July 2003 Newsletter

Contents

• President's Report by Steve Lafferty
• County Executive Smith Discusses his Administration and Politics
• Nominations Committee
• Towsontown Festival Survey Results
• Ehrlich on Education
• Why it was best that Slots did not pass
• Leggett wants foundering Dems to return to roots
• A Great Democrat is Gone
• Bobby Ehrlich is such a nice, likeable person?
• Defending the Constitution
• 2004 Democratic Primary Dates
• Presidential Candidates Websites
• Bull Roast - October 12
• Membership
• Upcoming Club Events
• What Do You Think?

President's Report by Steve Lafferty

Here we are at midsummer. Although the Club will not meet again until September, there has been a swirl of political activity locally, statewide and nationally. So much, in fact, that it is impossible for me or this newsletter to capture it all. So, let me pick out just a few things to bring to your attention or tickle your political conscience.

The Club's Annual Fund Raiser will be on October 12 in the Lodge at Oregon Ridge. Again, we are foregoing crabs - necessary for the Bay's long term well-being. Bob Derbyshire is chairing the event. And, this year, we have decided to honor one of Maryland's leading Democrats, Hon. Michael Busch, Speaker of the House of Delegates. Please plan to join us for a great day.

Locally, two new political groups are forming: First, the Tri-District Democratic Club seeks to address the needs of Democrats in the 5th, 6th, and 7th County Council districts. It has been a long time since Democrats east of Charles Street have pulled together. Second, the State Seal Leadership Forum, a nonpartisan organization, has been established to promote and increase the awareness of citizens about policies and issues that affect us. I'll be sending out more information but if you want some now, let me know.

It is very promising that County Executive Jim Smith has hired Ann Beagle, former Executive Director of the State Party, as his Chief of Staff. This should bring some political savvy to his efforts in the County and with Democrats.

Speaking of the State Party, they have hired a new Executive Director, Josh White. He was in Texas during the recent maneuver by Democrats to avoid being railroaded by Tom DeLay's redistricting plan. The Party also convened a meeting of Democratic Clubs to get a sense of their priorities and how to work together. While the Party sees the Central Committee as its primary link to the counties, it was a welcome overture. I hope that Chairman Ike Leggett's words (see article on page 4) are not hollow and they make serious efforts to bring clubs into the Party's decision making processes.

Have you looked at the list of candidates in Baltimore City? What a great opportunity for new people to step up and make a change in the City. I swear there are at least two Green Party candidates for every office! What is to be made of the Green Party? I am sure they are still very active and will recruit candidates for 2006. What should be done to ensure that this is not a drain of Democrats? What do you think?

Our Governor has now forced a college tuition increase of 22%, eliminated money for land preservation, disbanded the commission charged with protecting crabs in the Bay and taken many steps to dismantle the work of Gov. Glendening and Gov. Schaefer. Yet, he can't recruit a respected leader in higher education, Leonard Haynes, III, because it is clear to Dr. Haynes that the Governor will not allow him to hire the most competent but will foist political hacks upon the system. Oh, and a query: will Ehrlich agree to having slots at Rocky Gap, Cambridge, the Inner Harbor, and at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium in order to get them?

Nationally, unemployment grows and soldiers are dying in a police action stimulated in part by lies by the CIA. Yet, the Republicans have captured the key issues of prescription drugs and education reform. Why is there no national Democratic leadership? How can we respond and best ensure that Bush is a one-term President and that Democrats are elected to Congress?

Lastly, let us all send our best wishes to Club Director-at-Large Judy Katz and her husband, Dick. Judy was diagnosed with cancer and is anticipating surgery and treatment. All of our best wishes and prayer go to Judy and Dick.

Steve Lafferty

June Meeting: County Executive Smith Discusses his Administration and Politics

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith was the Club's Guest Speaker at the regular June 10 meeting. The County Executive described the County's successes in Annapolis, the increased support for education in his own County budget, efforts to ensure that the Light Rail has continued police presence and ways he is addressing the needs of older communities and better communications with citizens.

Clearly, he is pleased with much of the progress that has been made, in light of the challenges of being new to his job and the very tough economic times. Jim Smith was also very impassioned about the political challenges ahead for Democrats. He pointed out that a higher percentage of Republicans voted during the last election and that they are clearly targeting elected Democrats, such as Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger. He was very focused when saying that Democrats must clearly define our message so that it reaches middle class voters.

The Club appreciates the County Executive taking his time to join us and we look forward to working with him, as a leader of the County's Democrats, to strengthen the Party and elect more Democrats.

