Polly Adams Mervine’s candidacy for the Senate was launched on Monday, and she has a campaign website up and running too. He campaign slogans: “Roots Run Deep in Sussex,” and “Another Generation of Leadership,” in case it was not obvious already that she is Adams’ daughter. Her campaign is also on Facebook and you can follow her on Twitter.
As an aside, I always wonder how the loved ones of deceased longtime politicians find the strength to run for their loved one’s old seat while in the midst of grieving that loved one. It would seem to be too much for me, but it happens more often than you think. I suppose it gives the family something to concentrate on so as to get on with life, and I suppose it gives the loved ones a sense of honoring their late father. But I digress
And on her website she has an issues section, some of which I will take issue with, and some of which I will not:
This Senate district is remarkably diverse, ranging from farm fields and forests to close-knit towns like Milton and Ellendale, Georgetown, Greenwood and Bridgeville; from traditional ways of thinking to the cutting edge of new ideas.
I am no expert on Western Sussex County, but is the 19th remarkably diverse, at least in the way you and I think of diversity? Usually when you think of diversity you think of differences. A district that included urban areas and rural small towns would be diverse, for example. When I think of Western Sussex, I think of similarities, not diversity. Onto the actual issues:
1. We must ensure that our state continues its proud tradition of balanced budgets and strong financial management without placing the burden of higher taxes on our residents.
Good, we all want that.
2. We must strive for a smaller and better-organized state government.
Good, I wanted a better organized and efficient government too. As for small, I think that is a conservative pipe dream that would have us believe the entire federal and state government can be run by five part-timers on a collective salary of $100,000. It sounds nice, but it is ridiculous to implement.
3. We need to support our small businesses and our farmers in Delaware because they provide the majority of jobs in our state.
Agree. But how?
4. We must also work hard to bring new business to Delaware to create more higher-paying jobs and to ensure a strong economy for our children and future generations.
Again, nothing objectionable here.
5. Having a teaching background, as well as being the mother of a son entering High School, I have first-hand knowledge of the need to keep educational system a priority. I will strive to improve our schools to make them the best schools in the nation.
Once again, nothing objectionable here.
I dare say that all Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, share the above objectives and goals. The differences and partisanship comes when we get to the details, and what government can do about it. For example, I want an efficient and better organized government, but I want it to do something for the people it represents, like provide health care and social security and education. Conservatives just want a small and incompetent government that provides no oversight and regulation, and whose only purpose is to bomb foreign countries every once and a while to prove that America is #1.
But those are just minor details. And in Sussex County, I suppose it is best not to get into those minor details.