President-elect Obama has done a “masterful” job appointing some of the best fiscal savvy minded individuals to his cabinet to combat America’s economic collapse. The President-elect and his staff are creating a stimulus package that will address the country’s much needed improvement of our infrastructure from the following:
Roads
Housing
Crime
Poverty
Education
Environment
And what I believe equally important in addition to the aforementioned improvements is–an overhaul of our current banking system.
Alexander Hamilton (“The Father” of the America’s Banking System) would be “disgusted” with the current system.
What is absolutely clear is the initiatives proposed by President-elect Obama will not be a “quick fix” to America’s current crisis, but the President-elect is heading in the right direction of addressing the issues with "sound judgment."
From a local perspective, Mayor Nutter and the rest of Philadelphia’s city officials will need to cooperate in implementing the initiatives during this transition period if they are to improve our city’s “grim” and unstable “economy.”
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
"Get Your House In Order."
If it’s your goal to obtain employment in the Obama Administration, you’d better get ready to make your entire life public knowledge.
To avoid scandal and embarrassment in his administration, President-elect Obama would like to know as much about the prospective employee as possible ranging from past and present parking tickets, employee to family affiliations, to donations ($10,000.00) made over the last (10 years) and beyond.
Now citizens, past Presidents created similar questionnaires to screen prospective cabinet/administration members. What President-elect Obama has done is strengthened the criteria where now there are no “loop holes.”
Yep! A new sheriff has come to town!
If Philadelphia’s politician’s followed this prescription, perhaps they would not be riddled with scandal and corruption on a daily basis. Further, the citizens need to interview all would-be-public office holders. Whatever new initiatives that can be implemented to combat corruption among our city officials must be done ASAP! Our city’s future depends upon it.
To avoid scandal and embarrassment in his administration, President-elect Obama would like to know as much about the prospective employee as possible ranging from past and present parking tickets, employee to family affiliations, to donations ($10,000.00) made over the last (10 years) and beyond.
Now citizens, past Presidents created similar questionnaires to screen prospective cabinet/administration members. What President-elect Obama has done is strengthened the criteria where now there are no “loop holes.”
Yep! A new sheriff has come to town!
If Philadelphia’s politician’s followed this prescription, perhaps they would not be riddled with scandal and corruption on a daily basis. Further, the citizens need to interview all would-be-public office holders. Whatever new initiatives that can be implemented to combat corruption among our city officials must be done ASAP! Our city’s future depends upon it.
Monday, November 17, 2008
"Wait A Minute."
On January 20, 2009 we will officially welcome Barrack Obama as the 44th President of the United States and with this “a new vision of hope.” Remember, this is America’s leader on the federal level. What can we expect from our city officials (i.e. city council, mayor, state representatives, etc.) and most important, what are you going to do to come up with solutions to a host of problems that Philadelphia is facing?
Do not expect all is well because a new President will enter the White House next year. President elect Obama is one person! If you think he’s just going to open up that federal bank and just pass out money like it grows on trees, you are sadly mistaken. There is a great deal of work that our own city’s infrastructure that requires addressing.
There are problems such as:
* Budget cuts to jobs and social programs (220 jobs, 11 libraries, 62 community swimming pools, after school programs, recreation and curfew centers)
* Dilapidated houses/buildings (3-6 “per” urban block/neighborhood in Philadelphia)
* An increase in violent activities among “gangs” “clicks,” “teams,” “squad,” in urban communities in Philadelphia/ Philadelphia Public School System
* Poverty (42% of Philadelphians)
* Education (6th straight year Philadelphia Public School System failed to make AYP), and 48% of our youth dropping out of school before graduation
* Crime (roughly 5-8 murders every weekend)
* Homelessness (over 6,500 families, adults, children)
I was also informed that the (4) remaining “Curfew Centers” will officially close on December 31, 2008 leading to an increase of children, youth, and adolescents violating the city’s curfew ordinance and thereby, increasing crime (i.e. robbery, vandalism, murder).
What I would like to see is more Philadelphians empowered to be self-sufficient and stop "leaning" on the local, state and federal governments for support.
