Before I begin this lambasting let it be known that I am a registered Independent. I side with each party depending on the issue at hand. I do not believe in painting across all issues with a broad brush (following the views of one party), each is delicate and deserves its own opinions and responses. That being said The Republican "Grand Old Party" is losing its grip on credibility. They are struggling with the blow of a second term by President Obama, and are tasked with negotiating a myriad of financial issues to prevent the infamous "fiscal cliff". It is known that Republicans oppose tax hikes for Americans, especially wealthy Americans.
President Obama wants to raise taxes on families earning $250,000 or more annually. That's a quarter million dollars of annual income or more. He also wants to extend existing taxes cuts for all those who make less than $250,000. The Democrats want to separate the vote for each action (obviously The Republicans would not dare say no to extending cuts for those earning less) , Republicans however want to put it all together either extending cuts for all or none at all in order to protect the wealthier citizens.
Let it be known there is nothing wrong with making money and one day I intend to fall in that higher bracket. That being said if there was a vote clearly (due to sheer numbers) the majority of Americans support this idea. Republican Speaker Boehner crafted a compromise that raised taxes for those making more than $1,000,000 (that's right 1 million). His own party backed out on him leaving him looking foolish and the whole GOP looking awful.
There are so many Republicans who have taken pledges not to raise taxes and this failure to compromise is proof. In order to create a balanced budget there must be reductions in spending (cuts) and revenue increases (taxes). If that is a fact how can Republicans negotiate in good faith when they refuse to raise taxes. That's like saying I'm here to negotiate but let it be known this is how its gonna be. It's insanity. Their failure to compromise and meet halfway for the well being of the majority of America (because you can't make everyone happy) should cost all of them their jobs.
I honestly believe that the notion of both parties should fall so that people vote how they really feel on each issue and not just what their party says. Until then we have this political warfare being played with American lives being impacted. One side has come to the table to play, it's time for the GOP to stop looking crazy and compromise. If this fiscal cliff actually happens then all Republicans should be voted out of office for failure to lead toward compromise. They are the ones who took pledges. They are the ones who refuse to budge. They believe in holding fast to principle and pledges to Grover Norquist over what's best for the country as a whole. It's time for them to come and propose a compromise that they can support otherwise it should be them that suffers rising unemployment and that's my Profound Perspective.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
SHES Aftermath Pt 2: Mental Health
The second major issue following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy is mental health in America. My focus in this post is not on the various types of mental health but on how it is treated and handled in America. When I first heard of this atrocious crime I asked myself what kind of sick monster would do such a thing. Eventually as the proper details have come out it turns out the gunman was in fact sick. The alleged gunman in this travesty was diagnosed with Autism and Aspegers Syndrome. Before I continue on let it be known I had two family members with varying degrees of Autusm. I do not believe that having these disorders makes you dangerous but lack of proper care and treatment can.
The alleged gunman's mental disorders gave him a reduced ability to feel empathy and emotion. Which unfortunately allowed him to commit heinous acts without his conscience. Dealing with an autistic child is frustrating, as a result his mother has been documented as frequenting a gun range (with the shooter in question) to connect with her son. That decision was as negligent and poor as it gets. The mother holds responsibility (in my humble opinion) for these crimes alongside the gunman himself. In what may have been a good hearted (yet undeniably negligent) attempt at connecting with her child she introduced a dangerous activity to someone with known mental health issues. I love my autistic family members but I know that they have no business at a gun range let alone handling one.
In this country I believe there are millions of people living with mental health disorders and have never been diagnosed. People tend to think of mental health problems in the extreme (I.e. severe autism and mental retardation, schizophrenia etc) when there are so many common yet complex issues that every day "normal on the outside" people struggle with. These issues range from depression, bi-polar disorder, attention deficit, hyperactive, and Obsessive compulsive all the way up to the major life inhibiting disorders. Half the battle is being able to accept and identify them. People avoid talking about or checking for them due to the negative connotations associated with them. By identifying these issues you can change ones life for the better with simple treatment or therapy or even the strong support of aware loved ones.
