Desperately Seeking Sanity in Mo.Co.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry Montgomery County and MD are lost causes. Move to VA.

stay out of VA, go down with the ship you made

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is apparently very upset about bike lanes.

Phoenix, AZ and Houston, TX are about as pro-car and anti-bike as they come. Maybe consider that, OP.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think there is a silent majority with you, but they’re all busy working 50 hours a week and don’t have time to engage with local government. I used to marvel at what a great place this was when we moved here 25 years ago. I started seeing a lot of things that made no logical sense to me about 15 years ago, and in hindsight wish I had spoken up about it.

If you need to be near DC for work, this is still one of the best places to live. But like most Marylanders, when retirement comes, I’m out of here. I had planned to retire to a condo or apartment on Connecticut Ave in DC, but the current movement of recently homeless and high needs people into newly created affordable units there and the concomitant rise in crime eliminated that option.

The League of Women Voters (even if you are male), your local community association, and the Chevy Chase Women’s Club (the one on Old Georgetown not Connecticut, hope I got the name right), are all places to get engaged. But at the end of the day, the current Council will only respond to a massive public action, like a demonstration. That’s speaking their language.

In the meantime, after morphing from GDI to Dem, I’m back to being politically homeless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MOVE

Fixed it for you. We don't need your kind in MOCO the rest of the population is kind, thoughtful, and intelligent.

You are clearly none of the above.

Folks in MoCo are a lot of things. Smart. Highly-educated. Hard workers. People with power. But they are NOT, for the most part, kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm worried about the crime and the dumb stuff like dangerous driving too, but I have no idea what you are talking about with the lycra mafia (what would that even be???), and your complaints about CASA. You just lose credibility when you seem like you're complaining about every last thing. (I mean the CASA thing was one social media post from 3 months ago, which they apologized for and took down, and which had nothing to do with the work generally done by the organization, so really doesn't seem like it should be affecting your life in the County much.)

Honestly, I don't think the COunty is doing that bad a job. The tax increase was pretty modest and is necessary for school improvements, which I support. The crime is not bad, particularly considering what DC is dealing with. The police salaries keep going up to deal with a nation-wide shortage of law enforcement officers -- which is hitting all jurisdictions pretty hard but MoCo is actually not as under-staffed as any of the surrounding jurisdictions.

I've got some issues with MCPS, but those are mostly out of the hands of the County Exec.

I was doing okay with your post until I got to your statements about the police. Yes, salaries are going up because they were among the lowest salaries in the entire region. The council had no choice. Also, the shortage IS as bad as other jurisdictions, and recent reports show it’s going to get far worse before it gets better because of the officers eligible to retire. We have one of the least attractive departments for recruits, which is a shame because it used to be a leading department in the region and nation.

This is entirely a problem CREATED by our council.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2022/20220131/20220131_PS2.pdf

The police shortage is predicted to be 20% by next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MOVE

Fixed it for you. We don't need your kind in MOCO the rest of the population is kind, thoughtful, and intelligent.

You are clearly none of the above.

Folks in MoCo are a lot of things. Smart. Highly-educated. Hard workers. People with power. But they are NOT, for the most part, kind.

I have not found that to be true at all. Maybe the UMC strivers are jerks but there are many extremely generous and kind residents that have lived here their whole lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my Hail Mary pass.

I'm a working stiff. I have never been involved in politics. I have never been joined any advocacy groups or PACs. I have been a life long Independent with the exception of 2 years between 2020-2022 when I registered team Dem in the hope that I might make a difference in local elections. I did not and I switched back to Independent status.

That said, I am absolutely desperate for a change in "leadership" in Montgomery County. Between the sad debacle that has become MCPS, the jaw kicking tax increases, the outright endorsement of hate and antisemitism of CASA, rising crime and utter lawlessness as exemplified by this:

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-police-seek-solutions-for-reckless-car-meet-ups

I can not sit by the curb no longer.

