I have devoted much of my time since retiring to the Eastern Shore to the proposition that neighbors can have civil and intelligent discussions of important issues. Therefore, I am disappointed and appalled by the behavior of my neighbors at the recent Town Hall meeting with Congressman Harris. It was an evening where shouting took the place of civility and slogans took the place of intelligence.
I was not surprised to see personal attacks, slogans, and repetition of urban myths as well as thoughtful and challenging comments in response to my columns. I experienced as much from members of Congress when I was called to testify before them. It has become the new normal in these venues. But the possibility that our Congressman cannot meet with his constituents on the Eastern Shore without being shouted down is not tolerable.
When did the losers of an election decide that they should get out in the streets to show their displeasure when an official they voted against shows up? I would like to repeat for the demonstrators at Congressman Harris’s meeting the same thing I tried to tell the Freedom Caucus – what you want is irrelevant when you don’t have the votes. Get out and work for what you want, express your point of view logically and see whom you can convince. What do you expect to accomplish by shouting incomprehensible slogans and shutting off any possibility of rational discussion? It is not going to give the Congressman any fewer votes in the next election, nor does it give the majority who voted for him any reason to listen to your points of view.
What has happened to the idea of coming into a meeting with well-formulated questions and logically presented and supported alternative points of view? Is the left so intellectually impoverished that all it can do is hold up signs, recite slogans and make noise? Is it better to get pictures of your signs in the newspapers or to get quotations of comments and questions that are actually relevant to how the Congressman votes?
I was a young man during the age of protests – of segregation, of the war in Viet Nam, of censorship, and of any number of perfectly silly grievances. I am sure many then had the illusion that by manning the barricades, they would inspire workers and students (the usual fantasy coalition) to replicate the French Revolution or Paris Commune. Of course, that never happened. Yet there still seems to be a myth that if a few people come out to mouth slogans and shout down anyone they disagree with, that will bring about the political change they cannot achieve through the normal politics of discussion and debate.
That has not happened in the United States. When millions listened to Martin Luther King in Washington, they heard a thoughtful message about common values and goals. That reached hearts and minds, and changed votes and laws. When Barack Obama promised reconciliation and hope, whites and blacks listened and voted together. When Donald Trump spoke to a forgotten working class and promised to recognize their suffering and remedy it, he won the election. And in Trump’s case, he got his message across despite facing the same kind of disruption that is now destroying civility on the Eastern Shore. Mob tactics were not what achieved these outcomes, nor could they prevent them. The candidates may or may not have been telling the truth, but what they said, not what demonstrators did, determined the outcome.
The politics of incivility and misbehavior do not win in the United States. But they have worked in other countries, and their consequences have been awful Do you remember how Nazi Germany, Fascist Spain and Italy, and Peronist Argentina were taken over? By the same tactics of filling minds with slogans, mobilizing crowds to cow the opposition, and shouting down disagreement. The choice to trample on civil dialog and rational presentation of positions on public issues leads in only one direction – toward a political apparatus that uses the mob to negate the desires and potential votes of the majority, that silences discussion, and that pressures elected officials and voters into conformity with the program of the most violent and unrestrained.
And before the replies start coming in about how offensive President Trump was and is, remember that the politics of disruption and silencing are being undertaken by only one faction – the progressive and supposedly freedom-loving left. Liberal college campuses are the ones where riots drive out conservative speakers; none of Hilary Clinton’s appearances were cancelled due to security concerns about attacks or riots; conservative comedians don’t think it is funny to suggest assassination.
I am resigned to the way the universities where I studied have betrayed their principles of open discussion and tolerance, but I am not willing to give up on the Eastern Shore. We are neighbors, we come from many backgrounds, we know different things, and we can sit face to face and discuss the issues of public policy on which there is such wide disagreement. We have discussion clubs, policy forums at the Avalon Theater and many similar events sponsored by Republican, Democratic, and completely nonpartisan organizations. We have the Spy! All these give us an opportunity to listen, think and speak – a remarkably useful sequence in which to approach divisive topics. I recommend them over packing into a college auditorium to drown out the speaker.
David Montgomery was formerly Senior Vice President of NERA Economic Consulting. He also served as assistant director of the US Congressional Budget Office and deputy assistant secretary for policy in the US Department of Energy. He taught economics at the California Institute of Technology and Stanford University and was a senior fellow at Resources for the Future.
Julie Imirie says
Thank you for your insight. It was an appalling display of hate-speech and intolerance – both ideas that the left supposedly hates.