I am not one to claim to know what the gunman's mother was going through or what pushed her toward the idea that playing with guns was good for her and her child. It can be increasingly disheartening to deal with a debilitating mental disorder. It's hard enough to have a relationship with someone who may be bi-polar or depressed let alone something like autism. We as a society must continue to bring light to mental health in order to promote and identify mental well being for the sake of all society.
On any given day a "normal" person can be driven off of the "deep end" so another thing we must consider is how we deal with and interact with strangers and especially our loved ones. You never know what a person is going through when they are having a bad day, make a mistake or even lash out themselves in anger. You never want to be the person who sets someone off. We will never know what pushed this gunman with known mental health problems into this atrocity, but what we can see is that he was mishandled by his care takers. Please do not confuse mishandle with abuse because I am sure that his mother most likely loved him very much and only wanted for his well being however mistakes were made.
A series of unfortunate events pushed a mentally challenged person into this monstrous act that had changed lives and ultimately America. We as a society must raise awareness of mental health issues to the forefront of everyone so people can be identified and treated. In doing so we must be careful however to not begin witch hunts especially with our youth. When I was in middle school I had an incident where I could hardly remember what another classmate had done to anger me. I remember walking out into the hallway to calm down, when followed by the teacher she asked me to return to class. I told her I needed a minute, when she asked why my response was "they keep pissing me off, makes me wanna kill somebody". This poor choice of words prompted multiple interviews with school officials and my mother. I couldn't imagine the response such words would have in today's world, needless to say I continued on just fine after some uncomfortable conversations due to my figure of speech.
School children will forever be mean, inappropriate and cruel to each other. Some will ignore and forget and some (especially those with mental health issues) harbor and internalize in unhealthy ways. People of all ages must learn to love and care for each other properly. Mental health awareness and support is the first step toward helping a rising problem in this country. Treating each other with respect and dignity on a daily basis is the next. School children are immature but the adults have no excuse. We should be teaching our children to set examples and never be the bulky or the clown who makes fun. We as adults need to practice such behavior in public ourselves. I believe that simple kindness and simple awareness of health issues can help make the world a better place, and possibly prevent the next tragedy and that is my Profound Perspective.
The alleged gunman's mental disorders gave him a reduced ability to feel empathy and emotion. Which unfortunately allowed him to commit heinous acts without his conscience. Dealing with an autistic child is frustrating, as a result his mother has been documented as frequenting a gun range (with the shooter in question) to connect with her son. That decision was as negligent and poor as it gets. The mother holds responsibility (in my humble opinion) for these crimes alongside the gunman himself. In what may have been a good hearted (yet undeniably negligent) attempt at connecting with her child she introduced a dangerous activity to someone with known mental health issues. I love my autistic family members but I know that they have no business at a gun range let alone handling one.
In this country I believe there are millions of people living with mental health disorders and have never been diagnosed. People tend to think of mental health problems in the extreme (I.e. severe autism and mental retardation, schizophrenia etc) when there are so many common yet complex issues that every day "normal on the outside" people struggle with. These issues range from depression, bi-polar disorder, attention deficit, hyperactive, and Obsessive compulsive all the way up to the major life inhibiting disorders. Half the battle is being able to accept and identify them. People avoid talking about or checking for them due to the negative connotations associated with them. By identifying these issues you can change ones life for the better with simple treatment or therapy or even the strong support of aware loved ones.
I am not one to claim to know what the gunman's mother was going through or what pushed her toward the idea that playing with guns was good for her and her child. It can be increasingly disheartening to deal with a debilitating mental disorder. It's hard enough to have a relationship with someone who may be bi-polar or depressed let alone something like autism. We as a society must continue to bring light to mental health in order to promote and identify mental well being for the sake of all society.
