Woman sells Obama's letter for $7,000 to pay for house - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A woman who received a letter from US President Obama in a response to a complaint she had sent him, is now selling the letter to an autograph dealer to help pay for a house. Jennifer Cline, 28, from Monroe , Mich. , wrote to Obama describing how she and her husband had lost their jobs in 2007. "I lost my job, my health benefits and my self-worth in a matter of five days," The New York Post quoted her letter to Obama. Cline sold the letter for a down payment on a house and to pay off medical bills from her cancer treatment. Obama was shown the letter by an aide on Jan. 8. He wrote back on a White House-headed card he signed, "Thanks for the very kind and inspiring letter. I know times are tough, but knowing there are folks out there like you and your husband gives me confidence that things will keep getting better!" "The letter is a historical document, and it is very hard for her to part with it. It's very timely considering the elections. But I don't think she's disillusioned with Obama -- this is just about surviving and practicality. She is selling it to pay for a house, which I think is poetic justice," said autograph dealer Gary Zimet, who bought the letter for 7000 dollars. Now Zimet plans to sell the letter on his website. "Handwritten letters of any sitting president on White House letterhead are extremely rare. It is certainly worth more than I am paying for it," he said.