders,releasedastatementinSeptember2016declaringthat,"the
effectsofclimatechangepresentastrategicallysignificantrisktoU.S.nationalsecurity"andurginga
"comprehensivepolicy"inresponse.
TheEPAisthebestequippedgovernmentagencytodraftthisresponse,butwillnotbeabletodoso
effectivelyifitloses3,000staffersand$2billioninannualfunding.
DebbieBarnard,Cookeville38501
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Tennesseanswelcomeyouandwishyouapleasantvisit.AspresidentofallAmericansyouneedtolisten
toallvoices.Deepdivisionsinourcountryareerodingitsfoundation.Yourleadershipshouldprevent
this,notenhanceit.Iaskyoutoconsiderthefollowing:
Ourgovernmentshouldupholdthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.Thisdoesnot
seemtobeMr.Bannonsmantra.Heshouldnotbeyourmentor.
HonortheFirstAmendmentfreedoms:Speech,thepress,rightofpeacefulassembly,righttopetition
thegovernmentforredressofgrievances,andfreedomofandfromreligion.
Healthcareforallisarightandshouldnotbeapoliticalfootball.
BuildingawallofhatebetweentheU.S.A.andMexicoisawasteofmoneyneededtorepairour
infrastructure.
SupporttheStateDepartmentinaquestforpeace,notmilitaryboastingandunnecessarybuildup.The
worldneedscooperationbetweencountries,notconfrontation.
BeverlySweeton,Lebanon37087
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WewelcomeyoutoNashville,Tennessee.Iwillbeattendingyourrally,alongwithmyhusbandandtwo
sons.InyourmissiontoMakeAmericaGreatAgain,wewouldlovetoseeyouembracetheAmerican
motto,EPluribusUnumwhichtranslatesintoOutofMany,One(Nation).
EmbracethepassionandenergythatyourelectionbroughtoutintheAmericanpeopleforparticipating
ingovernment,alongwiththedesireofagrowingmanyforcivildiscourse.Whilenoteasy,aimtobe
tolerantandrespectfulofthosewhohavedifferingviews,forthatfreeflowofideaswillstrengthenour
democracy.
BethAnnMallow,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
HereswhatIexpectfromyouasapresident:
1. Leadership:Makeyourpresidencyaboutus,notaboutyou.
2. SecurityandImmigration:Fixrealproblemsthathelppeople.Dontcreatenewproblemsthat
hurtpeople.
3. Healthcare:Makeitgoodenoughtoputyournameonit.Letusseeitbeforeyousignit.
4. Trade:Getamajorityofgovernorstoapprovewhatyouwanttoimplement,soyouknowyouve
gotitright.
5. Manufacturing:Berealistic.HelpreinventAmericanmanufacturing.Givecredit,donttake
credit.
6. Infrastructure:Givefederalfundingtothestatesthathaveplansinplace.Getsomewinsgoing.
7. Legacy:Dothingsright.Getthingsdone.
AconcernedAmericancitizenwhowantsyoutodobetter.
SusanBaechler,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Whydoyouinsistonsharingsomanyunverifiedstatements?Forthefirsttimeinmy65years,wehave
apresidentwhomweareunabletotrusthisstatements.Thisisnotarealityshow,thisisAmerica!
DennisGolob,Kingsport37660
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Thanksforallowingmetogetafewthingsoffmymind...maybetheycanbeansweredwhenhevisits.
1. Willthechemtrailsstop?When?
2. DoeshereallytrustChiefofStaffReincePriebusandPriebusstaff?
3. WhyisSecretServiceallowingpeopletoclimbfencesandgetevenclosetotheWhite
House?Shouldn'ttheybestoppedsooner,likeoutsidethefence?
4. IshedoinganythingabouttheNewWorldOrderpreparingfortheherdingofpeoplethatdon't
agreewiththatagendaintoclosedWalMartsandotherstrongholdsacrossthecountry?Scary.
Weallwanthimtomovefasttoovertaketheevilpeopletryingtodestroyusandourcountry.Iknow
he'sbeenworkingfeverishlysincehetookofficeandwethankhimformakinggreatprogresssofar
muchofthetimewithhishandstiedbecauseofgovernmentredtapeandbureaucracy.
MicheleMarie,RockIsland38581
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashvilleandtothehomeofPresidentAndrewJackson,ournation'sfirstpopulist
president.He,likeyou,foughtforrightsofthecommonman.Hesawcorruptionandabusein
Washingtonandsetaboutcorrectingit,justasyouhavepromisedtodoonourbehalf.
Hesawaverageindividualslosingtheiridentity,andagovernmentexistingforitself,andnotforits
citizens.Ifyoustayvigorouslyfocusedontheobjectiveofputtingpeoplebeforepolicy,buildinga
strongerandsaferAmerica,bringingjobsbackandrememberingthateverythingelseismerely
distraction,yourpresidencywillultimatelybejudgedashavingbeenoneofthemosteffectiveinthe
historyofourcountry.
NowthatissurelyalegacyequaltothatofJackson!
JohnRochford,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
PresidentDonaldTrumpcouldbenefitfromamorerusticlife.Maybeheshould"takeahike.
RandallBrady,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
EverydayGodhasmeprayingagainstevilandhiddenconfederations,bringingexposureandconfusion
tothemastheyarepulleddown,andputtinga"red(bloodofJesus)line"aroundyou,yourpeople,and
thiscountry.
Ireaffirmtheanointingthatisuponyou,withwisdomtopurgeandprosecutealltraitors.Forovera
yearGodhasspokentome,"Iamraisingyouupovertheheadsofyourenemies",andHeisvictoriously
doingthis.Donotgetdiscouraged!Donotthinkyouarestandingalone!
GreaterisHewhoisinHistruebelieversthanallthoseoperatinginthedarkworld!God'spurposesand
planswillbevictorious!Stillpraying.
