Until relatively recently, most universities and the cities surrounding them went about their business without taking full stock of what each meant to the other. Many local and state government leaders, notes Temple University political scientist Carolyn Adams, "don't see these institutions as having an economic development function much beyond employment and land development." For their part, hospitals and academic institutions aren't accustomed to thinking of themselves as de facto economic bigwigs or pondering the responsibilities that go along with that status; for many, the prevailing attitude toward the communities that host them has essentially been, "You should just thank your lucky stars we're here."

L. Frank Baum wrote "The Wizard of Oz" in 1900. As a centennial-celebration of this hugely popular American story, I went back to a reread. There are many themes to be explored in the land of Oz created by Baum. Starting with "Oz," you knew it stood for ounce, ounces of silver, contrary to others saying the tabs of O to Z in file folders, right?

The author was into supporting the silver platform in contemporary US politics. In 1960, S. J. Sackett wrote "Utopia of Oz", The Georgian Review, Vol XIV, pp 275-290. Here, staying with politics, are the political elements that I culled from this article. My assessment of these fifteen positions in 2008 is given as grades in progress since 1900.