Someone please point me in the direction of some group that can break the grip of the screaming blue messiahs that have overtaken every single aspect of Montgomery County governance. I understand that general apathy is the main culprit for this current situation. Most people don't vote and/or are completely ignorant of local politicians. This is how the lycra mafia gets their way and they aim to keep it this way.

I saw a glimmer of hope when crowds protested against the school board this past summer. Maybe, just maybe, if some smart, deft people could tap into that frustration and organize the disenfranchised, along with the apathetic, then real change could be possible.

So anyone out there got a name of someone or some group that I can meet up with to initiate a mission impossible and turn the County Council upside down?

I wish I could start with Adam Pagnucco, but he seems to be firmly seated on the sidelines out of frustration. If you haven't seen his blog, you should:

https://montgomeryperspective.com/

I shiver to think how bad things can become if the County keeps trending in this direction.

1) You voted for progressive democrats; your candidates won.

2) Progressives pass insane initiatives such as “decriminalizing crime” which sounded like a good idea to you because you had a BLM lawn sign and BLM told you to “defund the police.” Progressive initiatives are now law.

3) Now you are surprised at the insanity in MoCo ? Really???

YOU VOTED FOR THIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my Hail Mary pass.

I'm a working stiff. I have never been involved in politics. I have never been joined any advocacy groups or PACs. I have been a life long Independent with the exception of 2 years between 2020-2022 when I registered team Dem in the hope that I might make a difference in local elections. I did not and I switched back to Independent status.

That said, I am absolutely desperate for a change in "leadership" in Montgomery County. Between the sad debacle that has become MCPS, the jaw kicking tax increases, the outright endorsement of hate and antisemitism of CASA, rising crime and utter lawlessness as exemplified by this:

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-police-seek-solutions-for-reckless-car-meet-ups

I can not sit by the curb no longer.

Someone please point me in the direction of some group that can break the grip of the screaming blue messiahs that have overtaken every single aspect of Montgomery County governance. I understand that general apathy is the main culprit for this current situation. Most people don't vote and/or are completely ignorant of local politicians. This is how the lycra mafia gets their way and they aim to keep it this way.

I saw a glimmer of hope when crowds protested against the school board this past summer. Maybe, just maybe, if some smart, deft people could tap into that frustration and organize the disenfranchised, along with the apathetic, then real change could be possible.

So anyone out there got a name of someone or some group that I can meet up with to initiate a mission impossible and turn the County Council upside down?

I wish I could start with Adam Pagnucco, but he seems to be firmly seated on the sidelines out of frustration. If you haven't seen his blog, you should:

https://montgomeryperspective.com/

I shiver to think how bad things can become if the County keeps trending in this direction.

1) You voted for progressive democrats; your candidates won.

2) Progressives pass insane initiatives such as “decriminalizing crime” which sounded like a good idea to you because you had a BLM lawn sign and BLM told you to “defund the police.” Progressive initiatives are now law.

3) Now you are surprised at the insanity in MoCo ? Really???

YOU VOTED FOR THIS.

OP pretty explicitly did not "VOTE FOR THIS." OP registered as a Dem for two years to try to vote for moderate candidates in the primary election. OP's candidates clearly lost.

Not sure why you are blaming OP. And stop gleefully yelling at people. You sound like an unhinged psychopath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my Hail Mary pass.

I'm a working stiff. I have never been involved in politics. I have never been joined any advocacy groups or PACs. I have been a life long Independent with the exception of 2 years between 2020-2022 when I registered team Dem in the hope that I might make a difference in local elections. I did not and I switched back to Independent status.

That said, I am absolutely desperate for a change in "leadership" in Montgomery County. Between the sad debacle that has become MCPS, the jaw kicking tax increases, the outright endorsement of hate and antisemitism of CASA, rising crime and utter lawlessness as exemplified by this:

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-police-seek-solutions-for-reckless-car-meet-ups

I can not sit by the curb no longer.

Someone please point me in the direction of some group that can break the grip of the screaming blue messiahs that have overtaken every single aspect of Montgomery County governance. I understand that general apathy is the main culprit for this current situation. Most people don't vote and/or are completely ignorant of local politicians. This is how the lycra mafia gets their way and they aim to keep it this way.