NancyCorcoran,Hermitage37076
***
DearPresidentTrump:
TheTennesseanisdemandingthatyouusetherallyinNashvilletoexplainyourpolicies.Hereistheir
answer:wewonyoulost.
GaryHamilton,Mt.Juliet37122
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Yousayyouaregoingtohelpmiddleincomefamilies.Iworkforalargeautomanufacturerandthere
arenobenefits.Zerobenefits!Nohealthinsurance!
Imakedecentmoneyandwouldbeclassifiedaslowmiddleclass,butraisingtwochildrenalone,paying
amortgageanddaycareof$715amonthmakesitimpossibletopayforinsurancetoo.Andonechild
hasachronicillness.
Youplanontakingheadofhouseholdawayasafilingstatus.Howareyouhelpingfamilieslikemine?I
haveadegree.Whatisyourplanforstudentloandebt?Walkadayinmyshoes,DonaldTrump,and
thentellmeyouaregoingtomakeourlivesbetter.Howcanyou?Youhaveneverdonewithout.You
haveneverhadtochoosebetweenoneneedandanother.
JenniferEdwards,Murfreesboro37128
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youcannottakeawaythehumanrightsofgroupsthatyoudon'tlike.Youcan'tactlikea2yearold
toddleronTwitter.Aren'tyousupposedtobethepresident?
Thepresidentissupposedtoprotectthecitizens.Thatmeansmakinghealthcareaccessibleto
everyone.Thatmeansallowingwomentohaveabortions.ThatmeansnotkickingouttheDreamers.
Thatmeansnotblockingaccesstothecountrybasedonreligion.ThatmeansgivingLGBTQpeople
humanrights,liketheabilitytousethebathroomoftheirchoiceandbeingallowedtomarrywhomever
theywant.Thatmeansvetoinglegislationthatdiscriminatesagainstminoritygroupsorallowssuch
discrimination.Youwon'tdeservethepresidencyuntilyouactlikeapresident.Youmuststop,Mr.
Trump.Actlikeapresident,notatoddler.
JosephinePlummer,Murfreesboro37127
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Shouldn'tourjudges,allUnitedStatesstateandfederaljudges,beheldtoapubliclyviewablelawful
oath(aperformancecontractwiththepeople)ofofficebasedonprobityandnotbebias,prejudice,
partialwithdiscretiontooneofthetwopartiesincourt?
Shouldn'tourjudgesbe"impartial"andallowaninjuredvictimtheSeventhAmendmentofthe
U.S.Constitutiontotherighttoatrialbyjuryofhispeersorshouldjudgesbeallowedtocontinue
handingout"decisions"basedondistainandfraud?
Whynottrulyandeasilyhaveequalrightsandjusticeforallaseveryonepledgesasinourpledgeof
allegiancetothe"republic"Americanflag,notademocracydoasyoupleaseprivateforeign
admiraltytribunal?Shouldn'twedealwithanddoawaywiththe"haven,"the"refuge,"andthe
snuggeryprotectionaffordedtoourcurrentsystemofprotectingjudges?
DennisSchuelke,Hendersonville37075
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youareajoke,amisogynist,andabully.Yourteamdoesnotknowtheethicallawsorrulesandyou
allowyourselftobeapuppetpresident.Youknowyou'renotgoingtobuildawallandallthepoor
(monetary)suckerswhovotedforyouaretoofoolishtoknowtheybeenconned.
CathyMorgan,Nashville37208
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YoucreatedhateagainstMuslimsyoushouldstopittobeourpresidentasAmericanMuslims.
IbrahimCaynaan,Nashville37217
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville.Iama74yearsoldretiredinformationtechnologyprofessional.Iunderstand
socialmedia'svaluetothepopulationofourcitizens.Socialmediaisaveryvaluabletool;however,it
canbeatoolthatourenemiescanuseagainstus.
Whenyoutweetyourmessages,ourenemiescanuseyourmessagestobroadcastdiscoursetothe
world.Weareacountryoftwoprimarypartiesthataredividedandblindedtothefactthattodotheir
jobstheymustmaketheirdecisionsbasedonwhatisbestforourcountry.
Wearesodividedthatonepartycannotseethegoodintheotherparty'sbill.Thisgoesforeachparty.
Yourtweetsdonothingbutdivideusdeeperanddeeperintoacountrythatisgoingoverawaterfall
withnothinggoodatthebottom.PleaseMr.PresidentTrump,keepourcountryfromgoingoverthe
waterfall.
BobbyFowler,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
StopyourperpetuallyingtotheAmericanpeople.Bealeaderthatwantstosolveproblemsforthe
countrynotsomeonethatonlyrepresentsyourownegoandinterests.PleasegetoffTwitteraswell.
YourconstantoneupmanshipisunbecomingforthepresidentoftheUnitedStates.
BryanSmith,Nashville37204
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Ifreakingloveyou,sir!Keepdoingwhatyouredoing.Keepattackingthealtleftevil,lyingmedia.Have
youheardoftheNashvilleTennessean?Fakenews,sir.Preserveourborders.Cutcorporatetaxes.Kill
Obamacare.Thankyou.
ChristopherJones
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iurgeyoutoreflect,seekcounsel,andresigntodemonstrateyouhaveloveforyourfamilyandour
country.Yourwordsandactionsaredividingournationandendangeringourrepublic.
Allourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillliveinamoredangerousanddarkworldduetoyourviewsand
actions.Yourcontinuingliesarecreatingaconstitutionalcrisisandhistorywillbebrutalinitsanalysisof
yourpresidency.Saveyourself!Resign!
LaJeannaCook,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamanIndianImmigrantphysicianandaregisteredDemocratpracticinginNashville,andwelcomeyou
toourbelovedcityofNashville.Iwasexcitedtohearalotofgreatideaspromotedbyyouduringthe
campaign,thatincludedbetterlawandorder,secureborders,fiscaldisciplineinthegovernment,
gettingAmericaoutofforeignwars,andbetterhealthcare.
