Name/Title
AU Harris, Abigail Elizabeth [Tilley] - 2016-10-10 letter to Donald J. TrumpEntry/Object ID
2017.1.1Context
October 10, 2016
Dear Mr. Trump,
Please go back with me, to late one night while watching the evening news, when I witnessed confirmation that you were indeed announcing your candidacy to be running for the office of the President of the Untied States. I was so inspired for our country with this news, that I woke my then 10 year old son from sleep, to create a moment that we both could remember as important to us for the rest of our lives. Throughout this campaign, I have referenced back to our momentous conversation, making certain that he does not lose sight of why his mother felt then, and continues to believe now, that you were the most suitable tool our broken nation could desperately use.
My name is Abby Tilley. I am a married mother of 4 children. I am blessed with a more than comfortable life. One in which I believe was earned, not owed to me, by my self employed hard working husband and me. A life built and enjoyed, all while respecting the foundation of the United States, while honoring those before us who worked even harder to pave ways for our better lives, and by priding ourselves on being Americans; sadly something that is becoming increasingly more difficult to do. I am writing this letter with the desperate hope that it reaches you. I am writing this letter because I feel it imperative that you know why I, a middle class mother who fears for the future that her children face, believe that you are quite possibly the only saving grace in sight for our rapidly declining nation.
In my home, I do not support the concept of fair, nor do I consider myself to have always been ‘dealt the fairest of hands’. Truthfully Mr. Trump, who has? The reality is, and it surprises and sickens me that my children understand yet many grown adults do not, that in this life. fair does not exist. There are times when it would certainly be convenient to pull the fair card, but at the end of the day, fair is simply an unreasonable request. This being said, if ever one needed proof of ‘unfair’, I would reference this person to the treatment that your campaign and you as an individual, have received over the course of this endeavor. Treatment from moderators. your opponent and like supporters, and most disgracefully, our highly influential to many, media. You have been blatantly treated with the most ‘unfair’ bias that I have seen. During and after the recent town hall debate, I was quite literally physically shaking and unnerved. I feel this way not only because of the force you are having to push against just to be heard, but because I am so disheartened and disappointed by the irresponsible behavior of many American people. I feel that our nation has been so let down, that a candidate such as yourself is not allowed a leveled playing field to represent himself to the voters, so that they might have the opportunity to REALLY hear his plans of potential for them, and form their own opinion. This is a fundamental concept that the growth of our nation can be credited to, yet many do not even realize that they have allowed themselves to be convinced on where they stand without truly deciding for themselves. Rather, you have been forced to swim upstream in a fierce river without the support of the hand holding media. It is disgusting. Still, you swim.
This leads me to what I see to be quite obvious. You do not HAVE to swim. What I told my son that night is that a man named Donald Trump had made a decision to put himself on the line, reroute his comfortable life. and stand up and fight for our crippled country. We discussed how I was excited about this offer that Mr. Trump was making. We talked about how this candidate would be quite different from most we had see[n] and heard of before. Which, by the way, is a big part of why some are afraid of you....change and different are not necessarily bad, and shame on some for closing their minds to the possibility. I explained to my son that this was indeed an
‘offer’ from Mr. Trump, seeing as politics had never been a public focus in the man’s life. We talked about how the United States was struggling. We touched on how the ideas of ‘fair’, the American dream, and equal opportunity all have a nice ring to them, but that they were far out of reach. I told my son that, my opinion, for quite some time, had been that our country was in desperate need of being run like a business. It needed to be run like a business with a leader capable of making decisions that would reference the big picture; decisions that might hurt some feelings along the way; decisions with the vision of success always in close sight. Along came Donald Trump. I have gathered, Mr. Trump, based on public knowledge and a little research, that you can be classified as a successful businessman. In fact, I feel that I can safely state, that you, because of your success, could with continued wise judgment, live out the rest of your years as comfortably and privileged as you desire. I applaud this success. This is precisely why I consider your candidacy an offer to our nation and the people of it. It is an offer to do whatever it takes with your potential power, to help restore our country to the proper balance that has been long out of sight. An offer to do this tirelessly, as opposed to your latter option as you near appropriate retirement age; an option that you have rightfully earned for yourself and your family. I pray that more Americans will see that your offer is for their gain and benefit, not for yours.