Mary Smith says
The format of the town hall as determined by Congressman Harris did not provide opportunity for the reasoned discourse called for by Mr. Montgomery.
Amanda Erickson says
Yes, we should all just be quiet while the extremists dismantle a govt. built on hundreds of years of experience, right. A lot of decorous folks were polite and civil while Hitler was at work.
Patricia Ellison says
Thank you, David Montgomery.
Carol Voyles says
Yes, we needed to be reminded of your urban myths. “Climate science is not settled” was one of the best.
Carol Kilmon says
‘Climate science is not settled’ is a fact , not a myth. The climate hoax is the biggest lie ever perpetuated on the America people….but many have become millionaires and billionaires telling these fables to the sadly gullible American people, as well the millions of others others across the globe…If it wasn’t so cruel, it would be almost funny…
Deirdre LaMotte says
If I didn’t read this, I wouldn’t have imagined how pathetically ignorant so many in our country are. Well, no, just look who millions voted for. These people would not know
a fact if it hit them between the eye …or, worse, they do not care. God help this nation.
Jim Franke says
Did you rant like this when the tea party wackos did the same a few years ago?
Barbara Denton says
First of all Mr. Montgomery did not rant. The ranting, screaming, cursing, shouting and total rudeness went on Friday night at the Town Hall. I was there and witnessed it firsthand. I went to many Tea Party events and marches. No one ever behaved like the attendees at this Town Hall. Not all the attendees at this Town Hall were from the Eastern Shore. The most obnoxious person we ran into sat next to us and was from the Western Shore. It was so bad we decided to leave and he decided he was not going to let us out. Needless to say we got out much to his dismay. Bullies never win. They will not win this time. The bullying was organized and it started when Preident Trump started doing what he said he would do.
JimFranke says
Just to refresh your memory go to YouTube and search Tea Party Town Halls. “No one ever behaved like the attendees at this Town Hall” is correct. It was worse in 2009.
https://youtu.be/9AvRzL7KoRs
Barbara Denton says
I would compare the behavior in 2009 to the behavior in 2017 anytime and anyday. There is no comparison to 2017. No one at the Town Halls in 2009 shown on the video you posted acted like the people who attended Andy’s Town Hall last Friday evening. I was there and I do not ever want to go through that again. I am sure that was probably the bullies goal. No answers just screaming and calling names.
Tyra wingard says
https://www.politico.com/story/2009/07/town-halls-gone-wild-025646
Amanda Erickson says
This is not true. The tea party was the worst. https://www.politico.com/story/2009/07/town-halls-gone-wild-025646
Carol Voyles says
7 years, 60 knowingly futile attempts to repeal Obamacare, and no viable plan? At least we’re just noisy, not delusional..
Barbara Denton says
The only plan Congress needs is to repeal Obamacare. They do not need a plan for Federal healthcare as no one wants the Federal government through nameless, faceless bureaucrats in charge of their personal healthcare. It will be repealed.
Sarah K. Porter says
Ms Denton, the health care plans are more about health INSURANCE than they are about “putting bureaucrats in charge of personal health care. “And there is much is much evidence to support the notion that the overwhelming majority of Americans want health insurance.
Barbara Denton says
Yes, they do want health insurance. They do not want to mortgage their homes to buy it. We had pools for health insurance for individuals with pre-existing conditions. We had health insurance which individuals could afford. Now we have health insurance which people cannot afford with deductibles that they cannot pay. The system is now set up for individuals with adequate income to pay horrible rates for those who do not want to pay anything but want to have health insurance. Close to $800 million was taken from Medicare and given to Obamacare to no avail. It is collapsing as it cannot sustain itself. Instead of an individual being able to have a plan which covers their needs they are forced to buy a plan with many items they do not want or need. Bureaucrats designed these monsters and there is no getting away from them. Bureaucrats enforce them and woe be unto you if you do not want to comply. You cannot reach the bureaucrats as they are well embedded into the Federal government. People who knew nothing about insurance are running this awful system and it gets worse by the day. The federal government has no right to interject,themselves into our health insurance which affects the level of health care we receive. These decisions and the administration of them belong on the state and local level. We may be stuck in the Soviet State of Maryland and we may be stuck with Obamacare even after it is repealed. If a State is foolish enough to run there healthcare system like Obamacare, those in that state will be stuck with awful rates and little care. The cure for that is moving to a state not dominated by progressives who know better than the individual what they need. We are mulling that option over now.
