I was pleased to receive your survey. Nice to know that you really give a damn about what we, your constituents, may think. Or maybe you just want us to think you give a damn. Whichever, I will endeavor to answer to the best of my ability.
GENERAL ISSUES
WHICH ARE MOST CONCERNING?
The threat to our democracy. This wasn’t on your checklist. Which doesn’t surprise me, since you have been an active participant in the ongoing attempt to overturn the election. An election that was fair and balanced, despite your ridiculous claims to the contrary. You insist on claiming voting irregularity, despite it being disproved multiple times. This does nothing except create doubt about the integrity of our democratic institutions.
Regarding the recent antics of the “berserker caucus” hijacking the House of Representatives, you say “it will be the greatest change in how the House operates and becomes much more responsive to the American people in at least two generations.” I can’t help but wonder what American people you people keep referring to. Must be those vested interests that keep you pointed in the “right” direction.
You do have education on your checklist. The general population needs to be educated to the fact that our democratic institutions are not dysfunctional. Top heavy perhaps, but not threatening to our personal liberty as you and your cohorts claim.
DO YOU BELIEVE OUR COUNTRY IS ON THE RIGHT OR WRONG TRACK?
A loaded question. If you say it’s on the right track you will be branded as a delusional Pollyanna. If on the wrong track, you will be presented with overly simplistic answers laying blame on the scapegoat du jour, which can only be remedied by reinstating good old Christian family values as prescribed by the so called Freedom Caucus.
ECONOMY AND JOBS
DO YOU BELIEVE FEDERAL REGULATIONS HELP OR HINDER MD’S ECONOMY?
Let’s see. If you say Federal regulations are a pain in the ass, nobody is going to disagree. So let’s say I’m in favor of getting rid of them. Ok, Mr. smarty pants, which ones? Your record would indicate that you’re in favor of getting rid of all of them.
Federal regulations are designed to protect the public good when the state has neither the will nor the means to do so. Where does the public good end and personal advantage start, or personal freedom, as your base supporters are wont to complain about?
ARE YOU PAYING MORE THAN YOU WERE A YEAR AGO?
Must be Biden’s fault.
CRIME
DO YOU SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE?
Before the 2020 elections you were asked by the Chestertown Spy if Trump would be gracious in losing. Your response, which you repeated several times, was, “That’s a ridiculous question.” May I quote you. This is a ridiculous question. I say that using the same good faith you displayed back in 2020.
SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT
DO YOU BELIEVE IMPLEMENTING MORE SOCIALIST POLICIES ….IS GOOD OR BAD FOR AMERICA?
Let’s drag out that old “socialist” red flag, why don’t we? There could have been a concerted bipartisan effort to make the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) much more workable if it hadn’t been labeled socialism/communism. How many times did you vote to overturn it? Again, having the government serve the greater good is not a communist plot. By painting it as such only serves the vested interests efforts to maintain their position of power.
BORDER SECURITY
DO YOU SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SECURE THE SOUTHERN BORDER?
Sure, why not. Except it paints an unrealistic picture of what is possible. What would it take? Separating families at the border? Gunning them down as they swim, or ford, the Rio Grande? The “wall” is a joke. It’s like the war on drugs. Make it harder just increases the pressure on the border. Simplistic messaging again.
DO YOU SUPPORT POLICIES TO GRANT AMNESTY TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS?
Amnesty is another of those red flag terms designed to mount opposition to immigration reform. If there is a policy to earn citizenship, is that amnesty? Having a long wait period, paying past and present taxes, maybe having their own business, owning their house, having assets? Is that not a way to pay for the crime of crossing the border illegally?
I have heard you say concerning the DACA kids, that they should have to wait in line like everyone else. Perhaps you are not aware that there is no line. If you are poor and apply for a visa to enter the USA, it costs $160. You are not told that you have 0% chance of securing a visa, and the fee is non-refundable.
I hear a lot about how we are a country of laws. What is a greater crime? Crossing the border illegally or fomenting an attempted insurrection? Or being complicit in the attempted insurrection, such as yourself? Have you no decency?
TAXES AND SPENDING
ARE TAXES TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW?
The real concern should be, ”Are we getting enough bang for our buck”. That’s your job, big guy. Defunding the IRS so that the 1%’ers get to keep more is not the answer.
IS AMERICA’S DEBT, WHICH IS APPROACHING $32 TRILLION, A SERIOUS PROBLEM?
Of course it is. What are you doing about it except voting against everything, without regard for a potential future return? Defunding the IRS is not the answer.
