A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR THE FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY OF EASTERN MARYLAND
Recent events have given me reason to believe that the time has come to give serious consideration to the creation of the State of Eastern Maryland. There is a North and South Dakota, a North and South Carolina, a Virginia and West Virginia, why not a Maryland and Eastern Maryland?
The separation of Eastern Maryland from the State of Maryland would not be costly to those who choose to stay part of Maryland.
Eastern Maryland would only take with it those things which the State of Maryland’s majority party leadership has shown open disdain for.
Eastern Maryland will take God and religious tolerance for all beliefs, including, Christianity.
We will take all of the bill of rights, including the Second and Tenth Amendments. We will take patriotism, pride and the pledge of allegiance.
We will take Capitalism and free enterprise, where entrepreneurial profits are not only allowed but encouraged.
We will take tax breaks for seniors and Veterans. We will take pro-business tax incentives. We will take millionaires and small businesses.
We will take hunting, fishing, crabbing, agriculture and Eastern Shore Watermen.
We will also take fried green tomatoes, steamed crabs, raw oysters, sweet corn, grits, deer jerky and Smith Island Cake.
We will take private property rights. We will take smaller, open, honest government. We will take public servants.
We will take the State song “Maryland, My Maryland” complete with the historical lines, “She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb. Huzza! She spurns the Northern Scum!” and “The despot’s heel is on thy shore, Maryland”.
We will take the phrases, “Merry Christmas”, and “Yes Ma’am and No Sir”
You can keep atheism, guilt and being an apologist for Islamic terrorist intent on Jihad.
You can keep your handgun roster boards and the so called “good and substantial cause” requirement to carry a concealed firearm.
You can keep Socialism, Multiculturalism and sanctuary cities. You can keep your liberal politicians who cloak their Marxist’s beliefs in a ”progressive” title.
You can keep Eminent Domain which takes private property for the “public good” as opposed to a “public use”.
You can keep death taxes, the millionaire’s tax, unfunded mandates and excessive regulation on businesses and property owners, mandatory aquaculture, carbon credits, global warming hysteria, saying “happy holidays”, and a politically correct new State Song which ignores the history of the land.
You can keep your bigger, more intrusive, secretive government.
God has blessed us with a natural boundary upon which to define our political division, which is, right down the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.
The bridges which currently connect our shores can stay just the way they are. Everyone leaving Maryland can continue to pay to leave the State and everyone leaving Eastern Maryland would continue to be free to leave whenever they wish, without charge.
In fact, Maryland may need to make all lanes head East, since, undoubtedly, there will be hundreds of thousands of persons living in Maryland who will be attracted to the freedom and prosperity which Eastern Maryland will offer.
Our new citizens may find it somewhat more difficult to get to work, since we have no real Mass Transit system in Eastern Maryland, but the drive will be more enjoyable as you can still see a deer, fox, eagle or occasional wild turkey on your drive to work.
I must confess, the idea of Eastern Maryland was not entirely my own, I was prompted to begin thinking about it, while learning to recite a part of the Maryland Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, Article VI, for some of last summer’s Tea Parties, which in part reads: “…whenever the ends of Government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the People may, and of right ought, to reform the old, or establish a new Government…”
By the way, we will take the Maryland Declaration of Rights and you can have the Maryland Constitution, which is soiled with the vice amendment authorizing slots and cluttered with the Baltimore City parking regulations.
The ends of Maryland government are perverted and public liberty is endangered. The citizens of Eastern Maryland find themselves ruled by a foreign majority which tyrannically suppresses the quest for freedom and prosperity which the residents of the Eastern Shore of Maryland desire and deserve.
If you have any suggestions for other things we would like to take with us to the new State of Eastern Maryland or for those things which we would be glad to leave with Maryland please share them with us.
If you agree that you are tired of the less than benevolent control that the Western Shore of Maryland has exercised over the Eastern Shore of Maryland, let me know what you think of this modest proposal for the freedom and prosperity of Eastern Maryland.
What a novel idea, Delegate Smigiel! Glad I live in your district!
GUESS WHO IS BACK DELEGATE SMIGIEL! That’s right…ME! The history teacher everyone loves to hate! THAT SECESSION IDEA IS THE DUMBEST THING THAT I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE! Why do you want to leave Maryland…is it because you republicans aren’t getting your way!? I see how it is with you republicans: “You aren’t playing fair! I’m gonna take my toys and go home!” HEY REPUBLICANS! GROW UP!
If we become Eastern Maryland, I hope I’m retired before that happens!
I love the idea, didn’t Walter Baker try this before or at least threaten to. I think Maryland Gov. is all about Balt. Wash. area never even thinking about us.
