Video: Obama Raising the Bar
I made this video during the campaign and I think it still has relevance, maybe even more so right now during our country's crisis of trust.
What do you think?
We should have a rally titled "Take My America Back" ~Basically, instead of protesting, we have workshops...a workshop on how to manage your finances with credit cards--taught for free, by pros; workshop for easy how-to's to create less of a foot print on earth--all under 100 dollars (easy 'go green' meets HGTV); workshop on hospital terminology--so we can understand what doctors are actually telling us, now, and make better future decisions, now!; workshop on CPR--....enough said really; workshop on cooking for a family of 4--under 50 bucks a day; workshop titled 'xxnumber of ways to start losing weight--tomorrow' (take the steps, stretch more, really tho. Why do we only stretch when we have or anticipate the idea of future pain due to our own out-of-shapeness?;is that a real word?; workshop on being a new driver--partially taught by teens from that very same community; workshop titled 'not for me'-- workshop for young adults planning for their futures (only own what you can afford!); workshop on indentifying financial leakage--we dont 'need'...eeeeverything!; workshop on real third world countries--a humbling lesson learned when you see how good we really have it; and finally (cuz I really could go on forever)a workshop titled 'explain, please?!'--help people understand how to effectively utilize their cell phones (explain things like social networking/SMS/MMS/BBM/AIM/Apps/WAPs/GPS/VVM...wow!)
The Catch:
1)...I dont want to organize it by myself LOL 1.5) its FREE for all! 2) I would love to have each 'rally' have at least one local person in each and every workshop = dedicated AMERICANS giving up their free time to help other PEOPLE...and yes, I meant PEOPLE, all of them. 3)Ideally: head to toe voluntary...no one gets paid, its all voluntary!; not the sponsors, not the organizers, not the appearences, not the musical acts, not even the clean-up crew...I mean really...we have a ton of unemployed people sitting around with countless degrees and experience and nothing else to do. Lets step up! 4) Lastly, if this ever came to pass, I would love to present a check to the President of the United States, that day, on the National Debt (cummulation of tax free donations created from these events, by people who believe in helping others for the sake of helping others) This is our country...we already own it, so lets own up to it! I owe it to YOU! This is me taking ownership of my America (insert picture of Uncle Sam--ironic) America, you down?!
"This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change."
HOW DO WE PAY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION MANDATE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?
Somebody asked the chief engineering officer of BEE, “POPLUV THE PAYGO” …”Is this just another APE idea?”
American Politrix Enterprise is alive and well. There is a civil unrest among the American people about the whole idea of change, as they see or perceive and believe, things are actually going the way of “spreading the wealth around” by the Obama Administration.
“JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!”... “NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND!”… “NO TAXPAYER LEFT BEHIND!”… “NO HOUSEHOLD LEFT BEHIND!”… “NO AMERICAN LEFT BEHIND!”… 304 MILLION AMERICAN PEOPLE STRIVING FOR A MORE PERFECT UNION…
“POPLUV THE PAYGO”
This is what needs to be said in response to the outrage over CHANGE – Change You Can Believe In! ... says the spokesperson from NESS – the National Economic Security Service. NESS is a non-partisan independent free enterprise estate trust of the American people, the free sovereign beneficiaries of a capitalist free market enterprise system.
What’s in a 5 syllable slogan that triggers instant economic stimulus or security income payments and derivative income payments from the Global Derivatives Market?
The Global Derivatives Market is a dollar-based financial trading market for central bank financial contract obligations. Derivatives are contracts derived from economic activity and leading economic indicators.
“POPLUV THE PAYGO” …is first a reminder of what time it is with the general circulation money supply… Create consumer demand for Federal Reserve Bank Notes to generate economic stimulus payments to American taxpayers and households, at least through the duration of the U.S. economic recession.
Once the economy shows signs of real GDP growth and job creation, consumer demand can be adjusted to generate economic security payments.
After all the outrage over how change is unfolding in America, the natural order of the universal law called CHANGE rules and takes advantage of “a teachable moment” of how to get things done in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic party as the super majority must enable the American taxpayers with the opportunity to profit from contributing there net earned income up to 100% in exchange for an economic stimulus payment equal to twice the amount of the net earned income contribution towards the national budget of the U.S. up to a maximum contribution of $5 trillion dollars in Federal Reserve Bank Notes.
