“Feeling the Paine”

Post #37

Whether it was in junior high school (now called middle school) or high school, we each may have some dim memories of one of our country’s founders, Thomas Paine.  His essays in support of independence from Great Britain were compiled into a volume known as “Common Sense.”

The topics are much different today, but the title is still appropriate.  How much common sense is there in our government today?  In my view, it is too often absent from our deliberations.  There are the ideological or partisan lines that are difficult for many to cross.  Then there are various interest groups that may weigh in on the debates.  Who stops to think about what makes sense for the people being represented?

I remember when, as a member of the House of Delegates, I joined the debate over a bill to lengthen the period of time allowed for a pull date on a carton of milk.  It was in the financial interest of farmers and grocers if milk didn’t need to be discarded so quickly.  The bill was sailing through the legislative process, when I decided to stand and speak.  All I could envision was a young family on a tight budget trying to provide nourishment to young kids.  How unfair it would be for them to find rancid milk in their refrigerator more often with this new proposal!  One of the most meaningful things a reporter has ever written about me was as a result of that debate.  He opined that I had spoken up for a forgotten “special interest group”—the consumer.

Voters and interest groups want to typecast candidates.  Are you more or less liberal/conservative than the alternative candidate?  Sometimes, the answer is neither.  Or both.  Or “it depends.”  I think we need to return common sense to our legislative bodies.  Ask the hard questions, weigh what makes sense for the people you represent, and vote accordingly.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What sort of decision-making factors do you believe drives our legislatures?  Do most of its decisions seem practical to you?  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 (#37) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes

Post #36

Despite the many missed school days due to the “Snowpocalypse”, today every public school in Maryland is closed in honor of Presidents’ Day.  It may surprise you to learn that until recently, this was not required by state law.

On this day, we honor two of our country’s most revered Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We often think of Presidents’ Day as a much-needed three-day weekend in the midst of winter; we travel or shop for bargains at the mall.  But the history of our federal holiday dates back to 1880, when Congress voted to close all federal offices in DC in honor of George Washington.

Since 1862, there has been a tradition in the United States Senate that George Washington's Farewell Address is read each year.  In the Maryland State Senate, it is the one time that the body convenes in the old Senate Chamber, where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief in 1783.

Martin Luther King, Jr., another great leader whose legacy affects our lives and whose birth we celebrated last month, was assassinated in 1968.  It was not until 2000 that all 50 states honored him with a holiday.  (See my blog article, #30, posted on the anniversary of his birth.)

It took some doing, but both of these holidays are now observed in Maryland (See our state law at § 7-103. “Required school days and holidays.”)  During my tenure in the House of Delegates, there was a difference of opinion as to whether to include both holidays in one bill (the version I introduced) or to enact them separately.  Ultimately, Maryland joined the rest of the country in closing schools on both holidays in observance of these great American leaders.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How do you think our Presidents should be honored on his holiday?  Do you do anything special in observance of the day?  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 (#36) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Let’s Make a Deal?

Post #35

As we watched our supply of fresh food dwindle during this second enormous snowstorm, my husband and I pondered the prospect for shopping in the coming days.  We realized that in the past year, we have regularly patronized over a dozen markets and grocery stores.  With so many to choose from, I wondered how a company keeps a customer’s business, especially in a recession.

The other night, in the brief interlude between “Snowpocalypse” and “Snowquel” (or whatever your favorite names are), we visited one of our favorite grocery stores.  The produce shelves were virtually empty, and what remained was generally unappetizing and not worth the price, including a few bruised, old bananas. 

While I considered the possibility of baking a few loaves of my chocolate chip/banana bread, I didn't want to pay 58 cents per pound.  I asked the manager whether he would give me a break.  Instead, he insisted that I just take them for free.  “Really?  I’m happy to pay half-price,” I said.  By allowing me to have a few bananas, he made a $100 customer grateful to him and to his company.  It seemed a pretty smart decision on his part. 

