"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.”