So you’re taking your daughter to college. You’ve got your phones and charging cords, your daughter’s BEATS . And Snacks.

As you drive away, your wife says, “ Honey something's not right. Can you get out for a second and check the car?

“ No, We’re already late.”

Then, immediately, a neighbor, out walking the dog, waves you down. “You know, your tire’s low, and the taillight’s broken? And there’s a huge spot where you were parked.”

“Thanks. We'll be back Sunday night. Let's talk then. Have a good weekend."

You daughter screams “Daddy. There’s something wrong ! “

“ Look, it’ll be a little bumpy, but I'M DETERMINED WE WILL GET THERE."

" What about that light, 'Check Engine' ? "

" When I was teaching you to drive, I explained, remember? : That 'Check Engine' light is always on. It's normal. And, no matter what, I WILL FIGHT TO GET US THERE. "

* * *

I’m Dan Bolling, and in my world, barely getting your daughter to college alive, because you don't maintain your dysfunctional car, doesn't make you heroic.

In my world, people who don’t perform, get retrained, or reassigned. Essential institutions, when deranged, get fixed.

But in the weird world of gerrymandered, partisan Maryland​ politics, Independent voters are disenfranchised by elected officials who gerrymander their own Districts, making them "safe". And once they're ensconced in their non-competitive district, they tell us "My 45% public approval rating is good, because - Hey - CONGRESS is only at 15%."

In my world, winning your re-election to the State Senate with 99% of the vote -- because in your gerrymandered district, you had no challenger -- doesn't sound compelling.

It sounds like North Korea.

( GOOGLE "Kim Jong Un 'elected' with 100% of the vote" Not something to be proud of. )

Where I come from, we call that “Broken”. ( Some call it "corrupt" )

Our 8th District Campaign for Congress is a wake up call :

Proven models for reforming Congress exist, and are already in use across America. (and they're not "unicameralism")

Our campaign is a wake-up call why it’s possible, and in our best interest to

FIRST FIX CONGRESS

The Atlantic, Oct 2015

Politico, 2014