Without writing you a book that you do not have the time to read, I would like to point out a few of my stances on several of the ‘hot topics’ surrounding you right now. I want you to hear my stance because I think it is very important for you to know that this average middle class mother can see through the rough, and understands what is actually important in this election. Here are a few of my responses, if you will, to some of the current hypes.
Locker Room Talk
I DO NOT CARE about your locker room talk. I do stand strongly against sexual abuse and sexual assault. That being said, I am married to a man, I have plenty of friends who are men, I am a woman, and I have plenty of friends who are women. I have been both witness to AND a participant in ‘locker room talk’. Among certain audiences, and in this particular case. the world, who would not be embarrassed if their private, not so ‘Sunday appropriate‘ conversations were exposed? I challenge all to step forward and honestly claim they are the exception who has never been a part of conversation that is less than perfect in one way or another. I accept your repeated apology Mr. Trump, although quite frankly in my opinion, it was not necessary. I hope that you can accept mine on behalf of some who have derailed so far off of the appropriate agenda. that they are engaging in such scandalous behavior.
3am Tweeting
Being the President of the United States is a 24 hour job. This is basic stuff. Again, I DO NOT CARE what hour you choose to tweet to your audience. I happen to write important letters at 3am. We do what we feel is necessary when we have the time to get it done. Especially, when what needs to be done is defend your own character on an issue that once again, is irrelevant to ones capability and qualification to run the United States.
Race/Gender Bias
I believe that there are people of every race, religion, gender, and citizenship who have the character worthy of genuine respect. I also believe that the are people of every race, religion, gender, and citizenship who, do to their own individual actions, are not worthy of the same respect. It baffles me that this is not easily understood by literally everyone. I am not fooled by cheap shots that challenge your character on how you view individuals.
Paying Taxes
I applaud your success in the business world. I am certain that you pay plenty in taxes. I would be hard pressed to find any American who is not going to use every tax benefit available to them in order to keep from paying a penny more than they are required by law. I have yet to hear of anyone who marches back to their accountant and says, “I want to owe more.”
Terrorism and Borders
As I mentioned in my description of a successful businessman-one who is not afraid to make decisions that might hurt some feelings along the way-one who is consistently keeping the assets of the business a top priority. Simple logic. . .the asset-our homeland. The threat-dangerously disguised terrorists welcomed into our country, many unidentifiable under the current administration. Yes, the feelings of peaceful and harmless individuals might be temporarily bruised while awaiting a new and more effective form of homeland security to be established. This is a small price to pay for increased safety for the American people.
These are only a few of my opinions that lead me to giving you my vote. I pray that much of the country shares these opinions and allows themselves the opportunity to try an administration unlike any that the United States has seen before. An administration that I see having a no nonsense, cut to the chase and fix what’s broken, take on things. You are not perfect Mr. Trump. You have flaws. We all do. The character attacks are cheap distractions. I am not distracted. I am fearful and sickened with where we are as a nation. I see your goals and pray that the people give you the opportunity to reach them. The distractions have turned this election into what many are calling a circus, making the United States appear distracted, pathetic. and vulnerable. It is embarrassing and dangerous for our country. What I see in you. especially lately. and that I see in myself, is that we are not laughing. We are not smiling or having fun with what some are viewing as a game. I find no humor in any bit of it. Rather, I am feeling almost abandoned by a nation that I have always been proud to be a part of. I do believe that you can be a very useful tool in the reconstruction of our broken ways.
In conclusion, I thank you for standing before the people, sacrificing your resources that could otherwise be selfishly spent. I thank you for undergoing much personal scrutiny through an election that is far from any interest of your personal gain. I accept and welcome your offer to our nation. I look forward to continuing to support your goals for America. Please press on. I am watching and listening, and I support you Mr. Trump.
Sincere Regards,
Abby Tilley
