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.
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3 comments:
I believe that Mr. Johnson is right on target about communities having to help themselves. What this city needs is more leadership like Anthony Johnson. He speaks on behalf of those who struggle to survive the day to day obstacles of living in a city that has limited educational and social resources to really provide meaningful help. It's so sad when the education system continues to encourage people to drop out of school (48% in Philadelphia) partially out of fear of crime in the schools. What chance do our youth have in an environment where fear and crime have perpetrated their everyday living? Hopefully Mr. Johnson will be able to convince others of some of his meaningful and possible solutions to improve the quality of life for people. Listen to his words--they are the words of man who is an idealist and committed to change.
Bonnie Kaye, M.Ed.
Philadelphia, PA
I think every Philadelphians need to open their eyes and their minds.
they need to come with their "inputs" in other to visualize how would they come out of this spirit of poverty that not only strikes the city, but the nation as well. The inflation is getting rediculous; the mayor just talks about raising the price of the parking metters from a dollar to two dollars, but really who goes to the city? May be it is a way of telling certain folks to stay away from where the riches and famous go, but who am I to tell! Mr. Johnson I appraciate what you stand for and I add my voice to yours by asking everyone who has something to do in the developement of the youth futur such as; educators, intructors, youth leaders (social, evangelical and others)to bring their inputs to this matter and help stop the crises.
Your points are very convincing and people should look in to them and start taking action.
Merytony, Student
Philadelphia, PA
Poverty my friend,
I am poor that is true,
I am weak because I'm hungry,
That, I can't argue,
I feel out of place, miserable,
Why, WHY?
Simply because I'm angry,
Angry at myself because I was
classified as being lower,
Lower class!
What's that?
I thought that was deep, but no,
That's vast,
When you put the bourgeoisie
way on top oppressing my community
When I can't make an extra peny,
When I can't even feed my kid,
When "hit the sack" is nothing...
I mean nothing literally to me,
When my boss at the factory
calls and said the plant is close,
I think of my bills,
Oh my heavens, I'M GONNAN BE
A F... HOMELESS!
Reality check!
Take that Mr. BOURGEOI,
Now that you resign,
What's left, I know,
Me and my misery,
I turn around all I see
is my poverty,
Where to go,
Who will show,
All I see is poverty,
poverty my friend, poverty my
family, poverty around me,
I'm pulling myself out
I'm keeping my neck above water
For I must survive this poverty.
Merytony,
Philadelphia, PA
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