The White House - Presidential Correspondence (1)

In a nod to the tough task of sending an email without ending up on someone's spam list I received the following today from, noreply-WHPC@whitehouse.gov:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing me. Each day, I hear from concerned Americans who are struggling in this economy.  Their stories encourage me to work harder to ensure every American can find a good job so they can support their families and their communities.

I have listed below just a few of the actions we are taking to help hard-working American families get through these tough economic times.

CREATING JOBS AND GROWING OUR ECONOMY

My Administration has taken critical steps to get us back on our feet. Our economy is growing again, and last year's flood of job losses has slowed considerably. These are good signs for our future, yet they are little comfort to those who are out of work or struggling to keep their home. We are working tirelessly to push our recovery forward and promote economic growth, accountability, and transparency. To follow developments and track local projects, visit: www.whitehouse.gov/issues/economy and www.recovery.gov.

ENACTING TOUGH WALL STREET REFORM

There were many causes of the turmoil that ripped through our economy over the past two years. But above all, this crisis was caused by failures in the financial industry. It could have been avoided if Wall Street firms were more accountable, if financial dealings were more transparent, and if consumers and shareholders were given more information and authority to make decisions.  But that did not happen. Special interests have waged a relentless campaign to thwart even basic, common-sense rules-rules to prevent abuse and protect consumers. In fact, the financial industry and its powerful lobby have opposed modest safeguards against the kinds of reckless risks and bad practices that led to this very crisis.  The consequences of this failure of responsibility-from Wall Street to Washington-are all around us: 8 million jobs lost, trillions in savings erased, countless dreams diminished or denied. We must do everything we can to ensure that no crisis like this ever happens again. That is why I am fighting to pas set of Wall Street reforms that would put an end to taxpayer bailouts; bring complex financial dealings out of the shadows; protect consumers; and give shareholders more power in the financial system. To learn more, I encourage you to read my April 22 remarks given at Cooper Union, just a few blocks from Wall Street.

ENDING CREDIT CARD COMPANY ABUSES

My Administration is also working to help Americans who have had their credit lines reduced orinterest rates increased without clear justification. Last year, I partnered with Congress to pass the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act. This landmark law took effect in February, and promotes greater fairness, transparency, and accountability in credit card practices. It requires companies to inform credit card holders of payment timetables and accrued interest, and it ends retroactive rate hikes and sudden changes to terms and conditions. To read more about CARD and how it affects you, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders and www.whitehouse.gov/issues/economy.

These reforms will have a tangible impact on the ability of American families and businesses to achieve their goals. For information on credit and consumer protections, please visit: www.hud.gov/foreclosure or call 1-888MYMONEY.

ASSISTING HOMEOWNERS

Many Americans are also struggling to stay in their homes. Access to the American Dream is being tested by a mortgage crisis that threatens the stability of families, neighborhoods, and our entire economy. While many Americans have received help, far too many are still unable to refinance their mortgages or obtain loan modifications. This crisis has not only hurt home values nationwide, it has also had a dramatic effect on the credit Americans need to purchase cars, pay college tuition, and grow small businesses.

For assistance with a home foreclosure or to find a local housing counselor, I encourage you to call your mortgage servicer directly, speak with a housing specialist at 1-888-995-HOPE, or contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-569-4287. You can also visit www.hud.gov/foreclosure or MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

HELPING STRUGGLING FAMILIES

As our economy recovers, we must continue to help those who are losing their jobs and struggling to pay their bills. Every day, I meet with my economic advisors to make sure we are doing all we can to create good jobs and help Americans support their families and pursue theAmerican Dream. My Administration is helping Americans return to work by emphasizing job training in industries that cannot be outsourced. Recently laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits have new opportunities to pursue higher education and job training programs, including easier access to Pell Grants. To encourage job creation in the United States, I am replacing tax laws that send jobs overseas with new incentives to create them here at home. Available assistance can be found online at:  www.dol.gov/recovery/implement.htm or www.Opportunity.gov. 

Together, we can help more Americans find and keep good jobs and enjoy a healthy standard of living. To locate an employment center near you, select your state at: http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm. For information on benefits and opportunities for those out of work, I encourage you to visit: http://www.dol.gov/dol/audience/aud-unemployed.htm. To find career resources, you may call 1-877-872-5627 or visit: www.careeronestop.org.

While it will take time to turn our economy around, I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis stronger than before. For more information on jobs, health benefits, housing assistance, and other public resources call 1-800-FEDINFO or visit: www.usa.gov. Thank you again for writing. 

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Please bear thee in mind that this letter came in response to my Notes to El Presidente series with installments found here, and here.  Commentary on the above letter to follow.

Disclosure.  Apparently the press corps still uses teletypes because the above came in courier text without formatting of any kind.  Any errors or omissions are likely mine as there were hard returns and spacing through out the debacle.  That said, I took a speed read over the body of the edited version above, and the ideas appear to be communicated in whole as intended by the original text.