Rushern Baker

Since Rushern Baker and his campaign for County Executive are in the news again, it seems an appropriate time to repost a message I wrote to his campaign in August 2005.

From: Diane C. Russell
To: Rushern Baker, Info@rushernbaker.com
Date: Sat, Aug 6, 2005 at 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: Rushern Baker is making it happen

I agree that Prince George's County desperately needs new leadership.

And at one time in the past, I thought Rushern Baker showed some promise.

But then he showed his contempt for the voters by sponsoring anti-democratic legislation to take the right to vote away from his constituents. At the same time, he sponsored a new tax, deliberately violating at least the spirit, if not the letter, of anti-tax laws enacted directly by the people.

As a result of his anti-democratic legislation, we have yet another dysfunctional school board. A school board that spends millions on a luxury gym while letting schools rot for lack of essential maintenance, and that hired a corrupt school chief and refused for months to take action when he broke the board's ethics rules. A board that--thanks to Rushern Baker--is out of control and totally unaccountable to the people.

The failure of the Baker-sponsored anti-democratic school board leaves me with absolutely no confidence in any "solutions" Mr. Baker may have for other problems, and no reason to trust that he actually gives a damn what the people think.

At the time this anti-democratic legislation was pending, I wrote to every member of the Prince George's County delegation, including then Del. Baker. I told them that I cound NEVER support for ANY elected office, any Delegate or Senator who acted to take away my right to vote.

Del. Baker then made his choice. He chose my perpetual opposition and showed that he is unfit for elective office.

I don't see how you can support such a person.

This man wants our votes now even though he has demonstrated his contempt for our judgment in the past; he has no shame and cannot be trusted.