This past weekend CG pulled off a surprise 24th birthday
party for Waterboy centered on the Maryland Georgia Tech game. The game started
at noon which meant the tailgate had to begin early and that the real party would
naturally continue afterwards…at our house. In other words, I spent all day
Saturday drinking beer with about thirty other people, most of whom were under
25.
I had a blast. I spoke with most, if not all of them
throughout the day, often about the elections. From my own informal, beer influenced survey, the majority of the younger contingent were in favor of
Question 7 (Gaming Expansion). They largely dismissed the dirty politics and deception
associated with the legislation as if to say that is to be expected. I shared
our recent conversation with Peter Franchot but I don’t think I changed any
minds.
The twentysomethings also heavily favored Question 6 (Civil
Marriage Protection), without question.
Question 4 (Public Institutions of Higher Education-Tuition
Rates) was more problematic for this seemingly libertarian group. I found that
many were not aware of all the provisions of this bill, also known as the "Dream Act," and the many hurdles it
places in front of the undocumented immigrants its meant to help. After explaining it I may have
influenced a vote or two. On the other hand, one young woman wanted to know that, if it passes, who
was going to police this act to see that it wasn't abused.
Good question.
It was Question 5 however where everyone found common ground.
Each individual I spoke with seemed to understand what was going on here and they weren't happy about it. Many even expressed disgust for the deceitful way the question is worded, “Establishes the boundaries for the State’s eight United States
Congressional Districts, based on recent census figures, as required by the
United States Constitution.”
It makes it sound as if voting “for the referred law” is
simply a formality.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Maryland congressional district map, drawn up by our Dem controlled General Assembly, is the
laughingstock of the nation. It is comforting to know that, in spite of virtually
no advertising campaign to vote against this measure, a surprising number of
people seem to have gotten the message that this is a bad map.
I’ll drink to that.
