Dear Joseph and Adena,
Papa grew up in a time that was very different than now (when ever you read this). I saw our country, USA, grow and flourish and become great. If they are still teaching history (and doing so truthfully), you will learn that this country started as an experiment in freedom and capitalism. The founding fathers, at the risk of their lives, wrote a constitution and broke free of the King of England. And it worked for us. We developed the best of everything, and our people lived good lives. We became the envy of every nation in the world. Those who hated us were either jealous or under governments that I describe below.


We are a democracy, or at least a republic, that elects officials who we can kick out of office if we do not like what they do. There have always been those, however, who do not agree with this way of governing. There are those who feel that everyone should have the same things, no matter how little they might contribute to the country. This means that if you lived in such a country and worked hard to earn a living, the government would take some of what you made and give it to someone who might be lazy and had not earned anything. It is called taxes, a way of redistributing wealth.


These same people feel that the elite (they decide who is elite) knows what is best for us all. They believe that they should run things. In doing so, they collect almost all the earnings and wastefully spend it on programs for the people. We call the people who think this way socialists and communists. Two things you will want to know about them: 1, They feel they know what is best for us and will use any means to get their way, and 2, they will not be subjected to the same programs as the common people. Even now, as I write this, congress does not have the same medical program as the rest of us.


As I write this, a man who refuses to show us his birth certificate (we are not sure where he was born and if he is even allowed to run for the office), has a radical background, has never run anything or produced anything, who as a senator usually voted "present" to avoid taking a stand and who now has surrounded himself with Czars (a communist dictator) who were all had radical and/or suspicious legal backgrounds. More over, as it turns out, he has lied about everything he promised, especially to have open government (as his minions have done everything behind closed doors. They even refused to let the minority part participate. Unheard of). They have already passed budgets that will bankrupt the country. Now, this week, they have passed a bill which none of them could have read (it is thousands of pages long) and are set up to take over the health care system, one of the best that ever existed.


I suspect that when you read this health care will already be rationed. I suspect that you will have lost many of the freedoms we enjoy today, but you will not know it because you have grown up with it. What I want to say is that I am sorry, so very sorry because, you see, this way of governing has never, ever succeeded. It has lead to poverty of the masses, misery, loss of all freedoms and dictatorships.


I write this with great sadness. Today, I have looked into the abyss.


Please remember,


Papa loves you both.

Dear Squeaky,

It was wonderful to have you and the rest of the family here for thanksgiving. You are such a delight to be around. I especially like your mellow mood...when you aren't hungry, in pain or need a diaper change.

You are growing and developing so fast that grandma and I are amazed at how much you change between visits. We are also so glad that you take after your dad and not your mom. We will see you soon when we come down to visit.

Papa loves you.

Dear Squeaky,
What a joy to have you visit this past weekend. You were truly a lady. Except for when you were hungry, I don't think you put up any stink. Well, let me rephrase that. Except for when you were hungry and you put out a stink, you were smiling, fun and amazingly able to occupy yourself.

Perhaps when you come back for thanksgiving you can give meditation lessons to your big cousin, Joseph.

Papa loves you.

Dear Squeaky,

As you get older it will be harder and harder for me to remember how you look today. Actually, it is harder and harder for Papa to remember how he looked last year. That's why the family takes pictures, so we will remember. It may not mean much to you now, but one day you will enjoy reminiscing over old photos. You will see pictures from times you will not remember, like now, and also see pictures that recall wonderful memories of times the family has spent together.
As it turns out, Papa and Grandma already enjoy the pictures because they remind us of your recent visits. So here is one picture I enjoy. I hope you will one day enjoy it as much as I do.

Papa loves you.

Dear Squeaky,

Grandma and I are still tired from your visit, and it was a joy to have you here. I could not believe how much you had changed. I saw you sit up and think you will soon be crawling.

Your smile is more beautiful than ever. Your Dad has no chance against it (you will know what I mean when you are older).Papa loves you

Dear Squeaky,
It was nice having you here this past week and seeing how much you've grown. You actually get prettier each time I see you, and your smile is a jewel. I bet you're anxious to see your daddy when he gets home this weekend. When you are older I am sure he will tell you all about Germany and Denmark.

Tell mom that I hope she feels better.

Papa love you

Dear squeaky,
It is July of 2009, and I just met you and mom for lunch at the Olive Garden in Illinois. I must say, you are more beautiful each time I see you. And how fun it is to see you beginning to hook up your central nervous system and relate to the outside world (read: me). What I mean is that is exciting to watch you grow.

I look forward to seeing you crawl, then walk and, finally, drive your mom and dad nuts. And, if they ever yell at you, call Papa or Grandma. We will back you up.

Papa loves you.