I saw a glimmer of hope when crowds protested against the school board this past summer. Maybe, just maybe, if some smart, deft people could tap into that frustration and organize the disenfranchised, along with the apathetic, then real change could be possible.

So anyone out there got a name of someone or some group that I can meet up with to initiate a mission impossible and turn the County Council upside down?

I wish I could start with Adam Pagnucco, but he seems to be firmly seated on the sidelines out of frustration. If you haven't seen his blog, you should:

https://montgomeryperspective.com/

I shiver to think how bad things can become if the County keeps trending in this direction.

1) You voted for progressive democrats; your candidates won.

2) Progressives pass insane initiatives such as “decriminalizing crime” which sounded like a good idea to you because you had a BLM lawn sign and BLM told you to “defund the police.” Progressive initiatives are now law.

3) Now you are surprised at the insanity in MoCo ? Really???

YOU VOTED FOR THIS.

Many of us didn't vote for this. Sadly, we were out voted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my Hail Mary pass.

I'm a working stiff. I have never been involved in politics. I have never been joined any advocacy groups or PACs. I have been a life long Independent with the exception of 2 years between 2020-2022 when I registered team Dem in the hope that I might make a difference in local elections. I did not and I switched back to Independent status.

That said, I am absolutely desperate for a change in "leadership" in Montgomery County. Between the sad debacle that has become MCPS, the jaw kicking tax increases, the outright endorsement of hate and antisemitism of CASA, rising crime and utter lawlessness as exemplified by this:

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-police-seek-solutions-for-reckless-car-meet-ups

I can not sit by the curb no longer.

Someone please point me in the direction of some group that can break the grip of the screaming blue messiahs that have overtaken every single aspect of Montgomery County governance. I understand that general apathy is the main culprit for this current situation. Most people don't vote and/or are completely ignorant of local politicians. This is how the lycra mafia gets their way and they aim to keep it this way.

I saw a glimmer of hope when crowds protested against the school board this past summer. Maybe, just maybe, if some smart, deft people could tap into that frustration and organize the disenfranchised, along with the apathetic, then real change could be possible.

So anyone out there got a name of someone or some group that I can meet up with to initiate a mission impossible and turn the County Council upside down?

I wish I could start with Adam Pagnucco, but he seems to be firmly seated on the sidelines out of frustration. If you haven't seen his blog, you should:

https://montgomeryperspective.com/

I shiver to think how bad things can become if the County keeps trending in this direction.

1) You voted for progressive democrats; your candidates won.

2) Progressives pass insane initiatives such as “decriminalizing crime” which sounded like a good idea to you because you had a BLM lawn sign and BLM told you to “defund the police.” Progressive initiatives are now law.

3) Now you are surprised at the insanity in MoCo ? Really???

YOU VOTED FOR THIS.

Many of us didn't vote for this. Sadly, we were out voted.

Really? Are you sure about that??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MOVE

Fixed it for you. We don't need your kind in MOCO the rest of the population is kind, thoughtful, and intelligent.

You are clearly none of the above.

This makes it on the list: Top 10 Self-Contradicting Posts on DCUM.

Congrats to the poster!

[Anonymous]

I make sure to vote in the democratic primary, as register as a Democrat. If you are doing anything else in MoCo, you are just throwing your vote away at this point.

If enough of us do this, the more moderate candidates will be elected. (And I am a Democrat / Independent.) When I lived in the South, I registered as a Republican for the same reason.

I like living in MoCo and don't find it irritating like the rest of you, but am always surprised people just don't register as a member of the main party so they can vote in the primaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm worried about the crime and the dumb stuff like dangerous driving too, but I have no idea what you are talking about with the lycra mafia (what would that even be???), and your complaints about CASA. You just lose credibility when you seem like you're complaining about every last thing. (I mean the CASA thing was one social media post from 3 months ago, which they apologized for and took down, and which had nothing to do with the work generally done by the organization, so really doesn't seem like it should be affecting your life in the County much.)

