Each year, we recall Dr. King’s dream for an America in which each of us is judged by the content of our character, not by the color of our skin. Now, in 2014, we have the opportunity to once again vote for this empowering vision here in Maryland.
Rep. Elijah Cummings
Our elections this year will determine who will represent us in Congress and the State Legislature – and who will be our attorney general, comptroller, and, of course, our governor for the next four years.
All of these decisions by our voters are important – the choice of our next governor most of all.
It is Maryland’s governor, not our Legislature, who controls the budget that is essential to so many state services. Under Maryland’s constitution, if the governor slashes state spending, there is little that our Legislature can do to correct that faulty decision.
Maryland’s Democratic candidate, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, knows that he needs a large African American vote to become Maryland’s first African-American governor. Yet, Anthony Brown has not asked any Maryland voter to cast their ballot for him because he is Black.
Rather his campaign is stressing the shared principles and forward-looking policies that will benefit all Marylanders – whatever may be the color of our skin.
I agree with that decision.
Some might consider this to be overly idealistic in our society that, all too often, remains racially-preoccupied. Yet, the wiser among us remember that it was a multi-racial and ecumenical coalition that elected President Obama twice.
If we forget this truth, we are vulnerable to those who would return us to less noble government policies and flawed “trickle-down economics.” We have witnessed this truth in Washington, where President Obama’s opponents have subjected our nation to years of obstruction, federal budget cuts and personal attacks.
In contrast, Maryland’s African American voters have expressed the power of our votes – and, God-willing, we will do so again this year.
We have voted for leaders who have effectively managed our state’s economy during difficult economic times.
Because we exercised our most fundamental civil right, our Democratic governors and legislators have been able to increase support for public education, expand access to affordable health care, stand up for working families’ ability to organize and earn a living wage, make progress toward protecting our natural heritage and end the barbarism of the death penalty in our state.
Because Maryland’s progressive coalition has remained steadfast, our state has continued to move closer to that “Blessed Community” of Dr. King’s dream. Yet, there are those, including the Republican candidate for Governor – businessman and former Ehrlich administration Appointments Secretary Larry Hogan – who argue that we cannot afford to move forward with reform.
As our next governor, Anthony Brown would advance a far more progressive vision for our state.
Public Education: Like so many of us, Anthony Brown’s parents believed in assuring their children an empowering education. He made the most of those opportunities, graduating cum laude from Harvard and Harvard Law School.
That life experience fires his support for public education – his advocacy of universal pre-kindergarten education, his determination to expand support for our local schools, and his efforts to make college more affordable for every Marylander.
Public Service: Anthony Brown’s own life affirms the value of public service, both in the military (where he won a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq) and in his leadership experience in Maryland’s House of Delegates. Maryland’s public sector employees and their families can be confident that a Brown Administration would be supportive of their aspirations and sensitive to their challenges.
Progress Toward a Living Wage: Because he has personally witnessed the hardships and inequity of substandard wages, Anthony Brown was a leader in the successful legislative fight to raise Maryland’s minimum wage and will support that commitment in the years ahead.
Affordable Health Care: The son of a physician – and personally committed to universal, affordable health care – Lt. Gov. Brown has been a major force in assuring that promise for every Maryland family. Affordable health care is now our legal right – and far more Marylanders now have that security.
The Power of our Vote:These accomplishments and commitments advance both our ideals and our self-interest as a community. Yet, there are those who are deeply concerned that too many of us will not vote this year, allowing reaction to prevail.
Recent polling of likely Maryland voters shows Anthony Brown in the lead – but not by a comfortable margin. Clearly, every vote from our community will count.
We should be urging our families and friends to vote early from October 23 through October 30 at any early voting site in the City or County where they live. For locations: http://elections.state.md.us.
Whether we vote early or at our regular polling places on Election Day, Nov. 4, please pass on a personal message from me.
We are voting for our future and for the generations yet unborn.
Rep. Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.