With just two days to go as I write this, I thought it was important to list out my endorsements for the 2008 Election. There is no doubt that this is probably the most important election of my lifetime, as we face some serious issues and challenges at both the state and national level. We have a clear choice to make. And while our options are not necessarily perfect, our chance to choose is.
For President: John S. McCain
I have never been a strong fan of John McCain. He has undoubtedly run one of the worst general election campaigns in the history of the Republican Party, and that includes Wendell Wilkie in 1940, due largely to his unwillingness to really engage Senator Barack Obama on every issue, every day, at every opportunity. But, John McCain is not a socialist. He does not believe in the punitive confiscation of income and wealth for the purpose of redistribution. He did not spend 20 years in a church where the pastor spewed vile anit-American bilge. He did not associate with unrepetant communists and terrorists (unless you consider his time in the Hanoi Hilton an association). He does not accept the tremendous opportunity given to him by his country on one hand, while gratuitously attacking it on the other.
John McCain is a patriot. Barack Obama is not.
If Barack Obama is elected present, our friends and allies will be left defenseless. Israel will undoubtedly cease to exist. Our allies in Iraq will see retribution not seen since Senator Biden and his allies abandoned our allies in South Vietnam in 1975. Some of the most villainous and horrifying radicals in this country will have intimate access to the inner corridors of power in Washington, DC. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will have unbridled power to bring about "card check", enact the largest seizure of savings in the history of this country, and cut the military budget by over 25%.
If Barack Obama is elected president, we risk ending the America as we know it, and ending up with the America we have always feared.
Therefore, a vote for John McCain is necessary for America to continue being the last, best hope of mankind.
For Congress, District 6: Roscoe Bartlett
Just like with John McCain, I am not a big fan of Roscoe Bartlett. I think his obsession with "peak oil" is overplayed and whacky. I don't think he serves the eastern portion of his district well, if at all. Carroll, Baltimore, and Harford Counties have been decidedly hurt since the redistricting of 2001.
But, Roscoe Bartlett voted twice against the hellatious bailout plan which has done nothing to halt the market meltdown or begin addressing the subprime issue. For that issue alone, I recommend voting FOR Roscoe Bartlett.
For Congress, District 1: Frank Kratovil
I really don't have a dog in this race, but I am ashamed by the campaign that Andrew Harris has run. He has dishonored himself, and Baltimore County. Not just his questionable tactics, but his association with convicted perjurer and wife beater Joseph Albero of Sussex County, Delaware shows him to be a man of questionable character and an extreme lack of integrity.
Frank Kratovil may not be perfect, and as a foot soldier of O'Guvnah he is certainly far from ideal. But I think a message needs to be sent to the state GOP that they need to do a better job in moving better qualified candidates into office. Because Andy Harris is not the right choice for the Eastern Shore I love.
State Issues:
Question 1: Constitutional Amendment on Early Voting, Polling Places, Absentee Ballots
Vote NO. This amendment will completely and entirely corrupt our voting system. Voting is easy, and simple. If voters are too lazy or stupid to register on time, vote at the right place, and make plans if they will be out of town, that is their loss. This amendment would open our votes up to more corruption, would devalue each vote, and would be a disgrace.
Question 2: Constitutional Amendment Authorizing Video Slot Machines
Vote NO. This amendment is a disgrace to the people of Maryland. It is a referendum on revenue, which is illegal under the constitution. It is being proposed because the General Assembly lacks the courage or leadership to vote up or down themselves. This amendment is not about funding education; it is about giving one of the most venal and corrupt statehouses political cover because they are feckless imbiciles qualfiied to be nothing more than poster children for prophylactics.
Baltimore County Issues:
Vote NO on Deborah Eyler for Judge, Court of Special Appeals at Large. I don't believe any of the judges currently on the bench should remain in office.
Vote NO on Robert A. Zamoch for Judge, Court of Special Appeals at Large. I don't believe any of the judges currently on the bench should remain in office.
Vote NO on Joseph F. Murphy for Judge, Court of Appeals Circuit 2. I don't believe any of the judges currently on the bench should remain in office.
I am not endorsing on Thomas J. Bollinger or Pat Stringer for Circuit Court/Circuit 3.
Question A: Charter Amendment Qualifications of Council Members.
Vote NO. Council members do not need the ability to "double dip" and maintain employment with the state while serving on the Counil.
Question C: County Ordinance Authorizing the Borrowing of $105 million for school projects.
Vote NO. Between the complete clusterfuck of a new high school in northeast Baltimore County, the abestos issues at 7th District, and the mishagotz over the elementary school issue in Towson, the School Board has not displayed much expertise or wisdom at decision making in conjunction with the council. Let's not give them more rope to hang themselves, because we will have to pay for the funeral.
Question D: County Ordinance on Funding Parks, etc for $5 million.
Vote NO. In a time of incredible economic turmoil, we don't need to borrow more money to buy up farms from families getting out of the business. If preservation is that important, let the local citizens raise the money.
Question E: County Ordinance for Public Works Borrowing for $84.4 million.
Vote NO. I believe that given the current economic situation -- and the decline of property tax revenue as a result -- these types of projects should be funded on an "as needed" basis, and not through a single bond initiative. I also believe that if T. Bryan McIntyre did a better job at stopping his developer friends like Randy Shelley from tearing up every farm and overbuilding Northern Baltimore County, these expenses would drop dramatically.
Question F: County Ordinance on Community and Economic Improvement Borrowing for $4 million
Vote NO. The best thing that Jim Smith and his cronies could do here is to get O'Guvnah (who is the brother of Smith's Chief of Staff) to stop taxing and spending the state into oblivion. Real economic development and improvement comes from small businesses, not government.
Qustion G: County Ordinance Operational Buildings Borrowing for $13.4 million
Vote NO. In a time of incredible economic turmoil, we don't need to borrow more money for more county buildings. Let each building or facility come up for borrowing on a proven as-needed basis.
Question H: County Ordinance for Refuse Disposal Borrowing for $360k.
Vote NO. In a time of incredible economic turmoil, we don't need to borrow more money this should hold until 2010.
Question I: County Ordinance for Community College Borrowing for $31.14 million.
Vote NO. I actually support the use of community colleges over 4-year universities, but I think that unless the county can trim money from other expenditures, we should not take on more debt at this time.
Question J: County Ordinance Agricultural and Rural Land and Preservation Borrowing: $6 million.
Vote NO. Let the effete environmentalists spend there own money on this. I think that, after the clusterfuck that is the Prigel situation in Long Green, this program should be put on hold.
Question K: County Ordinance Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing for $6.5 Million.
Vote NO. Let those who use those waterways pay for improvement through higher fees.