Class agreed standards for a quality letter RUBRIC

Address an Issue
How President can Resolve or Approach Issue
Less than 500 words
Personal Touch/Connection
Argument for Change Convincing
Genuine, Passionate, Creative, Unique, writing Style, interesting
FONT, Professional
Good Grammar
Evidence & Factual
Start Letter Here dont worry about word limit
Dear President,
Im so so very exasperated of the pretty lies this government gives us. History has
shown us that greed and selfishness are two of humanitys greatest flaws. They have
caused countless wars, stolen futures, and benefitted the wealthy few at an enormous cost
for the ordinary people. This government was supposed to be different. After all, wasnt it
created by the people, for the people? It is supposed to derive its just powers from the
consent of the governed (Declaration of Independance). But currently, politics revolves
around priceless green paper which stifles the voice of the governed. How exactly can the
citizens of this country give their consent when their voices are repressed by money?
When passing laws and policies there are a variety of factors that go into it and
money is a big one. Money is power. Thats a fact. The more money you have, the more
opportunities you have to influence big decisions. As of 2011 1% of americans owned 40%
of this countrys wealth and the top 20% owned 97% of the wealth according to a study
done by Professor Mike Norton and economist Dan Ariely. To me that is brutally unfair in
terms of having a voice in todays government.
Every citizens voice should matter. As they live here, shouldnt they be an expert in
their living conditions and the policies that would benefit them? Yet, according to Center
for American Progress, policy changes in response to money in politics. I dont have the
kind of money that would sway anyone to join my cause so, does that mean that my voice
doesnt matter? That even if the public banded together to protest, they would be ignored if
they didnt have the funding?
While Id love to do away with lobbying, unfortunately thats not a viable solution.
Lobbying is a form of free speech. It allows companies to represent themselves in the
government as they cant exactly vote. The problem has never been with lobbyists speaking
for companies, the problem is letting businesses control it. Companies vote through the

politicians it buys. That is the problem. Letting them wield money as a bribe or a weapon is
the problem. That is something your ordinary person has no access to. Its a weapon that
the majority of the population will never be able to possess.
But then again, money is a necessary evil. Whos going to listen to them without
money? But there should be a limit. Too much is too much.
Im not saying that lobbying shouldnt exist. Im saying that there should be a cap to
the amount of influence and money corporations have in the government. For instance,
they should not be powerful enough to cause a standstill in the Senate on certain bills and
laws that the majority of the population has pushed forward. Like oil companies
influencing politicians so that they debate the existence of climate change when it has been
scientifically proven. Or the NRA helping put a hold on gun control laws when a huge surge
of people have called for it.
Do you see my point yet? People make up this country and theyre the ones being
governed. It shouldnt be the money talking. My voice matters. Yours does too. This country
has millions of individuals, and all of them deserve the right to have a voice in how this
nation is run. Dont you dare let them be extinguished.
Sincerely,
Your conscience.