Dear Anne Arundel County and GOP Leaders:
I write to you this morning in absolute disgust and embarrassment for our Party, our County, and our State, and call upon you to take immediate action that publically condemns the latest irresponsible action and publicity stunt by Del. Don Dwyer (R-Pasadena) and demands either his immediate resignation or face a GOP initiated action in the Maryland House of Delegates that seeks his expulsion as a member. The final outcome of such an initiated action is not as important as the initiation of the action itself.
“Banned from sitting on committees, Dwyer sits on Judiciary Committee.” This was the headline of an article by Alex Jackson, State House Reporter for The Capital in last week’s paper. This headline, the accompanying photo and article illuminate the latest in series of irresponsible and character questioning actions by Republican Delegate Don Dwyer. I do not believe I need to remind you of the Delegates recent convictions for alcohol related offenses or the fact that while other legislators are meeting with constituents and doing the people’s business on weekends, Delegate Dwyer is incarcerated, or that he was justifiably reprimanded and prohibited from sitting on any House Committee by Speaker Mike Busch.
While Delegate Dwyer’s latest action stunt may not violate any law or specific code of conduct or ethics of the Maryland General Assembly, it violates a principle at the supposed core of the Republican Party (taking personal responsibility). It also goes against one of the core values of the Maryland General Assembly – Decorum and Respect. He did not pull up a chair to talk with a fellow legislator, he took a seat behind a committee desk, placed his committee name plate in front of him, and represented to unknowing citizens testifying before what many consider to be the most powerful committee in the Maryland House of Delegates, that he was a member of the committee. To say I did not vote, is a cop-out. No material and substantive votes are taken during these bill hearings. Delegate Dwyer’s decision was conscious, deliberate, self-driven, and cannot be overlooked or swept under the carpet of the House of Delegates.
In November, Republicans from Cecil to St. Mary’s, and Wicomico to Washington Counties celebrated the victory of Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides. Mayor Pantelides’ blue brooms became an icon symbol and model to not just sweep Annapolis clean, but our State as well. To allow Del. Dwyer to continue to act in this irresponsible manner as a representative of the Republican Party is an implicit endorsement of his actions and says to voters, our words do not match our acts, and that is what you can expect if you elect Republicans. It also says, we are the Party of Dwyer, Leopold, and Hypocricy, not the Party of Lincoln, Pantelides, and Reagan.
As Republicans go to YouTube and other Social Media outlets to spread their message about the dangerous course of fiscal and social policy throughout the State, a message often stated is “What does this say or do to our Children?” I ask you this same question today? What message does Delegate Dwyer’s behavior and a complacent acceptance send to the children, as well as the people of Maryland overall?
Does it say:
- We take our responsibilities as elected leaders and stewards of the community seriously? OR
- Do as I say, not as I do.
- We lead by example? OR
- We just criticize our opponents and their shortcomings.
- We take our DUI and DWI laws seriously? OR
- I make the law, therefore, I am above them.
I think you get my point.
I appreciate your time and attention to my e-mail, and I look forward to your timely response. Please do not allow the institution of the Maryland House of Delegates to become a House of Cards at the hands of your colleague from Pasadena.
M. Scott Bowling Annapolis, MD 21401-4302