Honestly, I don't think the COunty is doing that bad a job. The tax increase was pretty modest and is necessary for school improvements, which I support. The crime is not bad, particularly considering what DC is dealing with. The police salaries keep going up to deal with a nation-wide shortage of law enforcement officers -- which is hitting all jurisdictions pretty hard but MoCo is actually not as under-staffed as any of the surrounding jurisdictions.

I've got some issues with MCPS, but those are mostly out of the hands of the County Exec.

Is this post a joke? If it’s not, start by explaining what control the county exec has over the schools and then explain why the 15-20 percent tax revenue increases that the county was getting from valuations weren’t sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm worried about the crime and the dumb stuff like dangerous driving too, but I have no idea what you are talking about with the lycra mafia (what would that even be???), and your complaints about CASA. You just lose credibility when you seem like you're complaining about every last thing. (I mean the CASA thing was one social media post from 3 months ago, which they apologized for and took down, and which had nothing to do with the work generally done by the organization, so really doesn't seem like it should be affecting your life in the County much.)

Honestly, I don't think the COunty is doing that bad a job. The tax increase was pretty modest and is necessary for school improvements, which I support. The crime is not bad, particularly considering what DC is dealing with. The police salaries keep going up to deal with a nation-wide shortage of law enforcement officers -- which is hitting all jurisdictions pretty hard but MoCo is actually not as under-staffed as any of the surrounding jurisdictions.

I've got some issues with MCPS, but those are mostly out of the hands of the County Exec.

I was doing okay with your post until I got to your statements about the police. Yes, salaries are going up because they were among the lowest salaries in the entire region. The council had no choice. Also, the shortage IS as bad as other jurisdictions, and recent reports show it’s going to get far worse before it gets better because of the officers eligible to retire. We have one of the least attractive departments for recruits, which is a shame because it used to be a leading department in the region and nation.

This is entirely a problem CREATED by our council.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2022/20220131/20220131_PS2.pdf

Democrats are experts at causing problems and then trying to blame the problem on republicans.

The council created these problems. They are not republicans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm worried about the crime and the dumb stuff like dangerous driving too, but I have no idea what you are talking about with the lycra mafia (what would that even be???), and your complaints about CASA. You just lose credibility when you seem like you're complaining about every last thing. (I mean the CASA thing was one social media post from 3 months ago, which they apologized for and took down, and which had nothing to do with the work generally done by the organization, so really doesn't seem like it should be affecting your life in the County much.)

Honestly, I don't think the COunty is doing that bad a job. The tax increase was pretty modest and is necessary for school improvements, which I support. The crime is not bad, particularly considering what DC is dealing with. The police salaries keep going up to deal with a nation-wide shortage of law enforcement officers -- which is hitting all jurisdictions pretty hard but MoCo is actually not as under-staffed as any of the surrounding jurisdictions.

I've got some issues with MCPS, but those are mostly out of the hands of the County Exec.

I was doing okay with your post until I got to your statements about the police. Yes, salaries are going up because they were among the lowest salaries in the entire region. The council had no choice. Also, the shortage IS as bad as other jurisdictions, and recent reports show it’s going to get far worse before it gets better because of the officers eligible to retire. We have one of the least attractive departments for recruits, which is a shame because it used to be a leading department in the region and nation.

This is entirely a problem CREATED by our council.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2022/20220131/20220131_PS2.pdf

The police shortage is predicted to be 20% by next year.

Yup. I’m the poster a couple up that the PP was responding to. The LEO crisis is a national crisis that has a few different causes — including declining respect for LEO, the insane number of guns on the street that make the job much more dangerous, the expectation that police are going to be the front line dealing with the mental health crisis, a general tendency among young people to avoid public service jobs, and the increasing desire for flexible hours and work from home, and the decreasing interest in things like a great pension. MCPD is actually not as badly situated as DC or PG. And it was not historically underpaid considering it had a much lighter work load than DC or PG—it was always higher than everything except DC (and PG by some metrics). FOP 35 is pretty aggressive so if they were really that underpaid, they’d be arbitrating.
I’m 100% in favor of paying the police more.