Isupportthemeritbasedimmigrationsystemthatisfairtoallcountries,thatisenforcedappropriately.
Asaphysician,Iamconcernedabouttheprohibitivecostofhealthcareandprescriptiondrugsin
ourcountrythatrequiresurgentattention.
Iamexcitedtoseeyoureffortsatdrainingtheswamp,andbringefficiencytofederalgovernment.Iam
excitedtoseetheinitiativetopromoteinfrastructureprojectsinpartnershipwithprivatepartnership.
Iwouldlikeyoutogivesufficientimportanceto"softpower"inpromotinginternationalpeaceand
harmony.
VedaBiliyar,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Allthemajorphysiciangroupsinthecountryandnonprofithospitalgroups(representing85percentof
thehospitalsinthecountry)haveexpressedtheiroppositiontotheAmericanHealthCareAct.Youand
therestoftheGOParedesperateforanendorsementoftheplanfromanygroupofdoctorsorhospitals
becausethosearethepeopleandorganizationswhoprovidethehealthcarepatientsneed.
YourvisittoNashvilleisanaturalfitforapresidentialvisitsincethecityishometothreeofthelargest
andmostpowerfulinvestorownedorforprofithospitalcompaniesinthecountry.Mostofthefor
profit(theyliketobecalledinvestorowned)hospitalsthatmakeup15percentofU.S.hospitalsare
representedbytheFederationofAmericanHospitals,headquartersinWashington,D.C.
MytheoryisthatTrumpiscomingheretoputpressureonthemostpowerfulinvestorownedhospital
companiestoinfluencetheFederationtoendorsehisplan.
RobertBenson,Lebanon37090
***
DearPresidentTrump:
TheneedsofmanypeoplearebeingignoredinthenameofpoliticalcronyismastheRepublicanshave
introducedtheirplantorepealandreplaceObamacare.TheAffordableCareActisnotperfect,buthas
beenineffectlongenoughthatsomeareasinneedofimprovementhavebecomeapparent.
Thesensible,caringthingtodowouldbetoworktocorrectthosedeficitsandimplementimprovements
tothisprogramwhichhasbeenalifelinetomanypeople.
ThisbullinthechinashopapproachwhichhasbeentakenbecauseDonaldTrumpmadearash,
impulsive,irresponsiblecampaignpromisehasresultedinatravesty!WillTennesseesenatorsBob
CorkerandLamarAlexanderhavethemoralcompasstoopposethisandinsistthattheinterestsof
Americansneedinghealthcarebeserved,andnotthewealthyeliteswhoareinlinetoprofitfromhuge
taxcutswhilebasichealthservicesforthepoorarebeingtakenaway?
DonnaDavis,Alexandria37012
***
DearPresidentTrump:
GonearethedaysofthefailedObamaadministrationfilledwithbiggovernmentboondoggleslikethe
"stimulusbill"thatcreatedabsolutelyzerosocalledshovelreadyjobs.GonearetheObama"apology
tours"aroundtheworldwhereheapologizedforU.S.wrongdoingswhilegivingbillionsintaxpayer
dollarstoterroristregimeslikeIran.
GoneisObamacare,thehighunemployment,goneisthestalledeconomy,goneistheweakened
military,goneisthedisrespectforourpoliceofficersandveterans,goneisthewholesecularhumanist,
relativemorality,antiquated,stale,socialistphilosophyofBarrackObama.
WelcomePresidentTrumpandyourmostlovelyFirstLadyMelania!
AnewdayofAmericaneconomicgrowth,exceptionalismandpridehasbegunwithyour
inauguration.Andthankyouverymuchforthebigjumpinmy401Ksinceyourelection.Wehopeyou
visitthebeautifulstateofTennesseemanytimesoverthenexteightyearsasPOTUS!Seeyouatthe
rally!
WessonSmith,RedBoilingSprings37150
***
DearPresidentTrump:
TrumpCampaign2016promise:SaveMedicare,Medicaid,andSocialSecuritywithoutcuts.
RepublicanswanttocuthundredsofbillionsofdollarsfromMedicaid.Theproposedplanwouldleave
over24millionpeoplewithoutinsurance.Filledwithindigentpatients,emergencyroomswouldbe
overwhelmed.PlannedParenthood,avitalwomensresource,havinglostfederalfunding,wouldleave
manywomenwithoutbasichealthservices.
IlivedinAustriaforsixyearsandbenefitedfromsocializedmedicine.Havinghadstateprovided
healthanddentalcarethroughoutmyforeignresidency,Icannotfathomwhythemostprosperous
countryintheworldcontinuestodenytheneediestofourcitizenstherighttogoodhealthcare.
HealthcareReformtoMakeAmericaGreatAgainisanemptyTrumppromiseiftheAffordableCare
ActisnotreplacedwithevenbettercoverageforallAmericans;wedeservethesameplanasCongress.
ChristineIsleyFarmer,Murfreesboro
***
DearPresidentTrump:
AsyoudiligentlyworktoreturnU.S.corporationsworkforcesandmanufacturingfacilitiestoAmerica,I
askthatyoualsofocusonsuchcorporationstorelocatetheircustomerservicessegmenttoournative
land.
ItissofrustratingtospeakwithapartyinIndia,Indonesiaorsomeotherforeigncountryandnotbe
abletounderstandwhattheyaresayingorwadingthroughtheirlackofproduct/policyknowledge.
LetustalktoanAmericancitizenwhospeaksourlanguagefluentlyandwiththeabilitytoanswerour
questionsorpassusthroughtosomeonethathasthatability.Wegetclarityandmorejobsforour
people.
DonWPark,Springfield37172
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Whenareyougoingtostoplying?
