Talbot County has now joined jurisdictions throughout our nation as a venue for cockeyed notions about “voter integrity.” While the term seems lofty, it travels the guttery routes of so many claims that scarred our public discourse after the 2020 Presidential election.
To so many of his delusional supporters, Trump simply could not be a loser. Of course he was. And is. The election was legitimate, as validated by our country’s judicial system.
I find it sadly ironic that “integrity” is assigned to anything with which Trump is engaged. Living in a world populated by grievances and slights, Trump could/would not imagine that Americans would not grant him another disastrous term as president.
He decided the election was rigged. Supporters of his mentioned in Phil Jackson’s excellent letter to the editor in the Talbot Spy and those who wrote subsequent comments curiously question an unquestionable plebiscite.
The Maryland Voter Integrity Group cabal has used errant information to claim mischief in the 2020 election. Their implied disparagement of the county election board is an inexcusable insult to the honorable people who work as employees and volunteers.
One commenter recommended a public forum to air both sides of election integrity. They wave the flag of free speech, even when it wreaks of clearly constructed disinformation. A public session would enable the misguided proponents of “voter integrity” to spread useless information.
Trump incited an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol. Now his acolytes are joining him in characterizing not only national elections but local and state ones as being rigged. Do they feel equally strongly about the election of Republicans such as Rep. Andy Harris or State Senator
Johnny Mautz? Were these gentlemen able to bypass the supposed web of deception perpetrated by impartial election boards and scheming Democrats?
I smell the despicable odor of voter suppression. Again, I commend Republicans for their cleverness. Targeting citizens who may not fully understand the election process, Republicans strive to plant doubt and suspicion.
Phil Jackson, a candidate in the recent election for Talbot County Council, correctly dissected the real purpose of the Voter Integrity Group session. He called it out as a charade. He deserves credit from all county citizens.
I always hope that people of all political stripes would treasure democracy and defend it against attacks and false assertions by Trump and his devoted followers. My optimism is unwarranted. Our country suffers. So does Talbot County.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. After 44 years in Easton, Howard and his wife, Liz, moved in November 2020 to Annapolis, where they live with Toby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has no regal bearing, just a mellow, enticing disposition.
Matt LaMotte says
Well said, Howard. To quote MH McKee, “Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it.” The current political circumstances are reflective of neither!
JTSmith says
Well said, Howdy. I have long taken a measure of comfort from the fact that Talbot County, at the community level, has been immune from the political hostilities and fabrications that increasingly plague national politics. The recent Voter Integrity caper, a clone of a Trumpian endeavor in North Carolina, jeopardizes the relatively civil and constructive character of our local politics.
Suzanne Todd says
I wish Phil Jackson had won the election. I would be resting a little bit easier.
Mary Hunt-Miller says
Thanks for your comment Suzanne.
Michael Pullen says
Thank you for your article. Trump began attacking the election in April, 2020, 6 months before it actually occurred, yet lost every Court case, 60 or so, he filed to attack it. Why? Just no proof.
An attack on America’s elections is an attack on American democracy, period full stop. if there is fraud, prove it in a Court of law. Oh, that’s already been tried….and failed…. but that’s not good enough for the self-proclaimed “experts” who know better than the Courts and are not willing to accept either the results of a free and fair election or the results of 60+ court cases….just because they lost
Anyone can make up conspiracy theories, that’s easy. .
In this Country, politicians who try to steal elections are held accountable. Donald Trump upcoming trial comes to mind.
Eric Ploeg says
Howard,
Your persistent dislike for Trump is noted but getting back to the local issue at hand, have you had the opportunity to read the response from Christine Dolan to Phil Jackson’s (10/13) “excellent” letter? It appeared later on 10/14 and was full of credible and relevant information. I found it refreshingly objective.
Clara G Kelly says
Results questioning began years before the 2020 Presidential election:
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/timeline-donald-trumps-election-denial-claims-republican-politicians/story?id=89168408
C. Kelly
Linda Houchens says
Well Mr.Freelander thank you for telling us how you REALLY feel. And thanks for insulting a large segment of this county, state , and country who don’t agree with YOUR perspectives.
James Brennan says
Thank you for your comments Howard. I appreciate your concise style. I attended the 11 October “Maryland Voters Integrity Group” meeting you referenced and found the presentation a fact-free rant replete with rumor, falsehood, and ugly innuendo. I think Phil Jackson’s Letter to the Editor summarized the meeting accurately.
I first registered to vote as a Republican in 1971, but the last GOP candidate I voted for was Bob Dole. The Republican Party has been eviscerated by the Trump/MAGA personality cult. It’s no longer a political party, it seems now to be a collection of special interest groups representing commercial interests and fringe groups like “The Proud Boys”.
I hope the GOP can get back to its core tenants of racial inclusion, fiscal responsibility, and social justice some day soon. Vilifying Election Boards and threatening voters and Election Workers is not a step in the right direction. We need more than one responsible political party for Democracy to work.
Marc Fleischaker says
Great column, Howard. Keep up the
Good work.