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Post #4 

Every year in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, federal employees swear in America's newest citizens.  After years of living here, having their background scrutinized, and passing a fairly rigorous citizenship test, these longtime residents are invited to raise their right arm and swear an oath of loyalty to the United States.

Immigration and immigrants' rights have been hotly debated in our country since its founding.  Since few of us have Native Americans as our ancestors, we are probably descendants of immigrants.  Whether our arrival in the States was many generations ago... or very recent, most of us are proud and very grateful to be living here.

After this year's naturalization ceremony, I chatted briefly with some of those who had just been beautifully welcomed in a speech by Gaithersburg Councilmember Jud Ashman.  Among those I met were new Americans who had come here from India, Peru, Liberia, Jamaica, Ghana, Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.  I would love to have heard their stories.  Had they fled war, famine, or economic hardships?  Had they come here to follow their heart, to reunite with family, or accept a job opportunity? 

As surprising as it may be in our increasingly diverse County, some people don't often cross paths with people of a different ethnic, linguistic, or economic background.  In addition to sampling foreign food and appreciating the music from another country, we could try to begin from a place of curiosity.  Why did they come to the States?  What do they miss?  Do they have family elsewhere, and can they visit safely?  Perhaps we can explain some of the more confusing American customs that may be new to them.  Invite them to neighborhood events where they can make new friends.

The United States has always been a great nation, in great part because we learn and grow as we have embraced other peoples and their cultures.  Policy differences aside, let's welcome the people who live in our community.  Their kids are in our schools, they patronize our businesses, and they share many of our hopes and dreams for their future.  Let's do our part to make their transition an easy one.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you have an opportunity to interact with new Americans?  What has (or has not) worked in those relationships?   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 (#4) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Finding Balance

Post #3 

One of the challenges in being a candidate or an elected official is the balance between being "on-duty" and "off-duty."  As we know from watching President Obama, his every choice-from his opinions on Kanye West to the condiments on his hamburger-is noted and judged.

What about our local elected officials?  Our City, County, and State officials are all permitted to have other jobs.  When the General Assembly was created, it was envisioned that legislators would return to their farms or businesses after the 90-day session.  When I served in the House of Delegates representing District 17 (Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Garrett Park), I used to say (only somewhat jokingly) that the legislature was "less than half-time pay for more than full-time work."  Is this what works best?

Annapolis is a wonderful place to work.  The community is small enough that one can know the key players fairly quickly.  It's large enough that it's diverse in thought and personality.  People are passionate about issues as well as process, and the policy wonks thrive.

So what's reasonable for voters to expect of their elected officials?  I remember (after I was elected but before being married to my wonderful husband) having a terrible cold, dragging myself out to buy more cough medicine.  A Rockville activist approached me, seeking an update on an issue of concern to her.  I felt just awful, not able to respond as lucidly as I would have liked.  She seemed offended when I asked her if we could speak in a few days when I was feeling better.  Another time, I was out at a concert on a Saturday night.  A gentleman from another part of the state wanted to debate me on a recent legislative action.  I tried gently putting him off, trying to redirect the conversation to something more social.  Again, he was surprised that I did not want to engage him on the subject at that time.

Personally, I believe that I can be at my best when I have some modest amount of "off-duty" time to be with friends and family.  My other relationships and personal interests make me a more interesting person but also offer me perspectives I brought to the benefit of those I represented.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your expectations about those who represent you?  Do you believe there can be boundaries, or should a local elected official be available to serve 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year?  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 (#3) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Getting Started

Post #2

As I campaign door-to-door, I am sometimes asked by voters how (and why!) I first got involved in politics.  The short answer is that I care about issues and people and enjoy using my skills to make a difference.

As Congress copes with the loss of "the lion of the Senate," I reflect back on my start with Senator Ted Kennedy's presidential campaign.  I was in my freshman year at Vassar College and discovered in my Introduction to American Politics course that the views I thought were common sense (good schools, equality, clean environment, peace, etc.) made me not a moderate but a liberal!  Never having been raised with labels, I had not known where those beliefs placed me along the ideological spectrum.

Once I realized that my views were similar to Senator Kennedy's, I decided to volunteer my time on his 1980 campaign for president.  I took the Metrobus from Montgomery County to Dupont Circle, where I walked in off the street to help in any way I could.  That first day, I photocopied contribution checks.  By the end of the summer, I was paid staff and was privileged to be on the floor of the Democratic convention for the Senator's "Sail Against the Wind" speech.  I felt like I made a difference on that campaign, and I was captivated by both the issues and the process.

In America today, too many people feel incapable of having an impact.  I maintain my belief that one person can truly make a difference.  Recently, I launched a petition drive after my neighborhood had suffered through years of lengthy power outages.  When our electricity failed us 3 times in 9 days of sunny weather, I decided that the time for patience had passed.  I called and wrote to senior leaders at PEPCO, recruited neighbors, and started knocking on doors.  Last week, the heavy machinery showed up, and we finally have reason to hope that a long-term solution is underway!

My steadfast faith in the potential of every person to become an agent of change was inspired by Sen. Kennedy and the brilliant and devoted people who worked with him. It has endured throughout my career in the legislature, the nonprofit sector, and the community. I have met so many residents of District 17 and Montgomery County who make a difference every day.  Your stories drive my efforts to help make our County and our State a better place for all of us to live.  With each of us working as individuals...as well as coming together as a community...we can truly accomplish great things!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Has there been a time when you've been able to have an impact due to hard work, outreach to others, or creative problem-solving?  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 (#2) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Great Blog Expectations

Post #1

When I first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates, the tasks were many but uncomplicated.  Learn the issues, raise money, talk to voters, and win more support than your competitors.  Now that we're into the 21^st Century, that "to do" list has gotten lengthier.

Obviously, the candidates have to personally "be" everywhere around the District.  We also have to "virtually" be present in a lot of new places.  I was told that I simply MUST be easy to find on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, and others.  I wondered how I could possibly have time to maintain all these spaces... and how many voters would truly have the time or interest in actually monitoring all these outlets?  Yes, I'm sure I could recruit a volunteer who could maintain a "Kagan presence," but that's not my style.  I am committed to maintaining my authentic voice, which means that I needed to do it myself.  My experiences.  My opinions.  My words.  [For the record, I did join Facebook in February and have loved connecting with old and new friends!]

One challenge I did decide to accept is that of creating and keeping a blog.  Having not found the time to read more than a few blogs on a regular basis, I am a bit dubious as to whether voters will find their way to mine.  Despite this, I am willing to wade in to this venture.

My initial thoughts are:

• Keep it brief.
• Keep it relevant to the readers.
• Post on a regular basis.
• Allow constructive comments-positive or negative-- with attribution. 

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Can you provide any insight as to what makes a blog worth reading?  How often would you like to see me post?  Is this length appropriate, or should it be shorter or longer?  Do you believe that anonymous comments should be permitted?  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 (#1) you're addressing. 

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.