Our president is black, but his house is all white.

Most people who know me know how staunchly liberal I am, especially when it comes to social issues. I believe that people should have a fair chance in life. That's why things like this get me all up in arms...

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/22/news/companies/bank_of_america/index.htm?cnn=yes

I am a Bank of America customer. I recently was hit with $175 worth of fees because I made a calculation mistake with my checking account. I work for a non profit, I don't make a lot of money - I live precariously, paycheck to paycheck. $175 is a lot of money for me. I was told under no circumstances could me fees be waived. I even attempted to use my mother's food money for the week to try and avoid the fees - instead, they applied that money to my fees I owed the bank, rather than my overdrawn account and left me with additional fees. Now, I understand it's my fault, and I don't expect anyone to really bend over backwards for me (except that I put the money in there, but that's a whole other story...)

Now this guy has the balls to ask for a 10 million dollar bonus. That's on top of the money he's already making. Has anyone told him it's a recession, and unemployment is at a 26 year high? Oh, and a rug that costs a good chunk of my yearly salary?

I am attempting to do everything right, here. I worked hard. I went to school. Now, I can't afford my student loan payments and am desperately crossing my fingers that I get into a doctoral program so that I can defer my loans until I can afford to pay them. I'm currently sweating because I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a car loan come August since my credit is bad because of a high debt to income ratio. People like this are taking my desperately needed $175 and sinking it into banks that they ran into the ground.

This is why I advocate for the underdog. This guy probably has more money than he can ever imagine spending, and if not for my boyfriend, I'd go hungry sometimes. That's right... I have a master's degree. I have no credit cards anymore - I'm trying to live a cash-based existence to pay off my debts. It is hard. Very hard.

I cried like a baby when Barack Obama was inaugurated. Its the only hope I have left that I might have a future someday. I hope he can work toward making this country better. He seems like an incredible guy - and his wife is amazing as well. I know things aren't going to happen overnight, but if Barack Obama can put half of what he wants to do in place, life would be much better for us all. I believe in a more equal playing field.

Please, Mr. President. We need you. Please keep that hope alive for us that are hit so hard by the disaster of the last 8 years.

On a lighter note, how gorgeous was Michelle Obama on inauguration night? Flawless. The most amazing thing is how in love they are, and how capable they seem. The lady shops at JCrew even though their net worth is over 4 million dollars. That's the kind of people I want leading my country.