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Dear Mr. President,

I recently read that you receive about 5,000 letters a day at the White House. I read that most of the letter-writers give you a big earful of advice about how to run the country. I've got some good ideas on that subject myself, but first let's talk basketball.

I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations on your splendid taste in basketball teams. This week you showed up on ESPN, the TV Mecca of all sports fans, and you confidently predicted that UNC -- my beloved alma mater -- will win the NCAA. Way to go!

Not only was it a smart choice, it was based on sweaty, on-the-court experience with the Tar Heels. I'm referring to your visit last April to the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill, when you took a break from the campaign trail and shot hoops with the Heels.

I'm told you know the game. I'm also told they cut you some slack as you huffed and puffed up and down the court. After all, you're an old geezer in your 40s playing against a bunch of high-octane, fleet-footed kids. Besides, Tyler Hansbrough, at 6 feet 9, dwarfed your 6 feet 2.

You told ESPN this week that you would not be able to watch many games during March Madness because of your day job. Which brings me to your day job and some ideas I'd like to toss your way.

Try the FDR approach

Even in the darkest days of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt exuded confidence and optimism. His famous rallying call was: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

He was fibbing, sort of. We had plenty to fear. The economy was in dreadful shape and it didn't get much better for years. But FDR tirelessly tried to pump up optimism and confidence, and it trickled down to the American people.

Making it easier was FDR's bubbly personality. Winston Churchill famously said, "Meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like uncorking your first bottle of champagne." And Churchill loved champagne. You've got a friendly personality, too, but it's a cooler style.

Mr. President, you walk the fine line that separates optimism from reality, and that's understandable. But too often you warned that things are going to get worse before they get better, and it was a downer. People dwelled on the "going to get worse" part.

Your mixed message did not encourage Americans to invest or spend money but instead to hunker down and fear for their jobs. Nor has your restraint inspired Wall Street, where psychology and positive thinking play pivotal roles. The stock market, until recent days, has been on a downward spiral.

But last week, thank goodness, you finally tried a new tone. Members of your administration showed up on Sunday talk shows to sound the trumpet for optimism. Keep it up.

About those bonuses

Keep up the drumbeat against those greedy corporate jerks who got bonuses even though our tax dollars bailed out their companies. It makes good politics and ethical sense. And it might shame other corporations from trying such sneaky stuff.

Offshore tax havens

Bad publicity about subprime loans, the banking industry and swindlers like Bernie Madoff has focused the spotlight on offshore tax havens.

An estimated $100 billion is stashed away in secret bank accounts in Switzerland, Monaco, Leichtenstein, the Cayman Island and other exotic places. They're secret accounts and go untaxed here in America.

Altogether, an estimated $11.5 trillion is hidden in tax havens throughout the world, so other countries share our problem with tax evaders.

So when you go to the G-20 summit next month in London, you and other world leaders should try to tighten the screws on tax havens. Make them open their books and abide by global banking standards. We desperately need that $100 billion to be taxed in this country.

Meanwhile, I hope you get to watch some basketball games. And I hereby dub you "First Fan."

Rosemary Roberts writes a column for the News & Record on alternate Fridays. E-mail: rmroberts@triad.rr.com.