Let's See That Audacity In Action
Democrats in Washington are juggling their policy lineup. In preparation for January, President-Elect Barack Obama and the congressional leadership must decide which issues to roll out first and which should be left for another time.
The urban crisis should be at the top of their list. Much of this campaign centered on the middle class. Politically, it was a logical focus for Democrats who wanted to win the White House.
But the cities are in desperate need of repair. They cannot wait for another election cycle. The not-so big secret about Hurricane Katrina was that weather was not the main reason that the city was in shambles. The hurricane made things worse, but like so many other cities, decades of total neglect and harmful policies allowed racial and economic inequality to define life in the inner cities. In his award-winning book, The Origins of the Urban Crisis, the historian Tom Sugrue demonstrated how urban decline predated the riots of the 1960s, and was rooted in housing and employment discrimination, as well as the flight of jobs out of the cities, dating back to the 1940s.
With the current economic crisis, the situation will only get worse. Mayor Nutter just announced rather draconian budget cuts for Philadelphia which reveal how much worse conditions might get.
Why should President Obama make the urban crisis a top priority? Why take the risk? The first reason is that African Americans constituted a crucial part of President Obama's coalition. He was able to mobilize voters who for too long had been disaffected and disenfranchised from national politics. Obama has raised the hope that this time things will be different. Since the end of WWII, the African American community has been hit hardest in the inner cities. Job flight has left them without viable economic opportunities. Decaying educational systems, often made worse by the requirements of "No Child Left Behind," make it almost impossible to get ahead.
The second reason for making the issue a priority is more practical. America is currently suffering from a severe economic crisis, one that could easily get worse if the federal government does not act soon. Now is the time when politicians need to link Main Street to the "Corner," and not just link Wall Street to Main Street.
The support for government intervention in the economy is much stronger now than it has been in recent decades. Senator McCain's attacks on "socialism" didn't work this time. Many blue collar and middle income voters in states like PA and OH supported the Democrats, defying the so-called "Bradley Effect" and showing support instead for substantial economic assistance. There have even been some Republicans, including Mike Huckabee and Sam Brownback, who have broken with their party and emphasized the centrality of tackling these issues.
This situation offers Democrats an opportunity to make urban renewal part of an omnibus economic package. Democrats finally have leverage to push for measures to deal with a variety of issues -- inner city schooling, job growth, sentencing and prison reform, and other challenges -- in exchange for the financial assistance sought by automobile makers, Wall Street investors, middle class homeowners and the rest of America.
The Obama-Biden campaign made broad promises about urban policy during the campaign. Their campaign said that Obama would establish a White House Office on Urban Policy to coordinate government efforts and make sure federal dollars were used well. The campaign also said it would back the creation of innovation clusters to boost local economies and strengthen workforce training. The Democratic campaign also discussed the distribution of capital through the Small Business Administration to bolster under-served businesses. Finally, they said they would create "promise neighborhoods" to deal with intergenerational poverty through a network of services and to work on programs to help poor Americans enter the work force.
At a minimum, the economic stimulus package should include infrastructure repair programs that place great emphasis on the cities and make certain that public jobs are allocated toward residents in those areas who are in need of gainful employment.
In the brilliant television show The Wire, viewers were able to see how deeply entrenched the problems are that plague the inner cities of America, where the drug trade is often the only economic game in town. Improving the cities will require a long-term effort and involve multiple interventions. But we must have the audacity to believe that conditions can be improved and do something to make that happen. Now is the time to begin the process.
Julian E. Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School. He is the co-editor of "Rightward Bound: Making America Conservative in the 1970s" and is completing a book on the history of national-security politics since World War II, to be published by Basic Books.
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We need to give our newly elected President time to do what he needs to do. The mess he was left to clean up is not going to be easy. We have to prepare and be willing to sacrifice what our government asks of us. We all have to do our part as patriotic Americans in order to help restore our Country. Our government is in a position to bargain with Wallstreet, they should get the best deal possible for the American people. Shouldn't Wall street make their contribution to America for a change, considering how they enjoyed the obscene amounts of compensation they received while they drove these companys into the ground. The American people have been forced to work under difficult working conditions for little pay for a very long time, while being told not expect anything from their government. All the while Corporate America enjoyed the benefits of "Corporate Welfare", while still getting rich off the hard working American people. No money should be given to any corporation without the government demanding the termination of any and all persons responsible for its current financial situation, also get rid of the board of directors. The American people have bargaining power. And if the corporation refuses to bargain, they better not expect anything from their government. They do not deserve the sympathy of the American people. They should be ashamed of how they have conducted themselves.