MarkWollaeger,Nashville37204
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iamcloselyobservinghowthisadministrationinterfaceswiththepress.OurFoundingFathers
enshrinedfreedomofthepressintotheFirstAmendmentoftheUnitedStatesConstitution,ratifiedin
theBillofRightsof1791.
EverytimethisadministrationblockscredentialedjournalistsfromWhiteHousepressbriefings,muzzles
others,refusestotakequestionsatall,orattacksthepressthroughtweets,IandmillionsofAmericans
arewatchingandwondering.
Thepress,likeitscoverageornot,playsavitalroleinourdemocracy.Aninformedelectoraterequires
publicaccesstoinformation.Openaccessforthemediaiswhatmakesademocracyademocracy
versusadictatorship,statedWhiteHousePressSecretarySeanSpiceratarecentpaneldiscussion.
Exactly.ThatiswhyIandmillionswillcontinuetowatchcloselyandthendecidehowwewillvoteinthe
midtermelections.
MarthaStinson,Nashville37212
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThankyouforvisitingTennessee,andwelcometoourstate!AndthankstoTheTennesseanforallowing
itsreaderstoofferletterstoyou.AlthoughIvotedforyou,IwouldbewritingthissamelettertoMrs.
Clintonhadshebeenelectedandvisitedourstateaspresidentnow.
Ihonestlyhopethatourcountrycangetovertheextremelypolarizedatmospherethatcurrentlyexists
andmoveonintwoways:
1)supportyouasourdulyelectedPresident,whetherwevotedforyouornot,inyoureffortstodo
whatyoupromisedyou'ddoifelected;and
2)shiftanyofourcollectiveenergycurrentlygoingintoprotestsanddemonstrationsintoplanningand
executingastrategytoelectsomebodyelsein2020ifthat'swhatwewant.
Thatsthewaythiscountryissupposedtooperate.
CharlesM.Jones,Franklin37067
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Oneoftheitemsofthehealthcareplanistogivemoreauthoritytothestates.Itookalettertoboth
SenatorCorkerandAlexandersstaffssayingthatthatwouldbeOKifwelivedinVermontorCalifornia
orsomeotherstatesthatexpandedMedicaidbecausetheycareaboutthehealthoftheirconstituents.
WeliveinTennesseeandthislegislaturedoesnotcareaboutthehealthofTennesseans.Governor
Haslamtriedtogetamodesthealthcarebillthroughandwouldnotevengettoavoteinour
legislature.
Wheneverourrepresentativesarevotingonanyitemthatgivesmoreauthoritytothestatesyoumust
takenoteofthestate.
TherearecertainstateslikeTennesseethathaveahistoryofnothelpingtheleastofthese.These
stateshaveahistoryofJimCrowandlynchingandbathroombills.Theydonotwanttohelp.
JimWohlgemuth,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThreeQuestions:
1. WhatarethenamesofthetwoinvestigatorsyousenttoHawaiiin2011toinvestigatePresident
Obama'sbirthcertificate?Whendoyouplantoreleasetheirreport(andyourincometax
returnsgoingback10years)?
2. Youhadpromisedtosuethe10womenwhoaccusedyouofsexualmisbehaviorafterthe
elections.Fourmonthshavepassedsincetheelection.Whendoyouplantosue?
3. Alistof12countrieswhereTrumpproductsaremadewaspublishedintheWashingtonPoston
Aug.26,2016.Isthatfakenews?Ifso,whatAmericancitiesandtownsALLyourproductslisted
inthearticlemadein.
ZakMohyuddin,Tullahoma37388
***
DearPresidentTrump:
$54billioncutsondomesticspendingforU.S.qualityoflifetobolsterthedefensebudgetforwar?Cut
HousingandUrbanDevelopmentmoneyforhomelessveteransandpotentiallykilllivesintheU.S.and
usingthemoneyforkillingmoreAmericansoldierslivingoverseastomakeprofitthroughwarfor
corporationsthroughgovernmentcontracts?Whosecountryareyouleading?Youdontcareabout
Americanpeople,either.
EricBrown,Nashville37208
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Asaretiredseniorcitizen.Ihaverespectedtheofficeofthepresidencyovermanytrialsandtribulations.
IrecognizethatyouwereelectedbyourElectoralCollegesystemandfeelanobligationtoyourvoting
basetofulfillthepromisesyoumadetothem.
Ofcourse,theCongress,thecourtsandthecitizensmustagreewithyourpledgestobuildawall,target
immigrants,expandthemilitary,reduceenvironmentalregulations,changehealthcareandisolateour
nationfromglobaleconomiesandresponsibilities.
However,youmadeanotherclearandsignificantpromisetoallthenation.Youstatedthatafterthe
electionyouwouldreleaseyourtaxreturns.
CompletingthispromiseissomethingyoucandopersonallywithoutCongress,courtsorcitizen
involvement.Thissingle,simplepromisemustbekepttomaintainarespectfortheofficeofthe
presidency!
MichaelBolduc,Nashville37211
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Pleasebepresidential.Don'tgetcaughtupintrivialmatterssuchasTVshows.Noteveryoneisgoingto
likeorsupportyouyouknowthatfromthebusinessworld,butaspresidentyouhaveadifferent
responsibility.
IfyoufeelyoumustuseaTwitteraccount,pleaseconfineittothingsthegovernmentandyouaredoing
tomakethingsbetterfortheAmericanpeople.Pleasedonotusesocialmediatoairpersonalfeelings
aboutindividuals.Ithinkitwouldbeagreatideatothink"WhatwouldPresidentLincoln,Roosevelt,or
Jeffersondo?"
Weneedyoutobealeaderandtocommandourrespectinthesetroubledtimes.Pleasedowhatyou
pledgedyouwoulddo:MakeAmericagreatagain.