Nominations Committee

This Fall, the Club will choose the Officers and Directors for the next two years. A committee, chaired by Ray Suarez, with Andrea Vernot, Meg Ferguson, Nancy Slaterbeck and Bob Derbyshire, will be meeting over the summer to consider candidates for all of the positions. If you are interested in serving the Club as an Officer or as one of the Directors-at-large, please contact one of the people on the Committee before August 31.

The Nominations Committee must present its slate of candidates at the September 9 meeting. Any nominations after that must be presented in writing, with the signatures of at least 7 Club Members, to the President not later than October 27. Elections will be held at the Official Annual Meeting, November 11.

Ray can be contacted at rsuarez@cbcdc.org.

Towsontown Festival Survey Results

We conducted another "person in the street" survey at our Towsontown booth this year. Part of the survey's purpose was to give the volunteers something fun to do and a tool for attracting people over to our booth (although, I suspect that the lollipops and balloons worked better on both counts!). But, we also thought it would be interesting to find out what the general public thinks on a few current issues. Seventy people filled out the survey over the two-day period: 51 Democrats, 8 Republicans, 9 Independents, and 2 not registered.

• Using a scale from 1 (very important) to 4 (don't care), people were asked to rate how important seven issues were to them. Education and crime led the list, with 74% and 69% of respondents, respectively, saying these issues were "very important." Healthcare and Environment followed, with 60% and 57% saying these were "very important." Economic Development was rated "very important" by 33% and "important" by 33%. Roads were second in importance to 43%, and parks/recreation were second to 41% of the respondents. Overall, the seven issues were ranked as either "very important" or "important" by nearly all respondents. Only a handful of people (7 at the most) ranked any of the seven issues as "not very important" or "don't care".

• People were asked which of the following statements reflected their opinion on slots: Slots should be used to generate revenue for the state, but Governor Ehrlich presented a poor plan to accomplish that goal. A better plan is needed. 35% Slots should be used to generate revenue for the state and Governor Ehrlich's bill would have accomplished that goal. Governor Ehrlich's slots plan was a good plan. 22% The state should not rely on slots for raising revenue. 43%

• People were asked whether they would be willing to pay more in taxes to fund public education in the state. 70% said yes, 30% said no.

• Those who said yes were asked which taxes they wanted to see raised:
  Property 13%
  Sales 47%
  Income 29%
  Other: 11% Income on wealthy; close corporate loopholes; cigarettes/liquor; corporate filing fees; flat tax; luxury tax
  

• We asked whether people thought the Ehrlich administration was giving the environment adequate priority: 69% said no, 31 % said yes. Between Democrats and Republicans: 72% of Democrats said no, while 71% (5 out of 7) Republicans said yes.

• Finally, we asked whether people approved of Ehrlich's performance as governor: 46% said yes, 54% said no. Again, between Democrats and Republicans: Democrats split 61% to 39% against the governor while Republicans supported him 86% to 14% (that's 6 approving and 1 disapproving).

The results, while limited in their use, do tell us a few interesting things. First, more people were against Ehrlich's slots plan than were for it (78% to 22%). Second, although the Ehrlich administration prided itself on winning over Democrats in the last election, more disapprove of his job as governor, especially his record on the environment, than support him.

Thanks to all the festival volunteers who took the time to hand out the survey to people passing by our booth.

Margie Brassil & Judy Katz

Ehrlich on Education

Several facts indicate that Ehrlich is not committed to education. First, the education budget makes up approximately 7.0% of total projected State expenditures; however, it has borne 17% of Ehrlich's spending cuts. Second, Ehrlich's budget cuts have reduced projected state spending by approximately 6.0%; however, projected spending on state university education has been reduced by approximately 13%. Third, tuitions at state universities are projected to increase by as much as 21.8% due to Ehrlich's budget cuts. Ehrlich could have avoided some or all of these budget cuts if he had not vetoed a bill that would have raised revenue by closing corporate tax loopholes. It is still unclear how Ehrlich will fund the Thornton Commission recommendations; he may decide not to fund them.

These choices are not the actions of a person committed to education. Gov. Ehrlich received a "Cadillac" education that was funded by other people's money; his actions indicate that he wants to deprive others of this same opportunity.

