Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler issued an opinion today that Maryland should recognize same-sex marriages that are validly entered into in other states. Mind you this is a non-binding opinion.
I happened to be having lunch with the current delegation from the fighting 31st so I was able to hear Delegate Dwyer's reaction. He is going to seek the impeachment of Doug Gansler.
I didn't say anything at the time because, well, it seems rude to insult a man who's paying for your lunch.
But this is exactly the kind of nonsense that motivated me to run for delegate.
There is a serious budget crisis going on. People are losing their homes to foreclosures. People are losing their jobs. People are still losing their lives fighting overseas and Dwyer wants to waste the General Assembly's time on this?! A non-binding opinion?
The recognition of same-sex marriages from other states is a non-issue. It does not cost the state a dime. It does not require Maryland to do anything. It does not harm anyone.
Dwyer stated that it wasn't the opinion itself so much as the unconstitutionality of the opinion that really upsets him. This bothers me for a couple reasons.
-One: I went to law school for three years to study the constitution. Gansler's opinion is constitutional.
-Two: This is exactly the partisan fighting that does nothing productive but sucks energy and resources away from real issues. Clean air, clean water, better schools, the economy, etc.
-Three: Dwyer is pushing an extremist agenda. The good people of the fighting 31st are not extremist. Who is Dwyer really representing?
This attack is just another way to try to wedge the bedroom door open to government intrustion. I said it before and I'll say it again, the government and Dwyer have no place in my bedroom.
Protect the future: Vote Chiappelli.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Liquor Law
An issue that someone raised to me recently was about the proposed change to the liquor laws which would allow someone in Maryland to order wine from out of state and have it shipped to them. I figured that there had to be more to the controversy than that. There must be some complex reason for the current law. I told the constituent that I would look into it.
I did. There is no complex reason or deeper matter. People should be allowed to order wine through the mail.
It's a matter that is supported by the majority of the people. The Baltimore Sun, Capital and Gazette have all supported it. It's a step toward a more free market. It's a matter that only concerns consenting adults. One who is selling the wine and the other who is buying the wine. Where is the government's interest? There is none.
So let it be known throughout the land, Jeremiah Chiappelli supports repealing the current law and allowing the good folk of Maryland to order wine through the mail.
I did. There is no complex reason or deeper matter. People should be allowed to order wine through the mail.
It's a matter that is supported by the majority of the people. The Baltimore Sun, Capital and Gazette have all supported it. It's a step toward a more free market. It's a matter that only concerns consenting adults. One who is selling the wine and the other who is buying the wine. Where is the government's interest? There is none.
So let it be known throughout the land, Jeremiah Chiappelli supports repealing the current law and allowing the good folk of Maryland to order wine through the mail.
Monday, February 15, 2010
One Enchanted Evening
We had our first campaign fundraiser this weekend! "One Enchanted Evening- A Black Tie Gala" at Celebrations At the Bay in Pasadena. Excellent turnout, considering the snowy conditions. I think everyone had fun. I know that I did!
Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Thank you to the local businesses who contributed items to our silent auction. Thank you to the staff at Celebrations. And especially thank you to Jenny Harding for coordinating the entire evening. And while I'm thanking people, thank you to everyone who helped clear the snow from the roads and kept the power on this past week!
The evening started with the usual mingling and chatting. I was pleased to discover that there were Democrats and Republicans in the crowd. I prefer to focus on what unites us and not on what divides us. People respond to that.
Celebrations At the Bay had outstanding food. As the evening went on, the staff brought out chocolate covered strawberries which made more than one person turn their head!
After dinner, Erin Callen, ballroom dance instructor from "Just Dance" got everyone in the room on their feet and onto the dance floor for a short lesson on ballroom dancing. Yes, even Stan Janor and his wife danced. The DJ was taking requests all night and the open bar ensured that the dance floor stayed occupied until the end!
Oh yeah, and I was able to say a few words.