TerryHudson,Murfreesboro37128
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Scoresoffellowcitizensarehavingdifficultydealingwiththeharshrealityofyourpresidency.Following
areasmallsampleofquestionswhichbegplausibleanswers:
Whydoyousounilaterally,unfoundedly,publicly,perniciously,andblatantlyaccuseyourpredecessor
ofwiretappingyourphones?
Ultimately,atwhatinevitableandsubstantialcosttothehealthoftheAmericanpeoplewillyour
rollbackofEPAregulationsandstandardsexact?
Howdoyoureconciletheconsiderabletimeandenergydevotedtodistractions,suchasyourobsession
withthemedia,withthefocusrequiredtoconfrontthedaytodayrigorsfacingtheexecutivebranchof
government?
Canwenotinferthatyourcampaignslogan,"MakeAmericaGreatAgain,alongwithyour
determinationtobuildawall,aswellasyourreluctancetopartnerinalleviatingtherefugeecrisis,
conveysamessageofnationalismtoourallies,whilesimultaneouslyemboldeningourrivals?
RobertJudkins,Hendersonville37075
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IamafarmerinruralTennessee.IfarmbecauseIwanttoleavethisworldabetterplaceandIbelieve
thatregenerativeagricultureisvitalinreturningfertilitytooursoils,healthtoourbodies,integrityto
ourruraleconomies,andeveninmitigatingclimatechange.
Asafarmer,IcaredeeplyabouttheenvironmentandIamhorrifiedbyyouradministration'santi
environmentpoliciesandcontinuedsupportofthefossilfuelindustryoverruralcitizens.Evenifyou
can'tbringyourselftobelieveinclimatescience,can'tyouatleastunderstandthatfossilfuelsarenon
renewable?Thereisnothingconservativeaboutusingupanonrenewableresource(thatalsopollutes
theatmosphere)whenweareonapathtowardcleanertechnologiesthatcanprovideongoingjobs.
RuralAmericansdeservebetterfromourrepresentatives,includingyou.
JessicaWilson,Monteagle37356
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Itismyobservationthatyouhavepresentedyourselfasa"PresidentforthePeople.
Youarebehavingasthoughonlysomeof"thepeople"areimportantandareworthyofyourattention.
Thisisapartisanattitude.GoverningandbeingPresidentareaboutmorethanbeingpartisan.
WehavehadsuccessfulandbelovedPresidentsthatweretoughandplainspoken.Thereisadifference
betweenbeingplainspokenanduncivil.
Historynorourallieswilllookkindlyonyouroryouradministration'scontinuedincivility
Youarecorrectthatwehaveseriousproblemsinthiscountry.Weneedseriouspeopletosolvethem.
Thepresidencyrequiresseriousnessandbalance.Inmyopinion,youhavenotshownthisabilitytothe
country.Iaskthatyouemployachangeintoneandinyourpublicbehavior.
Goodluckandthankyouforyourconsideration.
C.W.Stewart,Columbia38401
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IheardsomethingthatHowardSternsaidaboutyousincetheelection,anditmademethinkofyouina
completelydifferentlight.
SterntalkedabouthowmuchyouenjoyedHollywood,andthepress,andbeinglikedbypeople.Itssad
nowthatsomeonewhousedtogetsomuchpleasureoutofthesethingsisnowsostronglydisliked.
Youhaveaccomplishedwhatnoonethoughtyoucould:youwereelectedPresident.Youvewonthe
wholedeal,andnowitcanonlydecline.Whynotconsidergoingout,now,attheverytopofyourgame?
Youcangobacktoyouroldlife,handthecountryovertotheleadersofyourparty,andyou
willalwaysbeknownasthemanwhodidwhatnoonethoughthecoulddo.
Whatdoyouthinkyouwillbecomeknownasifyoustay?
GayleJordan,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Moreregisteredvotersdidn'tvotethanvotedforyou.
Ofthevotersthatvotedmorevotedagainstyou.
YouaredoingeverythingyouattackedObamaforandstillattackhim.
Onequestion:Whyareyouholdingapeprallyanddisruptingandbusywhenyousaidyouwouldbea
workingpresident?
JohnGuertin,Madison37115
***
DearPresidentTrump:
ThisiswhatyoupromisedinJanuary:Weregoingtohaveinsuranceforeverybody.Therewasa
philosophyinsomecirclesthatifyoucantpayforit,youdontgetit.Thatsnotgoingtohappenwith
us.Youcanexpecttohavegreathealthcare.Itwillbeamuchsimplifiedform.Muchlessexpensive,
muchbetter.
NowtheHousehasrevealeditsplantoreplacetheAffordableCareAct,andyousupportit.Itdoesnt
liveuptoyourJanuarypromise.
HereinTennessee,thepercapitacapsforMedicaidwouldresultin$370billionincutsfor
TennCare.Howdoweprovideinsuranceforeverybodythatismuchbetter?Seniorsbetweenthe
agesof5564willget$4,000tobuyhealthinsuranceyetwewillbechargedfivetimesasmuchasa
young,healthyperson.Lowincomeworkersandseniorswilllosecoveragethisisnotbetter.Keep
yourpromise!
LendaSherrell,Monteagle37356
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Itstimetostopcampaigningyouwonandstartmanagingourgovernmentwithcommonsense
policiesforthegreatergoodofallcitizens.
Manyofthepromisesyoumadeonthecampaigntrailshouldbemodifiedorevenscrapped,asyouare
learning.Yes,healthcareiscomplicatedandwealreadyknewthat.Whydidntyou?
Mexicowillnotpayforawallandyoucantforcethemto,butifyoupenalizeAmericanbusiness
imports,Americancitizenswillpayforyourrashpromise.(YoumightwanttostopmakingyourTrump
stuffinChina,too.)