On any given day a "normal" person can be driven off of the "deep end" so another thing we must consider is how we deal with and interact with strangers and especially our loved ones. You never know what a person is going through when they are having a bad day, make a mistake or even lash out themselves in anger. You never want to be the person who sets someone off. We will never know what pushed this gunman with known mental health problems into this atrocity, but what we can see is that he was mishandled by his care takers. Please do not confuse mishandle with abuse because I am sure that his mother most likely loved him very much and only wanted for his well being however mistakes were made.
A series of unfortunate events pushed a mentally challenged person into this monstrous act that had changed lives and ultimately America. We as a society must raise awareness of mental health issues to the forefront of everyone so people can be identified and treated. In doing so we must be careful however to not begin witch hunts especially with our youth. When I was in middle school I had an incident where I could hardly remember what another classmate had done to anger me. I remember walking out into the hallway to calm down, when followed by the teacher she asked me to return to class. I told her I needed a minute, when she asked why my response was "they keep pissing me off, makes me wanna kill somebody". This poor choice of words prompted multiple interviews with school officials and my mother. I couldn't imagine the response such words would have in today's world, needless to say I continued on just fine after some uncomfortable conversations due to my figure of speech.
School children will forever be mean, inappropriate and cruel to each other. Some will ignore and forget and some (especially those with mental health issues) harbor and internalize in unhealthy ways. People of all ages must learn to love and care for each other properly. Mental health awareness and support is the first step toward helping a rising problem in this country. Treating each other with respect and dignity on a daily basis is the next. School children are immature but the adults have no excuse. We should be teaching our children to set examples and never be the bulky or the clown who makes fun. We as adults need to practice such behavior in public ourselves. I believe that simple kindness and simple awareness of health issues can help make the world a better place, and possibly prevent the next tragedy and that is my Profound Perspective.
Friday, December 21, 2012
SHES Aftermath Pt 1: Gun Control
The Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy has once again sparked the debate for gun control legislation. After each unfortunate mass shooting in America there is a discussion for gun control. It has been pushed back to prevent a knee jerk reaction many times before however I feel as though now is the time it will not be ignored.
Many times people have called for an all out ban on guns, I do not believe this is a reasonable response as it would punish law abiding citizens. Furthermore the last time I checked criminals do not make legal gun purchases anyways. I am split on parts of this issue. I believe in the right to carry handguns (concealed carry as well) and to own all weapons for reasonable self defense and hunting. What I do not believe in is the right to own fully automatic rifles with 100 round drums .
There is a limit to the weapons we are allowed to own. I can't own a nuke or a fully armed F-22 or Tank if I could afford it (extreme examples of course) so where do we draw this line? Fully automatic Uzis and high powered fully automatic rifles have no place in self defense or hunting. These are war machines capable of cutting down large crowds.
Let it be known that most of the killing done in Newtown, CT and Aurora, CO were done with handguns and shotguns, weapons that I support having. These weapons were tools used by the deranged to cause carnage. I believe in the right to bear arms. I also believe it has reasonable limitations as well just like the first amendment. I cannot yell fire in a crowded place and hide behind free speech. Therefore one should not be able to own impractical war machines and say its my second amendment right.
There must be reasonable concessions on both sides. There are too many states that make it nearly impossible to own and carry firearms. Nobody has to justify having a right to free speech and neither should I have to justify my right to carry a firearm. There are certain places where the average joe shouldn't be able to carry (but police still can) such as private business who decided they do not welcome guns (no different than declining someone who has no shirt shoes, etc) and places where there is a security risk (government facilities, courthouses, etc). The NRA came out with a poorly worded response to the tragedy and its aftermath. They may have meant well but they came off as right wing maniacs. I actually support having armed officers and guards in schools. As a matter of a fact recent studies have shown that 1 in 3 schools already have armed personnel (mostly high schools). Now I am not going as far as requiring armed teachers and administrators however children are precious cargo and they should be given reasonable protection to guard against the unthinkable.
