Looking For a Party

The local and national elections for 2016 are shaping up to be one for the record books in terms of who is running for some kind of public office.  If you think that things are interesting now with some of the non-politicians leading in the early polls... just wait, there is more to come...for there will be more people filing their papers and paying filing fees soon. 

Of course main stream media has already taking their stand on candidates of the two major parties (Dems and GOP) in whom they feel have the potential to reach the highest office in the nation.  Each of these candidates have been given the media space to share their views, to participate in debates on national television, and to promotion their message on radio and through social media.  Additionally, main stream media continues to spend considerable time, resources and assign people to make sure that the top candidates are being covered at all times... and they call that... “being on the campaign trail.”  In addition, they have posted the results of early polls of likely voters by states and from national surveys.   It is truly remarkable to see how this political process begins and unfolds as time goes on during each major election cycle.  Of course we must account for those candidates that drop out alone the way for one reason or another.   

On the other hand, main stream media does not give “third party” candidates little to any attention at all.  They are not considered to be major players in how things are done or “go down” in Washington DC these days.  Just like the two major parties, the dozen or so “third parties” do have political platforms and do offered up candidates, but struggle to get their message out due limited access to funding and wide spread voter support.  However, these “third parties” do exist and include the America’s, American Freedom, Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Objectivist, Socialism and Liberation, Peace and Freedom, Prohibition, Reform, Socialist, and Veterans Parties.  And if we add in the other political parties that have not selected their candidates and “yes” all those (100 or so) independent and write-in candidates, it will be something to behold in some states of who is on the ballot for President.          

But in reality, people tend to vote first on issues and for people on the local level, “where the rubber meets the road” and “where pocketbooks are being affected.”   And even at the local level in the city of Milwaukee as well as in the county... the list of potential candidates for various offices continues to grow.  This upcoming and ongoing political season will be one that will seemly amaze us all as it begins to unfold and as we try to find out who has the “best message” as we try to address the mountain of issues that are now affecting our community.  It’s going to be a wide ride for sure and getting out the vote will be another... just remember to wear your party hat?  What do you think?              

Keep It Movin

Another week has come and gone and the challenges of urban America continue to grow.  Many of these challenges are well documented by the media and have become conversations at town hall meetings, community centers, Faith Based organizations and at houses of faith.  The solutions to these growing issues have so far resulted in a few if any noteworthy outcomes.  Needless to say, more work needs to be done and more people need to become actively engaged in the overall process to find answers. 

There are a number of ways in which to view what is happening in urban America.  On one hand, these growing challenges include high rates of poverty, increasing gun and domestic violence, a growing drug trade, expanding urban food deserts, limited access to health care, and lack of affordable quality housing and finding a livable wage job.   On another hand these growing challenges require additional social and governmental services to manage and deal with each unique crisis.  This in turn has created jobs in the areas of human services, social work, law enforcement, mental health and health care. 

Yet on another hand these growing challenges have create an illuminating cultural awareness that seemly looks the other way, ignores the “bad and ugly” and only focuses on things, programs, construction projects and initiatives that help bring out the best of the city.  This is not an uncommon attitude or position to have in terms of how people want their city to be perceived by others, big business, future conferences and for major sporting events.    

To be clear about it, we all desire that our urban city be seen in a positive light and as a city on the move, with things to do, place’s to go, exciting entertainment, sports, promising careers and wonderful people.  In addition, we all want the very best for ourselves, family, neighbors and community.  However, the truth is just as hard to face and to deal with when we know that so much of what we desire for a certain aspect of our city is not going to happen anytime soon.  In the true light of indifference and complex views in perceptions of what is a “great city,” we will always struggle to find a direction that fits.   Regardless of what is happening around us, we “cannot stop” moving forward.  What do you think?              

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964.  

Deal or No Deal

The game show “Deal or No Deal” first appeared in America in December 2005 and ended in 2009.  The show was big hit with over 10-16 million viewers each episode during its first full season.  During the game, one contestant chooses one briefcase at a time from a selection of 26.  Each briefcase contained a cash value from $.1 to $1,000,000.  To start the game the contestant would select one briefcase that would remain on the table by them. 

It was over the course of the game that the contestant would begin to eliminate a few of the other briefcases at a time by having them opened by those holding them.  Periodically and after the opening a few cases the game would be stopped by the host and the contestant would be presented with a money “deal” from the Banker who was located upstairs in a darken room and would call the host by phone with the offer.  The Banker would make an offer to the contestant to stop now and take the money before continuing on with the game.  The offered amount would be based upon what the remaining dollar amounts left in briefcases not opened.  Then the contestant would have to make a decision to the take the “deal” or say “no Deal.”   

The process of opening briefcases would continue throughout the game and as more brief cases were opened the “deal” and amount of money being offered by the Banker would go up or down based solely on what the remaining dollar amounts where in the unopened briefcases. As time as time when on and more briefcases were opened the tension would build and the contestant would have to seek out help from the audience, family members and friends.  The question remained “do I take the money and quit or should I go on and believe that the first briefcase I selected is the right one with a lot of money?    

Similarly, it feels the same as if we were on the game show... with this new proposed sports arena for downtown Milwaukee.  Each week something new and another briefcase is opened and adds more to the mountain of information; public financing, timelines to make a decision, public input, promotion, county, state and city government.  All we can hear is ... “let get this arena deal done.”  The real sad thing about these kinds of situations or deals is that it is a recurring theme that is echoing all across America... it’s another city, difference people but the same music.  Don’t get me wrong... I am for progress, economic growth, job creation and moving forward... it’s not the overall concept of the “deal” that concerns me and others...it’s the specifics that may be a cause for alarm.  What do you think?             

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964.  

When Education Matters

Nearly all parents are glad that a new school year has begun.  Most have been looking forward to the new school year since the end of the last one.  There are a number of reasons for such excitement including the amount of money spent over the summer, keeping their children safe, additional day care costs, finding a job for the teenager, being the chauffeur to and from youth activities and worried about the amount of time their children are left at home along.   

Since the founding of America, education continues to be a key cornerstone in our society that crosses every culture and ethnic group.  The education systems of our nation include both public and private schools on secondary and post-secondary levels.  A year does not go by in which every secondary school system in America goes through some kind of review process by educators, administrators, parents, advocates, elected board and general public.  The primary focus of the process is to ensure that schools operate efficiently, within budget and teachers provide grade level instruction that is age appropriate and that also meet local and national educational standards.  

One of the real challenges of education today is its rising cost and how to keep it affordable in the future.  The primary funding for all public schools comes from the state and local property taxes.  And because of this reality, funding for each school varies from district-to-district, city-to-city and state-to-state.  In contrast, urban school districts struggle each year to provide a high level of academic support for students due to a lower tax base that come from lower property values.  It’s not the same with suburban schools that are able to provide more simply because of more funding that comes from a higher property tax base.  Because of this glaring gap in funding, urban schools are unable to be on the same level as those schools in suburbia. How to close this gap still stirs much debate. 

It is indeed a challenging time for parents with the start of school, but there are also some great expectations and opportunities.  Besides buying some new clothes, medical exams, vaccinations, a book bag, supplies; there is also a need for children to read, learn math and understand science on grade level.  Additionally, there is a need for all parents to become more active and involved in the education of their children.  Of course there is a need for some faith that the upcoming school year will be a great one, safe and that the school selected will be a good fit.  Like it or not, good or bad, a new school year is upon us.  So the question is... “Are we ready for this school year and what can we do to make if even better?”  What do you think?             

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964.