Will Montgomery County ever elect a Republican?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

Oh, so you're a NIMBY who hates brown people. You could have just said that and saved yourself a lot of typing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair is an Obama Democrat. Elrich is a Bernie Sanders Socialist. There is a difference but both are left of center. I think it's time we balance things out with someone in the true center, or center-right. Another Hogan would be great.

When did Hogan win in Montgomery County? Last time he lost 55-44. It was worse four years earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. The Council chose the representatives for the Redistricting Commission. They've cooked the books before it even begins.

Folks do need to wake up if they want any real changes. And I say this as a moderate Democrat. You all are about to lose your police department and I just wonder if anyone is even paying attention.

Correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

PP is sad that it's 2021 in Montgomery County, not 1975 anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

Oh, so you're a NIMBY who hates brown people. You could have just said that and saved yourself a lot of typing.

Thank you for demonstrating what is exactly wrong with Montgomery County politics.

A. I live in none of those areas you highlighted. I live around black, brown, tan, yellow and white people. And a bunch of gay folk, too. The old rainbow coalition's wet dream of a neighborhood. I have no issue with anyone based upon their race, creed, color or sexual whatevers. I only have issues with jerks and self righteous morons.

B. I have no issue with immigration. I do have issues with overpopulation. Montgomery County blew up too fast and by too much, and now we are dealing with the consequences of it. Poorly. Bending over backwards to entice people who unlawfully enter the United States is not helping the issue either. I am no fan of Marc Elrich, but he is right about thing - Montgomery County is near maximum capacity. You could argue that the county could handle plenty more residents, but those who would probably love the idea of the county becoming the next Hong Kong.

So, there we are. Go ahead and cherry pick the phrases from my post so you can go off on your social justice castigation. It does nothing to remedy the issues facing the county, but I'm sure you'll sleep soundly tonight after getting your endorphin rush of sanctimonious self righteousness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

PP is sad that it's 2021 in Montgomery County, not 1975 anymore.

Hardly, but I do miss the old red necks and heavy metal parking lot kids.

I also miss actually driving up 270, instead of it being a 12 lane parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

Oh, so you're a NIMBY who hates brown people. You could have just said that and saved yourself a lot of typing.

Thank you for demonstrating what is exactly wrong with Montgomery County politics.

A. I live in none of those areas you highlighted. I live around black, brown, tan, yellow and white people. And a bunch of gay folk, too. The old rainbow coalition's wet dream of a neighborhood. I have no issue with anyone based upon their race, creed, color or sexual whatevers. I only have issues with jerks and self righteous morons.

B. I have no issue with immigration. I do have issues with overpopulation. Montgomery County blew up too fast and by too much, and now we are dealing with the consequences of it. Poorly. Bending over backwards to entice people who unlawfully enter the United States is not helping the issue either. I am no fan of Marc Elrich, but he is right about thing - Montgomery County is near maximum capacity. You could argue that the county could handle plenty more residents, but those who would probably love the idea of the county becoming the next Hong Kong.

So, there we are. Go ahead and cherry pick the phrases from my post so you can go off on your social justice castigation. It does nothing to remedy the issues facing the county, but I'm sure you'll sleep soundly tonight after getting your endorphin rush of sanctimonious self righteousness.

Ah, you're just a plain NIMBY.

[Anonymous]

Come over to eastern MoCo, plenty of rednecks still over here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ficker is an total idiot

I think the modest democrats and modest republicans are pretty much the same here. If you put a D after a moderate republicans last name on the ballot they would get elected.

I think the time is coming, the people who vote in Montgomery county are waking up after this school year and the closing of businesses.

This. Change is brewing. I am mad & ready for big time change. The school situation is a travesty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montgomery County does not need a Republican. What Montgomery County needs is an injection of Independents.

The days of Connie Morella are long gone and won't be coming back in any foreseeable future. If you are hoping for some Hogan type figure emerging in MoCo, you are sadly delusional. What is desperately needed is some Biden-like candidates who are moderately left and are more concerned about making sensible policy decisions regarding growth and taxation, and less about trying to out banner the AOC imitators. It is doubtful that these moderate candidates would ever win a Democratic primary since the woke wing of the MoCo Democratic Party has completely outflanked the opposition better and tighter than a gerrymandered North Carolina Congressional District. So, the only way to circumvent team Che is compete against them in the general election.

Montgomery County is a far cry from the conservatively liberal county that I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Most of that is self inflicted. The 90's & 00's opened up the floodgates to overdevelopment. The population boomed. The I-270 monster was created, then the ICC slush fund. The doors were left wide open for everyone to come, be it through legal channels or not, and without concern whether there was actually enough housing for everyone or not.

Now everyone is bemoaning about the housing crisis and the only answer the GGW propped up councilmembers can come up with is destroy single family zoning in order to raze homes in Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Takoma Park and create mini apartment dwellings in their place or plop tiny homes (aka shacks) all over existing properties across the county. Let's ignore all the neglected, slumlord apartment units all over the county that desperately need to be updated and repurposed. Let's ignore the east and middle sections of the county that could certainly use some modernization and revitalization. Nope, let's concentrate on owning the bloodsucking bluehaired boomers. We live to watch old people cry! Let's list the Elks Lodge as a terrorist organization while we're at it.