This civil liberty already exists says the spokesperson from the National Economic Security Service (NESS). Two (2) free enterprise economic development models have been designed by BlackSunWheels Economic Engineering.
Both institutional economic enterprise models, the American Currency Board and the United States Currency Board are accessible by the American taxpayers and households to provide for the general welfare of the United States.
American business enterprises based in the United States can sponsor the United States Currency Board. The American Currency Board is exclusively for individual American taxpayers and households.
There are 50 billion financial unit shares of economic resources (fuser) immediately available to 138 million American taxpayers. 114.8 million American households in the U.S. are eligible for both – Economic Stimulus Payments and Derivative Income Payments from the Global Derivatives Market, a dollar-based financial trading market utilized by the Federal Reserve Bank to monetize credit lending transactions.
The Federal Reserve Bank Note is designed for the general circulation money supply – paper money for the demand deposits of M1. Liquid cash money instruments. ‘POP’ Public Obligation Paper; financial credit lending debt exchange units.
United States Dollar Funds includes coin and paper instruments. The currency board utilizes public laws enacted by Congress to effect risk-free, tax exempt, financial equity trading fund with fixed exchange rates that transforms the American taxpayers and households into a self-financing social order of economic production.
The U.S. economy will be changed into a self-financing "pay-as-you-go" consumption economy says, the spokesperson for BEE.
Every unit transaction in equity trading fund creates financial unit shares of economic resources – fuser, which is also called ‘LUV’ … Lawful Unit Value of U.S. Dollar Currency equal to United States Treasury Notes, readily available from TreasuryDirect.gov.
United States Treasury Notes are equal to the dollar face amount of minted silver and gold bullion coin; one ounce weight and content guaranteed and backed by the United States of America.
American Eagle Bullion Coin; one ounce silver and gold pieces – 1 Dollar face amount for Silver coin piece - .999 fine pure silver; 50 Dollar face amount for Gold coin piece - .999 fine pure gold.
The American Eagle Bullion Coin program is public law enacted by the United States Congress to pay revenues and profits through the U.S. Treasury Department towards the national budget and government debt obligations.
The American Eagle Bullion Coin program makes the currency board a government fiscal tool that shapes free market demand for Federal Reserve Bank Notes used in the production of United States Dollar Currency equal to United States Treasury Notes and based on the value of silver and gold bullion coin, says the spokesperson for BEE.
As for “T-H-E-PAYGO”? Simply risk-free and tax exempt income opportunity for the working class. The principles that effects a national unity founded upon TRUST – HOPE – ECONOMY; transparent “pay-as-you-go” balanced budget fiscal policy.
“POPLUV THE PAYGO” is how we pay for the General Election Mandate of American voters that want CHANGE. Financial stability and economic prosperity. This is the change the American people deserve.
So, my fellow Americans, after all the fussing, cussing, shouting, pouting, ranting and raving, ask the question - Who Wants To Be A Trillionaire? Smoke it over in your mind - contact esp_ness@hotmail.com to get more information about how we gonna really grind with the American Currency Board and the United States Currency Board.
social networking enterprises... engage.
When we decided to live in San Martin 9 years ago, we had great dreams to realize here. It was the country life we wanted so much, yet it was very close to all the amenities of a big city life. We were in a booming economy with hundreds of jobs available, we had lots of friends who were happy, successful and active. Then, the "Silicon Valley Bubble" bursted.
With Barack Obama's election we started having a hope for the change to be happy and successful again, to be in peace again... That is why I joined this group to get involved in creating a strong community feeling, helping and supporting each other in every way possible.
Our friends are our support group in hard times. To make friends we need to get to know people, to get to know people we need to become friends with them. We must bring back the trust, tolerance, understanding and the gift of sharing. We must open our doors and build strong, safe, peaceful communities. I hope to find it with this network.
All government meetings should be recorded for posterity. 1. This inhibits corruption (as might have happened in the case of the Illinois Governor)2. It preserves the record of reasoning. This is valuable, because circumstances change, and it would be possible to go back and see if the arguments remain valid or should be revisited.
Public meeting recordings should be posted on-line so everyone can see.
Private meetings, such as those related to national security, should, of course, have limited exposure until the administration ends or security concerns have expired.
Keep a copy of the recording in off-line store. This would be for security. We have all read about hackers altering or stealing material from web-connected computers.
Obama’s Inauguration Poem
FELLOW AMERICANS
Will we battle terrorism as it should be fought
Or run away and let evil doers chase us to our door?