This great city has been run by politicians for decades and what have they done for Philadelphia? They have been arrogant, corrupt, weak, and lack leadership to say the very least. So I say, lets’ stop depending on politicians to fix our communities and repair them ourselves. Let’s empower our neighbors to pull themselves up by their own "bootstraps," but ensure sure that they have the boots strings to be successful.
Citizens, I am an individual who adores his beautiful city and country. I am an individual who believes that “good” will always triumph over “evil” and that we all have within us the ability to listen to the “better angels of our souls” and do what is right. What am I? I am an Idealist!
When our politicians fail us as they have done time and time again, it’s easy not to go out and vote. However, if you don’t vote…you don’t count. My ancestors and your ancestors DIED so that we would always have the right to vote. So if you don’t care for yourself…care for their sacrifice and vote! When you vote, you send a message to those politicians who think it’s a birthright to be elected and not serve the constituents with honor and integrity by making them a “one-term elected officer.” If you’re not satisfied with this option…then you run for a political office. Until we hold public office seekers/holders accountable for their actions, chaos and failure will reign.
Handouts and mediocrity must not be accepted in our society! For people who aspire to work and provide for their families, city, and country, opportunities for advancement should be endless. But for those who believe that they should receive handouts and be rewarded for “mediocrity and laziness,” then let the rest of society “remember them "no more because they are a virus on humankind.”
Do not expect all is well because a new President will enter the White House next year. President elect Obama is one person! If you think he’s just going to open up that federal bank and just pass out money like it grows on trees, you are sadly mistaken. There is a great deal of work that our own city’s infrastructure that requires addressing.
There are problems such as:
* Budget cuts to jobs and social programs (220 jobs, 11 libraries, 62 community swimming pools, after school programs, recreation and curfew centers)
* Dilapidated houses/buildings (3-6 “per” urban block/neighborhood in Philadelphia)
* An increase in violent activities among “gangs” “clicks,” “teams,” “squad,” in urban communities in Philadelphia/ Philadelphia Public School System
* Poverty (42% of Philadelphians)
* Education (6th straight year Philadelphia Public School System failed to make AYP), and 48% of our youth dropping out of school before graduation
* Crime (roughly 5-8 murders every weekend)
* Homelessness (over 6,500 families, adults, children)
I was also informed that the (4) remaining “Curfew Centers” will officially close on December 31, 2008 leading to an increase of children, youth, and adolescents violating the city’s curfew ordinance and thereby, increasing crime (i.e. robbery, vandalism, murder).
What I would like to see is more Philadelphians empowered to be self-sufficient and stop "leaning" on the local, state and federal governments for support.
This great city has been run by politicians for decades and what have they done for Philadelphia? They have been arrogant, corrupt, weak, and lack leadership to say the very least. So I say, lets’ stop depending on politicians to fix our communities and repair them ourselves. Let’s empower our neighbors to pull themselves up by their own "bootstraps," but ensure sure that they have the boots strings to be successful.
Citizens, I am an individual who adores his beautiful city and country. I am an individual who believes that “good” will always triumph over “evil” and that we all have within us the ability to listen to the “better angels of our souls” and do what is right. What am I? I am an Idealist!
When our politicians fail us as they have done time and time again, it’s easy not to go out and vote. However, if you don’t vote…you don’t count. My ancestors and your ancestors DIED so that we would always have the right to vote. So if you don’t care for yourself…care for their sacrifice and vote! When you vote, you send a message to those politicians who think it’s a birthright to be elected and not serve the constituents with honor and integrity by making them a “one-term elected officer.” If you’re not satisfied with this option…then you run for a political office. Until we hold public office seekers/holders accountable for their actions, chaos and failure will reign.
Handouts and mediocrity must not be accepted in our society! For people who aspire to work and provide for their families, city, and country, opportunities for advancement should be endless. But for those who believe that they should receive handouts and be rewarded for “mediocrity and laziness,” then let the rest of society “remember them "no more because they are a virus on humankind.”
Monday, November 10, 2008
"Calling All Philadelphians."
