In order...

Yes.  

I'm not.  

I'm not but yes, they are.  My younger brother and his wife and kids who are struggling to make ends meet too.  And my folks.  And my sisters.  And my cousins.  And my friends.  Many of whom, technically, live below the "poverty line," by the way.  

Absolutely not.  That's why I oppose(d) last year's Democratic tax hikes.

No.

Can't speak for whoever else might make up "you people" but I certainly do, yes.  Thanks for asking.

I guess this wasn't really a question but... I do believe in God.  I believe in Jesus, too.  Do you?  You should.  He's awesome!  He came to earth 2,000 some odd years ago and gave up His own life and then kicked death in the teeth so we could live forever with His Dad... and call him "Dad" ourselves!  How awesome is that?!  He's even the reason I stay involved in politics and try to do my own really, really (REALLY) small part to make sure people become and remain free.  The second chapter of the book of James is pretty awesome.  If you've got five minutes this afternoon I'd recommend it.

I'd been going back and forth on the concept of human suffering but after reading your email a few times, the dull pain at the front of my skull has convinced me it does exist.  So thanks!  That's "progress," right?

I don't have x-ray vision but I think my heart is more red (the muscle) and blue.  It's full of blood.  Most of them are.  See, blood, until it is exposed to the air, is actually blue.  Cool little science factoid for you there!

Are you wishing horrible things on my children and my children's children?  Really?  That's awesome... but I'm single and don't have any kids yet...

If I ever do have kids or grandkids I certainly hope I don't have to watch them suffer, though.  That wouldn't be much fun.  I'm sorry you think I'd enjoy it... but I think that miiiight say more about you than it does about me.

Money rarely comes before feelings with me.  I have very little money and a TON of feelings.  Believe me.

Are "NORMAL" humans the ones who wish horrible things on other people's kids and grandkids or the ones who don't?  I'm confused.

Yep.  Like each of the tens of thousands of Michiganders who've lost their jobs, many Republicans are significantly poorer after six years of Democratic leadership in Lansing.  We finally agree!

I wouldn't say I have it tough.  Jesus loves me.  I have a great family.  I have great friends.  I live in the greatest state in the greatest nation in the history of the world.  I just saw The Dark Knight for a second time last weekend and it was awesome.  The Tigers won last night and the Broncos are back in training camp with an unblemished record.  Seriously... life is good!

Oh, and it was nice hearing from you!  Hope you have a really swell week!

Sincerely,

--Nick De Leeuw

PS: In the film "Tombstone," after his third encounter with Ringo, Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday made an assertion that I will now translate into language you may better understand...  `You're no Xena.  You're no Xena at all.'