Who Owns What?

Post #32

When I decided not to seek reelection to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002, I was asked by countless people “who I thought would win my seat.”  I felt the need to remind them that the seat was not mine.  “It’s the people’s seat,” I repeated each time.  I firmly believe that when I was elected, I was hired by the people for a four-year contract.  When re-elected, I was thankful the voters gave me a four-year extension on that contract to represent them to the best of my ability.

I have been reminded of what seemed only semantic pickiness this past week as we heard a lot of discussion about how the Democratic nominee in Massachusetts “lost Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat.”  Republican Senator-Elect Brown took issue with that concept and insisted that it was “the people’s seat” and that the people should select the candidate they preferred. 

As I campaign for the State Senate, I am sometimes asked whose seat I’m seeking.  In the same way, I remind them that this is THEIR seat and that it’s THEIR choice who occupies it. By parsing words in that manner, I hope that I am reminding voters of their power.  At the same time, I hope that I am de-personalizing the contentious competitions that elections can become.  I tell voters and members of the press that I am running FOR the Senate on my own merits and not AGAINST anyone.  In that way, I hope they feel empowered to evaluate the strengths of each candidate and to cast their ballot for the person they feel will be the most effective in office.

Am I being picky in my verbiage?  Perhaps.  Does it reflect an important distinction that’s worth discussing?  I think so.  You own the seats, voters!  Exercise your rights and responsibilities to ensure that the person with a ‘four-year contract’ is someone who will best represent your interests and the interests of our community.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you see this as a question of semantics… or is there something important in the wording of who ‘owns’ a seat? I’d love to know your thoughts on the topic.  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#32) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Choosing Freedom…and Trusting Women

Post #31

I recently got a fortune cookie with a more profound message than usual.  It said: “You value freedom- -grant it to others.”

This struck me as a perfect thought, as today is the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade.  I’m sure my blog readers know that this landmark case legalized abortion, describing what is legally permissible based on each trimester of gestation. It struck a balance between a woman’s right to control her body with the government’s role in protecting potential life.  The late Justice Harry Blackmun, the decision’s author, clearly trusted women to make their own decisions.

Although decided in our nation’s highest court, the battle over a woman’s right to choose has continued these past decades.  In addition to fighting electoral and legislative battles as allowed by law, some anti-abortion extremists have sadly selected violence as their preferred tactic. 

They began by picketing clinics and harassing prospective patients.  This was effective but not a quick enough means.  Then came the arsons, death threats and a rash of clinic bombings.  Not only did these destroy valuable medical equipment that provided needed health care, but a total of eight people (four doctors, two clinic staffers, a security guard and an escort) were murdered.  Last May, a leading abortion foe, Scott Roeder, assassinated Dr. George Tiller while Tiller was volunteering in his church in Kansas.  Ironically, the jurors in Roeder’s trial began hearing testimony in his trial today.

The right place to debate this emotional, moral, medical, and deeply personal issue is in legislative chambers, at the ballot box, and in peaceful assemblies.  Those who value freedom should cherish the Right to Assemble, the Right to Free Speech, and the Right to cast a vote for the candidates they prefer.  Any other means of trying to realize victory is antithetical to our American values… and in gross violation of the freedoms that we American citizens are blessed to enjoy.

On this 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I would hope that Americans could celebrate our freedoms… and renew our trust in our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends to make decisions about when and whether to bear children.  Soon after college graduation, I worked on the staff at national NARAL and continue to be a devoted advocate for a woman's right to choose. I have long supported the Maryland affiliate of NARAL in its work to stand up for the women of our state.  Will you join me?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you believe that violence by abortion opponents is justifiable?  Do you think that public policy should reflect a trust of women to make their own personal reproductive decisions?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#31) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

“Only One”

Post #30

Today, we celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In gatherings large and small, we will be uplifted and inspired again by hearing his speeches and remembering his courageous leadership.  Unlike holidays like Presidents’ Day, when we mostly reflect on the past, this day always seemed an appropriate time to focus on the present.

How are we doing with race relations?  How much progress have we made in addressing poverty in the United States?  Can working families realize the American dream?

For nearly a week, we have been horrified by the devastation in Haiti.  With the shocking government failures after Hurricane Katrina still fresh in our minds, we want the victims and survivors to be treated humanely and quickly. 

As we read, hear, or see the enormous challenges facing the relief workers, many of us feel helpless.  As individuals, we lack the ability to repair the infrastructure so that food and fresh water can be delivered.  As much as we might like to, we can't join in the rescue of those who have been trapped for days.  With the exception of our public safety workers who are traveling to Haiti to help keep the peace, we probably can’t help protect the families and their belongings from frantic scavengers.

