As terms go, six years is a long time, considering that members of the House of Representatives, state legislators, the governor and many other elected officials serve for two or four years. U.S. senators serve six-year terms, way too long. I maintains that a six-year commitment is too long and that the shorter term would help attract more candidates. I also say that a six-year term could breed complacency. Members of congress may feel as if they don't have much to live up for if they are elected for a six-year term. On the other end, If people are coming and going from the board every six years, then they might not have the depth of understanding they need, especially with the complexity of congress and lawmaking. However, they can run for another term.
On balance, the idea is a good one for Middletown and elsewhere. A Congress that can refresh its members more regularly is a body more likely to keep in touch with a changing community.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Aldermen must listen
To the members of the Middletown City Council in upstate NY:
Make some noise! Last year, the residents of the City of Middletown made some noise over the Masada project. They came in record-breaking numbers, ranging in ages from 17-77. The publicity can be credited to the Times Herald-Record's reporter who gets paid to sit on Common Council meetings. Those who attended the meetings got a firsthand account of what was being said and a glimpse of who was saying it.
The Common Council received dozens of requests to televise the meetings at City Hall. They say they care and that they will look into it, but in actuality they could care less. Some of the aldermen feel the spotlight will be put on them if cameras are allowed into enter the chambers of the Common Council. One alderman in particular, John Parrella, feels that the Common Council meetings last only 15 minutes to begin with, so why bother?
Your poor attendance at the Council meetings has enabled your alderman to speak carelessly about issues that are important to you. Isn't it the residents who decide whether or not the Common Council meetings are televised? It is time that you let your voice be heard once again and call upon your alderman to listen to what you have to say.
This year is an election year – if there was any time to take a stand, it is now. Remind your aldermen that they are elected officials and the only opinion that matters is yours, not theirs.
Make some noise! Last year, the residents of the City of Middletown made some noise over the Masada project. They came in record-breaking numbers, ranging in ages from 17-77. The publicity can be credited to the Times Herald-Record's reporter who gets paid to sit on Common Council meetings. Those who attended the meetings got a firsthand account of what was being said and a glimpse of who was saying it.
The Common Council received dozens of requests to televise the meetings at City Hall. They say they care and that they will look into it, but in actuality they could care less. Some of the aldermen feel the spotlight will be put on them if cameras are allowed into enter the chambers of the Common Council. One alderman in particular, John Parrella, feels that the Common Council meetings last only 15 minutes to begin with, so why bother?
Your poor attendance at the Council meetings has enabled your alderman to speak carelessly about issues that are important to you. Isn't it the residents who decide whether or not the Common Council meetings are televised? It is time that you let your voice be heard once again and call upon your alderman to listen to what you have to say.
This year is an election year – if there was any time to take a stand, it is now. Remind your aldermen that they are elected officials and the only opinion that matters is yours, not theirs.
suffering as a commuter student
many people don't realize the strife commuter students go to an a daily basis. from getting to class on time, especially if you take public transit to slugging around pounds of luggage it can be tough. it's not understandable because many people have attended traditional colleges in the past and have no clue what it's like to attend a commuter college everyday.
another sad reality is the mental and phhysical stress one takes on in their pursuit of higher education (which is the common thread that drives us all), family factors, clubs, need to fit in, and other pressures weigh on us on a daily basis and only the strong survive. the college is good however with providing support services for students who need iti but some feel intimidated. the best thing we can do as s society is to be mindlful that those pressures do exist and help each other get through them.
another sad reality is the mental and phhysical stress one takes on in their pursuit of higher education (which is the common thread that drives us all), family factors, clubs, need to fit in, and other pressures weigh on us on a daily basis and only the strong survive. the college is good however with providing support services for students who need iti but some feel intimidated. the best thing we can do as s society is to be mindlful that those pressures do exist and help each other get through them.
obama!
kudos to obama for leading the charge for african-americans all over the country by being elected the first african american president of the united states of america. many people and activists have been waiting for this moment for their entire lifetimes and never dreamed that this moment would come. for so many now it is inspiring to reach for higher goals and set bigger dreams because now we know that are attainable. for those who said they could never grow up and be president of the united states, that day of not believing has died. a new day of dreaming and hopefulness has come and the world now knows that it too can happen in america! it's a new day!
why bad guys get off good
bernie madoff who is currently awaiting sentencing could possibly get a sweetheart plea bargain for allegedly ripping people out of millions or billions of dollars. here we have a rich man stealing from, in some cases, poor people and he gets a sweatheart deal. go figure. why is it that bad people who do bad things get off scott free and many poor people who do bad things are locked up for a lifetime? what is it about our criminal justice system that allows for this to happen? is our democracy really free? can we truly be equal; one for another? can every citizen believe in the justice system? i think not. i believe that the recent case of not only bernie madoff but other rich and famous people have led to an erosion of the criminal justice system as we know it. people all over the country have lost hope in our system because of the sweatheart deals of a wealthy few. we must gain control over our justice system one case at a time.
get involved
I saw it every day in high school. I see it now in college. Conspicuous consumption. The obsession with owning the most current, trendy MP3 player, a state-of-the-art gaming system, the latest fashion apparel or the newest DVD release.
