Mayor Richard Daley
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Dick-

As a former resident of Illinois, let me tell you how happy I was to move from your state last year. I was subjected to the campaign of the last gubernatorial race, and I was appalled. Not surprised, mind you, just appalled, at the way (so-called) Democratic candidates in that People's Republic of Illinois conduct themselves. I wasn't surprised because I have seen how you conduct yourself politically, and so have come to expect those kinds of machinations and power-grubbing in your state. Of course, most politicians are no better, but I can honestly say I have never seen worse.

Those in the know about rhetoric assure me that vitriol and personal attack will not win arguments, and generally make the person issuing such statements look like a poorly educated, illogical oaf. However, I am so frustrated that I do not know what else to do. I am relatively sure that you will never see this letter, since your secretary already knows what you are (in fact, probably the only thing this letter will accomplish is to get me an FBI file), but perhaps just the act of writing it will make me feel better.

I'll wager that you feel like quite a trendsetter, don't you? I can almost hear you at the meeting:

"I am not quite at the level of national exposure I would like to reach. How can I gain more fame and political clout?" At this point, your toadies and yes-men (and women) come up with the brilliant idea to sue firearms manufacturers. That, surely, will make you a hero in the eyes of millions, give you the image of a mayor that cares about his people. Political leaders around the country will jump on this bandwagon, all thanks to you.

Before I continue, I would like to proffer for your consideration what you have really done for your citizens and, true to your aims, the nation: You have weakened them, each, individually. You have reduced by a modicum their already compromised ability to protect themselves. And yes, you have weakened the US Constitution. Congratulations-your mom must be proud.

I will not get into the exact reasons that your legal bullying hasn't a leg to stand on, because you have, in effect, won: Even though court after court has thrown out these suits, the companies you attacked have no choice but to cave in to your demands or to substantially lose money. Even defeating asinine, ill-founded cases costs money, doesn't it? Isn't that what you were counting on? I'll bet you took milk money from kids at school-if you even went to public school.

Congratulations, once again. As a Fascist masquerading from the slightly left-of-center, I must say you've really pulled the wool over the collective eyes of millions. Many associate the Democratic party with some type of watered-down Communism, but I don't. I can see that most Democrats are just as Fascist as the Republicans, simply vying for as much power as possible. And any Fascism is unacceptable.

Quite frankly, I think you are simply too stupid to realize what you have done. I don't think that you intended to start the ball rolling toward a defenseless populace. You probably think you have done something admirable, maybe even good (just like Handgun Control, Inc., the poor stupid bastards). Not that I think you did it for that reason. You did it simply to look good to the Left, to increase your level of esteem in the eyes of the Voter, the eyes of the Country. This reasoning makes you worse than stupid-it makes you a greedy coward.

Let me tell you what a leader does. A leader does what is right for his people, does what helps them, makes them safe. A leader does his research and makes informed decisions. You did not. You heard (or had, but less likely) an idea and jumped on it, without regard to its effectiveness or helpfulness to your people. What you have done will not reduce gun crime. Criminals do not buy guns legally. Criminals buy guns illegally, or steal them. Hence the term, "criminal."

What you have done (as opposed to a true leader) is to ensure that those who buy guns for self-defense (in a state where the only legal means of self-defense is to be a politician with a bodyguard), those who obey laws and purchase their firearms legally, must pay more for them. Hey, lawsuits cost money, and the manufacturers have to stay in business-so the prices go up. This ensures that poor people, those who in many cases are most desperately in need of a means of legal self-defense, can afford those means even less. This is an inherently racist end you have reached. Have you ever lived in a poor neighborhood, Mr. Daley? You probably have never not had a bodyguard-how much can you know about trying to keep yourself safe in this country?

All of this is compounded by your reasons for these lawsuits, which you know as well as I were hardly pure. Your quest for more power is truly disturbing, but it does say a great deal about genetics, I suppose. You, Sir, are a greedy, manipulative, conniving, self-serving, power-grubbing, bully of a politician. A friend of mine once said that no politician is any better than Hitler, and you are living proof. If I believed in a God, I would tell you that I hope you rot in Hell for what you have initiated in this country in the name of Safety (but for the cause of Power). As it is, fortunately, I am not possessed of that illusion, so I say to you, live with yourself for what you have done. I hope you get this letter-maybe it will open your goddamned eyes. But you will laugh it off. People like you always do. But every time you read about another murder in a poor part of Chicago, think about the small part you played in making that person dead. But I suppose a few deaths for power is an easy trade, isn't it?

Again, congratulations.

					    Very sincerely,

					    W. Adam Phelps
					    603 Broadway
				            Buxton, ND 58218
                                            Wphelps@prairie.nodak.edu