HOME IN THE

COUNTRY

Monday evening, I spoke at a meeting of the Rural Women's Republican Club in Dickerson, hosted by Jay and Lynn Lipp.

Any opportunity to go to the rural areas of Montgomery County is welcomed by me, as regular readers know (especially if you've watched my tractor videos on the Robert Dyer Channel). That's where you'll find the real Montgomery County and the real America - and the kind of values that this county was founded upon. And where you would have found me Monday night!

Considering the downpours, it was bad on 270, but I've dealt with far worse on our woefully-in-need-of-expansion interstate. Once I got to Clopper Road, I was just about the only car out there, which really speeds things up; i.e., you can actually drive the speed limit.

Eventually, I was in Boyds, where the sign famously says, "Home in the Country" as you enter town. At one point, I passed over a small bridge and saw the creek below was nearing the top of its banks, and rushing fast - scary stuff. A while later, I passed over a similar bridge which actually had a sign warning drivers that this was a "Flood Area." The weird thing is, that creek looked pretty normal, while the raging one earlier did not have a "Flood Area" sign next to it. I love trains, and there are plenty around Boyds and Dickerson, including a CSX freight I saw near the MARC station.

On to the meeting, where there was plenty of food spread out, and a great turnout of engaged and enthusiastic Republicans. After a reception, each candidate had an opportunity to speak. I think there were 10-12 altogether. Eric Cary, who has a great chance to win the District 14 State Senate seat, was there along with Jim Pettit who is running for State Delegate.

Brandon Rippeon is the other Republican running for County Council At-Large, so you have two Republicans to vote for so far in this race. As evidenced by his speech, Brandon knows the issues. I think we represent the kind of common sense, responsible Republican leadership the voters are looking for, as opposed to the current council's highly partisan agenda, and inability to get anything done for 4 years. And we are both talking about education amongst our priorities, and that is a major concern for parents across the county right now, as our desperate councilmembers will cut anything except the money for their political cronies in the budget.

Several candidates running against Chris Van Hollen were also there, including Christine Thron and Bruce Stern, as well as Jim Rutledge, who is running to unseat Barbara Mikulski, who has been in Washington for an eternity. It's great to see some of these folks like Spector and Bennet finally being shown the door. They've collected millions in taxpayer money, lived like kings in Washington at our expense, and have expanded government to the largest size in history. It's called public service; it's not a career! Many on our County Council seem to think it's a career, as well. That's not what the Founders intended. Incumbents out!

Brian Murphy, who is challenging Bob Ehrlich in the Republican primary for governor, attended. He owns the Smith Island Baking Company, which makes the Smith Island Cake - the state dessert. Even Dan Campos was there, running for delegate in District 17 - this guy is everywhere and working hard in a race against stumbling incumbents.

It seemed like my speech went over pretty well, and people share my outrage with what is happening to our taxpayer money in Montgomery County. It's very generous of the RWRC and the Lipps to put on an event like this, and give candidates a chance to speak and meet voters. I look forward to seeing more Republicans in the rural areas - and Independents and Democrats, too! - as the campaign goes forward.

And we are going forward - to transform our government into one that serves the people, not the other way around.

I headed off onto the dark rural roads, and fortunately the dams held and the streams contained themselves. The rain lightened, and there was nothing but pitch black out there and a tiny orange stripe horizontally along the horizon. I love being out in the country at night. There weren't any stars Monday night, but it is so much quieter and the air is so much fresher. There isn't anybody much around, but you'd be surprised how many animals are hiding in those woods as you drive past.

We're going to preserve the rural areas, and our suburban areas, against the plans of developers and their buddies on the Planning Board and Council who want to turn this county into one big concrete canyon - and put you in a tiny apartment. We won't let it happen, and let's show them who's boss on Election Day, November 2!