I think they should start by cleaning up the urban projects, a big task but I think it can be done if you can create a nice environment you can transform peoples life, how about start with letting residence by into renovated apartments, like a coop sort of thing if people have a real stake in where they live they care more, have conditions like the residence have to participate in keeping the grounds and area clean and recycling they have to keep the streets clean , also start urban gardens where the residence and community can particpate in, attract investors into the area to bring in business and encourage people who qualify to start their own business in the area, when remodling these projects or ghettos, make them green building, make urban green renewal a real part of peoples lives
On education reform, time to make full use of modern technology. The basic curricula for grades 2-12 should be standardized and provided to students on interactive computer programs. The students doing well on their own can have their classroom time cut way back. Teachers can then focus intensively on the 20 percent needing remedial help.
Most kids are self-motivated to learn, and the role of teachers as visionaries or mentors is greatly exaggerated. Better to recast them as tutors and let kids learn at their own pace by computer. And with a standardized curriculum, a child's education is not left up to the (remote) chance of getting good teachers.
It's a shame that you don't think too highly of teachers. I'd love to see someone try to teach with all the cuts and lack of parental involvement before criticizing them.
Most teachers do their best, but many times they aren't listened to by the system. In fact, they are often impeded by the system.
The problems are many and the country is bankrupt.
1) Rebuilding infrastructure and mass transit will aid all. We dont need to target so much and certainly dont need to pit urban against suburban versus rural..
2) GM/Ford and Chrysler have Urban plants and Urban suppliers. Saving them will save Urban areas. Bringi9ng back MFG across America will help all areas.
3) Migration to a single payer healthcare system will help everyone and has the support of 70% of Americans.
4)His alternative energy plans will lift all boats.
The problems are big enough that those urban problems are now everyones problems. Targeting Urban problems in a single way will be destructiv
We need to target the biggest problems which all others rest upon. Not each special interest lining upto the watering hole. That will destroy his presidency. Bush already made the all the handouts.
Regards
.
There is only one real hope left for our Auto industries and that is to undo what they did in the 30's. It was GM and Firestone among others who sabotaged the Public Transit system to allow themselves the privilege of hooking Americans on the Automobile. I have read about that and seen the show on PBS or was it A&E about that little deal. So what I propose is that if they want to be saved that they give America back a Public Transportation system that will get us unhooked. There would still be money to be made by them but not on the order that they have come to expect. In addition they would be able to undo all of the Environmental damage that they have contributed to all of these last 100 years. They might take a hint
from that British idea called ULTRA, the future transport. It's a good idea and one that could be improved on for America. Just producing the necessary vehicles for that kind of system would mean plenty of future income for these has been Auto companies.
There seems to be no end to all these Obama should... pieces and he hasn't even taken office yet. Looks guys, if any of you think you have better answers than he does - after he's had the chance to implement some of them, that is - then you run for president yourselves next time around. In the meantime, give it a rest, at least until he's had the chance to do something.
Canukistan,
I couldn't agree with you more. Obama hasn't even assumed office yet and all the advice givers are already beating at the door. Where have they been when Bush was in office. Maybe they didn't have the courage to make suggestions then because they knew he wouldn't listen. The worst thing we can do now is to put way more pressure on Obama than he can deal with. I too think he has enough on his plate to start with. Sure, we all have pet projects that we would like to have worked on but it all takes time and especially money. The Republicans are leaving Government bankrupt as it is.
Give'm a fish, feed 'em for a day, teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. Herein lies the reason the ?4 trillion since 'The Great Society Programs' have failed to improve the quality of life in low-income areas. Money was thrown at a problem, just like we're throwing money at Wall Street.
Never ever give cash to the destitute. Provide food, clothing, housing, education, and work -- give them respect and a hand-up, not a hand-out.
Welfare to Corporations is a far greater number than welfare to the poor and in both cases cash has not improved either. The unemployment and drug problems of this country are directly related government throwing cash at a problem to make it go away -- well, it went to the nearest bar/drug dealer.
The article is correct -- Fix Our Cities. Cars and Urban Sprawl are the problem -- throwing money at them just gives us greater debt and two unsustainable lifestyle features.