The demographics of Montgomery County have changed dramatically and identity politics is king. Team AOC has cultivated their base to perfection. You have to applaud how well they managed to accomplish their grip over local politics. I fear that such an unchecked political machine will eventually corrode everything that Montgomery County has done exceptionally well over the past 50 years. The school system, being the penultimate example. If the schools start to crater, then everything else will follow along. All the federal workers living in the county can only prop it up so much. Not to mention that with distant working, there is ample motivation to live elsewhere. The all out assault on Bethesda and the western slice of the county won't help matters either. I say this as person who lives in the Silver Spring side of the county. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the entire county will be declared an autonomous zone?

When does the council vote on that bill? I think it is a poor one-size-fits-all proposal that will not really accomplish what they are going for, and in the process destroy actual relatively affordable SFH neighborhoods around forest glen, Wheaton, and glenmont. And nice (but more expensive) neighborhoods in silver spring and takoma park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

When does the council vote on that bill? I think it is a poor one-size-fits-all proposal that will not really accomplish what they are going for, and in the process destroy actual relatively affordable SFH neighborhoods around forest glen, Wheaton, and glenmont. And nice (but more expensive) neighborhoods in silver spring and takoma park.

When you say that it will destroy the neighborhood, are you referring to the possibility of property owners building duplexes and other attached houses in those neighborhoods? Is that what you think will destroy the neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

When does the council vote on that bill? I think it is a poor one-size-fits-all proposal that will not really accomplish what they are going for, and in the process destroy actual relatively affordable SFH neighborhoods around forest glen, Wheaton, and glenmont. And nice (but more expensive) neighborhoods in silver spring and takoma park.

When you say that it will destroy the neighborhood, are you referring to the possibility of property owners building duplexes and other attached houses in those neighborhoods? Is that what you think will destroy the neighborhoods?

I have no problem with attached housing, I just think this blanket approach to refining is lazy and inappropriate. What works for one metro station may not be the best for another. At many of these stations there is underutilized land very close to the metro, why not work on those areas first before moving into existing residential neighborhoods? For instance, there is a redevelopment plan for the GA ave corridor by forest glen that includes rezoning some areas and building more housing- tons of opportunities there to make sure affordable housing is included. Of course, that sort of thing takes time. I think Jawando’s intentions are good but this is a lazy approach.

Have you ever lived in a tear down neighborhood? I guess in this case everyone thinks it’s ok because it will be duplexes/quadplexes interdispersed among existing homes rather than SFH mansions? I agree destroy was probably not the right word, some people like these sort of changes. But considering that the townhomes built by the metro stations are often more expensive than the nearby older SFH, I’m not sure this really addresses this middle housing gap. But I’m sure Jawando will find support from his pro development colleagues on the council.

[Anonymous]

Not to mention, this county is always way behind finding new schools in areas that experience quick growth. There needs to be dedicated funding now to accommodate a new influx of residents into schools that are, in many cases, already over capacity.

[Anonymous]

MoCo independents and Republicans need to act rational and change their registration to Democrats.

I know you’re so emotionally wed to your identity as “not Democrats.” Because you see yourself as elite, wealthy, not PC, or anti-Woke. But the only real way to get moderates is to affect who wins in the Democratic primaries.

I say the same thing to my GOP friends in DC. You keep shooting yourself in the foot by stubbornly clinging to a party that only puts up hard-right psychopaths in Blue and Purple areas. If you want to be a real Republican, move to Florida or Texas. You’ll be more emotionally fulfilled and have your self-identity validated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

When does the council vote on that bill? I think it is a poor one-size-fits-all proposal that will not really accomplish what they are going for, and in the process destroy actual relatively affordable SFH neighborhoods around forest glen, Wheaton, and glenmont. And nice (but more expensive) neighborhoods in silver spring and takoma park.

When you say that it will destroy the neighborhood, are you referring to the possibility of property owners building duplexes and other attached houses in those neighborhoods? Is that what you think will destroy the neighborhoods?

I have no problem with attached housing, I just think this blanket approach to refining is lazy and inappropriate. What works for one metro station may not be the best for another. At many of these stations there is underutilized land very close to the metro, why not work on those areas first before moving into existing residential neighborhoods? For instance, there is a redevelopment plan for the GA ave corridor by forest glen that includes rezoning some areas and building more housing- tons of opportunities there to make sure affordable housing is included. Of course, that sort of thing takes time. I think Jawando’s intentions are good but this is a lazy approach.

Have you ever lived in a tear down neighborhood? I guess in this case everyone thinks it’s ok because it will be duplexes/quadplexes interdispersed among existing homes rather than SFH mansions? I agree destroy was probably not the right word, some people like these sort of changes. But considering that the townhomes built by the metro stations are often more expensive than the nearby older SFH, I’m not sure this really addresses this middle housing gap. But I’m sure Jawando will find support from his pro development colleagues on the council.

Why not both? Owning property in your neighborhood should not come with the expectation that your neighborhood won't change.

Prices of new attached houses next to Metro stations, vs old detached houses in nearby neighborhoods, is apples vs oranges. Which do you think would cost less per unit, a new detached house replacing an old detached house, or a new duplex replacing an old detached house?