Our First District representative — Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD1) — is a member of the so-called Freedom Caucus in the House, that farthest-to-the-right gang of 40-some Republicans who have transformed Capitol Hill into a circus.
Harris and his pals are not our friends.
These jolly Tories are demanding that the next Speaker of the House tie any increase in the nation’s debt ceiling to cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.They clamor to de-fund Planned Parenthood, oppose what they call “amnesty” for 11 million undocumented immigrants, and yearn to deep-six both the recent six-nation nuclear agreement with Iran and Obamacare.To top it off, they’ll try to shut down the government yet again if they don’t get their way.
Given Harris’ behavior and choice of political bedfellows, his Republican challenger in next year’s primary election, former Delegate Mike Smigiel — scarily conservative though he may be — seems a more sensible choice.
Gren Whitman
Rock Hall
Robert Garson says
A more sensible choice would be to elect a Democrat!
Haven’t we learned our lesson with Dr. No?
Gren Whitman says
Assuming the Democrat is reasonably liberal, I totally agree.
However, I believe it is currently impossible to elect even a moderate Republican to Congress from this District, let alone any Democrat, liberal, moderate, or even conservative.
Just look at recent elections involving (a) Wayne Gilchrest, (b) Frank Kratovil, and (c) our own John LaFerla.
So, “Dr. No” it is, or his challenger, Mike Smigiel, who’s never seen a firearm he doesn’t like, nay, love!
Dennis Leventhal says
We had a congressman, Wayne Gilchrest, who understood our farmers, watermen, educators, health professionals, business owners and first responders. But Andy Harris and his rich superpac managed to oust him. Mr. Gilchrest was not an ideologue (as is Mr. Harris). He dealt with our problems and concerns by listening to us, and reacting as a legislator to address them. There is one other way in which he differs from Mr. Harris–he actually LIVES here on the Eastern Shore. At rock bottom, we, the electorate, have no one to blame but ourselves. The majority of us voted for him. Shame on us.
joe diamond says
Gren,
Thanks for beating the drum. I have seen explanations of the Freedom Caucus. In all , the group seems to be eliminating the function they were sent to D.C. to perform.
There is a little wiggle room there regarding the function of a representative. You can send someone who knows and understands the folks who sent him…..even instruct him how to vote. You can send someone who has presented great credentials in government and political understanding….trust him to be wise on your behalf. What has to be cut off at the knees are the fellows who become so self important they ignore both their main responsibility in Congress and become positive their independent manipulation of Congressional rules will produce a good thing without communication with…anyone. They shut down the government.They bypass the legislative process. They know best.
Instead of doing actual representation and consensus building they attempt to force their self proclaimed important and correct views on the majority. The bigger danger is that if these guys do not appear to be tough on those who may oppose them….compromise on an issue……those who sent them will find a more mind locked true believer to pick up the standard.
Joe
Karen Willis says
The First Congressional District had two good representatives in Congressman Wayne Gilchrest and Congressman Frank Kratovil. But, for some reason the majority did not realize that.
Gren Whitman says
Let me gently pull this back to Haris’ membership in the so-called Freedom Caucus, that group of 40-some ultra-conservatives in the House who brought down Boehner, blocked McCarthy, and will probably convince Ryan to shun the speakership.
As Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) remarked, “There are two to four dozen members who don’t have an affirmative sense of governance. They can’t get to yes and so they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead, undermine the entire Republican conference, and weaken Congress itself.”
That’s what Harris is a willing part of and why former Delegate Smigiel might be a better alternative.
Of course, that primary choice is up to local Republicans!
Steve Payne says
This is what our Congressman has been up to lately:
https://wjla.com/news/political/house-creates-special-panel-to-investigate-planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-research