With all due respect, I wish the pundits would back off and give Obama some air. He received my vote because I trust him to do the right thing--I did not vote for the pundits.
why are Asian Americans in the US at par in success with caucasians whereas the african americans (and hispanics) claim racism for their poor condtions
anyone please care to explain that to me?
iambusto,
Probably because of a different frame of mind. Most Asian cultures have lived in poverty and been
deprived a lot longer than other cultures. I mean as a whole. Of course there is a strata that were Aristocrats who did live in wealth and luxury but most didn't. Those who were always subservient learned patience and sacrifice. Even today they are willing to sacrifice their comfort and happiness to fulfill that of their children. They will live in small homes in large families and don't throw their children out in the streets as soon as they can. They, all of them as a family unit are devoted to each other. With the kind of tenacity that they put forth for their families success it is a sure bet that when all of our other cultures have fallen by the wayside theirs will still be progressing.
Great, another country heard from. Just what Obama needs...mo
I suggested on change.gov that Obama replace the ONDCP with the Office of National Drug Policy Reform and name Ethan Nadelmann as the new "Drug Czar".
Really!! I thought $4 trillion has been spent on African Americans since civil rights? Why is there a breakdown of family structure and 70% of the children born out of wedlock?? How come the immigrants succeed through sheer hard work and some help from the infrastructure? How is that the blacks who escape the viscious cycle of victim politics and bad leadership in inner cities succeed jus like others? What is needed is self introspection first with a change in culture and attitude, not more handouts. That is the change we need and deserve. Obama I think will lead by example and not patronize the excuse-mongers.
NoFuzzyDreams
First, there are excuse mongers of all races. Second, the educational systemchanged drastically during the 1970's and changes in laws practically took away the rights of parents to parent their own children in the homes. I don't know. Maybe this has all been by design. Schools became overcrowded with teen pregnacy. Many teachers lost any sense of authority in classr ooms which the students became more violent and the story goes on and on. When there is a constant supply of uneducated people, you will find that the economy suffers. You speak about all the money poured into the African American community -including the schools- but, was it really...m
I worked in a district that could barely supply paper and pencils for its students, instrumental music classes dropped, overcrowded classrooms, few after-school programs and the most unhealthiest lunches imaginable. And, let's not mention underpaid staffs. Where was the money? Our community centers were closed. Where was all this money that you so kindly speak about? The community didn't see it. What is needed is simply going back to the good ol' days where parents were parents...
So now that are new president is African American, the gov't should really help the inner city? Wow!!!!!
I think we are good at discussing and dealing with the details of economic and urban policy, but fail when it comes to negotiating the big picture.
For example, I read - some time ago - that the largest public money grab in America is the suburb. That means that if you live in the suburb, you are a welfare recipient. And you are a bigger drain on the public purse than ... people on welfare. If this is true it's an embarassing irony.
And if it's true, then why is it so cheap to live in the suburb? Because the tax structures are upside down. Somehow it's more expensive to live in a city where the real cost of living, with everything factored in, should be cheaper: per capita less roads, less energy consumption, less everything.
I think Mr. Obama should address this big picture reality. People who live in ranch houses and drive over hell's half acre should pay for the energy they consume and the roads we build them. I think with the economy properly restructured to reflect energy consumption, it will become unaffordable to live in the suburb and Americans - 3% of the world's population wildly consuming over 50% of it's energy - will live like the rest, in cities. And, the issue of the cities crumbling will no longer be an issue.
So the next time you hear someone say they want more space and a lawn, say they need to pay for it
I think that's going too far. If one can afford an acre and a house, they have a right to it. We don't want to stifle hope; we want to encourage it. Obama will do the right thing for the cities and for low and middle income Americans, but let's not put the hate mode out for people who happen to own a freaken large lawn; c'mon....a
Let's put that bailout money where it does the most good--in the hands of the consumers.
Stipulate the money must be used to buy an *American* car and let the market decide. This would be a great way to take some polluting old clunkers off the road and would bring the cash to the car manufacturers.
The American car manufacturers could innovate by not making a new body style every year (like VW has done successfully), use more green technology (again VW and BMW are models), and create cars people really want.
When you get to vote with your money, you get real results--not fake bailouts that go to the top Admin level and never, ever trickle down--we learned that already. Power for the people.
why penalise japanese automakers who also employ hundreds of americans too. ridiculous ideas.
do the following:
1) wipe out all shareholder equity in GM/F. thats a no brainer.
2) revoke existing UAW contracts and bring the wages back to fair market levels.
3) shed healthcare liabilities.
The stock market as we know it now is little more than organized crime in a Brooks Bros suit. It's time to reward labor, not capital. Right now fair market levels for wages are laughable and getting worse. If you mean to renego contracts up, then fine.I agree about shedding healthcare liabilities. The best way is of course to expand Medicare for all and end private insurer involvement. That would be a big help, not only for urban, but for everyone.
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