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Donate! Donate! Donate! . . . Donate! I'm sorry to start this letter off the way we have all become accustomed- to become a part of the sea composed of incessant pleas for donations- but a letter to Ron Paul supporters wouldn?t be the same without an inquiry about some type of donation, now would it? Before you?re tempted to click that tempting "X" in the right corner, please consider what I've got to say.

My name is Michael Whalen, I'm a 17 year old Junior attending a small high school in Mt. Morris, Michigan, and, like many of you, Ron Paul has inspired me to do something about the current state of the government. After hearing his message, I tried my hardest to get the message of liberty out to fellow Americans. I started by getting a handful of signs and shoving them into the front yards of family members. Though it looked nice, it wasn't all that satisfying. So, I continued to feed my motivation and brewing passion and made the decision to swap my entire Christmas break with the opportunity to fly to Iowa. I then abruptly found myself exiting an airport for the first time, staying in a separate state for the first time, and excitedly working with the Ron Paul for President campaign as a "Student Volunteer".

After that trip, I was inspired to really try to make a difference. No more sign waiving, no more calling people, no more freezing in cold weather. I began to feel as if I was one of the many seeds Dr. Paul had worked so hard to plant. He helped me to become conscious of a personal desire and brewing passion to make a difference, and I really believe that with some help, one day, that part of me will help me to blossom into an honest politician like him. Right now, an opportunity has arisen that has got me pumped, hopeful, and, at the same, extremely disappointed that I live in an economically shrinking city just north of Flint, Michigan.

Recently, I was accepted into a summer school program at Georgetown University. It's held by the Junior Statesmen of America. This program gives me the opportunity to attend AP US Government and Politics classes at Georgetown University for three weeks in June. I?ll have the opportunity to attend congressional hearings, visit the Whitehouse, and question a variety of Washington politicians about current world issues. Now, yeah, that's pretty amazing and I want to do it. But, the bad news is that it costs an extreme amount- $4,450, to be exact. The good news- I've paid a $50 application fee, been awarded a $700 scholarship by the program, and have received another discount in the amount of $225. So, I'm now left, on my own, surrounded by fiscally-tight families, and have $3,475 left to raise. All this money is due by May 31 and I?m really, really hoping that you?ll find the desire to help me out in some way.

Locally, I'm trying my best to raise money, but, right now, business- not only for a Junior in high school, but for seemingly everyone- is not booming. Due to a large increase in unemployment, along with the sharp decline in the dollar's worth, Michigan is currently experiencing it's own "mini-depression". Honestly, a lot of people don't want to donate simply because there's so much financial uncertainty surrounding them. Now, I'm praying that this is where you come in. This e-mail is intended to represent me, groggily wobbling up the steps of your family's porch, and asking for your help with hopeful, wide, and glossy eyes.

I'm leaving it up to you to decide whether or not you?re going to welcome me inside or slowly close the door in my face. If you would like to welcome me inside and contribute even a dollar, you can do so by visiting my www.jsa.kintera.org/miwhalen and, if you would like to slowly close the door in my face, I completely understand and want to thank you for taking the time to listen.

- Michael Whalen

P.S. I promise I'm a real person! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to e-mail me at miike@comcast.net.