"THE ENDLESS CAMPAIGN: WHO BENEFITS?" Rumbles are stirring in Annapolis -- that Maryland's 2008 primary may be moved, by the Legislature's power brokers, to February 2008, nearly 10 months before the general election. This was attempted last year, when the dominant Democratic party tried to dump Governor contender Doug Duncan earlier than his self-decided withdrawal.

What does this mean for 2008 and the Presidential election ?

Is Maryland -- and each of the other 49 states -- going to have to endure a nearly 2-year marathon of hot air and media blitzing in what used to be a more normal campaign & election? Are citizens and small/big businesses going to be hit up in an endless stream of telemarketing, arm-twisting by those who get paid to get money?

Trying to answer that question took me back, nearly 20 years ago, I was going through a clutter of files in my office. In that clutter, I found a 1988 article : "No Time to Run the Country" -- a critique of what I found wrong with the growing amount of time required to elect a President. Published on the Sunpapers' op-ed page, that commentary on the "endless campaign", generated favorable response from readers.

Two decades later, we still endure a what has become 2 years of non-stop media infusion of rhetoric and over-blown promises from what are now a stable of 20+ candidates infusing media coverage and the beginnings of attack television ads and unending entry into our internet world.

Who are the beneficiaries of this perversion of democracy?

As we endure another "endless campaign", should American elections be increasingly controlled by a hyperactive media, the 30 second sound bite, and political "handlers" (cosmetically called "consultants")? Did Washington and the Founders really envision a future President having to provision his election -- and when in office -- reelection caravan for 3 of the 4-year term when he should be managing the executive branch of government? More bluntly said by the creatively caustic columnist Molly Ivans before her recent passing: " Corruption of elections by cash, cash, cash ..."

To bring us to "now", is the current Democratic favorites Clinton/Obama, and less known Republican Huckabee/Brownback media noise -- nearly 2 years before the election -- an essential part of American democracy? Have elections become a deal which benefits -- first and foremost-- the television and advertising industry and those political handlers manipulating web sites/internet/television -- AND the candidates?

In Maryland , the cost of campaigning for statewide office has ballooned to unreal proportions -- in the millions . And the results? repetitious ads that have almost no content! The self interest result of money to just a few is the outcome. The only predictable change,for the Presidential level, in April 2007 is "worse', more expensive"

Let's think and act about a money system is a far cry from the "Founding Brothers" rational approach as they hammered out the Constitution during that hot 1787 Philadelphia summer. Did the First Amendment really mean an unending sound bite? Is it not a more rational step to take by limiting the election -- as the England did and still does -- to a more rational, focused 3 months ?

Take your choice. Do we really want American democracy to become an "endless campaign"?

Labels: campaigns, Maryland, politics

  2:05 PM •  0 Comments •

Rounding The Final Turn In Annapolis: Danger For Doctors Another 90 days nearing an end as the Legislature "rounds the final turn" in Annapolis. Extending that racetrack analogy, what will happen as senators and delegates "cross the finish line"?

While the race is not over, it is the legislator-trial lawyer who may be in the lead -- while presenting a clear and present danger to medical practice and healthcare in Maryland. Unless action by doctors and patients moves fast, passage of SB 692 / HB495 removes the requirement that expert testimony from a medical specialist be submitted as part of the evidence in lawsuits against doctors.

Doctors moved fast on March 20 by successfully advocating the 71-63 House of Delegates' vote/defeat of HB 495. Is this defeat of trial lawyers real? Or, is it a temporary illusion that an end is coming to the crisis driving key medical specialties -- examples being OB-GYNs and neurosurgeons -- out of practice?

Doctors are in danger of leaving or being driven from treating, caring for patients. This problem will escalate if the Legislature continues to give an unlimited hunting license for lawyers who live off lawsuits -- legitimate or phony. The fees of these trial lawyers can be as high as 40% of a damage award. It has been the threat of lawsuits that, in large part, have been driving up insurance premiums that doctors must carry in today's active litigation environment. Doctors who have made mistakes should be monitored and -- if serious -- leave practice. But, trial lawyers and insurance agents are not their replacements!

Dr. Carol Ritter describes the crisis as "a lawsuit lottery, pitting patients against doctors" OB-GYNs have been reduced by more than a third , with another third expected to leave practice by 2008. A similar loss confronts neurosurgeons.

As patients -- and constituents of legislators -- we are in trouble as long as the leaders of the General Assembly continue to mix their lawsuit bonanza into the urgency of strengthening good medical practice and healthcare in Maryland. As the home of Hopkins / University of Maryland / NIH medical research, Maryland cannot cave into political maneuvering and selfish interests.

Watch out for SB 692 being slid under the door for a Senate vote.

Labels: Annapolis, healthcare, House of Delegates, OBGYN

  8:42 AM •  0 Comments •