Timothy McVeigh used household ingredients to kill 168 people and injure over 800. More children died that day than in Newtown a week ago. I say that not to compare atrocities but to site that the deranged will always find ways to harm. The tools are not to blame and banning guns wont stop madmen from killing. This country is a violent culture than can be negotiated just fine for all those mentally healthy. Violence in media is not the cause of societies problems. I find it more alarming to kill a large animal then butcher it for food (which has gone on for centuries) than it is to watch a fictional gunfight. The true underlying problem with these killings is what leads me into my next post. The true problem with these mass killings is Mental Health in America.
Many times people have called for an all out ban on guns, I do not believe this is a reasonable response as it would punish law abiding citizens. Furthermore the last time I checked criminals do not make legal gun purchases anyways. I am split on parts of this issue. I believe in the right to carry handguns (concealed carry as well) and to own all weapons for reasonable self defense and hunting. What I do not believe in is the right to own fully automatic rifles with 100 round drums .
There is a limit to the weapons we are allowed to own. I can't own a nuke or a fully armed F-22 or Tank if I could afford it (extreme examples of course) so where do we draw this line? Fully automatic Uzis and high powered fully automatic rifles have no place in self defense or hunting. These are war machines capable of cutting down large crowds.
Let it be known that most of the killing done in Newtown, CT and Aurora, CO were done with handguns and shotguns, weapons that I support having. These weapons were tools used by the deranged to cause carnage. I believe in the right to bear arms. I also believe it has reasonable limitations as well just like the first amendment. I cannot yell fire in a crowded place and hide behind free speech. Therefore one should not be able to own impractical war machines and say its my second amendment right.
There must be reasonable concessions on both sides. There are too many states that make it nearly impossible to own and carry firearms. Nobody has to justify having a right to free speech and neither should I have to justify my right to carry a firearm. There are certain places where the average joe shouldn't be able to carry (but police still can) such as private business who decided they do not welcome guns (no different than declining someone who has no shirt shoes, etc) and places where there is a security risk (government facilities, courthouses, etc). The NRA came out with a poorly worded response to the tragedy and its aftermath. They may have meant well but they came off as right wing maniacs. I actually support having armed officers and guards in schools. As a matter of a fact recent studies have shown that 1 in 3 schools already have armed personnel (mostly high schools). Now I am not going as far as requiring armed teachers and administrators however children are precious cargo and they should be given reasonable protection to guard against the unthinkable.
Timothy McVeigh used household ingredients to kill 168 people and injure over 800. More children died that day than in Newtown a week ago. I say that not to compare atrocities but to site that the deranged will always find ways to harm. The tools are not to blame and banning guns wont stop madmen from killing. This country is a violent culture than can be negotiated just fine for all those mentally healthy. Violence in media is not the cause of societies problems. I find it more alarming to kill a large animal then butcher it for food (which has gone on for centuries) than it is to watch a fictional gunfight. The true underlying problem with these killings is what leads me into my next post. The true problem with these mass killings is Mental Health in America.
Responding To A Tragedy
The tragedy of Newtown is a tragedy for all of America. A world where 1st graders are not safe in school is a sign of the times. A microcosm for the ills of America. I am not capable of writing words to express the heartbreaking sorrow for all the families affected. My heart truly goes out to them.
In the wake of this event there has been much discussion about addressing some key issues in America which I will address in two separate posts. Each post will cover the topics of Gun Control and Mental Health. Please read, stay open minded and add to the discussion of my Profound Perspective.
In the wake of this event there has been much discussion about addressing some key issues in America which I will address in two separate posts. Each post will cover the topics of Gun Control and Mental Health. Please read, stay open minded and add to the discussion of my Profound Perspective.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Art of Manliness
I had to share this blog because it is a great and interesting bank of knowledge for all men and even the women who want some info and insight. Check it out:
http://artofmanliness.com/
http://artofmanliness.com/
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Invest In Yourself
Far too often I see men and women take themselves through so many relationship issues that it ruins relationships for them. That is how we end up with the idea that there are no good men, or no good women. People start so early and often so recklessly especially at the younger high school and even middle school age. Many people are fine until they hit college and then they lose control. We have got to start thinking about the far reaching consequences of our sexual actions. At too young an age we start, and too often in the college years we go wild. Each time you engage in another you take apart of them. For the men they lose just one more piece of their respect toward women and eventually a family, losing that part of being a respectable husband. For women they lose their self respect and ability to be a respectable wife one day.