Wecantbeisolationistsinaglobaleconomy.StartmakingallianceswithDemocratsand
independents.Looktosomeofouraccomplishedmayorsandgovernorsmanyofthemtalented
womenwhohavegreatideasandknowhowtogetthingsdoneacrosspartiesandconstituencies.
Getthechipoffyourshoulder.Stopinsultingpeople.Stopreadingthetabloidsandlayoffthe
tweeting.
DianeP.Romeo,Brentwood
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youpromisedtoreleaseyourtaxreturnsifelected.TheAmericanpublicexpectsyoutokeepthis
promise.
KevinDonovan,Murfreesboro37130
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youhavedonemanythingssinceyourinaugurationtocausemoredivisioninourcountry.Youcontinue
tostokefearandthenaresurprisedwhenmorehatecrimesarecommittedagainstJewishproperty.
Yourimmigrationbanattemptsshowdisrespectforgroupsofcitizensandwillmakeuslesssafe.Your
actionsandwordareusedtorecruitnewmemberstoISIS.
Allowingmentallyincompetentcitizenstopurchaseweaponsisirresponsible.
Callingthemediatheenemyofthepeoplemakesyousoundlikea1950scommunistleader.Steve
BannonontheNationalSecurityCouncilisequallytroubling.
Youneedtoreleaseyourtaxreturn(s).Youshowcontemptforthecountryeverytimeyoucontinue
conductyourbusinesses,theleastyoucandoisbetransparent.
Tweetingyourearlymorningthoughts(andothers)diminishesyouandyourpresidency.
BillTankard,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iamsaddenedbyyouractionssincetheinauguration.
TheimmigrationbanisathinlyveiledefforttoexcludethosewhoarenotwhiteChristiansfromour
country.Diversityiswhatmakesusstrong.
Thebillthatyousignedtoallowmentallyincompetentpeopletobuygunsdefiesjustification.
PlacingSteveBannonontheNationalSecurityCouncilisinexcusable.
Youneedtoreleaseyourtaxreturn(s).
Yourrefusaltodivestyourselfofyourbusinessesisdisrespectfuloftheofficeyouholdandanaffrontto
thecitizensofthiscountry.
YourfailuretoacceptresponsibilityforthedeathofaNavySealinYemenispatheticandusinghis
widowasapropforyouaddresstocongresswasdisgraceful.Perhapsifyouhadactedwithmore
cautionyouwouldnothavehadtoofferheryourverypubliccondolences.
Idependonthemediaandtheintelligenceagenciestokeepyouincheck.
TheresaTankard,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
RatherthanPresidentAndrewJacksonasarolemodel,considerPresidentTheodoreRoosevelt.
Hewas,likeyou,aNewYorker,andhe,unlikeyou,asaprogressiveRepublican,wasontheforefrontof
conservationofournaturalresources.
He,likeyou,sawtheStatueofLibertyandEllisIslandinNewYorkharbor.Bothsymbolizeourdoorto
huddledmasses,yearningtobreathefree.
I,likeoneinfourAmericans,cantraceatleastonefamilymemberwhoenteredtheUnitedStates
throughEllisIsland.Withacursorymedicalexam,$30,andthenameofarelativeorfriendinthe
UnitedStates,andafewquestionsanswered,theyenteredtheirlandofpromise.
ManylivedtobecometheGreatestGeneration.Theearly20thcenturyinfluxofIrish,Italians,and
EasternEuropeanJewswerentturnedawaybyexcludingtheircountryoforiginasasubterfugefor
denyingpeopleoftheirfaiths;thatwouldhavebeenunconstitutionalaswellasinhumane.
PhyllisGordon,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Lifeisnothingifyoudonothelpothers.Lifeisnotaboutfame,fortune,power,andlifeisnotabout
enrichingthealreadywealthy.Itisensuringthattheleastpowerfulhavemedicalinsurance,freepublic
education,ahealthyandcleanenvironment,equaljusticeunderthelaw.Andlifeisaboutsharingour
goodfortunewiththepoorestofthepoorinothercountries.
Mr.Trump,lookforyourinspirationinthebestandkindestpartsofyourself,andyoucouldbethegreat
presidentyouwouldliketobe.
JudithDianeShulman,BellBuckle37020
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Showusyourincometaxreturns!
MaryJoMurphy,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
AretheAmericanpeopleevergoingtoseeyourtaxreturns?AreyouhidingyourRussianconnectionsin
thetaxreturns?
DavidCzarnecki,Franklin
***
DearPresidentTrump:
IcannotsupportorrespectthecurrentpoliciesofDonaldTrump.
1. StoptheTravelBans.LimitingtravelofimmigrantswillnotkeepterroristsoutoftheUnited
States.
2. DonotdismantletheAffordableCareAct.CongresscanfixtheACAbynegotiatingwith
insuranceanddrugcompanies.Insurancecompaniesshouldparticipate,withreasonablerates,
ifaffiliatedwithothergovernmentbasedhealthcareplans.Healthcareshouldnotbeusedby
politicalpartiestoscoreoveroppositionthefocusshouldbeimprovingthehealthcareof
Americancitizens.
3. Supportwomensrights,especiallyprochoiceandequalpay.
4. Balancethebudgetforeveryonenotjusttherich.
5. Forgetthefoolishandexpensivewall.SpendthemoneyonrepairstoAmericaninfrastructure.
6. Asanontaxpayer,stopstiffingAmericansforweekendsinFlorida.
7. Stopthenegativetweets.Youdemeanyourselfandourcountry.
PatriciaSheaffer,Mt.Juliet37122
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashvillePresidentTrump!
Theword"welcome"isonethatpeopleinourcityuseoftenandinaglad,polite,andfriendlyway.
Weareacityofgivers,asevidencedbyover2,000nonprofitorganizationswhoareinthebusinessof
helpingpeoplebecomehealthier,bettereducated,andmoreproductiveastheycontributetomaking
Nashvillethegreatcityitistoday!
