From John “Mick” Matthews:

1. Help rebuild the Middle East peace process so that the international community can focus on its myriad domestic issues.

2. Give D.C. statehood a chance.

3. Decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.

4. Create a more cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative branches of our federal government so the words “fiscal cliff” can vanish from our vocabulary.

5. Change how history is taught in schools, using more primary sources.

From Victoria Beaumont:

Dear Mr. President,

I am Victoria Beaumont, Street Sense vendor #438. I sure you have heard of Street Sense or at least you’ve seen us around wearing our bright lime green vest. Anyway, sir, we were in our Writers Group discussing what we would like to see you do in your second term. I figured you had enough political talk, so these are my wishes.

First, can I borrow Michelle’s Jimmy Choo shoes? (Size 7, please.) But seriously, sir: your wife is a true First Lady lady, and I mean lady in every sense of the word. She is a true role model. Not just for African-American women, but for females of all ages classes and races.

Second, can I please be Bo’s official dog walker? I may be mistaken, but I believe I heard somewhere that Bo’s breeder or dog family has some kind of connection with Pittsburgh. I grew up in Pittsburgh,so, Bo and I would definitely get along during football season. (Go, Steelers!!)

Third, please continue being an excellent husband and father. Also, take care of our troops and our country.

Fourth, have a successful second term. (If you want to send a few VIP tickets to the Inaugural Ball my way, I would not complain.) Above all, Barack, we at Street Sense love you. Bless you and your family!!

From Chris Shaw (the “Cowboy Poet”)

Dear President Obama,

I supported you daily the only way I could in 2012: shouting “Yes We Can!” in a trades union marching information line. Two decades ago, I was swept into official White House protocol as a member of newly elected President Bill Clinton’s transition team- Correspondence division.

Would that in the year of our Lord 2013, there were a place for an eager and EXPERIENCED individual who still believes that he shares the energy and foresight for a world of equality and progress, even though his birth age now has a “6″ in front rather than a “2,” a “3″ or a “4″.

Best wishes to you, sir.

From Cynthia Mewborn, “C=MB”

My wish list to the president is that the Government keeps its promise to Endless Homelessness by 2020. I believe that once homelessness and poverty ends in the Nation’s Capital it will end worldwide. With more than 7,000 homeless individuals who “cannot afford permanent housing” and live on the streets or in shelters. When we come up with a solution to end homelessness in Washington you can best believe all other great leaders will follow. This nation wasn’t founded on being great because we settle for less or second-rate standards, this nation is great because we write the standards and create the solutions. The nation spends more when we settle for less or accept second-rate as a whole. “Homelessness isn’t a policy issue it’s a moral issue” Let’s get it right first here in Washington so the rest of the world can following our lead…

Thank you Mr. President.

From Barron Hall

I see my president cry on national television about babies being shot down by sick white men who would probably be afraid if they were at war. But nobody cries for our young black boys shooting each other down in the streets right here in the nation’s capital just because they are trying to survive the ghetto.

Is this part of the War on Terror or is it part of the black man’s way of life, as he tries to survive in America? I wonder what happened to the 13th Amendment? How long do we fight each other for the crumbs that fall from the table? I think America has cut us off to save itself.
We have young black men fighting and dying in the richest nation of the world because of poverty and at the same time we host the most corrupt and unfair leader in the world being protected in our White House.

My God tells me the last shall be first and the first shall be last. So when you start gun control, start in our neighborhood first.