I wanted to take a minute to remind public servants that their job is to serve the public.
I was recently reminded of this when my former classmate, now a delegate in Maryland, sort of forgot that he was from a liberal district. He also sort of forgot that he ran on a platform of equality and sort of forgot that he promised a whole lot of people that he was going to vote to allow same sex marriage in Maryland. He also sort of forgot that he co-sponsored that bill. So basically, he lied to a whole bunch of people because he sort of forgot everything he claimed to stand for. Then he waited a year, and then he voted against it - without another word to his constituents, without returning their phone calls, their emails, or their letters. He forgot – in entirety – to represent the interests of the people who elected him due to his promises. He flip flopped.
I’ve known Sam Arora for a very long time. We both attended a small private school in Silver Spring that had a very strong focus on community and civic-mindedness. Our graduating classes were around 25 people per class, and we all knew each other intimately. In this regard, I was there when Sam was active in the student government. I watched him care about issues, and I listened to him debate. I attended the funeral of his sister, Reshma, even after I graduated and moved out of Silver Spring.
In the time that I knew him, there was nothing about him that suggested that he would be a corrupt politician, that he would lie to anyone or that he would act in a way that was disingenuous whatsoever. In fact, those of us that grew up with him were really excited when he ran. We believed that he would make a really good politician, because when we knew him, he was thoughtful and compassionate, with a commitment to civil justice and public service.
That is what makes it personal for me.
When Arora flip flopped on marriage equality the first time, I sent him a letter. I told him that his going back on his word was very surprising to me, and I begged him to reconsider – and if not to reconsider, to resign so that his constituents might have a chance to have their interests adequately represented.
I didn’t receive a response. I asked on his facebook wall why he didn’t reply (not even a form letter!), and he unfriended me, and then deleted my post. A number of his constituents asked the same question – and also did not receive a response, and were also deleted or banned.
Then he did it AGAIN.
This year, he voted no on marriage equality (directly against the bill he cosponsored) and has yet (several weeks past the vote) to issue a response. Multiple constituents have taken to phones (they were busy for days), email (I sent another one), facebook and twitter and still have not received a response. His constituents have asked, the press has asked - and nothing. Just Arora posting useless facebook updates on other matters.
And honestly? A form letter would have shut me up. Anything to let us know he was listening.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind our public officials that when one’s job is public service and when one was elected by the public to serve the public, they need to respond to their public and take their concerns seriously, because they answer to the public. I hope that this delegate is able to grow up, grow a pair, and answer for his actions – or at the very least, to show a minimal amount of integrity and resign.
I’m going to ask you to please send him an email - sam.arora@house.state.md.us – and remind him that it’s dangerous precedent for a politician and public servant to censor and ignore the public. He probably won't read it (or respond) but it will make me feel better.