The Washington Post recently featured an article on bargaining in these difficult economic times.  I admit to asking for discounts for damaged clothing or food I’ll use right away that are at or just beyond a sell-by date.  The article makes the case that negotiating can be a win-win and benefit both the retailer, who wants us to purchase from his/her store rather than online, and the customer, who saves money and gets the item immediately.

In our “new economy” when we are balancing our desire to protect jobs in our community while watching our own budgets more carefully, is this is a partial solution?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How loyal are you to local establishments?  Have you ever asked for or gotten a discount from the posted price?  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 (#35) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

“Web 2.0”

Post #34

When I decided to run for the State Senate, I got all sorts of advice from friends and supporters.  Among the most universal was the passionate belief that “social networking” is mandatory for a candidate today.  They unanimously believed that I needed to be on Facebook, Twitter, and start my own blog.

Maryland’s 17^th legislative district, which I represented in the House of Delegates for eight years, is one of the most high-tech in the state.  We are proud of our “I-270 High Tech Business Corridor,” home to respected employers such as MedImmune, Lockheed Martin, Westat, Hewlett Packard, Digene, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).  Undoubtedly, our legislators need to be tech-savvy so that these entities can have a supportive voice in Annapolis.

As one of the first legislators with my own web page back in 1997, and one chosen by the then-House Speaker to get a laptop on a trial basis in 1999, I love exploring the promise of the newest technologies and putting into practice those that help me to be most effective.

Exactly one year ago, I created a Facebook page.  Despite the warnings about the time it can take (true, if you let it), I saw it as a tool to keep supporters updated on my activities, provide information to those interested in my campaign, and communicate to a friends around the area.   The unexpected bonus has been reconnecting with long-lost pals from high school (and earlier!), summer camp, college, various old jobs and campaigns, and from around the community.  (If you’re not already one of my nearly 3,000 Facebook friends, I hope you’ll send me a "Friend Request" so we can change that!)

In September, I launched a blog on my campaign web site.  On average, I have posted twice weekly since then, sharing my thoughts on various legislative or political topics.  I appreciate those who have sent me feedback privately as well as those who posted comments for all to see.

Last October, I started on Twitter, quite warily.  I’m still not sure I see the value of being “followed” by people at 140 characters per thought.  I wonder what I can say on a regular basis that would be interesting in such a concise a framework, yet I remain eager to learn more about “tweeting” from others.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How important do you believe social media is for candidates in our area?  Do you “tweet” and do you have any advice for me on that platform?  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 (#34) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Killed for Love

Post #33

This year, I am again privileged to be part of a community theatre production of “Oliver!,” a wonderful musical with great songs and a heart-warming ending when an orphan is reunited with his grandfather.

Unfortunately, one of the story lines deals with domestic violence.  The heroine, Nancy, keeps returning to the man she loves, Bill Sykes.  At various times throughout the play, Sykes shoves her, slaps her, bullies her, and threatens her.  Despite that, she refuses an offer of protection and returns to her abusive boyfriend.  In the final scene of the play, Bill murders Nancy as she is trying to help Oliver.

Sadly, this fictional story is played out all around the world every day.  According to the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (www.mnadv.org), 75 Marylanders were murdered as a result of domestic violence between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. Five of those were Montgomery County residents.  The Montgomery County Police received 234 reports of domestic violence in 2007.  The agency’s year-end report also indicated that, “Of the 19 homicide cases in 2007, 12… were directly related to domestic situations.”

In America, a woman is abused every 15 seconds, according to the FBI--a shocking statistic that demands our attention.   Our police are well-trained in handling domestic disputes, and Montgomery County  government and various nonprofit organizations partner to  provide shelters that house women (often with their children) who are fleeing abusive homes.

In times of economic crisis, the incidence of domestic violence rises along with increased use of drugs and alcohol.  We need stronger legal protections for victims as well as more diligent enforcement of existing laws.  Each of us must be even more vigilant and more protective of our friends, family members, and neighbors.   Together, we can work to work to prevent violence, reduce its impact in our communities and reach out to women who need our help

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you know someone who has been physically or emotionally abused by a partner or spouse?  How have you tried to help?  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 (#33) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.