After Reconstruction white Democrats (African-Americans were almost universally Republican back then) intimidated black folk from voting and seized political power in the Southern States. Once in power, these people wanted to make sure that they remained in power. They did so by passing a series of laws which became known as the “Jim Crow laws”.
These laws impacted the lives of African-Americans in many ways. In the area of voting or holding elective office these laws included:
- Literacy tests
- The “Grandfather Clause”
- The Poll Tax
In Wicomico County voters should note the irony of that sanctimonious champion of “diversity” – county councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes – attempting to impose a variant of the literacy test on those running for county office.
At last Tuesday’s council meeting, and in a subsequent work session, Sample-Hughes called for a minimum education requirement for those seeking county office. While this was little more than a blatant attack on councilman Joe Holloway (who did not graduate high school), Sample-Hughes managed to proved that individuals who claim a certain level of education can still be ignorant.
For starters, Ms. Sample-Hughes’s proposal is illegal. This was pointed out in the work session. Some positions can have education requirements. The State’s Attorney must be a member of the Maryland bar. In Maryland this requires a law degree from an accredited law school (some states such as California, Virginia, and Washington still allow individuals to “read the law” and do not require a law degree). However, most elected positions can only require residency and being a registered voter. Can you imagine what Sample-Hughes would have done if a white member of council had proposed such a requirement designed to exclude an African-American from running for office?
Personally, I’m not big on credentialism. The smartest man I ever knew never went past the 8th grade and a 6 week bookkeeping course. While I’ve been acquainted with some pretty sharp people in my life, including two Nobel winners, the voters should decide who will represent them.
Perhaps Ms. Sample-Hughes would like us to restrict the voting rights of those with diminished intelligence? (Would she like us to start with those who voted for Barack Obama?) How about only allowing freemen (in the British sense – free males who own property worth a minimum amount) the franchise? Should we go back to literacy tests?
Sample-Hughes shows herself to be not only a hypocrite, but ignorant of our nation’s history. As a Southerner I am ashamed of acts undertaken by legislators of the past – even though I am a lifelong Republican.
Ms. Sample-Hughes should be careful what she wishes for. The sad day could come where her twisted wishes could actually come true.
16 comments:
Joe Holloway possesses more common sense and looks out for the "little guy" more than any other public official I can think of. I always enjoy talking with him. He nails things right on the head. I'm not sure why Mr. Holloway would seem to pose a threat to Ms. Hughes. As has been pointed out, many with degrees are not even capable of running a dog house, let alone a county. I have a college degree and lots of additional graduate work, but Mr. Holloway has it all over me in just plain common sense. For Ms. Hughes to have suggested this requirement, which is not legal, tells me that she has lots to learn.
Great historical writing. Not sure that Hughes will get it though.
Holloway has been the watchdog and the Dems don't like them. Because he didn't support her puppet masters reorganization of his office, she tried to retaliate. She doesn't have a clue.
Looks to me like she didn't understand whatever issue was in front of the council so she went on the attack personally. She really should be ashamed of herself. And, I understand she wants this question posed for consideration to the Charter Review Committee. She needs to withdraw that request.
OMG! Sample-Hughes is as ignorant as Shanie Shields.
This person is not a good sample of Salisbury people. Everyone knows better than to suggest an itellligence or education test.
Having said that, we should not make fun of her for the same reason. She did not have the where with all to understand the history of such a suggestion. She is probably lacking in real education herself.
Ms. Sample-Hughes should request a refund of her tuition; maybe we should require a minimum amount of intelligence or common sense which can't be acquired in a diploma from Delaware State or anywhere else!!!
As one of the few resident liberals here, I must say G.A. is right on this one. And I say this bearing no support for Joe Holloway, and I think he is leading us down a dangerous path fiscally.
But the councilwoman's idea of a educational threshold is a non-starter. She should ask some of her older relatives what they think of this plan, and see what reactions they have. It would allow those she wishes to bar from office to construct obstacles to make sure people like her can't attain office, either.
I could have done without the gratuitous shot at those for voted for the sitting president, though, G.A. You're better than that.
You can't fix stupid!
GA:
Did it occur to you that she is doing Pollitt's dirty work in trying to have Joe Holloway canned.
And she tried to get Pollitt's chief of staff position approved.
I hope that Joe Holloway runs for County Exec. next time around because he would be a strong candidate, which neither Ollinger nor Alessi were, and would clean Slick Rick's clock in the election.
Because of the nature of her district, Sample-Hughes would be hard to beat, but now that she has revealed her true self maybe some of her supporters will realize that she is not the "miss congeniality" that she tries to be in public.
10:35-
You are right on about her district -- they keep electing Rudy Cane, too. He is almost always the winner in the "least effective member" designation in the General Assembly.
Mr./Ms. Fruitland . . .
You better reconsider about Joe Holloway. He, along with Bob Culver, is the main reason that Pollitt hasn't been able to do his "chief of staff" scam.
Slick Rick is just as bad for the County as he was for Fruitland -- do you recall that?
Low Blow Miss!!! I have no more respect for you at all!!!
Well if Joe was an illegal alien or a minority race he could have gotten a free ride for college education. Instead he has worked for his life and has real life common sense. Not a "you owe me' mentality that people lke Ms Hughes has.
She is one big liberal!
As a council member, you are elected to look after the citizens and the county. By swinging so far right, and not allowing the cap to work as the voters voted for, they are putting the county in a very tricky place. A dangerous place. With the county budget having decreased over 14 million dollars over the last few years, not voting to atleast maintain current revenue was a poor decision, and what I call grandstanding. What is Joe going to say when his constituents ask him why the county isn't doing this or that anymore. Is he going to say "because I voted to lower revenue for the county and we cut that service"? No, he is going to ask Rick why aren't we doing this. The revenue cap doesn't have a mechanism for growth, as we have seen, and it also was intende to work both ways. Remember this when you are all crying about the snow not being cleared, or the grass not being cut, or the slowed police response, or complaining because you now have to get your permit at the landfill instead of the GOB, or the many other things that people want but aren't willing to pay for.
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