From a letter to the Jeffersonian by James M. Kehl

Why it was best that Slots did not pass

I supported my [Ways and Means] committee's vote not to pass SB 322 - the Video Lottery Terminal (slots) bill. SB 322 would have provided less than 1% ($15 million) of the revenue required to fill the $1.8+ billion budget shortfall of 2004. Furthermore, this bill would not have significantly supplemented the Education Trust Fund until at least 2006. And for that Maryland would have been compelled to accept a track owner monopoly and a formula that pretends to, but never adequately funds the Thornton Commission recommendations. Without structural adjustments to the budget, this bill provided a false sense of security, and clouded our challenge to pass a 2004 balanced budget.

Additionally, the bill did not adequately define the role of the Racing Commission, account for impact to local communities, nor mandate capital construction for infrastructure and public safety.

While slots would help to rehabilitate the beleaguered racing industry, the original goal was to use slots revenue to compliment the Racing Commission's initiatives in making the industry self-sufficient. However, slots supporters failed to articulate a plan for how this would be accomplished. Moreover, giving a virtual monopoly to two track owners each with 7,000 machines for up to 20 years, and without adequate oversight is unwise. In addition, the Senate's decision to remove language from the bill that mandated capital construction, specifically for public safety, roads, signs, and street lighting disturbed me greatly.

The Governor's original bill included $395 million in licensing fees, but in the end, that revenue was reduced to less than $15 million, marginalizing fiscal benefits that it was designed to provide. Furthermore, drastic changes in revenue estimates is a clear sign of insufficient examination. To that end, if State revenue is the overarching goal, Timonium Race Track and Ocean Downs should not be omitted as potentially lucrative venues for slots.

We must develop more creative solutions analogous to HB 1134, a bill that Dan Morhaim and I introduced last session. HB 1134 would have required the Governor to negotiate a profit sharing arrangement with our adjacent States based the Marylander's proportional use of their gaming facilities. Both SUN commentator Dan Rodricks and House Speaker Michael Busch commended us on our "outside the box" thinking. Furthermore, regardless of whether we subsidize the racing industry, there ought to be a competitive bidding process, an examination of State owned facilities, and an expanded study of full gaming. We should expect nothing less than multiple creative solutions to this complex and impassioned issue.

Thus, the rejection of this rushed bill was a sound decision. Those constituents who contacted me in favor of slots are correct insofar as there may be an important future for slots in our State. Nevertheless, bringing this new form of gambling to Maryland is a process that should be deliberated in a thoughtful forum, resulting in the best plan for education, local business, the racing industry, the surrounding communities, and the State at large. SB 322 failed on all those fronts.

Jon Cardin, Delegate, 11th District

Leggett wants foundering Dems to return to roots

(Excerpts from an article by Steven T. Dennis GAZETTE June 20, 2003) Full Article

Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Isaiah Leggett has been crisscrossing the state speaking to Democratic Party clubs from Cumberland to the Eastern Shore, urging an overhaul of the party's grassroots machine and hoping to inject passion into an aging and disconnected party apparatus.

"I hear too many Democrats saying this governor is messing up, we're really going to get him next time. Someone who makes a mistake eventually learns to correct themselves," Leggett said, emphasizing that Democrats must point to Democratic values -- the importance of education, health care and the environment for all -- rather than counting on Ehrlich to bungle to bring them back to power.

"I never saw an African-American elected official until my senior year in college, 1967, I never saw a black professional other than a minister, not even a postman, not even a utility worker. The Democrats cared more about people than any other party. That's why I'm a Democrat today."

"We didn't lose because our message was wrong. On the top 10 issues, our candidate was ahead on eight. It wasn't the message. It was the mission. The passion. Our organization. Our enthusiasm. Our effectiveness in running a campaign was faulty. So long as we were successful, we assumed that what we were doing was fine. All that time we were neglecting the structure. We allowed the Republicans to expand their advantage in sub-suburban places to enormous margins. When you are losing some areas 7-3, it makes it almost impossible to make that up. We cannot win races in the future if we continue to rely only on Baltimore [city], Montgomery and Prince George's County to provide extraordinary results."

"African-American voters are upset because of our failure to have a diverse ticket last time. That hurt us immensely. The power of the image is a very, very powerful image. They now see an African American on the ballot." Leggett notes that black Republicans are threatening the Democrats' ability to continue to poll 90 percent among African Americans. "Two weeks ago, I saw Condoleezza Rice on CBS, Colin Powell on Fox News, and received a letter in the mail inviting me to an event with Michael Steele. That image is powerful. That's what we face." Leggett said that he believes Ehrlich probably got more than 15 percent of the African-American vote, in part because of Steele and in part because of disappointment over not having an African American on the Democratic Party ticket.