To boil it down to a few sentences: I am running for delegate in order to protect the future because the future will be awesome. When people go to a lawyer, they have a problem that needs solved. They don't want to hear legal theory or spend all their money. They just want the problem solved. And that's my philosophy on serving as a delegate: the people don't want to hear political bickering or spend all their tax dollars. They just want the problem solved. That's what I want to do and that's why I need your help.
Protect the Future: Vote Chiappelli.
Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Thank you to the local businesses who contributed items to our silent auction. Thank you to the staff at Celebrations. And especially thank you to Jenny Harding for coordinating the entire evening. And while I'm thanking people, thank you to everyone who helped clear the snow from the roads and kept the power on this past week!
The evening started with the usual mingling and chatting. I was pleased to discover that there were Democrats and Republicans in the crowd. I prefer to focus on what unites us and not on what divides us. People respond to that.
Celebrations At the Bay had outstanding food. As the evening went on, the staff brought out chocolate covered strawberries which made more than one person turn their head!
After dinner, Erin Callen, ballroom dance instructor from "Just Dance" got everyone in the room on their feet and onto the dance floor for a short lesson on ballroom dancing. Yes, even Stan Janor and his wife danced. The DJ was taking requests all night and the open bar ensured that the dance floor stayed occupied until the end!
Oh yeah, and I was able to say a few words.
To boil it down to a few sentences: I am running for delegate in order to protect the future because the future will be awesome. When people go to a lawyer, they have a problem that needs solved. They don't want to hear legal theory or spend all their money. They just want the problem solved. And that's my philosophy on serving as a delegate: the people don't want to hear political bickering or spend all their tax dollars. They just want the problem solved. That's what I want to do and that's why I need your help.
Protect the Future: Vote Chiappelli.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Graffiti-free neighborhoods
Graffiti and vandalism drive me crazy. I hate them.
There is the tipping point theory which states that if you let the little problems go, then the big problems come. If you don't clean up the graffiti, then the gangs and drugs follow.
I'm not sure if I believe the theory whole-heartedly, but I really don't want to live in a neighborhood with graffiti.
Interestingly, the three Republican incumbents sponsored a bill in 2008 to take the drivers licenses away from juveniles convicted of vandalism. As much as I hate to agree with the guys I'm running against, I do like the spirit of this bill. But increased punishment only works if you catch them.
I will say that if you catch someone vandalizing your property, you can always sue them in civil court. Give me a call at 410-689-9894 and we'll talk.
In Baltimore City, you can call the city and they will send a crew out to clean up the graffiti. I've always wondered why Anne Arundel County doesn't offer a similar service. My guess is the cost.
It seems like the kind of service that people want and would be willing to pay a graffiti-insurance for. Why hasn't the free market fixed this problem?
What are your suggestions for reducing graffiti?
There is the tipping point theory which states that if you let the little problems go, then the big problems come. If you don't clean up the graffiti, then the gangs and drugs follow.
I'm not sure if I believe the theory whole-heartedly, but I really don't want to live in a neighborhood with graffiti.
Interestingly, the three Republican incumbents sponsored a bill in 2008 to take the drivers licenses away from juveniles convicted of vandalism. As much as I hate to agree with the guys I'm running against, I do like the spirit of this bill. But increased punishment only works if you catch them.
I will say that if you catch someone vandalizing your property, you can always sue them in civil court. Give me a call at 410-689-9894 and we'll talk.
In Baltimore City, you can call the city and they will send a crew out to clean up the graffiti. I've always wondered why Anne Arundel County doesn't offer a similar service. My guess is the cost.
It seems like the kind of service that people want and would be willing to pay a graffiti-insurance for. Why hasn't the free market fixed this problem?
What are your suggestions for reducing graffiti?
RIP Rep. John Murtha
Representative John Murtha (D-PA) died yesterday. I mention this because he is the congressman from the area of Western Pennsylvania where my family is from. He has represented that corner of PA for as long as I've been alive. He did a pretty good job of it too.
I learned tonight that my father was standing right beside Rep. Murtha when he first learned that he won his first election. My father was a reporter with the local paper at the time.
I learned tonight that my father was standing right beside Rep. Murtha when he first learned that he won his first election. My father was a reporter with the local paper at the time.
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