Think about it, after seeing such dirty, cruddy things, being cheated on, or even doing crazy stuff ourselves how does that affect your views. Often the men and women who do the most and the worst, were hurt themselves, both stop caring, both lose self respect and eventually the good go bad. After that you can cause a lot of damage to yourself very quickly piling up high body counts and doing things we often want to forget about. Before long you end up with a past you cannot change making excuses as for why its ok.
There is nothing worse than coming across the person that's perfect for you yet your past is a deterrent to a future with them. As men too often we mess around without thinking about the consequnces on ourselves and her. For men its often not until you have the wrong women pregnant that we feel the error of our ways. As a women when you feel sick afterwards, and you realize your body count is high you feel it. Both sides stop caring, both sides often hide their pain in drugs and alcohol. Both sides see their relationships get worse or more and more empty, eventually you lose hope in finding the right one.
Its only a matter of time when you grow old and alone and eventually more and more broken families, more and more unhappiness. Its sad to see good people searching for something their past has robbed or limited them of. "You only live once", "only God can judge me", and a whole list of cliches that give us excuses to act reckless and avoid being held accountable. Only God is the master of the universe and ultimate judge, but we are human, we do judge, and we must make decisions based on the information available, no man wants a women with a long and alarming history, no women wants a man who has a high body count and lost his respect for women and relationships. Not to mention the baggage that comes with failed relationships and partners. Its even harder to move on when you have children from a past relationship.
The more you guard your relationships and sexual partners you invest in yourself to make yourself more valuble down the line to your potential mate. I am not saying everyone is going to be a virgin, but if you are going to cross that line make sure that person is worthy, make sure you are in a relationship committed to one another. Treat it like you are vetting your presidential running mate, dirt from the past can and will cause issues, do you really want to bring that into your campaign?
As you read this know that each day you draw breath you can make a change, you cannot change the past but you can start rebuilding your future. Do not lose hope, do not give up, do not give in. There are so many things acceptable in the culture of today, that does not mean they are ok. Start over and from this day forward carry yourself with pride and respect, the way our parents would be proud of, they way your future spouse would be proud of.
Think twice before you keep sharing yourself with others, after a while you have nothing of yourself left to give when the time is right.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Life Is Not Promised
This is going to be short, sweet and to the point. Far too often I hear people put off responsibilities and goals in life such as getting married, getting their lives on track etc. Even worse are those that live in a reckless way due to always present and popular "Yolo" train of thought. I offer this notion, who told you life was promised?
So many people delay their goals and responsibilites but who said it was guaranteed that you would see 50? 40? Or even 30? There are people dying young each day in this world leaving behind so much unfinished. Each day you wake up could be your last, some take this to "live life to the fullest" in a party style, some live life to the fullest in a responsible success driven way.
Every human being has the right to do as they please and believe what they want. But dont take too much of life for granted. I encourage all to think about what legacy you leave behind and what impact you would have on those around you if this were your last day. If you know you would only see 30 or 40 would that change your outlook and when you decided to take life seriously? Think about it.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Depression Is Real
The hardest enemy to fight is on that you do not believe exists, one you do not take seriously and one that you neglect. That is what makes depression and mental health so dangerous. It is written off, not taken seriously and ignored. People simply think your either crazy or your fine and its not that simple. You can be a perfectly healthy person and catch colds, get strep throat, or any other random infection and if not treated it will wreak havoc to your body. The physical symptoms are easy to spot and treat, but when the only person who really knows is yourself or your close friends its harder to spot. If its hard to identify then it cannot be treated and it only gets worse.