Leggett said Democrats need to remember they still hold huge advantages -- eight of 10 seats in Congress, the vast majority of the General Assembly, control of most major jurisdictions and a huge margin in party registration. But the party needs to take advantage of changing technologies and better connect the more the 175 party clubs around the state, Leggett said. And the party, and its supporters, need to do a far better job of communicating to the public, Leggett said.

Republicans have a much simpler message, and tout it regardless of whether the nation is in surplus, in deficit or at war. The message? Leggett sums it up as "Lower taxes and less government. In many places it works. It's simple, they believe in it, and it gets through. Our message, we have to explain it. We've got two kinds of talk shows out there, right-wing and far right-wing."

"We're never going to match the Republicans [in fund raising]," Leggett said, but Democrats have a people-power advantage that they must better exploit. "For some reason we are somewhat intimidated about campaigning. Compassion will not come alive unless we have the passion to fight for it." Leggett urged Democrats to call talk shows, to write letters to the editor, to get active in their communities, in their clubs and at their workplaces, and to campaign as aggressively as Republicans.

"I'm not waiting for a savior to come out of the heavens to inspire the Democrats," Leggett told his audience. "I'm going to be self-motivated."

A Great Democrat is Gone

Randolph B. Rosencrantz, passed away on June 25th. Randy was a proud Democrat for almost seven decades.

Randy's high school year book noted that he was an active Democrat. He was a major believer in Franklin D. Roosevelt's values and ideals. He worked on countless Democratic campaigns.

Randy worked hard to build up the New Democratic Club. He helped register new Democrats at the Waverly Farmer's market. He helped plot Baltimore City strategy for Governor Glendening in 1994 and 1998. He ran an amazing precinct operation in Charles Village that brought out unprecedented Democratic votes.

Battling a primary brain tumor for over a year, he always stayed positive and even continued to work for Democratic candidates in the early stages of his tumor, including John Willis and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. His hospital room was filled with political items.

Randy was one of the most compassionate and dedicated people I have ever known. He worked tirelessly to help the disadvantaged. He would often take less fortunate Baltimore City residents up to his farm and pay them for their help around his place.

He and his wife. Peta Richkus, had wonderful deck parties at their very welcoming home that brought out interesting and diverse people from all walks of life. When Siri and I were dating, Randy made her feel so welcome at one of his parties. We were very fortunate to share many conversations, and a few dinners, with Randy.

Hundreds of Democrats attended Randy's memorial service on Sunday, June 29th including former Governor Glendening and Lt. Governor Townsend. John T. Willis, former Secretary of State and great friend of Randy's, gave a moving and Democratic eulogy.

I will never forget Randy. He was a warrior of great spirit.

Tom Quirk

[The Randolph B. Rosencrantz Fund has been set up to grant scholarships or fellowships, sponsor seminars, and support other activities for the study and promotion of civic involvement. Contributions can be sent to University of Baltimore Educational Foundation, 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201 (designate The Randolph B. Rosencrantz Fund).]

Bobby Ehrlich is such a nice, likeable person?

(The following is an edited excerpt from a Hartford Advocate article by Alan Bisbort brought to our attention by Jim Kehl. Full Article. The story was also in the Washington Post on June 22, 2003.)

Judi Scioli, Director of Communications for Maryland Port Authority, has been battling cancer for the past year and a half. In this time, despite undergoing numerous rounds of chemotherapy and one major surgery, losing her hair and her energy, she has not lost her dignity, humor or job. Despite her illness, she was able to do her job by telecommuting and, when up to it, trips to the office.

Though Judi had been hired for her job by Governor Glendening, she was widely praised by both parties for having calmly steered her office through both a dockworkers strike and the terrorism fears of the past two years.

By early May, however, Republican compassion reached out to embrace Judi. While she lay in her bed recovering from her latest round of chemo, she received a phone call informing her that she'd been "terminated" and denied disability benefits. It was, plain and simple, a blatantly political act.

But Judi fought back, and, due to Judi's action, the governor agreed to pay her salary and health insurance through October. Another colleague of Judi's, Samantha Kappalman was 35 weeks pregnant when a personnel official showed up in her office in February with a termination notice. Kappalman was one of two women fired in their final weeks of pregnancy.

The most sickening part of this is how they got women to do their dirty work. Take Carol Arscott, a Maryland Transportation Department flak, who first explained that "[Scioli's] salary was way out of line," and then said, "There are other things we could tell you," that is, if Scioli would authorize the state to discuss her confidential medical and personnel records. Don't you love the ominous implication of that statement?

