Kids write the darndest things ... even to presidents

[JayS]

June 13, 2004, 11:04PM
Kids write the darndest things ... even to presidents
National Archives offers a view of government through the eyes of children
By CARL HARTMAN
Associated Press
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2625389



WASHINGTON -- A girl who wanted to keep her father home during World War II and a boy who wanted federal help to clean his room turned to the one person they thought could make those things happen: the president of the United States.

So, like many thousands of others each year, they wrote the commander in chief. Their correspondence, to go on display at the National Archives and Records Administration, offers a view of government through the eyes of children.

*SNIP*

Seventh-grader Andy Smith of Irmo, S.C., sought President Reagan's help after his mother declared his room a "disaster area."

"I would like to request federal funds to hire a crew to clean up my room," he said in a neatly typed note.

The president himself gave Andy a handwritten, tongue-in-cheek reply. In it, he noted a new effort -- the Private Sector Initiative Program -- set up to encourage volunteers to tackle local problems rather than relying on government help.

"I'm sure your mother was fully justified in proclaiming your room a disaster," Reagan wrote. "Therefore you are in an excellent position to launch another volunteer program to go along with more than 3,000 already under way in our nation. Congratulations."

*SNIP*

[Solly Mack]

1. I doubt my sisters letter to Reagan made the cut for show and tell

Not exactly a sweet letter. We were investigated for it. Oh, she didn't threaten him but she did tell him exactly what she thought of him and his policies.

She was a teenager at the time.

And we know we were investigated because longtime friends let us know about men in suits asking them questions about the family.

[JayS]

2. When I have kids...

...I'm not giving them stamps! :)

[WillParkinson]

3. Why would you?

That's what E-mail is for.

[Endangered Specie]

4. Better hope they dont get crafty...

and write the address they want it to go as the return address.