Note from a Dying Reader

I was tremendously moved by an email I received from Colorado reader and self-described lifelong Democrat, Karen S.

I was tremendously moved by this email I received from Colorado reader and self-described lifelong Democrat, Karen S.  She gave me permission to publish it.

Mr. Frum,

I am a life-long Democrat and activist.  More importantly, I try to be "a thinking American". I nearly always disagreed with your views over the years, sir, but I was so grateful and so pleased to read your CNN column. In your words, "Conservatives have whipped themselves into spasms of outrage and despair that block all strategic thinking." Thank you.

Mr. Frum, I am dying. I am 52-years-old and have been battling breast cancer since 1990. Once a successful business owner in Manhattan, with an Ivy League education and four years of military service under my belt, I am now broke and broken, trying to keep pace with my medical bills. I lost my health insurance years ago. The battle over health care/insurance reform was important to me. I have mixed feelings about the outcome. Mostly, I am greatly saddened and somewhat anxious about the sorry state of our political discourse.  I want to see our political leaders engage, tough it out, deliberate - take responsibility! Until your column and subsequent interviews, no one was standing up and saying, "Hey guys (Republican Party), maybe this isn't the right strategy!  Maybe this is not good for our country! Maybe we need to get back to the table, sans attitude".

I am indeed aware that what is happening in politics mirrors what is happening in our country as a whole: divisions on morality, ethical behavior, and values; a fascination and preoccupation with violence; immediate, insatiable gratification; elevating greed, and indulgence to dizzying heights... need I go on? But if our political and government leaders, on both sides, don't demonstrate a different, healthier social model, who will? Education, and religious institutions, parents, families and friends cannot affect change entirely on their own; our society is too complex. Hillary Clinton was right: It takes a village.

I just want to say to you sir: Good for you.  And again, thank you for your attempt to reason with your colleagues. Perhaps some heard you. I hope so. What you did took great courage, and strength of character. I am so sorry it may be what cost you your job today.  The Republican Party, and conservatives need you...even though they may not realize it right now.

I'm sad I'm leaving my country and my children in such a bad way... but I do have hope. Thinking, I believe, is patriotic. My hope is that all Americans do a lot more thinking in coming days, and a lot less screaming. Bless you.