Why do we do this? To be accepted by our friends and peers? Does it make us better citizens?
Students are the future of America. We are so concerned about the very real need to get a job and make money, it seems no one has the time to think of global affairs until a war breaks out or we are terrorized upon our own soil. Are we more concerned with what film to see on Friday night?
Politics isn't a cool topic to discuss at the cafeteria lunch table. Maybe, just maybe, it's because politics requires you to think and then think some more. In any event, young adults are not being challenged to get involved in the political process or to be aware of issues that in some way or another affect the way they live their lives.
I disagree with the notion that the younger generation doesn't care about hot-button issues like Social Security, health care and education. Ask any college student about increases in tuition and decreases in financial aid. We just need to rearrange our priorities. Is it more important to have an iPod or a college degree? Was it not the Greek philosopher Democritus who said, "Only the educated are truly free"? How can I be free, if I cannot even afford to educate myself?
On Sept. 9, I attended an event in which the public speaker reminded me of the many people that came before me who bothered to struggle for the basic right to vote — for both men and women. On that day I realized being an American citizen not only affords me the opportunity to express my opinion but also actually requires me to do so! It is the role of a responsible citizen.
Simply sitting at home screaming at the TV screen will not suffice! I must get out and vote! That day, I decided to vote simply because I could. It will be my way of expressing how I feel when it comes to issues that I care about. There are lots of people who are hoping and wishing that we are lazy. They want us to sit at home, watch TV and play video games. We must prove them wrong.
Truth be told, many of us have the desire to be involved, but we simply do not know where to begin or who to vote for. First, you must know where you stand on issues that have an impact on your life. Then you must make an effort to research — yes, research — the views submitted by those asking for your vote.
So what are you waiting for? Get to it! Research a local candidate or visit the Web site of someone you voted for and learn something about them. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun and actually feel empowered!
If you do not remember anything else, please remember this: Participating in government is the most important and self-fulfilling thing one can do. Voting is a major responsibility — a responsibility you cannot ignore.
Voting is my voice and I intend to be heard! How about you?
"If not us, then who will it be? Let it be us, and let us begin now."
Why do we do this? To be accepted by our friends and peers? Does it make us better citizens?
Students are the future of America. We are so concerned about the very real need to get a job and make money, it seems no one has the time to think of global affairs until a war breaks out or we are terrorized upon our own soil. Are we more concerned with what film to see on Friday night?
Politics isn't a cool topic to discuss at the cafeteria lunch table. Maybe, just maybe, it's because politics requires you to think and then think some more. In any event, young adults are not being challenged to get involved in the political process or to be aware of issues that in some way or another affect the way they live their lives.
I disagree with the notion that the younger generation doesn't care about hot-button issues like Social Security, health care and education. Ask any college student about increases in tuition and decreases in financial aid. We just need to rearrange our priorities. Is it more important to have an iPod or a college degree? Was it not the Greek philosopher Democritus who said, "Only the educated are truly free"? How can I be free, if I cannot even afford to educate myself?
On Sept. 9, I attended an event in which the public speaker reminded me of the many people that came before me who bothered to struggle for the basic right to vote — for both men and women. On that day I realized being an American citizen not only affords me the opportunity to express my opinion but also actually requires me to do so! It is the role of a responsible citizen.
Simply sitting at home screaming at the TV screen will not suffice! I must get out and vote! That day, I decided to vote simply because I could. It will be my way of expressing how I feel when it comes to issues that I care about. There are lots of people who are hoping and wishing that we are lazy. They want us to sit at home, watch TV and play video games. We must prove them wrong.
Truth be told, many of us have the desire to be involved, but we simply do not know where to begin or who to vote for. First, you must know where you stand on issues that have an impact on your life. Then you must make an effort to research — yes, research — the views submitted by those asking for your vote.
So what are you waiting for? Get to it! Research a local candidate or visit the Web site of someone you voted for and learn something about them. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun and actually feel empowered!
If you do not remember anything else, please remember this: Participating in government is the most important and self-fulfilling thing one can do. Voting is a major responsibility — a responsibility you cannot ignore.
Voting is my voice and I intend to be heard! How about you?
"If not us, then who will it be? Let it be us, and let us begin now."
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