Depression strikes those of all types, all fame, all fortunes. This is the reason you see so many stars from actors to musicians to athletes all struggle. They show cracking with public outbursts, heavy drug use even to their own detriment and deaths. I use the recent tragedy with Junior Seau as an example. Nobody but him and the lord knows what really went on with him, but he seemingly had everything one can ask for, money, women, and a great and respected career. What is true is that something was bothering him, he did not ever share it or talk about it or get it properly addressed before he took his own life. Some may say the blows to his head may have contributed, either way there are far more formers players who endured blows and went on to survive, no matter how you slice it mental health played a role here. After the tragedy NFL Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall wrote this piece discussing his own struggles with mental health. Marshall is a young famous millionaire, I need not elaborate of how things should be fine with him, but they were not. Marshall sought help, found he did have a problem and was treated.
I would like to echo those thoughts of Brandon Marshall. I too believe that people avoid this issue of mental health due to the stigma and connotations associated with. By not addressing the problem they allow them selves to get worse and worse until they become a shell of themselves, someone they do not recognize. Days simply get worse and worse and the pride, the strength, or maybe even not wanting someone close to see you weak makes you destroy yourself. Everyone standing has someone in their life willing to hear them if they open up, but first one must accept the fact that something could be wrong. Just give it a thought and be open to the possibility of getting yourself checked out if you know you suffer from the symptoms (taken from WebMD):
Depression strikes those of all types, all fame, all fortunes. This is the reason you see so many stars from actors to musicians to athletes all struggle. They show cracking with public outbursts, heavy drug use even to their own detriment and deaths. I use the recent tragedy with Junior Seau as an example. Nobody but him and the lord knows what really went on with him, but he seemingly had everything one can ask for, money, women, and a great and respected career. What is true is that something was bothering him, he did not ever share it or talk about it or get it properly addressed before he took his own life. Some may say the blows to his head may have contributed, either way there are far more formers players who endured blows and went on to survive, no matter how you slice it mental health played a role here. After the tragedy NFL Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall wrote this piece discussing his own struggles with mental health. Marshall is a young famous millionaire, I need not elaborate of how things should be fine with him, but they were not. Marshall sought help, found he did have a problem and was treated.
I would like to echo those thoughts of Brandon Marshall. I too believe that people avoid this issue of mental health due to the stigma and connotations associated with. By not addressing the problem they allow them selves to get worse and worse until they become a shell of themselves, someone they do not recognize. Days simply get worse and worse and the pride, the strength, or maybe even not wanting someone close to see you weak makes you destroy yourself. Everyone standing has someone in their life willing to hear them if they open up, but first one must accept the fact that something could be wrong. Just give it a thought and be open to the possibility of getting yourself checked out if you know you suffer from the symptoms (taken from WebMD):
- difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- fatigue and decreased energy
- feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
- feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
- insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- irritability, restlessness
- loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- overeating or appetite loss
- persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
- persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
- thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Public Priorities
Before I begin let me point out that I have spent the overwhelming majority of the past six year in the 757 area I dropped a friend off the other day over in northeast Washington, DC before riding past the old Hechinger mall on Benning Road. I had not seen this area in years and I was pleased to see the growth and development and then shocked to notice rail tracks in the far left lane. I thought to myself what is this for? Further investigation revealed a city plan to add a Rail car system to the city for the price tag of $200 Million Dollars and an addition $50 Million dollars for the design contract.
Stop, are you thinking what I am thinking? Doesn't the city already have one of the finest public transportation systems in the world? Well maybe buses don't run this route... oh wait buses cover the majority of this route? Hmm, I don't know about you but with a very successful METRO system having to raise prices to cover rising costs and so many needs flanking the city from crumbling schools to terrible roads I find it hard to believe that such an excessive project was approved. Now I support the revitalization of many areas and I may be late ass this was approved in 2009 but this is none the less outrageous. The same purpose could have been served by expanded bus coverage for over a hundred million less. Laying the extra infrastructure along with the fact that expansion is necessary to complete and justify the project costing even more money is reprehensible given the glaring needs of the city else where.
