Just give the young a generation a chance - here is an example
Government should make the elected positions attractive to the young generation. Make this positions professional, i.e. an elected mayor or a chairman of a union parishad or an MP should earn more money than those of their peers who, for example, plays professional cricket or professional football or working 8-hours a day job. After all, these positions are supposed to be a 24-hour jobs if they are really willing to serve. Doesn't it make sense to make the most important jobs in the country to be professional, instead of the current part-time nature of these positions (if you are not sure whether the elected officials jobs are professional or not, read closely the job-description and their salary structure). We hope to share more thoughts on this on another day. Lets see an encouraging example today.
There might be many reason to dislike USA, the people of this nation has made many choices for which you could call them dumb (e.g. electing Bush as president), however, they often do some things very good. Thats the reason they are still what they are today.
Here is a latest example. A small city in Oklahama state in USA has elected a 19-year old first year university student as their mayor!
Also, don't be surprised if Barack Obama becomes the next US president to replace the joker (to put it mildly).
If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columinsts in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.
Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line
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Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.
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http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hhjnFHYpEaFWpDSTqfYt6TfH-J3A
19 year old elected mayor of US city
WASHINGTON (AFP) — It's certainly a good start: a 19-year-old political science student who dreams of becoming US president was elected mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma, beating a 70-year-old for the job, the city hall announced Thursday.
John Tyler Hammons, a first-year student at the University of Oklahoma, won the job to lead the city of 40,000 with 70 percent of the vote over a former mayor. The incumbent did not take part in the race.
"The campaign was great, it was fun and we won the trust of the people," Hammons told AFP.
"I want an open government. I don't have the monopoly on good ideas," he said.
For Hammons, who will take office Monday for a two-year term, it is only the beginning of a political career.
"I would like to be governor of Oklahoma and president of the United States," he said.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_XqeK0mwVYALet1vAn8WLLifYFgD90L62IG0
U. of Okla. freshman, 19, elected mayor of Muskogee
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) — A 19-year-old freshman at the University of Oklahoma was elected mayor Tuesday of Muskogee, a city of 38,000 in the northeastern part of the state.
With all precincts reporting, John Tyler Hammons won with 70 percent of the vote over former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride, said Muskogee County Election Board Secretary Bill Bull.
"The public placing their trust in me is the greatest, humbling and most awesome experience I've ever had in my life," said Hammons, who is from Muskogee but attends the university in Norman.
The two candidates squared off in a runoff election for the nonpartisan post after neither secured 50 percent of the vote in a six-person election April 1.
Hammons, who will be sworn in next week, said he plans to continue his college education but expects to transfer to a school closer to Muskogee.
"Being elected does not change my desire to continue my education," he said. "We will schedule our time in an appropriate fashion so that I can be mayor and stay in school."
Hammons replaces Wren Stratton, who decided not to seek re-election after one term.
The mayor leads the nine-member city council and serves as a voting member. Hammons said a key to his platform that resonated with voters was openness of government and keeping citizens better informed of city operations.
"I think that's been a detriment to the trust of the citizens of Muskogee," he said. "Once we have that trust, we can solve any other problem."
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010954098
Oklahoma Town Elects Teen As New Mayor
May 14, 2008 10:03 p.m. EST
Muskogee, OK (AHN) - A 19-year-old freshman from the University of Oklahoma became this city's youngest mayor after winning the mayoral election on Tuesday.
John Tyler Hammons, who is majoring in political science and public administration, beat three-time former mayor Hershel McBride, 70, by garnering 3,703 votes over his rival's 1,616 votes based on unofficial results.
McBride conceded defeat at 8:10 p.m. and told Hammons over the phone that he would support the new mayor.
The losing candidate attributed the student's win to a nationwide trend for change.
Hammons takes over the post left by Wren Stratton, who did not seek another term as mayor.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i0PlJuEAywlCCMoJZUWWnqSR1kAAD90MJAMG0
Muskogee, Okla., teen ready for mayoral challenge
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) — Nineteen-year-old John Tyler Hammons has a lot on his plate as he prepares to take over as mayor of this eastern Oklahoma city, but he's trying to keep his priorities straight.
Juggling calls from people around the country Thursday, he took an important one from his mother. She wanted to know what time he would be home for dinner.
The University of Oklahoma freshman is moving out of a dorm and back in with his parents as he gets ready to be sworn in next week as mayor of this 38,000-person city made famous by the Merle Haggard song "Okie From Muskogee."
Eventually, he plans to rent an apartment or house with a friend and transfer to Northeastern State University, which has a local branch campus.
Hammons wants to hit the ground running as mayor, but there has been no shortage of distractions since he won Tuesday's runoff election with nearly 70 percent of the vote over Hershel McBride, 70, a former three-term mayor. He replaces Wren Stratton, who decided not to seek re-election.
Besides numerous interview requests, Hammons has received a proposal for a book deal, invitations to appear on national talk shows and three offers for a reality television program.