Bottom line: Firing and cutting the health benefits of someone who is in the midst of a medical crisis is an indecent thing to do, whatever one's political affiliation. But for Republicans, even cancer is a political act.

Defending the Constitution

People who call themselves "conservatives" are having a fit condemning the Supreme Court for applying the principle of liberty to include privacy (Lawrence et al. v. Texas, U. S. 02-102, 6/26/03). They claim that there are is no such right. They are wrong.

The conservative view relies on the theory espoused by Robert H. Bork and practiced by Justice Antonin Scalia that rights may only be recognized by legislatures, not by the Courts. But this implies that the Ninth Amendment is meaningless despite the fact that it was originated by James Madison to deal with a problem raised in the debate on the need for a National Bill of Rights, namely, that specifying rights might lead governments to deny those not listed.

The Bork/Scalia view is not sustained in the records of the debates in the Constitutional Convention and the First Congress. Those speeches and votes, including a unanimous approval of the supremacy clause in Article VI, should leave no doubt that the entire Constitution was intended to bind the States, not just the National government.

The theory that rights may only be recognized by State legislatures, not by the Courts, is the long term result of the most destructive decision rendered by Chief Justice John Marshall and the Supreme Court in 1833. The Barron v. Baltimore decision asserted that the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, did not bind the States.

This ruling was a surrender to the southern "States' Rights" stampede to protect slavery. It in effect confirmed the repression of rights by States. As a direct result, courts, throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century, supported the repression of rights, especially those of black people, because of "States' Rights."

The erroneous precedents set by the 1833 distortion should not be allowed to poison the rebirth of the original intent in our time. The Ninth Amendment means exactly what it says and State legislation is not needed to protect rights that are inherent in the concept of liberty.

Ron Bowers

Quote:

"The petitioners are entitled to respect for their private lives. The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime. Their right to liberty under the Due Process Clause gives them the full right to engage in their conduct without intervention of the government." Justice Anthony Kennedy for the Majority. [Lawrence v. Texas, U.S. SCt. #02-102 (Gay rights case)]

Quote:

"All other liberty interests [except those privileges long recognized at common law as essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men] may be abridged or abrogated pursuant to a validly enacted state law if that law is rationally related to a legitimate state interest." Justice Antonin Scalia in dissent. [Lawrence v. Texas, U.S. SCt. #02-102 (Gay rights case)]

2004 Democratic Primary Dates

Presidential Candidates Websites

• www.moseley-braun.org, Carol Moseley Braun
• Howard Dean
• John Edwards
• www.dickgephardt2004.com, Dick Gephardt
• Draft Al Gore
• www.grahamforpresident.com, Bob Graham
• John Kerry
• Dennis Kucinich
• www.joe2004.com, Joe Lieberman
• www.sharptonexplore2004.com, Al Sharpton

Other Websites:

• Maryland Democratic Party
• Baltimore County Democratic Party
• Maryland General Assembly

Bull Roast - October 12

The Club will hold its annual major fund raising party on Columbus Day, October 12 from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. This year, it will be inside the Oregon Ridge Lodge. Come on out and .discover. a good meal, music, a silent auction, and State House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch, who has confirmed that he will be our featured honoree this year. The tickets are $35 each. But the goal is a good cause - to help Democrats win so they can serve with the best interests of all of us.

For more information, contact Bob Derbyshire or visit our website.

Membership

Regular membership in the Club is open to any person who is registered as a Democratic voter in Maryland. The current annual dues are only $20.00 per person You may be receiving this newsletter even though not a member. This is one of our ways to reach out to concerned citizens and Democrats. We encourage you to be a part the Club in our effort to build a stronger base in the central part of the County.

The label shows your status, including the last year for which you are paid up if a member. If your dues are current, we thank you. If not, or if you want to join our club, please send the coupon and your $20.00 dues to: Herb Lodder, 120 W. Seminary Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093.

Join The Club

Upcoming Club Events

Regular Meetings are open to all, and begin with social and refreshments at 7:00 PM followed by club business and speaker at 7:30 PM

Meetings are held at the East Towson Community Center, Lennox and Jefferson (left onto Jefferson from Towsontown Blvd East of York Rd.)

What Do You Think?

Members of the CBCDC are invited to send their own articles and letters of about 300 words or less. Send yours to the editor as the text of an e-mail message (not as attachment!).

We reserve the right to edit for grammar and space and to exclude anything we judge to be inappropriate for this publication. The opinions expressed are always those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Club.

	CBCDC News
	Editor
	404 Kilree Rd. #301
	Timonium, MD 21093

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