Elizabeth Williams says
Nameless faceless bureaucrats doling out $54 billion to an already bloated defense contracting industry is okay, though?
Bill Todd says
True for the first 90 days Carol. Check back before the next election.
Cheryl Everman says
Since you started off with a local event before you went off into never never land, I am going to respond specifically to that and leave the history lesson and finger pointing for others to address. You asked, “When did the losers of an election decide that they should get out in the streets to show their displeasure when an official they voted against shows up?” I think it was in 2009 when the Tea Party “Patriots” showed up at our Congressman’s town hall (which actually allowed individuals to ask their questions and have a dialogue) with everything except their pitchforks, or perhaps when they burned a symbolic version of him in effigy in front of his office in Salisbury. I find it amusing they are “appalled” that the opposition would use the techniques they devised against them.
Many came to the meeting “with well-formulated questions and logically presented and supported alternative points of view” and were forced to write their questions on cards drawn from a box. The audience did not want to sit through a bunch of right wing talking points using the Congressman’s misinterpretation of the data. They were not provided an opportunity to rebut the many many false statements and logical fallacies he presented. There was no opportunity for discourse, which is the pattern of this Congressman and always has been. There is no dialogue — only a monologue and patronizing, arrogant responses.
Yes, elections have consequences, but the bottom line is that the individuals who are elected to represent ALL the people no longer represent the people AT ALL. Regardless of the few times Congressman Harris indicated he agreed with parts of an issue, his voting record tells an entirely different story. Choose the position held up by any industry (insurance, big pharma, energy, etc.), regardless the impact on his constituents, and he will support the industry’s position. Business interests outweigh the interests of the individual in all cases, even if it creates an unhealthy environment, causes individuals to lose their jobs due to failed economic policies, etc.
In his 6 years in Congress, he has not passed a single piece of legislation that has done anything to help this District. In fact he voted against their interests by opposing Hurricane relief, leaving a large area virtually on its own to recover. If he worked for a private company, he would be fired for failure to perform his duties. As his employer, I am going to work very hard to fire him in 2018. I hope many others throughout the District will come together to do the same.
Sarah K. Porter says
WELL SAID!!
Warren Davis says
Very well said!
Leland Weldon says
I am so pleased and proud to know that we have the likes of David Montgomery in our midst here on the Eastern Shore, which he deemed suitable enough to choose as his home for his golden retirement years. How worthy we all should feel knowing that our humble community offers the amenities and benefits necessary to attract the attention of one so worldly, one who could have chosen any number of idyllic locales in which to settle down and finally take a break from the tireless labors he surely endured as a high ranking government official. One who surely expended a great deal of time and energy looking out for our interests in the hallowed halls of power in Washington.
Fortunately, our “Land of Pleasant Living” is made all the more pleasant by many hundreds of acres of manicured lawns, neatly secured behind elaborate gates. Our many golf courses, as well, where silver haired former executives enjoy each others’ company, often just steps away from their plush manor houses with gorgeous views of the Chesapeake. How relaxing it must be to unwind after a round with fat cigar and a $12 martini on the patio of some exclusive restaurant, or on the deck of his elaborately polished sailboat!
Sadly, this bucolic setting seems to be unraveling at the hands of desperate rabble rousers, people who have the gall to speak their minds in the face of the necessary slashing of budgets in Washington. How unseemly these hooligans are, with their hand-painted signs, their hoarse voices and almost complete lack of pastel colored cardigans, daring to question the basic order of things… an order that frankly has done so much to benefit so few so completely!
Why don’t these miscreants settle down for a relaxing round of golf at their club? Or just have lunch with Congressman Harris to let them know how they’d like him to vote? It’s a much more straightforward approach than all these noisy protestations. Besides, didn’t the candidate they supported lose the electoral college? Now is the time for those who lost to quietly sit down and respectfully let those who won the day carry out their ideas, the same way Republicans so robustly respected President Obama when he won in 2008. It just wouldn’t be cricket otherwise.
The last thing people should complain about is seeing funding so expertly eliminated for wasteful programs like education, science, housing, investigating fraud, the environment, and intelligence. (Intelligence is probably the biggest single threat to making America truly great again, and I, for one, am encouraged by how completely President Trump exhibits complete disdain for intelligence of any kind. He certainly has no use for it!) Anyway, removing funding for these programs will help people build character as they learn just how resourceful they can be as they work hard to bounce back from on the job injuries, poisoned ground water, and getting through the day hungry. And think of the skills they will acquire as they learn to inspect meat for themselves, watch the sky for clues that a hurricane is approaching, or perform their own appendectomy. Now that’s a shining city on the hill!