But we can still make a difference, in Haiti and in our own country.

One of my very favorite singer/songwriters, John Flynn, captures a philosophy we might all consider in his song “Only One” as we try to figure out what we can do on this day of community service and action.  In our own modest way, we can be sure that:

One hungry child

won’t be denied bread.

One lonely soul

won’t be neglected...

One by one dying hearts

will heal when they've bled

for all the things that we have left undone.

We each can change the world with only one.

We each can change the world with only one

(For more on John’s music, please visit www.JohnFlynn.net)

I hope that, in whatever way seems appropriate to you, you’ll join me in doing a small part to realize Dr. King’s vision for all that America can be.  Make a donation to UNICEF or the Red Cross.  Volunteer at a local food bank.  Mentor a child.  Help an immigrant learn English.  Or offer help to a neighbor in a time of need.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How do you honor Martin Luther King and all he represented?  What have you done to make your community a bit better?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#30) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

What’s Fun About Fundraising?

Post #29

This past week, candidates for state office paused our fundraising efforts to prepare a financial report. We will be judged on viability, as evidenced by the depth and breadth of our supporters and donations.  As my treasurer/husband works on the detail of the report, I reflected that the questions I get asked almost more than any other concern raising money.  How do I do it?  Isn’t it hard?  Are people reluctant to give to a challenger?  Has the recession hurt?

As I previously posted, I have been working in campaigns since 1980.  Inspired by federal, state, and local candidates, I have donated money, volunteered my time, and solicited both time and money from my friends on behalf of others. That's much easier than asking for money for one’s own campaign, let me tell you!

In 1994 when I first ran for the House of Delegates, I thought that donations would be seen as gifts to me in some way; this initially made asking for financial support pretty awkward. A mentor coached me to see things from a different perspective, pointing out that my contributors are expressing their desire for new leadership or to show their support for an advocate on their priority issues.  It’s not so much me personally that moves them to give, as it is the issues and characteristics that I represent for them.

To me, it’s not the amount of the donation that matters (though bigger gifts certainly help pay for more campaign “stuff” than do smaller ones).  A donation is symbolic of the engagement of voters in their government and in the political process.  I am touched by even a $10 check, as it is coming from someone expressing faith in my candidacy and style of leadership.  No matter the amount, all donors have joined my “team” and are sending me a positive sign that they might be willing to help in other ways as well. 

It may not be “fun” to dial-for-dollars leading up to an event or a fundraising deadline, but it yields measurable value that symbolizes the strength of one’s candidacy, and connects me in an even stronger way to those I hope to serve.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your intentions when you donate to a candidate?  Have you ever raised funds for a cause or candidate and how did that go?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#29) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

First Day Back

Post #28 

Tomorrow, the General Assembly reconvenes for the final year of a four-year term.  The first day of a legislative session always reminded me of the first day back at school.  After a long time apart, you get to see your friends and colleagues again.  Everything is familiar, and yet somehow everything is new as well.

Some unsuccessful bills will return for another try, and there will be a host of new proposals and challenges to address during the 90-day session.

This year, I suspect that the excitement will be somewhat muted. This will be the final session for some of the 188 legislators.  While some have decided not to run for reelection, others will be defeated in either primary or general election races.  Looking ahead to next January, the leadership as well as the dynamic on each standing committee is likely to be different. Regardless, the state's fiscal challenge is something they must confront this year.

While I hesitate to use that word “crisis” for fear of appearing too negative, I’m not sure how else to label what appears to be a $2 billion shortfall in our state’s operating budget.

I have heard rumors that all committee chairs have been given strict instructions regarding the bills they may pass out of their committees.  If the fiscal cost exceeds that which the House Speaker and Senate President deem affordable, the bill is to be killed.  I fear that a lot of creative and worthy ideas will not be successful this year.

What I expect we’ll see, instead, are symbolic proposals being debated.  This will be especially true for incumbents who wish to brag about their achievements back home on the campaign trail.   I would guess that there will be an unusually high number of Task Forces, Select Committees, and internal legislative reforms that sound good, cost little, but accomplish even less.

The most important question that remains to be answered is whether the General Assembly will institute any serious fiscal reforms to ensure the state remains solvent in the longer term.  Rather than sweeping the issue under the carpet until after the election and passing insignificant and politically expedient legislation, will the members of the House of Delegates and the Senate muster the courage to make the difficult decisions this year? Stay tuned!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your expectations for this year’s General Assembly?  Will you vote against incumbents who cast difficult votes if they are actually working toward fiscal solutions?   You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#28) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.