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Cardin controversy: In politics, perception matters
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By now, you have all heard about Delegate Jon Cardin’s use of Baltimore City police resources as part of a marriage proposal. He has offered to reimburse the City, which probably will not amount to much. More than cost, however, perception is important in politics. That is why politicians at higher levels have political and media consultants.
Delegate Cardin has a safe seat. Despite calls for his resignation, I expect he will be re-elected in 2010. District 11 is a Democrat stronghold in northwest Baltimore County, and the Cardin name there carries a lot of weight, due to his uncle, Senator Ben Cardin, and his grandfather who was also a politician.
We are in difficult economic times—times where perception of how public officials are spending our tax dollars cannot be ignored. People are losing their jobs, government employees are being furloughed, and government budgets are being cut.
In another example of public officials ignoring how their behavior will be perceived, the recent Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) annual convention in Ocean City showed elected officials and government employees having a great time. One O'Malley staffer, in a gross miscalculation, posted 115 pictures from MACo on Facebook. Most of those pictures are not accessible now, but you can see much of what was posted here. Governor O’Malley promised a “sober” MACo, but the pictures tell another story.
Like the Cardin situation, tax dollars spent may not amount to a whole lot, but how the public perceives this is far more important.
How can you divert resources from local jurisdictions or furlough employees, if you are not doing everything possible to avoid those actions? Where are the government employee unions? Will their blind allegiance to the Democrat Party mean that they will continue to offer only mild criticism?
All "perks" of being elected or a government employee should be questioned. Attendance at government conferences should be reconsidered or attendance restricted to essential personnel. Expenses from those conferences should be audited.
All government-owned vehicles, cell phones, gasoline cards, and credit cards need to be scrutinized. Many officials have taxpayer-funded vehicles for no reason other than their position.
Did you know that Maryland General Assembly members get a free E-Z Pass, and are not required to pay the E-Z Pass tax of $1.50 per month that was passed during the last legislative session? Did you know that the public picks up the tab for elected officials to stay in Annapolis overnight during the ninety-day (90) Legislative Session, regardless of how close they live to the State House?
In politics, perception matters. Right now, our elected officials are not looking well. Will there be a backlash in the 2010 elections, or will all be forgiven by then?
For more info: Baltimore Sun, Maryland Politics Blogspot, Maryland Senate GOP
Dilip Paliath has a general law practice in Towson. For more information, see www.paliath.com.
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