Alas, I must go now, because I’m meeting Mr. Montgomery over at the club. We’re looking forward to seeing a presentation on the benefits of driving 10 miles below the speed limit, with a break out session about which neighborhoods to avoid in order to maintain our peculiarly narrow world view.
John Fischer says
Mr. Montgomery’s call for civility deserves better than the small-minded sarcasm of Mr. Leland.
Barbara Denton says
Amen. Was it sarcasm or jealousy?
Carol Kilmon says
I believe it bordered on the truly insane…This person went to extremes of sarcasm in hopes of truly irritating those who agree with Mr. Montgomery…The reality of his efforts , though reminiscent of the style of Mr. Saul Alinsky, fails dreadfully in it’s true performance.
Obviously, Mr. Fischer’s not able to control his failed attempts at sarcasm, having been so dreadfully indoctrinated in the liberal mentor’s teachings…
Madeline Moffett says
Thank you for this Leland!
Lynda Brooks says
Very well written… exposing the tunnel vision that exists in the eyes of many.
Sarah K. Porter says
Harris remains committed to denying health insurance to some 24 million Americans — I just saw one of his ads on the New York Post!
Rod Coleman says
First let me say that I did not attend the meeting with Rep Harris this week. From the pre-meeting publicity it was clear that it would be a rowdy and un-friendly (to Mr Harris) crowd and I’m not generally disposed to that kind of meeting. I, too, woe the loss of civil behavior in politics, as has been slowly creeping American life in general the past 30+ years. And I will also submit that, prior to this election cycle, I have been a Republican my entire voting life.
With that said, Mr Montgomery’s farcical effort to divert blame for the lack of civility is so comical one might think he was auditioning to be a writer for The Sean Spicer Show. While Mr Montgomery is correct that American politics has long been dominated by more-or-less civil discussions, it seems clear to me that the proud instigator of our current turn toward in-civility is none other than our current President. Throughout the campaign and his first 70+ days in office, Mr Trump has insulted, denigrated, threatened and generally behaved as a rude, boorish buffoon toward a broad cross section of the American populace. Targets of his wrath have included those in his own party who oppose any of his ”policies,” everyone in the opposition party (whose votes he is suddenly finding he may need in order to accomplish anything), and entire sub-groups of the population, including women, Muslims, Hispanics, judges, etc. Essentially, Mr Trump has demonstrated a complete and utter disregard for civil behavior and has relied on exactly this behavior to bully his way to the Oval Office. Mr Montgomery’s indirect but unmistakable comparison of people on the Eastern Shore to Fascists would appear to follow Mr Trump’s own script of making outlandish claims to divert attention from his own lack of judgement and inability to govern.
Democracy is an institution that relies utterly on frank and open discussion. It is perhaps not a coincidence that the last time this discussion became broadly uncivil, as was pointed out by Mr Montgomery, was also the last time we had Presidents who were themselves un-civil, Johnson and Nixon. And while Mr Montgomery is free to disagree, I would submit that those un-civil activities hastened an end to segregation, an end to a foolish war, and an end to a presidency that had completely lost its way. And I am confident that a majority of Americans today would support all three of those outcomes. So perhaps un-civil resistance, while uncomfortable to those in power, may in fact be a necessary democratic lever in un-civil times.
Let me close by re-acknowledging my history as a Republican; I have voted for every Republican presidential candidate in my entire voting life (Ford to Romney). Some turned out better than others, but if I had a chance I would not change a single one of those votes. I am thoroughly appalled by the Republican Party of today. I would not vote for Donald Trump for dog catcher. I have nothing against dogs.
Elizabeth Williams says
Well said.
David Montgomery says
Thank you, all. For the most part, and to the extent that replies to a columnist allow, an interesting and helpful exchange. I just have to clarify a few points — my lawn is far from manicured, I do not play golf, I shoot, fish and hunt, and I would not be caught dead in a pastel cardigan.