Will we protect our freedom and system of life
As our fathers and grandfathers sacrificed before?
Will we secure our borders against illegal entry
Or let our economy and security be destroyed?
Will we finally stop runaway wasteful spending
By leaders who are self-serving and void?
Will we continue to pledge our help to the less fortunate
Who suffer from war, hunger and disease?
Will we preserve our heritage and our future
From those who wish to bring liberty to its knees?
Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the thankful, honorable and just.
Never surrender our freedom of choice
Standing firm for what we believe and trust.
Sometimes it’s hard to protect what is right
Sometimes we’re scorned as for others we fight.
Some of us are willing regardless of loss
To commit our soul to save the cross.
Evil prospers on greed and human hate
Always eager to destroy and defecate.
God’s grace descends on the souls of man
Cleansing the impure wherever He can.
As long as man has struggled on earth
Life has had its troubles from birth.
God’s seed of goodness has delayed man’s demise
Thank Heaven for his heroes the strong and the wise.
The Lord adores his heroes of yesterday
Just how numerous, only He could say.
God loves his soldiers who line up to serve
By standing against evil His grace they deserve.
God Bless America
By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web
.
SATAN’S HORDE SHALL BE REMOVED
Overrun with war and uncontrolled leaders Our world becomes more dangerous each day.Dishonest politicians, criminals and the media Survive by their falsehoods at play.
Bible believers preach, that the end is near Our world as a whole is beyond reform. God will eradicate all which is wicked By His fire of eruption and storm.
To evil’s victory, I will never concede May its supporters anguish in hell. By the grace of God and the power of faith The goodness of man will prevail.
What we accomplish is heaven’s measureAs patriots respond to the threats of man. Protect and defend what we love till death As the soldiers of Satan arise from the sand.
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF WORLD WAR III
Our sons and daughters serve in harms way To defend our way of life. Some are students, some grandparents Many a husband or wife. They face great odds without complaint Gambling life and limb for little pay. So far away from all they love Fight our soldiers for whom we pray. The plotters and planners of America's doom Pledge to murder and maim all they can. From early childhood they are taught To kill is to become a man. They exploit their young as weapons of choice Teaching in heaven, virgins will await. Destroying lives along with their own To learn of their falsehoods too late. The fearful cry we must submit And find a way to soothe them. Where defenders worry if we stand down The future for America is grim. Now's not the time to fight one another Or kiss our enemy's cheek. All through history it remains the same The strong enslave the weak. May God continue to bless America Refusing evil, the upper hand. It's up to us to stay resolute Defending the liberty of Man.
UNYIELDING HONOR
Weakness invites moral plight, war and aggression
Encouraged by mistrust, misjudgment and delay.
All we love can be destroyed and transformed
By the powers of darkness maneuvering our way.
When something wicked stares us in the face
To corrupt our morals, faith and resolve.
God gives us courage to defend what’s right
No matter the sacrifice or danger involved.
Evil seeks to destroy the good in man
And silence the memory of God’s law.
It’s up to the faithful to stay unyielding
Defending the liberty and justice of all.
Our men and woman who serve in harm’s way
Are the armor of what the free world depends on.
Without their sacrifice of body and soul
All that we stand for is gone.
NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE PROUD of AMERICAAmerica, the abundant, the place I was born I'll cherish till the day I die.Where the bones of past heroes lie buried in the ground Who loved her the same as I.Her mountains are so tall they reach for the skyWith prairies where the green grasses grow.There's billions of trees where wild birds nestWith creatures that flourish below.That blue gold called water with which we are blessedAs raindrops or crystallized snow;Changes to rivers and fresh water lakesWhile the winds of our seasons blow.There's the haunt of a whistle from a lonely freight train Racing on ribbons of steelWith the harvest of farms and from the factories Balanced in a box on a wheel.Some cities have buildings a hundred stories tall Structures of concrete, glass and steel.A statue in a harbor, a present from France Describes how, inside, we feel.That flag on the moon with red and white stripesProves America’s dreams come true.A country of heroes who line up to protectThe past, the present and the few.We’ll defeat terrorism as it should be foughtNever letting Satan’s horde chase us to our door.Safeguarding our borders and system of lifeAs our forefathers sacrificed before.Never be afraid to be proud of AmericaAnd march with the brave, faithful and just.Refusing to submit to the will of our enemiesStanding firm to preserve what we trust.