Wecontinuetostriveforimprovementinourcity,andwehopeandtrustthataspresident,youwill
helpNashvilleandallofAmerica'scitiesandtownstomaintainanAmericangivingspirit.Wedesireto
workwithandwelcomeallpeopleregardlessofrace,religion,age,gender,ethnicoriginorsexual
orientation.
WebelieveinanAmericawithopportunityandjusticeforall!PleasejoinusandhelpkeeptheAmerican
Dreamalive!
MichaelBradley,Nashville37215
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Youshouldresignimmediately,duetoyourquestionabledealingswithPutinandAlfaBank.
ThegreatRomanoratorandstatesmanMarcusTulliusCicerooncesaid:
Anationcansurviveitsfools,andeventheambitious.Butitcannotsurvivetreasonfromwithin.An
enemyatthegatesislessformidable,forheisknownandcarrieshisbanneropenly.
Butthetraitormovesamongstthosewithinthegatefreely,hisslywhispersrustlingthroughallthe
alleys,heardintheveryhallsofgovernmentitself.Forthetraitorappearsnotatraitor;hespeaksin
accentsfamiliartohisvictims,andhewearstheirfaceandtheirarguments,heappealstothebaseness
thatliesdeepintheheartsofallmen.
Herotsthesoulofanation,heworkssecretlyandunknowninthenighttounderminethepillarsofthe
city,heinfectsthebodypoliticsothatitcannolongerresist.Amurdererislesstofear.
MarkHenderson,Mt.Pleasant
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YoutoldyoursupportersthatifHillaryClintonwaselected,nothingwouldbeaccomplishedbecauseher
administrationwouldbemiredininvestigations.Oh,my,youwereelectedandnowAmericansaremore
inyourinvestigations!
Pleasereleaseyoutaxreturnsforthelast10yearssowecanputallthisdramatorest,clearupthe
Russiasuspicions,andgetonwithaninfrastructurebill.
LeavetheAffordableCareActinplaceandimprove.Don'tthrowitoutunlessTrumpcarewilldowhat
youpromised"provideaffordablehealthcareforeveryone."
JeannetteMcNeil,Mt.Juliet37122
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Istronglyurgeyoutoputegoasideandrisetotheoccasion.Whenthepeoplespeak,pleasehearthem.
Whenmillionsmarchbecausetheyareafraid,understandthattheyareyourconstituents.
Stopactinginthebestinterestsofthebusinesseswhohaveunlimitedmoneytospendspreadingtheir
message,andstartactinginthebestinterestsofthereal,scared,andunheardcitizensofthecountry
thatyounowlead.Wedonthavethemoneyandinfluenceofcorporationsandlobbyists.Butweare
thepeopleyousworetoserve.Imaginewhataheroyouwouldbecome,ifyoudidturnyourbackonbig
businessandwellfundedlobbyists,andmadedecisionsonlywiththepeopleinmind!
AndfortheloveofGod,pleasestopactinglikeasurlyteenageronTwitter.Itisnotdignified;itis
embarrassing.
KristinDillard,Nashville37204
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WewishyouthebestasyouvisitNashville.IntheyearssinceIhavebeenvoting,IdonotthinkIhave
everwitnessedanypresidentoranyotherpolitician,whohasexperiencedasmuchconsistently
plannedoppositionasyouhaveoneveryfront,andwitheachpotentiallyharmfulthingyouare
addressing,inourlandandforus.Youarebeingnoticed!
Surelythismustproveyouaredoingsomethingsright,sincemonumentsarenotbuilttocritics,norto
honorthosewhositinsilence,oroneswholooktheotherway.
Onewouldwondertoo,whenandwherethosewhoareconsistentlyprotesting,maynowbegainfully
employed.Aretheyworkingregularly,andcontributingtosocietytoaffectthosesamechanges?
FormerPresidentObama,too,suggestedthosewithconcernsforchange,act.Thus,itseems
thatregisteringonlinetovolunteeratoneofthemanyfineagenciessuggestedthroughHandson
Nashville,atwww.hon.org,maypossiblybeabetteruseofone'stime,inassistingtobringaboutsome
ofthosesamechangesinourcity,manyofwhichbothpresidents,andourmayornow,havespoken
about.
Prayersandsupportforyou,Mr.President,frommostthecitizensofNashville!Wehearyou!Wejoin
withyoutobringaboutchange,now,justaswedidwhenweelectedyou!
SandraK.Sanders,Madison37115
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Releaseyourtaxreturns.Divest.
DianaPage,Nashville37221
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Pleaseconsiderthechildrenwhowillsomedayinheritthisearth.Thinkofthemwhenyoucontemplate
decisionsaboutourfragileenvironment.WhenIwasgrowingupinChattanooga,theairwaspinkwith
smog.Thenin1970,PresidentRichardNixon,aRepublican,signedanexecutiveordertocreatethe
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.Wehavehimandhissuccessorsofbothpoliticalpartiestothankfor
ourcleanairandwater,trulyfragileresources.Pleasehonortheirnearly50yearlegacy.
Butmoreimportant,pleasehonorthechildren,ourmostpreciousresource.Noneofusareonthisearth
forverylong.Weshouldtrynottoleavemessesforourchildrentohavetotrytocleanup.
MaryPattenPriestley,Sewanee37375
***
DearPresidentTrump:
WelcometoNashville,Tennessee!Wearehonoredtohaveourpresidentvisitushereandwehopeyou
willappreciateourhospitality.
Ourhospitalityalsoextendstothe12percentofourpopulationwhoaretrying,withoursupportand
assistance,tointegratetotheirnewhomes.Itisdifficulttolearnanewlanguageandadapttoanew
culture,butwerealizethatthesenewresidentsaresearchingforasafeenvironmentandahopeful
futurefortheirchildren.
