Some Thoughts For The New Year
January 18, 2009 Filed in: Norman's
Corner
As we near the Inauguration of President Barack
Obama, at a time when the world economy is declining
at a frightening rate, it should be apparent to
everyone that we are at a major turning point in our
history. The Inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt at
the depth of the Great Depression in 1933 is an apt
comparison. What are the things which we will all see
changing, and how are they relevant to the social and
political microcosm which is Englewood?
Most obviously, the misery caused by job losses, foreclosures and bankruptcies is surely going to get worse before it gets better. All of us may be called on to reach out to the less fortunate members of our community. Englewood is blessed with a large number of religious and secular agencies which help the needy, but they are already feeling the strain caused by rising needs and limited resources. The City government should help in non-monetary ways, and will likely have to increase its reserve for uncollected taxes.
One can see in Obama’s appointments a greater respect for competence and integrity in our public servants, as opposed to political and ideological orthodoxy. As pointed out by Paul Krugman in a recent NY Times column, Obama should and we hope he will, honor again the time-honored principles of "good government," meaning minimal corruption or patronage. Hopefully the large economic stimulus expenditures which are projected in the new administration will be focused on objectively determined public needs rather than on political "pork." In Englewood we have been fighting our own battle against corruption and cannot relax our vigilance.
Based on Obama’s often expressed views, we can reasonably foresee a major improvement in the international image of the United States. He clearly believes in the realistic notion that we are all on this planet together, and he clearly has a greater willingness to work with others to cope with the problems we all face. More humane and realistic treatment of immigrants is one thing which will contribute to our international image, and will make life easier for many of our Englewood residents.
We see in the new administration an increasing respect for the "green" point of view, whether it be in developing alternative energy sources, or reduction in "greenhouse gases." A sizable portion of the stimulus expenditures will reportedly fall in this category. In Englewood the City government and the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center have begun several initiatives aimed at saving energy and increasing environmental awareness.
Finally, the simplistic notion of many that the normal human desire to accumulate wealth will if unfettered somehow lead to the welfare of all, is clearly being reevaluated, even by its most devout believers in this country. The role of governments at all levels in protecting the public interest will surely be reasserted in the coming months and years, most notably in the financial sphere. In Englewood we expect our elected officials not only to be prudent with our tax dollars, but to consider the human dimensions of their decisions. The value of investment in education, as a primary example, cannot be measured in dollars.
Most obviously, the misery caused by job losses, foreclosures and bankruptcies is surely going to get worse before it gets better. All of us may be called on to reach out to the less fortunate members of our community. Englewood is blessed with a large number of religious and secular agencies which help the needy, but they are already feeling the strain caused by rising needs and limited resources. The City government should help in non-monetary ways, and will likely have to increase its reserve for uncollected taxes.
One can see in Obama’s appointments a greater respect for competence and integrity in our public servants, as opposed to political and ideological orthodoxy. As pointed out by Paul Krugman in a recent NY Times column, Obama should and we hope he will, honor again the time-honored principles of "good government," meaning minimal corruption or patronage. Hopefully the large economic stimulus expenditures which are projected in the new administration will be focused on objectively determined public needs rather than on political "pork." In Englewood we have been fighting our own battle against corruption and cannot relax our vigilance.
Based on Obama’s often expressed views, we can reasonably foresee a major improvement in the international image of the United States. He clearly believes in the realistic notion that we are all on this planet together, and he clearly has a greater willingness to work with others to cope with the problems we all face. More humane and realistic treatment of immigrants is one thing which will contribute to our international image, and will make life easier for many of our Englewood residents.
We see in the new administration an increasing respect for the "green" point of view, whether it be in developing alternative energy sources, or reduction in "greenhouse gases." A sizable portion of the stimulus expenditures will reportedly fall in this category. In Englewood the City government and the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center have begun several initiatives aimed at saving energy and increasing environmental awareness.
Finally, the simplistic notion of many that the normal human desire to accumulate wealth will if unfettered somehow lead to the welfare of all, is clearly being reevaluated, even by its most devout believers in this country. The role of governments at all levels in protecting the public interest will surely be reasserted in the coming months and years, most notably in the financial sphere. In Englewood we expect our elected officials not only to be prudent with our tax dollars, but to consider the human dimensions of their decisions. The value of investment in education, as a primary example, cannot be measured in dollars.