Let’s go i’m with you
Dear Crazy Old History Teacher
I would be interested in knowing just what specific thing I have listed as being for you are against or which item I suggest giving to Maryland you would rather we keep.
In point of fact back in 1998 Senators Stoltzfus and Colburn introduced a resolution calling for a straw poll of Eastern Shore residents on the issue of succeeding. Unsurprisingly it never saw the light of day once introduced, but this is certainly an idea that has been discussed before.
What do you get when you cross a pilgrim with a democrat? A god-fearing tax collector who gives thanks for what other people have. And that is the point Crazy Old History teacher. When the Constitution is perverted and dishonest politicians re-distribute my hard earned property, it time to say good-by. If you live in a nice house next to town homes that become drug infested, and the crooks are stealing everything you have, wouldn’t you not want to move, or at least get a barrier to keep them out?
Dear Del. Smigiel,
I think the Crazy Old History Teacher might be interested to see what it feels like to live in a state that does not represent your views at all. I’m surprised to see anyone on the Eastern Shore admit to actually liking what the Democrats are doing in Maryland.
So, just ignore those Socialist Nuts (as Republicans have been historically ignored by this state), and proceed on with your idea to charter the “Great State of Eastern Maryland”.
What’s our next step?
Great idea (A free Eastern Shore State) and I am all for it. Bring it on!
A CITIZEN’S GUIDE TO REVOLUTION
(1) starve the Beast, keep your money, use cash only
(2) vote out unresponsive incumbents
(3) if Steps 1 & 2 fail, SECEDE–
PREPARE FOR WAR–LIVE FREE or DIE!
PS:
That “CITIZEN’S GUIDE TO REVOLUTION” (Quoted in post above) appears on a billboard on Interstate 70 in Missouri…
I would certainly be interested in learning more about this idea. If it would become reality…would taxes go down? property taxes lower? sales tax lower? Any idea that would separate us from the tax and spend current government would be a blessing only if we had stricter control what is spent and what for combined with term limits.
Possibly even merging with Delaware (if that’s an option).
Move on with this idea Mr. Smiegel…you have my support.
I am surprised that other than Crazy Old History Teacher I have not received any negative comments. Most people like yourself have seen the benefits of moving forward.
In answer to your questions, yes all taxes would be lower so as to encourage businesses to locate here and to thrive. Government would concentrate on providing essential services, roads and security and allow the counties and towns to determine what policies to pursue in each community.
Also, I recently learned of two more things we would take with us to Eastern Maryland since Maryland has shown it no longer wants anything to do with them. On the State Seal we have the fisherman and the farmer depicted and I believe Eastern Maryland would want both to continue to thrive.
I have requested an opinion from the Attorney General on the exact process which would have to be followed in order to have the Eastern Shore secede from the rest of the State. I will be interested to see what they produce, after all, what are they going to say?, No!, You may not secede. That would lead to some interesting reactions from the Eastern Shore residents. I will keep everyone informed and write more once I receive the opinion.
Thank you for responding. It sounds like a great idea to me. What would you say are the odds that this could happen? Also, and I know this is going sound a little bitter, I wonder if we could choose our own name rather than being stuck with the stigma of being associated with Maryland?
What do you suggest?
I really hadn’t given it any thought but, since you asked; how about Chesapeake?
This is some of the worst, most ill-advised writing I have ever had the misfortune of reading. You want to “succeed” (the word is “secede”) from Maryland because your views are no longer represented as the majority in government? You sound like a 5-year-old crying in his room and threatening to run away from home.
-You want to take religious tolerance to Eastern Maryland, but you say that Maryland can keep atheism. Isn’t part of religious freedom the freedom to disbelieve? Also, I’m sure you’d be extremely tolerant of any Muslims who decide to move to Eastern Maryland.
-You say Maryland can keep multiculturalism. That’s a pretty racist remark right there. I wonder what Michael Steele would have to say about that dumbass comment. You’d probably be thrilled if Eastern Maryland was open only to white people, wouldn’t you?
- You want to talk about “intrusive, secretive government”? I hope you’re referring to the years when George W. Bush was in office, because the Patriot Act coupled with Bush and Cheney’s dislike of sharing information with the public just screams of “intrusive, secretive government.”
To me, you sound like just another dumb politician trying to pander to other dumb people by spouting bullshit about freedom, guns and god. If you are successful in your half-assed bid to secede from Maryland, I will actually be thrilled because you can take all the intolerant, backwards-thinking fuckwads like yourself and just pile them into the Eastern Shore away from rational, moderate people like me. Best of luck in all your future secession-related endeavors.