This reeks of a statement project whose sole purpose is to be a high profile object to remember a politician by. I will admit step by step the entire city is slowly being revitalized. Some people did not support spending for the Nationals Stadium but it helped get desolate areas of the city improved. I am for improvement but not for the gentrification that is occuring in the city. I may touch on this in a later article.
Councilman Marion Barry has tried to halt the project for the reasons outlined above. Despite Marion Barry's troubled past he is known and supported for doing all he can to help the city's poorest and worse off. He was quoted as saying "I need five recreation centers in Ward 8" which is a valid point, yet here we are with a shiny new street car service, I hope its worth it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Its Always Your Own People
Make no mistake about it Washington, DC is Chocolate City. Here we have a high concentration of African Americans and not just for DC but for neighboring Prince Georges County. With a majority of the population we have a very unique view of black politics. There are very few places in the country that have majority black populations electing black leaders. That being said it saddens me when I think of black politics here in the last 25 years.
For Washington, DC city councilman Kwame Brown (Don't even get me started on that name which has already done damage in DC) is a prime example of corruption and screwing over your own people. He recently resigned in the face of alarming accusations, overspending and abuse that seems to become an alarming pattern in local black politics. former Mayor Adrian Fenty was considered a decent mayor but was voted out when people believed he "sold out" his primary constituents for the more affluent sides of town and it was discovered that numerous city contracts coincidentally went to his fraternity brothers. Former PG County executive Jack Johnson was sentenced to 7 years prison for corruption last year. He and his wife abused local government for their own gain racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars. His Wife Leslie Johnson was a PG County councilwoman who attempted to hold her council seat despite corruption charges and eventually being arrested stuffing nearly $80,000 in her underwear during an FBI raid. She was eventually convicted and sentenced to 1 year in prison.
The most public and historical careers in local politics is the notorious Marion Barry. He is the former mayor of DC and most notoriously known for being video taped and arrested for drug use during his third term as Mayor. After serving six months in Jail he returned and was re-elected Mayor in 1994. Despite his shortcomings and personal struggles a former drug addict was one of the greatest politicians the city has ever had. Her related to his people during the rough crack epidemic and murder capital years. He helped turn around the crime and built community centers and worked tirelessly to help the people at the bottom of the city, those most often forgotten. At least his corruption was personal and he never gouged his own people's resources.
At the end of the day nobody is perfect and there will always be someone who disagrees on your position, but flat out ripping off the public is a monstrosity. Any public official of any race ripping off any people is a major problem nationwide and is a huge part of why so many small governments are in the red. I don't know about you, but as an area resident and African American I am outraged twice over. I may be a touch late but I am tired of this cycle. What happened to the days of running for office to better a people or better your home? Small time corruption like this that goes uncaught merely balloons as a politician works his way to the top. Think about that next time you ignore those local elections, maybe one day I will be running.
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| Former PG County Exec. Jack Johnson (Center) Picture from MD Gazzette |
The most public and historical careers in local politics is the notorious Marion Barry. He is the former mayor of DC and most notoriously known for being video taped and arrested for drug use during his third term as Mayor. After serving six months in Jail he returned and was re-elected Mayor in 1994. Despite his shortcomings and personal struggles a former drug addict was one of the greatest politicians the city has ever had. Her related to his people during the rough crack epidemic and murder capital years. He helped turn around the crime and built community centers and worked tirelessly to help the people at the bottom of the city, those most often forgotten. At least his corruption was personal and he never gouged his own people's resources.
At the end of the day nobody is perfect and there will always be someone who disagrees on your position, but flat out ripping off the public is a monstrosity. Any public official of any race ripping off any people is a major problem nationwide and is a huge part of why so many small governments are in the red. I don't know about you, but as an area resident and African American I am outraged twice over. I may be a touch late but I am tired of this cycle. What happened to the days of running for office to better a people or better your home? Small time corruption like this that goes uncaught merely balloons as a politician works his way to the top. Think about that next time you ignore those local elections, maybe one day I will be running.
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