Lynda Brooks says
Will we find you at the Dollar Tree buying a couple of $1 pieces of chicken thigh so you can get some protein into your diet? Or volunteering at a soup kitchen on a day that isn’t a holiday? Or living without hot water because you had to choose between rent and utilities this month? Or at Your Doc’s In scraping together every bit of cash you have to pay the $100 minimum because you or our child is seriously ill but cannot afford the bill the emergency room would send you if you go there? Or worse, going without being checked for illness or injury and hope it heals itself? Or rummaging through used clothing at Goodwill hoping to find clothes for yourself or children because you can’t even afford to go to Walmart? Or in foreclosure because you lost your job and the part-time gig at Walmart didn’t pay enough to cover your mortgage? Or at the Coinstar machine cashing in your loose change so you can buy food for yourself or your family? That is the reality for more people on the shore than you may realize.
I, too, could’ve moved anywhere and chose here for many reasons. But the disparity in the economic conditions cannot be denied. Many people are hurting due to policies in place on the federal level, and they have every right to express that to their representative in Congress. Perhaps things wouldn’t have been as exasperated if he was in touch with people in his district. Personally, I’ve written to the Congressman four times. Do you know how many times he replied?
What I witnessed are constituents clamoring to be heard, where they haven’t been heard before, but instead were faced with condescension. How would that make you feel?
Carol Kilmon says
The past eight years of Obama have been the most financially devastating to myself as well as my adult family…Apparently you have never shopped at Dollar Tree, for if you did, you would know there is no such thing as chicken thighs available in that store, and if there was, I’d be buying them too. I can’t afford to do to your Doc’s is in unless its a real emergency, and let illnesses and injuries hopefully heal on their own before getting medical help. You will find me at Goodwill or St. Vincent DePaul society, searching for things for my self or one of my children as Walmart is too expensive!
I’m over the age anybody wants to hire and prefer to hire an illegal…By family does work when they can get a job before the illegal gets it, offering cheaper wages since he doesn’t have to pay taxes and gets paid under the table. By the way, I have a college degree for all the good that does! The Obama administration had no interest in anybody who they couldn’t get an extra vote from, which left us with the Hispanic illegals and muslims to grab up any available jobs.. All the entry level or part time jobs, building or repair people, house cleaners, cook, caretakers etc. jobs have been scooped up by the illegal population, leaving the American citizens empty handed…
This is why Trump won…this is why the Republicans won…And why Andy Harris won again…he listened too.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Really? The party that brought you health insurance, social security, food stamps, still pushing for paid family leave, tax breaks, reduced college tuitions.. And yet
you cling to the anti-Obama chorus of the right? Don’t worry, you now won’t have a black man giving you health insurance and you can die penniless.
paul makosky says
Mr Montgomery has said it well, concisely, respectfully and very well reasoned. Thank you , sir.
Hugh Beebe says
Mr. Montgomery’s complaint about Eastern Shore residents venting their frustration with Congressman Harris includes a statement that clearly summarizes his view of how modern politics should be conducted. He writes, “…what you want is irrelevant when you don’t have the votes. ”
That is what’s wrong with Congressman Harris’s approach. If you have the votes you are enabled to be closed-minded and indifferent to the desires and opinions of those in your district who disagree with you. Wouldn’t it be better to be a congressman who serves all the people in your district, not only those who voted for you before you took office?
David Montgomery illustrates how self absorbed, far right arch conservatives don’t get it. I would suggest that Mr. Montgomery’s focus on unruly behavior and shouting of slogans is not as important and understanding the reason for such behavior.
Sarah K. Porter says
Harris, Trump and many, many other Republicans “have the votes” because they are bought and paid by private and corporate interests with very deep pockets, thanks to campaign financing laws that allow that practice. Just look at the NRA support for Republican candidates. Fake news helped, also.
And not to forget, 45 had 3 million FEWER votes than the Democratic candidate.
Unlike some previous Republican administrations, the current White House and members of the so-called Freedom Caucus is proposing and implementing truly draconian measures in just about every arena. It’s hard to maintain your civility as your clean water and clean air, public education, national parks, civil liberties, social programs, consumer protections and so much more are literally handed off to the interests of the military-industrial complex and the 1 percent.
Judith Hull says
Civility requires the privilege of being heard. Harris does not listen: his responses to critical letters and email usually do not address the letter writer’s point. His set-up at the town hall made it impossible to believe that he was going to listen, in fact, it seemed as if he was purposely wasting time, so that there would be as little time as possible for questions. And that made the opposition completely on edge, ready to pounce.
Protests are both an obligation and a necessity when those of power and privilege ignore the opinions and needs of others.
