From the Baltimore Prairie…

A Note From the Author:

A friend once pointed out to me that I often analyze every thought and opinion and idea that I have only to realize that I reach the same conclusion as the person who considers the same problem for about ten seconds. There’s probably some truth to that, and it’s especially true in politics. So I guess as a short-cut, I’ll just trust my first thought, and hope that the analysis part plays itself out properly.

I would imagine that most of this blog would be about politics, and politics from my point of view. I’ve spent my career thus far in politics, both low-level, inside-the-beltway soul sucking stuff, and slightly higher level, soul-enriching, budget-killing grassroots-y stuff. But mostly, I want to write about what I observe as an absolute outsider without talking about what I do or have done, unless it’s directly relevant. See, before I worked in politics, I followed politics. I’m equal parts idealist, junkie, and cynic — well, satirist about the process.

I’m also a pretty big American history buff, and to me, the two most American stories in our history are the Populist movement of the 1890s and the Civil Rights movement from 1955 - 1965. Most people today agree on that whole Civil Rights half of the deal, but the Populists have really been left to the dustbin of history. Hence, the name Free Silver — a quick homage to William Jennings Bryan.

Most of my political views will flow from that basis. Issue-wise, I’m a doctrinaire Lefty and a proud Democrat, but I’m often very annoyed with liberals. I am both an economic and democratic Populist, and really have no patience for the strains of libertarianism and intellectual elitism that I see within the Party.

Aside from politics and history, I’m sure I’ll also touch on some of my other interests. I’m a die-hard Orioles fan (speaking of the dustbin of history), and against all odds and logic manage to psych myself up for every opening day. Hey, the history buff in me can always cheer the ’70s and ’80s Orioles. I live by myself in Baltimore, in a little rowhouse I bought a year or so ago, and think it’s the greatest neighborhood in the greatest city in the world.

So, I guess it will be from Baltimore that I will work to re-launch a little bit of Prairie Populism. Or at least just analyze everything until I end up back at square one.