President Obama and a rainbow, which will hopefully inspire him to wear tie-dye. (Photo via The White House flickr)

President Barack Obama says he reads 10 personal letters from Americans each day, but most of them probably don’t make sartorial requests to counteract the doom and gloom.

“I think this country needs more spunk,” eight-year-old Lily writes in a letter to the president, pointing out that wars, attacks, and Zika are bringing us all down. “Please do something fun,” she continues. “Wear a tie-dye shirt and shorts to something important.” Other suggestions include a water skiing trip in the Caribbean, taking the fam to Disney, and saying something that “will make everyone calm.”

“You do not know how many polotics [sic] worries I have,” Lily says. Don’t we all, Lily.

But Lily, whose dad serves in the Air Force, knows that it’s tough to get people to do what you want without a little buttering up. She congratulates Obama on his time in the White House, and lets him know that being president is her back up job, after cardiovascular surgeon. Kind of like having Harvard as your safety school, but I’ll allow it, especially because of her killer sign-off: “Keep running the country!”

Obama responded to her letter with some bad news. “I don’t know how the First Lady or my daughters would feel about me wearing a tie-dye shirt in public.” That’s political speak for “no fucking way.” And can you really blame him, considering the last time he took a fashion risk?

He does go on, however, to say that she’s “got plenty of spunk to help keep our Nation strong!” along with some other inspirational, follow-your-dreams-type stuff. Still though, I’m team tie-dye.

Here are Lily’s letter and President Obama’s response in full:

Dear Mr. President,

I think this country needs more spunk. With all the attacks, the Zika virus, and the wars, this country is a very sad place. Please do something fun. Wear a tie-dye shirt and shorts to something important. Go on a water skiing trip in the Caribbean. Take your family to Disney World. Do something fun and out going. Also, please say something that will make everyone calm. You do know know how many politics worries I have.

Congratulations on having served almost eight years as President! I almost forgot to write that. I am your biggest fan, too. My dad is in the Air Force and that inspired me to have my back up job be President. (My dream job is cardiovascular surgeon.) Keep running the country!

Sincerely,
Lily
8 years old

P.S. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

Dear Lily,

Thanks for the fun letters and suggestions. You seem like a great kid, and I can tell you’ve got plenty of spunk to help keep our Nation strong!

While I don’t know how the First Lady or my daughters would feel about me wearing a tie-dye shirt in public, I do know that one of my greatest responsibilities as President is ensuring your generation can thrive — and that includes making sure you can live in safety and reach for boundless opportunity. I know things happening around the world can sometimes be worrisome, but we can make real and lasting progress if young people like you focus on growing and learning and keep speaking out about important challenges our Nation faces. As long as I serve in this Office and beyond, I’ll continue fighting to ensure kids all across our country are limited by nothing but the scope of their imaginations and the size of their dreams.

Again, thank you for the advice — and please tell your dad how grateful I am for his service. Wherever your hard work and talents take you — whether it’s becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, the President of the United States, or chasing a dream you’ve yet to discover — always remember that you have a big role to play in shaping the world and making a difference in people’s lives. Your enthusiasm and drive give me great hope for the future, and I am confident you can achieve your highest aspirations if you put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from you!

Your friend,
Barack Obama