US Rep. Albert Wynn (D-4) once said all politics are local, like the Purple Line and slot machines. But at Thursday’s town-hall meeting, discontent with US foreign policy came home to roost.
Chalk it up to the Bush administration’s decision to impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, announced earlier that day.
“If the Iranian economy gets tighter, we think there could be a governmental change,” Wynn told about 40 area residents packed into the Silver Spring fire station. “It’s not likely their economy would survive.”
An unidentified voice challenged him from the audience: “That’s what they said about Castro!”
During the hour-long meeting, Wynn tried to assure attendees that the United States would pressure its European allies to impose similar sanctions. Diplomacy was also part of the deal, he said.
“We’re looking at this as an alternative to war,” Wynn said. “This wouldn’t be passing without Democratic support.”
However, a handful of attendees were shaky on the effectiveness of economic sanctions. “The alienation is very provocative, and it just seems like we’re creating more problems,” Silver Spring resident Win Allred said.
Anna Doroshaw, also of Silver Spring, worried that US intelligence would be manipulated to favor war, and that Congress would base its decisions on the information.
“You haven’t given me any confidence that you won’t roll over like a cockroach,” Doroshaw told Wynn.
While Wynn admitted that he also had no confidence in US intelligence, he was sure there would be no military engagement. “There’s no stomach for it,” he said.
Closer to home, Wynn agreed with one Purple Line supporter that qualifying for federal financial aid meant keeping costs down on the mass-transit project. “As we saw with the Tyson’s line [in Virginia], they wanted the most inexpensive model,” he said.
However, one Silver Spring resident was grateful for the fed’s strict qualifications.”This is not going to solve traffic,” Clarence Steinberg said. “I want to see the ridership numbers first.”
Wynn also gave his view on slots, though not a federal issue. “It’s low-end gaming meant to take advantage of low-income and middle-class people,” he said.
However, Wynn favored slot machines inside special venues, like Prince George’s County’s National Harbor development. While slot machines wouldn’t create jobs, the larger entertainment complex could, he said.
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In 2008, vote for change. Vote for Donna Edwards for Congressional District #4. Wynn voted in support of the Iraq war. He sided with the Republicans in Congress and President Bush on many issues. I hope the voters of MontCo and PG Counties come to their senses and throw this bum out of office.
IHY: Hear, hear!
I almost never agree with IHY, but he is right about Wynn and Donna Edwards. The sooner Wynn is replaced with a representative more interested in his (or her) constituents than in pleasing the special interests, the better off we will be. E.g., when I contacted him to support net neutrality, I got a response attempting to justify his opposition to it.
OK… TOTALLY off topic here.. but how wacky are our congressional districts?? I voted in the wrong district last year (woops) becuase who would have thought moving from Georgian Towers to Twin Towers would change your congressional district!!?? I mean, come on! I realize “Silver Spring” and “Downtown Silver Spring” are unincorporating areas… names with no legal bearing – but you’d think these things would follow SOME sort of logical path! And yes, I realize the reason is that the partisans (uhm.. that’d be the entire congress) somehow have the authority to move the lines back and forth all day long until they get the balance of power they’re looking for – in the process, effectively making some people’s votes more or less significant… but that shouldn’t bother us, we’re not a democracy or anything.
Anyway… I warned ya… totally off topic… but the story about Wynn reminded me of how furious I was when I looked at the district map after that….
Last I checked, I was in Chris Van Hollen’s district. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s up for re-election, too. Yet I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him — ever!
Yo, Chris, holler at your Penguin!
I think the Maryland state assembly voted to change the district boundaries back in 2001. Ousting Connie Morella (R) from the 8th District was the primary reason for this gerrymandering. The 8th District took over downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park; very strong activist liberal areas of the county. That re-districting move was the death knell of Morella’s Congressional career. Furthermore, we were liberated from that buffoon named Al Wynn. YAY DEMOCRATS!
Unfortunately those of us east of Georgia Avenue north of the CBD weren’t liberated from “that buffoon named Al Wynn.” We’ll just have to vote him out.
Chris is always around. Al wynn was invisible – and useless -before Donna Edwards challenged him. He is still useless but visible. What was Pelosi thinking to endorse him? I told the DNC to never call me again and never ask for money again.
You can’t blame the DNC for what Nancy Pelosi does.
Well, David,
I think the DNC is probably using the money they would get from me to “support incumbents”- I think they are as non-progressive as Wynn and Pelosi.