Finding a Loophole

 If you believe that everyone will play by the same rules, obey the same laws and follow the same policies... than you must be living in another world, time or just wishful dreaming.  Every day a lot of people, business owners, companies and even those in government are being caught for taking advantage of “loopholes” that exist in rules and laws.  Amazingly, some of these “loopholes” have existed for years without anyone taking notice.  We can find them in our tax codes, off shore banking, online gambling, gun ownership, voting rights, public policy, health care and insurance policies.  

Believe me, finding “loopholes” is not something new in this 21^st century, it’s been an ongoing practice since creation.  In nearly everything that has been created for the common good there have always been individuals who look for ways in which to take advantage of the rules for personal gain, power and for profit.  In some situations running afoul of the rules, breaking laws, and finding ways in which to exploit for some is common practice until they are caught.

Of course a “loophole” is defined as an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules.  It also can be viewed as an error in the way a law, rule, or contract has been written that makes it all possible to legally avoid obeying it all.  Additionally, it may allow for another interpretation of the same rules that yield a different set of outcomes.   

 

The average resident has nothing against forward progress, new rules and well-intended programs that are focused on helping to rebuild neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all.  And that is what most people really want, a fair chance or a balance playing field in which to achieve success in life and business.  However, the real problem comes when the rules are not followed, exceptions are made, ways are created to skirts around the process, no bid contacts, special treatment is extended and “favoritism it given to a few and it’s the game of who you know and who knows you”... that matters.     What do you think?              

Going Round in Circles

It been over 40 years, when in 1972, Billy Preston, recorded a single entitled “Will It Go Round in Circles” on his album “Music is My Life.” The song became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and sold over a million copies.  Preston was considered a virtuoso keyboardist on a Hammond Organ and recognized as a top session musician in the 1960s.  During this time, he played and recorded with some of the greatest musical artists of his era, including Little Richard, Sam Cook, Ray Charles and the Beatles.

The song was very popular among those of us in high school or college during that time.  And if you loved to be on the dance floor, it was one of your best grooves for it got you moving to the beat.  Unlike today’s music, the song was easy to sing along with because of its carefree melody and lyrics. Similarly, this song was reflective of other songs of the early 1970s and came out while the Vietnam War was still going on, drug use was on the rise, poverty was growing, public housing was booming, social unrest and injustice was still common place. 

Nevertheless, it was a song that gave us something to think about in an abstract kind of way.  It resonated with a lot of people because of its unique meaning of progress and opened up our thinking about life and how to see things.  However, this song spoke to us, even if we did not fully grasp its meaning at that time...“I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody...I’ma gonna sing it to my friends.”  And yet, “I’ve got a story, I ain’t got no moral... Let the bad guy win every once in a while.” And further, “I’ve got a dance, I ain’t got no steps, no, ... I’m gonna let the music move me around.” And of course the chorus with questions, “Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?

And when we think of where we are today... many of our parents and grandparents were marching in the 1960s and 70s for equal rights, respect, better way of life, future opportunities and the America Dream, and guess what? We are still marching today... Go figure!  It’s seems that if we have not learn anything from our past then our forward progress is even harder to measure.  Amazingly, all the work done by our ancestors toward progress continues to our struggle as well.  “Will it go round in circles?” is still the question.  What do you think?              

Let's Be UpFront

At first look glance, it seems that we are making some progress by what  people are saying,  stories written, town hall meetings held, radio talk shows, big plans being suggested and a  “blue ribbon committee” being formed that will study the problem and find a solution.  But just like some real live “magic act” and after some time the “big idea” somehow just disappeared into thin air or reduced to something you cannot even imagine.  There is no follow up, no point person taking the lead, no follow through and in the words of one community resident recently... “A lot of wind, some sounds of thunder... but no rain.”  Another resident cited ... “it’s the same old; same old ...nothing going to change...it’s just a different day.”  

This ugly truth is being played out each year and the story of what residents are saying is quite revealing.  Today, most residents are just trying to hold on to what they have, a roof over their head, food on the table and clothes on their backs.  In addition, they would also like a decent retirement, some health care, live in safety, raise their families, treated with respect and be at peace with their neighbors.  That is not too much to ask, you would think. 

But it appears that when a resident or group of residents attempt to participate in a particular program or two that would go a long way to improve their neighborhood, there seems to always be a “catch to it,” an “O by the way moment.”  That is also followed by a push back, further scrutiny, more guidelines and some other “hoops” to go through in order to “qualify.”  And then told that if they are not selected for this program, there are some other programs they might quality for.       

A lot of people get it, the limits, the process, the past, the scrutiny and even the “hoops” to go through.  But what all residents really want to know is to be told upfront about what it will take to participate, without some additional add-ons after application.  And you know what, that also not too much to ask for either.  We all want to have an opportunity to participate in programs and initiatives that will make our communities better, safer and healthier.  Our city is facing some huge challenges, but let’s be upfront about them.  What do you think?