Who are ‘you and me’ in famous folk song?
In opposition to President Trump, many Democrats stood on the Capitol steps for a photo shoot that included Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md., 7th) and many more of these progressive, liberal Democrats who sang Woody Guthrie’s song, “This Land is Your Land,” and the lyrics “this land was made for you and me.” Question: Who are “you and me?”
The purpose for government is to provide services that citizens cannot attain on their own, education being the most important. This right should never be doled out in a way that differentiates between rich, poor, race, ethnicity, sex or any lifestyle preference. Many of Maryland’s public officials who serve as stewards should deliver on primary services regardless of ZIP code. See schooldigger.com and you will realize that Democrats who are progressive liberals have failed for a long time to provide quality public education in most of the areas where African-American citizens reside. Facts are facts.
Let’s talk Baltimore. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md., 7th) has served constituents in Baltimore since 1996, and during his tenure, Baltimore’s third-world education hasn’t improved.
Recently, my wife and I went to Johns Hopkins for a medical procedure, and in our travels, here is what we encountered: On Route 295 inside the Baltimore city limits, we saw the Horseshoe Casino, M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. When in the concept phase, all of these sporting venues addressed the various benefits that would be attained. Their selling points, among others, were that jobs would be created and needed taxes would be generated. Folks, these promises did not have the desired effect. It is not that jobs were not attained or that revenue was not increased; it is that these listed benefits did not help the most vulnerable.
Outside these sporting venues in 95-degree heat, many people were walking between cars with cardboard signs begging for assistance. I looked into their eyes and I saw their helplessness. Continuing up the street toward Lexington Market, we saw many others in need. We then took a right onto Mulberry Street, where on the left side we saw many buildings that have been in decay for a ver y long time.
Passing Mercy Hospital, at the next traffic light, two African-American kids, one with a squirt bottle and the other with a squeegee, were walking through traffic searching for customers. These children, around 10 years old, were living on the edge, just tr ying to sur vive.
Ensuring quality education is the key. We should be fixing the educational malaise, not continually using the Band-Aid approach, as Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has advocated. His approach is only a stop-gap measure designed for the present. What about the future of Baltimore’s children who are subjected to a third-world public school education?
John Petralia, Sunderland