Lynda Brooks says
Perhaps, Mr. Montgomery isn’t aware of how out of touch Harris has been to his constituents and their viewpoints to the point it has caused a great deal of discontent. Further, with merely ONE SINGLE HOUR to have questions answered and 900 in attendance, NO ONE THERE wanted to waste the firsts 20 minutes with a slide presentation… time was clearly at a premium and he was squandering it with a slide presentation that no one wanted to see, and decided to “punish” us by standing there like a narcissistic, controlling father figure waiting for the “children to quiet down” before he continued what he had set in his mind to do, rather than putting the presentation to the side and diving right in to what WE wanted and why we were there. He would’ve gained applause in that moment if he had, I guarantee it, and we would’ve felt as though we had been “heard.”
Tyra wingard says
I tried to get through this article but had to stop reading at “perfectly silly greivences”. Wow. Apparently the author lived in a different America than most of us. So he can sit on his hands when he see rights being squashed, liberties being withheld, atrocities happening, LIES being told to the American people. He can sit quietly all he wants. I will be out marching and speaking up.
Tyra wingard says
The names the right called Barack Obama were far worse than anything I heard at the town hall. We were there because this man refused to attend the town halls he was invited to by his constituents to talk about people’s concerns regarding health care. He REFUSED to attend until AFTER the bill was signed he said. Why would you sign first then discuss concerns with your constituents.? But alas the bill was even too ugly for Harris and he had already promised this townhall.
SO? He shows up with police escort, doesn’t allow anyone to speak on the record, tries to spend 1/3 the time alotted going over his power point presentation and is shocked that people chant MOVE ON TO QUESTIONS! Months of waiting and he’s going to take 20 minutes of the minuscule hour and waste it instead of getting to the people’s questions???? Really he wonders why people were chanting “move on.”
1)If he had any real concern for his district he would have met with us several times in person over the last several months.
2) he would have let people talk on the record and listened not try to change their minds to his way of thinking.
3) he would have been more friendly and so would his stafff at the town hall. He would have shown up early, shaken hands with folks in line, apologized for taking so long to meet with us, stayed as long as it took. He really needs better P.R. people. He actually looked like a bully with a closed mind.
MR. HArris needs to remember the people wouldn’t be so angry with him if he had done right by his constituents in the first place. He has only himself to blame.
Chris Koch says
Mr Montgomery, your resume line at the bottom of your article state that you “were formerly” and “served as” and you “taught”, etc. All fine accomplishments in a former life. Now, for the benefit of the readers of the TalbotSpy, why don’t you reveal your present, current occupation as President of the Republican Council, a Republican Political Action Committee. You will then be able to write without any false nod toward bi-partisanship.
From The Republican Council material:
“The Republican Council is a PAC (Political Action Committee) organized to encourage and support Republican candidates for office. To do so, we provide financial support to candidates and provide creditable information on issues to inform and persuade Talbot County voters. Although independent, we work closely with the Republican Central Committee and other Republican organizations.
The Council is conservative-oriented, believing that each of us should be given an opportunity to succeed. We believe in free markets, both in economics and in ideas. We believe candidates for political office must be of the highest moral and intellectual integrity. We are committed to an organization that encourages debate on issues, shares information, and provides a forum for public discourse on issues of common concern.
The RC Board of Directors meets monthly, generally the third Tuesday of each month, and hosts informational meetings and discussions from time to time.
For further information, visit the Council website at https://www.RepublicanCouncil.org or contact W. David Montgomery, RC president, by e-mail at [email protected].”
The website was just recently taken down…..
David Montgomery says
I did not think anyone would be confused about whether I am a Republican. As to being President of the Republican Council, it is not an occupation, it is more like an affliction. It is not a paid position, and we recently took down the website because the Council has been inactive for some time. Our intention was to avoid having anyone send donations until the Council becomes active again. And to be perfectly clear, I am not a spokesman for the Republican Party or anyone else — I write what I think and don’t ask for anyone’s approval.
Martha Suss says
There were plenty of republican conservatives who were there and are just as fed up as I am with Andy Harris’s Freedom Caucas agenda.
Martha Suss says
Were you at the “town hall” at all? I for one am tired of rolling over and accepting the status quo. Progressives and Conservatives are tired of not being heard and the”civility” which Montgomery thinks is required at these events will not happen until Andy Harris is unseated. He came to the event armed with a power point designed to stall his way through an hour. It was insulting and so was he. Admonishing us like we were 7 th graders. His smiling arrogance can only be topped by this insulting article that is meant to belittle and minimize our truly valid and real fears. This gathering of thoughtful didtrict 1 citizens was an inspiration and proof positive that we need to put the Power Back to The People.