President-elect Barack Obama has informed Americans that these are difficult economic times. There were over 1 million jobs lost in 2008 throughout the nation. And now the mayor of Philadelphia (the city I call home) announced during his public budget address to the city on November 6, 2008 that more than 220 jobs would be cut, 11 public libraries, 62 of 73 public swimming pools will be closed and a host of other social services that our city “unquestionably” needs.
In Mayor Nutter’s public address, by his own admission, Philadelphians learned that in his February 2008 budget address that he warned “the national economy was sputtering, storm clouds were visible in the distance, and tax collections were slowing down.”
What was Mayor Nutter and his fiscal team doing in February, March, April, May, June, July, August (you get the idea)--to advert this crisis? President-elect Obama has been straight with the American people when he said “the hill will be steep and sacrifices will have to be made.” Unfortunately, Mayor Nutter has not! During his recent budget address he mentioned that the cities of New York and Los Angeles were experiencing the same fiscal issues. The truth is, Mayor Nutter, much of the country is experiencing the same problems. Therefore, Philadelphians do not require a historical perspective on the financial crisis of America. What we needed was a clear, concise and stable financial plan from our mayor and city council that should already be in place to assist many Philadelphians (this writer included) who will now be sacrificing more than we can possibly fathom. Unfortunately, Mayor Nutter and city council have failed to do so…again.
My fellow Philadelphian/Americans, the time has come that we must “actively” support our communities by creating ways to ensure that our families and neighbors have the basic needs for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “Our” government does not need to tell us how difficult the times are because…we, the people, are the government. Therefore, we must pull our resources and support one another. This is not about Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Socialists, and Communists. This is about the human spirit.
As a founder of a non-profit, grass-root organization, I call upon like organizations, community activists, and block captains to come together, partner and create strategies to serve all Philadelphians. I have no doubt that the aforementioned groups have already been providing services but in this uncertain hour, we must be united and heading in the same direction.
I am inviting you to join me in this monumental undertaking of providing our community with the resources that have traditionally been limited, but now will be drained due to economic crunches. By uniting together and developing a plan of action, we can no doubt weather the financial challenges that will affect our deserving community in the days and months ahead. Mayor Nutter may have no viable answers, but we as a community can actively help ourselves and protect our citizens.
In Mayor Nutter’s public address, by his own admission, Philadelphians learned that in his February 2008 budget address that he warned “the national economy was sputtering, storm clouds were visible in the distance, and tax collections were slowing down.”
What was Mayor Nutter and his fiscal team doing in February, March, April, May, June, July, August (you get the idea)--to advert this crisis? President-elect Obama has been straight with the American people when he said “the hill will be steep and sacrifices will have to be made.” Unfortunately, Mayor Nutter has not! During his recent budget address he mentioned that the cities of New York and Los Angeles were experiencing the same fiscal issues. The truth is, Mayor Nutter, much of the country is experiencing the same problems. Therefore, Philadelphians do not require a historical perspective on the financial crisis of America. What we needed was a clear, concise and stable financial plan from our mayor and city council that should already be in place to assist many Philadelphians (this writer included) who will now be sacrificing more than we can possibly fathom. Unfortunately, Mayor Nutter and city council have failed to do so…again.
My fellow Philadelphian/Americans, the time has come that we must “actively” support our communities by creating ways to ensure that our families and neighbors have the basic needs for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “Our” government does not need to tell us how difficult the times are because…we, the people, are the government. Therefore, we must pull our resources and support one another. This is not about Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Socialists, and Communists. This is about the human spirit.
As a founder of a non-profit, grass-root organization, I call upon like organizations, community activists, and block captains to come together, partner and create strategies to serve all Philadelphians. I have no doubt that the aforementioned groups have already been providing services but in this uncertain hour, we must be united and heading in the same direction.
I am inviting you to join me in this monumental undertaking of providing our community with the resources that have traditionally been limited, but now will be drained due to economic crunches. By uniting together and developing a plan of action, we can no doubt weather the financial challenges that will affect our deserving community in the days and months ahead. Mayor Nutter may have no viable answers, but we as a community can actively help ourselves and protect our citizens.
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