Andrew, I have a rule of not posting comments by those whose arguments are so lame that they have to resort to using the F bomb but in your case I had to make and exception because your post is indicative of the mentality I am wanting to get away from.
First, I never use the word “succeed” another poster used that word so please get your facts straight.
As for Multiculturalism, I am sure Michael Steele agrees with me that America was meant to be a melting pot not the multicultural politically correct society that liberals ascribe.
As far as atheist being entitled to tolerance there is a difference between tolerance, which would allow Christians to unashamedly practice their faith and a government that would be tolerant of the ten commandments, Christmas Trees, crosses, and other Christian symbols and of a government that is only tolerant of the atheist beliefs. I believe our Constitution only prohibits the Gov’t from establishing or prohibiting the exercise of religion. It does not prohibit the tolerance of all religions, except atheism.
Yes, I love my guns, god and freedom. I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect the freedom of future generations and while you have no appreciation for history or what made this country great, Capitalism, Democracy and the judeo-christian work ethic that is fine. You have the freedom to experiment with Socialism, Fascism or what ever you wish. I don’t have to go silently into that dark night and will not.
Why you would try to play the race card is beyond me.
Any person who wants to keep the labor of their own efforts and does not see profit as a dirty word is welcome to come to Eastern Maryland.
We will keep government out of the lives of the citizens as much as possible. We will take care of those who can not take care of themselves and then allow the citizens to keep and invest more of their money into the economy and to create jobs. We will allow farmers and water-men to ply their trades, we understand that they are good stewards of the environment who will protect the environment because their futures depend on it.
Why do you fear, independent free people who do not want nor need your government welfare system and who believe in something greater than the government?
Why does my willingness to protect myself threaten you? I pity those, who like you lack the self confidence to believe you can survive without big brother.
Del. Smigiel,
I don’t live in the state of Maryland but maybe I should move to Eastern Maryland. Sounds like a place I would be proud to call my home with your proposal for the freedom and prosperity of Eastern Maryland. Keep up the good work.
Delegate Smigiel,
There have been several attempts by Eastern Shore lawmakers to secede from Maryland, going back to the founding of the nation. Obviously, the Eastern Shore’s geographical separation from the Western Shore creates an entirely separate set of interests that are not always kept in mind by the legislature. Residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia probably have similar feelings of frustration, as well as residents of Sussex and Kent Counties in Delaware. In proposing the secession of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, do you have any interest in considering a peninsula-wide movement to create a “Delmarva” state?
I’ve been reading lately about some states wanting to secede from the US. To me, that’s going a bit too far. Although, there does seem to be a groundswell of dissatisfaction of “business as usual” with government at any level.
What do you need from us citizens to push this move further? Do we need signatures to put this on a ballot? If so, let’s get started – the sooner the better. I expect this year’s legislative session in Annapolis to be “nice” to the taxpayers but, after the elections this year (if we remain stupid and vote them back in), watch out next year! They have no choice but to raise taxes. They just can’t stop spending our hard earned money. How long are we going to take this???
I have requested a detailed outline from the State Attorney General on the Constitutionally elaborated process to secede. My belief is we would need to put the question on the ballot of those wishing to secede. It should be able to be put on the ballot by either the people or their elected representatives through a legislative proposal. I am anxious to see what the State Attorney General says. (What is he going to say, “No, you may not secede?”)
Once I get an answer I will post it. Senator Pipkin recently wrote a piece explaining why those on the Shore believe the Urban areas of Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Baltimore City have declared war on the Shore.
I will also be filing some legislation that offers to give more equal representation to those living on the Shore by emulating the Federal Legislative representation in the Senate. We should allow each county to have two senators and the House should be based on population. This has currently been outlawed by the courts in Maryland and I am working on a Constitutional change to correct this.
The argument will be give us representation or freedom.
Eastern Maryland, The Land of the Free I love it as opposed to the current State of Maryland (The peoples’ republic of Maryland). I sure hope I live long enough to see it.
Mike,
Count me in with Crazy Old History Teacher, I think your time as a delegate would be much better spent DOING YOUR JOB rather than wasting time at TEA PARTIES!.
I think Marylander’s both on the Eastern Shore and on the Western Shore would like to see their roads paved properly, their schools and police properly funded, and the rest of the state government DOING ITS JOB.
Maryland has existed in its geographical state, from ocean to bay to mountains, for over 200 years. Secession is a silly waste of time!
Now GET BACK TO WORK!
Did you ever get a response from the Attorney General or was he too busy recognizing gay marriages?
you mad freak! That’s brilliant!