I still have lots of questions about who McCain really is. He seems to be a very angry maverick. But to me some of the maverick quality suggests that he may not work well with others.
On the other hand he was, before this campaign, fairly sympathetic to immigrants and their humanity, now he is very quiet about that. He also apparently championed the Patient's Bill of Rights, which involves defensive of the individual from corporate America.
Another point is the positive strokes that McCain gets for his military career, while a little bit of investigation shows that McCain was a terrible pilot, crashed 5 planes, the last being the one that resulted in his imprisonment.
My last concern relates to the stability of someone who spent five years as a prisoner of war. Imprisonment is not a recommended condition for developing a balanced, educated, experienced, sober and thoughtful person. Did McCain every get emotional support after being in prison for 5 years? Does this experience explain McCain's bad temper? Should the public know and be concerned? There has been a lot of discussion about trust. I believe we can trush Obama, I am not sure about McCain.
The financial crisis, precipitated by the housing bubble, showed Alan Greenspan that there is a fundamental flaw in his theory. He believed that corporate heads would always act in the interests of their shareholders. Short-term individual greed, of course, is what he was referring to as the fundamental flaw in his thinking. Parse what he said today, and you can see that his theory maintained that collective corporate self interest would overwhelm tendencies for short-term gain by individual board members, and that it was this link in the theory that was faulty. The individuals comprising corporate leadership on down to individual shareholders and home buyers, however, are always going to act in what they perceive to be their self interest. We can call it smart thinking or greed or whatever. The collective interest of any group prevails only so long as the members of the group perceive that their interests are being pursued by the group. People must have trust in their group. Trust obviously is what is lacking. Lenders don't trust each other or home buyers, and consumers don't trust the corporations or government. And why should there be trust? Of course we all have an interest in rebuilding a trustworthy system, but in terms of recent history and earned perceptions of merit, what has there been lately that builds trust? From weapons of mass destruction to this financial crisis, it's all the Enronization of America. The next President will have many chores on his (or her) hands-- getting out of Iraq without total chaos enveloping the Middle East; dealing with climate change and our oil addiction, dealing with social security, and dealing with the housing and financial crises. All of those things have in common some form of trust. Trust has been absolutely ripped asunder in this country. We cannot blame it all on George Bush, as our situation now was already presaged by the Enron crisis, which happened under President Bush's watch but developed under President Clinton. Rebuilding trust: this is the next President's fundamental challenge that, if not dealt with wisely and seriously, will prevent success in all the myriad urgent problem areas of our country and the world. Forces tending to destroy trust by the intrusion of special interests into the federal government is what Dwight Eisenhower warned about with the military-industrial complex, Jimmy Carter warned about with special interests in general, and everybody seems to be warning about now with the oil industry. Are we going to heed these warnings?
Trust must be rebuilt at every level, from the individual citizens on up, if our country is to succeed. But at the Executive level, the trust building is starting with the campaign; it's a sobering thought. We must regain trust in our President; if we do, there just might be a trickle-down to our families and corporations. We need both downwelling and upwelling of trust building. This is the challenge for the next President, and the challenge for our citizens and CEO's. It will not happen overnight, but if we are to avoid national failure, it must happen more speedily than most generational shifts in values and economic theories. The operational formula for making a transition to a trustworthy populace and trustworthy government will be an upwelling and a downwelling of "Trust, but Verify." Government must exert deep oversight and guidance of Capitalism, and people must exert deep oversight and guidance of government. Citizens and media must ask questions and demand answers and demand visibility and accountability in government. Until we can restore an environment where free-reign Capitalism proves itself, government must have access to corporate boards and accounting books where both national security and the public interest is fundamentally at stake, such as in our critical financial institutions. It would appear that some kind of revamping of Capitalism is needed. We cannot leave our nation's fate in the hands of a comparative few CEOs and financial officers and simply trust that they will do the right things. But the needed scrutiny goes to Congress and the Presidency as well; we have elections, and that is our foremost scrutiny, but the media needs to be inquisitive and deeply probing and skeptical. The next President will not have an easy time of it. He or she should welcome hard-hitting questions and deep scrutiny and skepticism as a necessary element of our country's return to Trust and in the advent of Responsible Capitalism.
