6/28/2023

Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I’m sorry that you are visiting the “windy city” when it is having terrible air quality (AQ). Yesterday the Canadian smoke gave it the worst AQ in world. Hopefully it will live up to its name & strong breezes will clear things up for you.

            What’s your impression of your host, Gov. JB Prtizker (JBP)? I am always skeptical of uber-rich people who enter politics. He just disappointed many of his constituents by canceling a health care program for low-income residents lacking permanent legal status. JBP has the $550 million to pay for the program himself. As state Sen. Celina Villanueva says, “they are taxpayers who are paying into our tax system who are actually driving revenue to the state of Illinois; they deserve us to have their backs.” Please ask him to reconsider his decision.

            “Bidenomics?” That’s the word of the day. According to the WP by “embracing a term that was intended as an insult” you are performing “a bit of political jujitsu.” They also point out “the trend of grafting a president’s name onto the word “economics” stretches back for half a century.” Anita Dunn defines it as “grow(ing) the middle class.” I hope you provide some specifics in your speech today.

            As always, please don’t forget the people of Burma. I tuned into a webinar this morning where folks on the ground there were explaining that in parts of the country there will be nothing to eat soon. There is nowhere safe to live & displaced people are constantly on the move avoiding airstrikes & missiles. The junta is targeting schools & hospitals. Let’s do something!

            BYBS,