Obama Has Written Personal Checks To Struggling Americans
Obama

First Posted: 10/21/11 10:27 AM ET Updated: 10/21/11 03:47 PM ET


WASHINGTON -- Got problems? Tell Barack Obama. He can help. He might even give you money.

On more than one occasion, the president has cut personal checks to struggling Americans who've written to the White House, according to an excerpt from a new book by Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow about the ten letters the president reads every day.

"It's not something I should advertise, but it has happened," the president told Saslow.

How many times has President Obama intervened on someone's behalf, and with what kind of problems does he help? Mortgage payments? Medical bills? And when he wants to help someone out with a personal check, how does it work? Does he send a check signed "Barack Obama" directly to the individual in need, or does he send the money to a bank or company on the person's behalf? Do people even know when Obama has helped them out, or does the help arrive anonymously through a lawyer?

The White House declined to answer any questions about the practice.



It's long been known that the president occasionally responds to the people who write him. Several folks who've heard back from Obama have even put the correspondence up for sale. NBC reported in June, for instance, that a single mom from Hobart, Ind. hoped to stave off eviction by selling an Obama letter for thousands of dollars. And a man who'd received a note from the president in response to an angry letter about bank bonuses put the letter up for auction in March.

It seems like Obama views writing a check or making a phone call on a correspondent's behalf as a way for him to alleviate the powerlessness he sometimes feels when reading his mail from regular people.

"Some of these letters you read and you say, 'Gosh, I really want to help this person, and I may not have the tools to help them right now,'" the president told Saslow. "And then you start thinking about the fact that for every one person that wrote describing their story, there might be another hundred thousand going through the same thing. So there are times when I'm reading the letters and I feel pained that I can't do more, faster, to make a difference in their lives."

Arthur Delaney is the author of "A People's History of the Great Recession," HuffPost's first e-book.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/obama-personal-checks_n_1019501.html

It shows his heart is in the right place for sure.

i don't believe that... show one person that received a check...

What heart? It's a guilty conscience!

If these are coming from his persoanl bank account then yes it is cool.

It definitely does show he has a kind and giving heart. Which is more than we can say for his adversaries that is for sure.

He is a good man.

Even if I don't agree with all of his decisions as president.

like i said, show one person that received a check... just democratic propaganda..

Of course they are.

Oh you of little faith....

The President is powerful and weak....
He can Veto a bill from congress and senate... He cannot impose laws. All Americans would have had universal free healthcare if that was the case....
I feel Obama is working smart....
Withdrawl of troops from Iraq.... The middle east is calming down....
Military personale from both countries are coming home...
Bush never came clean when speaking of weapons of mass destruction.... It was't weapons(plural)..... It is WEAPON! And who was that weapon of mass destruction.... George Bush....

Does the CIA, FBI or National Security monitor this site?
I'm just wondering if freedom of speech is still okay.... Just in case I choose to vacation in the USA

whether you call it conscience or heart, glad to see someone who has eithe in the white house

I appologize for my previous rant but yes!....I too agree..... Obama is very much so appreciated by this Canadian!!!!!!
He takes blame.....
I encourage Americans to elect a House of Representatives and Senate that has his vision..... There is hope!

this is definitely the place for rants,,lol

just be prepared for counter rants,,,

Same playing field and rules?!!!!!! Wadda concept. Now I know I'm in good company

so why doesn't anyone post a person that received a check? BECAUSE IT IS A LIE! you people just believe anything some posts on the internet...

It sure does show his heart and intent regardless to the naysayers

shows he and huffington post are liars...and the fools that believe that crap are just as bad...

Cheques and balance
There are always critics on both sides....
Here is one to cheque out for all....
Obama wrote all US citizens a cheque....
Iraq is done and no more $20 million a day price tag...
Money stays home for your citizens....
Libia is free and oil is now or soon coming home to you at better prices.....
Bin Laden was taken down by a small unit of elite soldiers.....Not a full nations plus others military forces....
Obama had alot of work and systemic issues to correct....
He did so....
Debt reduction is on its way.....
Economic growth is soon at your doorstep.....
You raise the issue of a few cheques.....
I in turn ask you to see the 300,000,000 cheques for not only freedom but economic freedom you deserve....

you said it sister

um... what is this post about? obama writing checks to citizens... show me some proof... all the other crap your babbling about is irrelevant...