I can hear the skepticism already. "They're politicians! They will by definition not act in the collective interest, but only in their interest." If Barack Obama (or John McCain, Sarah Palin, or Joseph Biden) want to make America succeed, they will have to prove the popular wisdom and popular cynicism wrong, or somehow prove that at the CEO level of America, Inc., Alan Greenspan's discredited theory of unfettered Capitalism actually will apply to our country as a whole, that they will seek efficiency and develop policies for the common good. It's a tall order and perhaps is magical thinking. But I must believe that a true Statesman is soon to be at the helm to save our nation and save democracy and Capitalism here and in the world.
To view this blog post with music and Barack Obama messages taped on his podcast in the past access this link
By Daniel Kurtzman, About.com
"They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.'" (Watch video
********************************
'Eye Without A Face' by Mark Bellinghaus, Copyright 2008
Life is all about signs...seeing the signs....understanding the signs...acting upon the signs
--Mark Bellinghaus
Extract & Photo caption/description posted on OUR MARILYN BLOG - you can find the entire blog article here: blog.ourmarilyn.com/2008/08/31/marilyn-monroe-would-have-voted-f .. and also here: my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/markbellinghaus/gG5W75 Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe, in 1955 (above) and in 1962, (below), the year Marilyn Monroe passed away. In 1955, when racism was still a big issue in the United States of America, Ella Fitzgerald became the first African-American to perform at the Mocambo, after Marilyn Monroe had lobbied the owner for the booking. The booking was instrumental in Fitzgerald's career. Marilyn would promise the owner that she would appear every night (and be on time), and this way also fill the house--and she did, she was there every night, and she filled the house and: she was always on time! Their close friendship lasted for many years and Ella would sing Marilyn Monroe's famous 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' in honor of her wonderful friend Marilyn Monroe, who died almost 34 years before she passed on in 1996, at age 79. Barack Obama Quotes: 'They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.' 'I have nothing to hide, I enjoy being myself. I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween." -appearing as himself on Saturday Night Live as part of a skit that featured Hillary Clinton dressed as a witch at a Halloween party * 'It's like I was shot out of a cannon. I'm so overexposed that I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse.' 'Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare 'Mission Accomplished' a little too soon.' Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy, who was a Democrat
Every canvasser will encounter voters, often undecided or indifferent, who say they don't trust politicians. Can you blame them? After George W. Bush promised that he would be a "uniter, not a divider," and assured us that he would not spy on U.S. citizens without a warrrant? After Jack Abramoff, Iran-Contra and Watergate? And, yes, these voters also remember William Jefferson's $90,000 freezer and Bill Clinton's promise to stop coddling the "butchers of Beijing." It's no use telling these voters how far superior Obama's health care plan or economic plan would be when they don't believe anything that Obama (or McCain) says.
What do you say to such voters? I always tell them that there is one thing you can trust every politician to do. You can trust him to do whatever it takes to get re-elected. All three voters I've used this line with readily, even enthusiastically, agreed. Then I point out that Obama needs the votes of the poor and middle class to get re-elected. If Obama doesn't come through on turning the economy around or providing health care, he's not going to get those votes and he's not going to get re-elected. So you can count on Obama to fight for these programs, even if you don't believe in his honesty, so long as you believe that he wants to win re-election in 2012.
Many undecided voters are claiming that they don't know who to trust.
"One guy says one thing, and the other guy says the opposite," they say.
They ask, "Who am I supposed trust?" Or they say, "I don't trust either one!"
I've been asked this question, or heard that statement many times.
If you've been canvassing, making calls to undecided voters, or just chatting with people at work, you've probably heard it too.
So has Dr. Cara Barker, a blogger for The Huffington Post who is an adjunct professor in psychology at Seattle University, and who "has mentored not only Fortune 500 leaders, but children, teens and adults from all walks of life."
In a recent post entitled Prescription For Dealing With Opposites, she writes:
"How do you know what to trust?" In nine client sessions today, I heard this question eight times. Some were referring to the economic upheaval. Others were distressed over the current political brouhaha. All you need do is turn on the tube, channel surf until you reach one of the political debates, sit back, fasten your seatbelts, and remember to breathe. Because one thing is for certain. You are about to hear two completely different spins on the same subject. It's not too difficult to imagine a universal rising of blood pressure.
Dr. Barker goes on to say, "When we cannot tell fact from fiction, we are in trouble."
She then offers a prescription that includes a 28-day 3-step process.
But, I have news for Dr. Barker. The 2008 Presidential Election is 25 days away. We don't have time for that prescription!!