YourrecenttravelbanshaveleftmanyAmericansfeelingthatweareturningintoaselfish,mean
spirited,xenophobiccountry,anditisdeeplytroubling.
Pernewssources,gainingrefugeestatusintheU.S.takesanaverageof18to24monthsmostofit
conductedabroad.
ItinvolvesscreeningbytheUnitedNationsandeightdifferentfederalgovernmentagencies,aswellas
threefacetofaceinterviews,biometricsecuritieschecks,backgroundchecks,andsecuritydatabase
checks.Thisseemslargelysufficient.No"extremevetting"isnecessaryasitisalreadyinplace.
Pleasereconsideryourstanceonwhatappearstobeareligiousmetricandadenialofcompassion.
CamilleMonohan,Fairview37062
***
DearPresidentTrump:
LetmetellyouwhyIvotedforyou.Iwasfromabluecollarfamily,mydadworkedatafactorywhich,
ofcourse,haslongshutdowncalledTrailMobile(inCincinnati).
Hewasworkingforthemformanyyears,andwhenhebecameill,frombeingadiabetic,hecouldnt
findwork.TrailMobileatthattimehadlaidoffworkersandhenolongerhadajob.Backinthosedays,
peoplewouldnothireyouifyouhadpreexistingconditions.Thathasbeenover50plusyearsnow,but
havingthefactorythatmyfatherworkedforshutdownchangedourlives.
Bringingbackourfactoriesmeansalottome,asforalotofthemanyotherfamiliesthatcountonthose
jobs.
MayGodblessyou.
JudyMunoz,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
PresidentTrumpsNashvillerallyfortheGOPhealthcarebillwillbemetwithjustifiableoutrage.
Goneistherequirementthatpeoplebuyinsurance,whichkeepspremiumsdownbybalancingtherisk
poolwithhealthyandsickpeople.Inaddition,largeremployerswillnolongerberequiredtooffer
healthbenefits.Some24millionpeoplewillbedropped,andIimaginehealthypeoplewilltaketheir
chanceswithoutinsurance,whichwillfurtherincreasepremiums.
Iftheuninsuredgetsicktheywillbehitwiththefullretailliabilityastronomicalandindefensiblethat
thosewithinsuranceneverpay.Foradultspast50,taxcreditsarereducedwhilepremiumsare
acceptableatfivetimesthoseforyoungeradults.Worse,manychildrenfromlowincomefamilieswill
loseMedicaideligibility.
TheAmericanHealthCareActleavesfewerpeoplewithinsuranceaspremiumsandcostscontinueto
skyrocket.GOP,itsadisaster.Pleasetryagain.
AmyEskindSchulman,Nashville37205
***
DearPresidentTrump:
AsamemberoftheUnitedMethodistChurchfor55years,Icommendtoyouourbishopsstatementon
immigration:Thebiblicalwitnessisclearandunambiguous.Wallsareunbiblical.Hospitalityisbiblical.
Denyingonesneighborisunbiblical.WelcomingthestrangerisbiblicalThesevaluesfromoursacred
textsarecurrentlyreflectedinthemandateoftheU.S.RefugeeAdmissionsProgramandmustnotbe
usurpedbyanyexecutiveorder.
ThereforeIcallontheU.S.Congresstorescindtheseharmfulexecutiveordersand,Saynotothe
wallingoffourcountryandourheartsandsayyestotheirhopeourhopefornewlife.
BlairG.Meeks,Brentwood37027
***
DearPresidentTrump:
YouhavepromisedtoensurethatallAmericanshavehealthcoveragethatisbetterandlessexpensive
thanObamacare.
TheObamacarerepealthatCongressisrushingtopassisntanyofthethingsyoupromised.Theofficial
CongressionalBudgetOfficenowconfirmswhatexpertsinbothpartieshavesaidforweeks.Millionsof
Americanswillpaymorebutgetfarless.14millionAmericanswillloseinsurancenextyear,andmillions
moreafterthat.Insurancecompaniescanchargeolderpatientsfivetimesasmuchasyoungerpeople.
Medicaidfundingforchildrenandthefrailelderlyinnursinghomeswillbecutby$880billionoverthe
nextdecade.
Tennesseewilllosemanyofitsruralhospitalsasaresult.
Iamworriedformypatients,Mr.President.WillyoustanduptoCongressonbehalfoftheAmerican
people?Pleasegetusthebetterdealthatyoupromised.
RobertF.Miller,M.D.,Nashville37232
***
TwoletterscamefromFloridaresidents:
DearPresidentTrump:
Myyoungfamilymember,abusinessownerandjobcreator,gotverysickwithnohealthinsuranceand
wouldbedeadtodaywithouttheAffordableCareAct.PleasedonotrepealACA!TheAmericanpeople
areyourgreatestcapitalnotyourenemy!
GailAbraham,CapeCoral,FL33904
***
DearPresidentTrump:
Iurgethatyounotcutfundingtoeducationprograms.Americaonceelevatedourculturetoreflectthe
bestofhumannaturebyholdingtheeducationbarhigh,butnowuseschildrenasconsumersof
superficialvalueproductsorientedaroundartificialstatus.
For20years,TIMMStestingrevealsAmericanchildrentrailbehindmanycountriesinmath,scienceand
literacy.NolongerdoesAmericaencourageitschildrentokeepupwiththerestoftheworldtoensure
ourplaceatthetableofglobaleconomy,todevelopscientificinnovationsandsolveproblems,to
developthetechnologynecessarytoprotectourborderswithoutexposingouryoungpeopletowar,to
beattheforefrontofcuttingedgeengineeringandmedicalcures.
Ifthisantiintellectualtrendpersists,Americawillfinditselfatthemercyofthosecountrieswith
productswewillneedtosurviveandwewillhavenothingthattheyneed.
DominiqueRidgewell,Nokomis,FL34275