Dear President Bush

Congratulations on winning re-election to the highest office in the land. As you well know, our already divided nation was tested to its limits during this seemingly endless campaign season and I sincerely hope that you are dedicated to taking immediate and honest steps to bring us together under your leadership. 

Mr. President, if I may be so bold as to make suggestions, I vehemently urge you to pay attention to the needs of a huge and under-appreciated voting bloc, 54 million strong - the family caregiver. Mr. President, the true burden of the American healthcare system has been unfairly placed squarely upon the shoulders of these heroes on a daily basis. If all family caregivers went on strike today, you would have to find almost 200 billion dollars each and every year to replace the work they do for their loved ones for no salary and with little support.

Mr. President, we just hosted our second annual Phoenix Fearless Caregivers conference with the Region One Area Agency on Aging and in attendance was a representative of the Democratic governor, Janet Napolitano and the Republican senator, John Kyl. In what could be a bi-partisan model not seen in recent times, these elected officials understood that they have a duty to the hundreds of Arizona caregivers in the audience, not to mention that 54 million Americans with good memories can certainly affect the course of state if not national politics.

Please understand, Mr. President, that we as a nation stand behind you in these troubled times, but we also need you to stand behind us and our loved ones. We will be watching you and the Congress as medicare, drug reimportation., medical research, and tax relief for caregivers are being decided and we will be sharing our feelings and findings with our fellow caregivers.