EDUCATION
DO YOU THINK PARENTS SHOULD HAVE MORE INPUT IN THEIR CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION?
There is a dangerous narrative gaining popularity that says we should ignore racial inequity and white (no pun intended) wash our history because the full story might implant guilt in the little darling’s minds.
Unfortunately, it seems that many parents can’t handle the truth. I’m trusting that the children can. You really can’t fool them forever.
John Ramsey
Chestertown
Sally James says
Thanks, John. You nailed this.
Dale Stephenson says
John Ramsey must be a RINO. The survey is to voice your concerns on the the questions asked not to change the narrative to suit your ideas. I doubt you ever see asurvey from the liberal side since they have caused this mess! change parties we don’t want you.
John Ramsey says
Interesting to be called a RINO. I referred to Senor Harris as a CRINO, Congressional Representative in Name Only. But the editor cut it, probably as too inflammatory, or demeaning. As far as “this mess” is concerned, I can do no better than a Bible quote, Matthew 7:5, “First, remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Or in modern parlance, suck it up, hypocrite.
Carol Casey says
I couldn’t agree more, John!
Fred W. J. Kirchner says
Mr. Ramsey,
I suggest that you get yourself a full length mirror, and very carefully look into it.. When you do you will see one of the major problems with America. Sounds like you got on the wrong train, and don’t know how to get off!
John Ramsey says
Good to hear from you, Señor Kirchner. I refer you to my reply to D. Stephenson’s comment.
Gren Whitman says
As long as the General Assembly keeps the 1st District safe for Andrew P. Harris (R-Qanon) (or his clone), he has nothing to fear from sensible people like John Ramsay and will continue to beat back superlative candidates such as Heather Mizeur.
John Ramsey says
Good to hear from you, Señor Whitman. I refer you to my reply to D. Stephenson’s comment.
john ramsey says
Gene, I asked them to delete this. I apologize. This was meant for Kirshner.
Gren Whitman says
I call someone “Herr” when I wish to denigrate him, i.e., Herr Kirchner. And I’m Gren, not “Gene.”
Jenifer Emley says
Thank you, John.
I agree with you on every subject.
V Overton says
Woo hoo!! Thank you John 😊
Nancy Callahan says
Thank you, Mr. Ramsey, for your honesty and forthrightness. We don’t see much of that on the Eastern Shore.
Ed Plaisance says
Well argued, John, but I fear it will land on barren soil. Why do so many people vote against their own interests?
Nick Talios says
THANK YOU FOR ELOQUENTLY STATING
YOUR THOUGHTS…WHICH ARE SPOT ON.
Andy Harris is a dead man walking and should be defeated in the next cycle.
All he is good at doing is obfuscating and denying, not the leadership we need for 21st century Marylanders.
Marsha Fritz says
Thank you, John, for your thoughtful and humorous response to this guy’s “questionnaire.”
Keep the faith!
Marsha
Den Leventhal says
Well said! But, unfortunately, Rep. Harris will not read, much less reply, to your clarifications of reality. I’ve asked his staff many times to receive his email newsletters to his constituency, of which I am one, and have never received a copy. Apparently, those who criticize or challenge his views and actions are not relevant, as constituents or otherwise. Nevertheless, thanks for taking the time to give our Congressional Representative a reality check.
Mary Leventhal says
Unfortunately, John, critics who have written replies to your delightful parody on the “thinking” of Andy Harris do not understand that credible surveys are developed in such a way as to solicit an unbiased population of responses. Bravo on your humor! (I just wish the mention of anything about Andy Harris leaves me stressed out.)
Nancy Landskroener says
Although I haven’t lived in MD for 40 years I keep up with local politics. Rep Andy Harris should be an embarrassment to all voters . Thank you John Ramsey.
John Ramsey says
Thanks for that Nancy. It would be good to see you if, and when, you might land in these environs.
George R. Shivers says
Thank you, John Ramsey! I contemplated how to best respond to the Survey of our so-called Representative in Congress. I finally gave up and tossed it. Mr. Ramsey has done a much better job of it than I could have. Kudos to him!
Johnson Fortenbaugh says
John Ramsey makes some excellent points.
The other issue that was conspicuously missing from Rep. Harris’ Survey was anything to do with the environment. The increasingly dire daily news of climate-change-related death and destruction [worldwide] points to the fact that the sooner we get serious about reducing our impact on climate, the less will be the cost in human lives and property lost.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE A POLITICAL ISSUE!
Will Dr. Harris claim that no one mentioned it in his “Survey” and that it is therefore a non-issue?