Endorsing Others

Post #10 

One of the great privileges of public life is that we get to know a lot of interesting people who are dedicated to making a difference in our communities.  We work closely with elected officials, government leaders, and community activists.  We may have opinions as to which of them are most diligent, creative, and effective.  So what happens at election time?

Current and former elected officials are often asked their opinions about various candidates and ballot measures.  We usually have opinions, and sometimes they may be strongly held.  Strategists and candidates often seek out these "opinion leaders" whose views can sway many votes.

So here's the problem:  what if the candidate you support endorses a candidate you don't favor for another office?  Does it make you rethink your opinion of the latter... or the former?  If officeholders express their opinion, they can have a tremendous impact but can also risk their own level of support.  How can voters benefit from an insider's perspective of candidates for office?  Do you respect those who "stay out" or is that taking the easier, less risky path?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your expectations of your political leaders?  Are you interested in their views on other races?  Would their opinions sway your vote?  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 (#10) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

On the Campaign Trail

Post #9

Because most folks will never experience the life of a political candidate (too sane, I guess!), I thought I'd share some of what life on the campaign trail is like for me.

Not everyone loves being a candidate.  For many elected officials, the need to meet new people or ask for money-- while having very little private time with friends and family-- are the wearying but necessary political chores they must complete successfully before they can legislate.

For me, being a candidate is an adventure.  I learn about issues, various geographic and ethnic communities, and get to know new and interesting people every day.  I am inspired by their stories and the issues that concern them.  I am motivated by the potential to make a difference-- in one person's life, an entire neighborhood, a whole city, or statewide!

People often wonder how I can feel comfortable raising money.  When I was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1994, I had to get past the barrier of worrying that it was presumptuous or an imposition to ask for contributions.  It finally became clear to me that people wanted to invest in good government when they supported my campaign.  Donations of any size helped elect someone they thought would be hard-working, creative, and progressive-minded on issues they cared about most.

[I suppose this is the place I should offer you the 'opportunity' to support my campaign!  You can either mail a donation or make a secure gift online by going to www.CherylKagan.org and clicking on "Contribute."  Thanks!]

So next time you see me knocking on doors, working a crowd at a neighborhood event, or meeting with another community leader, don't feel sorry for me and my busy schedule.  I'm learning... and I'm enjoying it immensely! 

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Have you ever been involved in a political campaign?  Did the experience leave you inspired, frustrated, or something else?  What's your motivation when you donate to a candidate?  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 (#9) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

How to Select Our Candidates?

Post #8 

Yesterday over lunch, a group of Rockville activists were discussing the upcoming Mayor and Council elections.  One wondered aloud how diligent voters could get the information they want before choosing their candidates.  One colleague suggested attending and listening to the debates for answers to questions of special concern.  Another recommended monitoring endorsements by organizations with similar values.  There's also a candidate's campaign literature, web page, blogs like this one, and other sources of personal position statements.

All of those resources are valuable and important.  The reality is, however, that as elections approach, the generalities can make it hard for voters to become educated.  Everyone is for motherhood and apple pie; a balanced budget, affordable housing, and a clean environment.  Who actually takes a stand when it's hard to do?  Who has a record of volunteerism in the community on issues of interest to you?  Who practices what they preach... versus mouthing the platitudes they think voters care to hear?

Candidates have an interest in not alienating voters.  Voters have an interest in specificity.  It's not always easy to mesh those sometimes competing needs.  It takes diligence, a bit of time, and a refusal to accept generalities.  But it can be done, and we must before we vote!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How do you select the candidates you support?  Are there resources you find most helpful?  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 (#8) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

They Deserve More than an Apple!

Post #7 

We had a tragic and untimely loss in our neighborhood last week.  A devoted family man, business leader, and reservist died many decades before his time.

At the viewing, many neighbors came to support his wife and three daughters.  We enjoyed the wonderful pictures of a life well-lived, though too short.  We enjoyed family photos and learned more about their world travels.

There were some women at the funeral home we didn't know.  I introduced myself and was astonished to learn that these women were the girls' teachers, guidance counselor, and assistant principal.  This was at 5pm, when their day could have been long over.  Each of these women was hovering near the girls, watching the video of their dad and listening to the recollections that the photos depicted.  This was an unbelievable gift of support to these vulnerable and grief-stricken young girls.

My husband was a career educator, mostly in Montgomery County.  On nights and weekends, he would be grading papers, writing tests, or creating lesson plans.  I sometimes heard friends envy his 'short workdays' or his 'entire summers off' that the teaching profession supposedly allowed.

So many of the "extra tasks" that our educators perform for our kids and our communities can not be described or quantified.  It's these extra gifts of dedication to their job and love of their students that truly help create the leaders of tomorrow.  It's not just teaching algebra, history, or grammar that's important in our schools.  Teachers and other educators also model empathy, caring, and respect every day.  

As our County policymakers and State legislators plan for the next fiscal year, I hope these character-building talents and the level of commitment our teachers give to our children are kept top of mind.  It's awfully short-sighted to balance a budget at the expense of those so devoted to the future of our community, county and state.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Is there a teacher who made a difference in your life?  Did he or she do something special for you outside the classroom?  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 (#7) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Why Don't People Vote?

Post #6 

In less than a month, Rockville and Gaithersburg will hold municipal elections.  With nearly 60,000 people living in each of these well-run, successful, and diverse municipalities, there is much at stake.  Our economic challenges require thoughtful leaders who can make tough decisions.  It is up to us to make informed choices as to who will act in our collective best interests.  Despite this, very few of us make the time to vote.

In Gaithersburg, 26,973 people are registered voters.  Of those, just 3,225 took advantage of their franchise in 2007.  That's less than a 12% turnout.  Rockville residents did slightly better, but the numbers are still embarrassingly low.  Of the 29,401 people eligible to vote, just 4,902 expressed their views at the ballot box (just under 17% of those registered.)*

As a candidate for State Senate, I have access to voter lists.  I am amazed that some of the loudest critics of government proposals are also those who don't take the time to follow through and express their candidate preferences.  How can someone who has never participated in a local primary or City election believe that she will be taken as seriously by the elected officials she seeks to persuade?  

In California, former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor.  Overshadowing her proposals for addressing the state's dire fiscal situation is her appalling history of not voting.  How can she credibly aspire to lead her party or her state if she did not take the time to cast her ballot for a 28-year period of her life?  Shouldn't we be able to expect each other (whether community activist, corporate leader, nonprofit staffer, or concerned citizen) to exercise the most important job we have as citizens of the United States? 

One of my favorite campaign buttons has a simple message: "Vote or You Have Nobody to Blame but Yourself."  I wear it virtually every year as Election Day approaches.  And, for those voters who do not take advantage of their franchise, I hope they know who to blame when government actions don't reflect their wishes 

So, be sure to research and VOTE on Tuesday, November 3^rd of this year if you live in Rockville or Gaithersburg... or any jurisdiction with an election this year!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Have you ever missed an election?  Do you feel that your vote can make a difference?  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 (#6) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

* These numbers are based on Maryland VoteBuilder data as of September 2009.