Senior Viewpoint

The Milwaukee Brewers revisit the major league playoffs 26 years later, since 1982 when the likes of Young, Molitor and Fingers were household names, at least for the sturdy fans. Now in 2008 the Brewers names of Braun, Sabathia and Hardy, to name a few, are household names, at least for the sturdy fans whose support helped make it a reality.

Those fans whose unwavering support helped the Brewers win a wild card berth and a chance to get into the world series are to be commended for not giving up, for not having doubts and for not complaining when it does not go well.

Look in the eyes of the youngsters and see the sparkle and excitement. 

Now everyone else can join in the celebration and in their own way cheer on the Brewers to the ultimate victory.

It is true that not everyone is a baseball fan but we have a big time major league team who carries the name of Milwaukee and Wisconsin all around the world.

 So, its on to the playoffs and hopefully to the world series.

The Brewers are nearing the end of a good baseball season both for the fans, the players and management. This is a young team that has tasted adversity and are battling back from it. The talent is certainly there and the recent change in leadership will give the players an opportunity to know where they stand.

When Harvey Kuenn was the manager the Brewers were most successful because he was a veteran major league all star, a local product and was in tune with the players.

But baseball is baseball and the goal is to score more runs than your opponent.

A nervous or anxious player cannot perform under pressure. Players must be relaxed, confident and have focus on every move they make on the field.

Most of all the players need big time fan support not only at Miller Park but from the entire state in every form possible, including the press.

There will be enough criticism and coaching from within the team.

This is the time for everyone in the Brewer network to openly show their support for a team that is so very close to the goals we want them to achieve.

After all, this is our one and only major league baseball team.

No more boo birds at the game.

Term limits for elected officials has long been a topic of discussion, from federal to state to local public offices. My research includes JSONLINE which is a valuable source.

The focus of this article is on local public offices starting at the top.

JSONLINE relates that in Grafton, WI. 71% of the voters in 1994 favored an advisory referendum for term limits, and on April 1, 2008 Fondulac,WI. voters decided by 62% to keep term limits. In 1994 Cedarburg, WI. voters approved an advisory referendum on term limits 2-1.

There have been arguments pro and con on the subject of term limits.

Historically, term limits or rotation in office dates bach to the American Revolution, and before then early civilizations such as Ancient Greece and Rome.

The President of the United States of America is subject to term limits by means of the 22nd Amendment to the US CONSTITUTION in 1951.

There are local municipal governments who have adopted term limits, and in the City of Brookfield there is no term limit for the highest office of Mayor.

Every vote counts in the upcoming elections for federal, state and local offices on the ballot. Local government has made it easy and convenient to register and vote which is all they can do. It is the decision of the residents to take advantage of the most precious right in our great country.

A simple phone call or a visit to city hall is all that it takes to register and under certain circumstances to even vote by absentee ballot.

Before you vote be sure to be informed of the qualifications of the candidate of your choice, and not just rely on rumors or bogus information.

Your vote is the result of the honest efforts by candidates who seek public office and risk being targets of the press , the media and special interests.

Voter apathy is the most serious obstacle a candidate faces. Some people criticize candidates and demean their character and fail to vote.

Voting is the only way to participate in an election with the guarantee that you made a difference in the final outcome.

We cannot have a representative government unless the electors select the representatives.

Regardless of your partisan or personal beliefs please make it a high priority to vote.