As mayor, his first priorities are the creation of an independent ethics commission to monitor elected and appointed city officials. He also wants to establish campaign finance reporting requirements for those running for office.
"I'm sure the (city) council will work with me on these issues," he said. "I campaigned on this, and this is something I intend to push.
"First and foremost, Muskogee is my one and only interest right now," Hammons said from his office inside the city's municipal building.
The senior class president at Muskogee High School in 2007, he served as president of both the Young Republicans and the Young Democrats clubs.
"I threw my name in both rings ... and lo and behold, both groups elected me," he said.
Hammons, a registered Republican, is Oklahoma's youngest at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention. But when it comes to serving as mayor of Muskogee, an unpaid position, he plans to govern in a nonpartisan way.
"Politics stop at the door," Hammons said. "If someone wants to talk politics, I will literally leave the office and leave the building if I have to. In this office, it needs to be Muskogee-oriented."
Residents appear willing to give the young mayor a chance.
At the Club Lunch cafe in downtown Muskogee, owner Gary Armstrong said locals have grown weary of politics as usual at City Hall.
"He doesn't have the baggage. He doesn't owe anybody anything," Armstrong said as he served up a plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes. "It's sort of a fresh start for Muskogee."
While Hammons says his focus now is on the city, he isn't ruling out seeking higher office in the future.
"I've always had it in the back of my mind to be governor of Oklahoma one day," he said. "That's always been a dream of mine. If I am lucky enough to be governor, I'll probably flirt with the idea of trying to become president."
His ambition doesn't stop him from enjoying the typical diversions of a 19-year-old: video games, movies, fast cars and rock 'n' roll.
As for dating, the skinny, baby-faced Hammons said he's waiting to see what kind of offers come his way.
"Right now I'm between girlfriends," he said, "so I'm looking to fill that position."
http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/05/14/19-year-old-oklahoma-freshman-elected-mayor-of-muskogee/
19-Year-Old Oklahoma Freshman Elected Mayor of Muskogee
 |
Today at Newsroom seems to be all about beating the odds. We kicked it all off with Steve Novick, then we introduced you to Bonnie Richardson, and now…a college freshman who's just been elected mayor.
What?? How the heck is that possible? Well, seems totally do-able to the residents of, uh, Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Looks like the city has elected 19-year-old University of Oklahoma freshman John Tyler Hammons as mayor. For real. And save your Muskogee jokes: with a population of 38,000, running the city is no small job.
So how'd Hammons win? According to AP, "a key to his platform that resonated with voters was openness of government and keeping citizens better informed of city operations." Yeah, they don't seem to know either. We do, however, know some of the winning campaign slogans: "New Century, New Ideas" and (our fave) "I'm Proud to be an Okie from Muskogee."
But having only completed his first year of college — and off in the city of Norman, OK, to boot — what will happen to the rest of his higher education? Rest easy: the frosh mayor-elect says he'll balance politics and school life by moving to a university closer to his new mayor-dom.
Filed Under: Campaign '08
- That will look good on his resume! HA!
- Being born in and currently residing in Muskogee I think I can help explain why Mr. Hammons was elected. He was the best candidate...by far. It was an easy choice. His only legitimate opponent was a former mayor, and anyone who spends time in and pays attention to this town should see that it has gone nowhere for the last thirty years. It's as if there's some secret self-serving syndicate, a good ol' boy network of greasy pockets and scratched backs running the town. It has a terrible reputation as a place to do business in and the lack of economic development seems to back that reputation up. A serious change was needed in Muskogee, and the citizens made the right choice
- Wow. Look what Texas's backyard is doing now.
- I am embarrassed!
- [...] [...]
- [...] 19-Year-Old Oklahoma Freshman Elected Mayor of MuskogeeLooks like the city has elected 19-year-old University of Oklahoma freshman John Tyler Hammons as mayor. For real. And save your Muskogee jokes: with a population of 38000, running the city is no small job. So how'd Hammons win? …MTV Newsroom - http://newsroom.mtv.com [...]
- [...] 19-Year-Old Oklahoma Freshman Elected Mayor of MuskogeeLooks like the city has elected 19-year-old University of Oklahoma freshman John Tyler Hammons as mayor. For real. And save your Muskogee jokes: with a population of 38000, running the city is no small job. So how'd Hammons win? …MTV Newsroom - http://newsroom.mtv.com [...]
- [...] of Muskogee, a city of 38000 in the northeastern part of the state.Digg - http://digg.com/|||19-Year-Old Oklahoma Freshman Elected Mayor of MuskogeeLooks like the city has elected 19-year-old University of Oklahoma freshman John Tyler Hammons as [...]
- [...] 19-Year-Old Oklahoma Freshman Elected Mayor of MuskogeeLooks like the city has elected 19-year-old University of Oklahoma freshman John Tyler Hammons as mayor. For real. And save your Muskogee jokes: with a population of 38000, running the city is no small job. So how'd Hammons win? … - [...]
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