Instead, here's how I respond to this kind of bewilderment on the part of allegedly undecided voters.
I first explain that the truth is that many most Americans aren’t honest enough with themselves to be able to trust themselves enough to be able to recognize real truth when they see it.
The reason people aren’t honest with themselves is that it’s often too frightening to do that. People don’t want to know what they might find, even inside of themselves.
So they have to blame something external for why they don’t yet have what they don’t have yet, when the real reason is internal.
That’s why people don’t want to go there. (Some people, that is; others are eager to find out and are more likely to appreciate someone who brings out the most in them.)
Then I explain that there's a way to get out of that distrusting loop.
First, realize that the feeling of triumph over adversity feels great because it’s human nature to desire that feeling. That’s why it feels great to accomplish something that you didn’t at first think you could.
In other words, what’s so great about doing something you know you can do? That’s no accomplishment. As Chris Rock says, “That’s what your supposed to do!”
But many people don’t have any “dreams” of this type because they automatically assumed (once) that they couldn’t achieve them anyway, so why bother having them?
These kinds of people look at others who “do” have dreams through a cloud of cynicism or negativity. People who won’t dream can’t stand people who dream, because seeing someone like that smacks them in their own face with their own lack of self-trust due to lack of self-honesty.
But when you ask those people what they love to do, they always have an answer.
And therein is the key to turning around their lack of trust of others by helping them regain their trust in themselves.
Probably, no one has asked them "What do you love?" in a long time. These people haven’t attracted that kind of a question because they haven’t even asked “themselves” that kind of a question.
So, it starts with asking each other, and therefore ourselves, “What do you love to do?” That very thing is the thing that you “didn’t think you could do” but which, if you accomplish it, will give you the biggest reward.
Not only that, but let’s say you don’t accomplish it. You’re guaranteed to have a “helluva great time” along the way, because you loved what you were doing! It’s a winning situation! There’s no down side.
So if you or your friends encounter someone like this while you're canvassing or making calls, please feel free to use this approach or share it with others.
Tell 'em it's the "make history now" technique.
Claude Johnsonwww.blackfivesblog.com
Today's LA Times reports a Wall Street Journal-NBC poll found that more than half of the respondents were bothered that McCain has former lobbyists for big corporations working for his campaign.
I think it is time to tie the Keating scandal and McCain's history of helping those like Keating to the lobbyists in the McCain camp who want a McCain administration to promote policies favorable to their clients.
But we have to bring it home to people. Let's put up an ad naming names - put up the pictures of these so-far-unnamed lobbyists and list the companies they have lobbied for, how much they collected, and how recently they ended those relationships, if at all. If the poll is right it could add to the erratic behavior to cast more doubts on McCain's judgment.
Michelle Obama will be in Kansas City, MO this afternoon in the Historic 18th and Vine District. This is near Alvin Ailey II and Lincoln College Preparatory Academy (LCPA).
LCPA is a public school that was recently designated as a Gold Star and Blue Ribbon School. Students at Lincoln come from across the city with strong GPAs and high test scores. LCPA students represent diverse cultures and backgrounds and reflect the best of what hard work of dedicated students, involved parents and good teachers can achieve even when resources are stretched to the limit.
This morning in Wisconsin and over the past weeks across the country, Senator Obama has been talking with voters about specific steps he will take to stand up for all Americans if elected President. One of the things he has mentioned is support for Arts in the Schools.
Lincoln College Prepatory Academy has one of the best music programs in the region. The Lincoln Prep Wind Ensemble was recently invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. The LCPA performance will take place in NYC in April 2009. This trip will cost around $80,000 in a district that operates on a tight budget, where families struggle and where "A Leader You Can Trust" is crucial for survival.
True education involves excellence in math and science, strong reading and writing skills and an appreciation of the arts. Music education, for example, improves student performance in other subject areas. It develops discipline and generates appreciation for creativity and diversity.
The opportunity to make the trip requires a lot of fundraising by the LCPA Band Boosters, support from the school district, parents, and potential corporate sponsors. Increased support for public education must be a priority of the next President. Barack Obama understands this. Many of the students on their way to Carnegie Hall from LCPA would never have had a music lesson without a music program in their public school. Senator Obama will be a strong advocate for arts in the schools. Increased cooperation among parents, teachers, business, education and government will happen in an Obama administration.
Speaking of trust:
Henry M
