Attention to Recent Celebrity Suicides, & Personal Reflection

With a lot of suicides in the news lately, we all become a little more aware of how depression, substance abuse, and mental health struggles don't discriminate between affluence, celebrity, mainstream, middle-class, the poor, race, religion, sex & gender... folks across all demographics are affected.

Though I don't presume to have ever experienced clinical depression, I did find myself going through what could be described as personal 'rough patches' at times in my 20's, exacerbated by varying choices that ultimately did damage to myself, to relationships, and probably stunted my growth in adulthood. 

I like to think I've since learned more about myself as a result of these deeply personal experiences - and to be blunt, that I've learned things to avoid, or watch very carefully, in my own thinking, behavior, and choices. To be mindful and aware of patterns that have led me off course in my youth. Conversely, looking back, my perspective is forever changed, I think, for the better - and I am at least more cognizant, at least somewhat able to visualize, having been through periods of a so-called 'darkness,' what it might be like for those who fall into such utter hopelessness (far worse than I ever did, thankfully) that they lose the capacity to "snap out of it" and see their way back to a place where they can rationalize and contract for their own safety. 

Far more impulsive men and women than myself have found themselves in some so-extremely-desperate, so-profoundly-barren place of hopelessness in the recesses of their own minds, and acting on impulsivity, made an insane, irrational choice to self-harm to the point of ending their own lives - seeing no way out, and having lost the capacity to do so. 

I'm so thankful that was never me, but sometimes I think of how it could have been.

If you know or suspect someone is struggling, speak up. It's that simple.

Best, always,

JD Sandy

More Endorsements Coming!

In coming days I'm sending out some more endorsements for local & statewide candidates for office.

Please note: In very few, select cases I'm aware I've 'endorsed' multiple people for the same seat; due to not being a public official myself, I have a unique opportunity to cast a light in many directions to multiple people for whom I want to attract attention. Anyone to whom I am directing attention is a candidate I feel you should check out, and I firmly believe these individuals have a significant ability to do an exemplary job in the seat of representation being sought.

These 'endorsements' are my way of getting the word out to the community - as I am aware, when it comes to voting locally, people don't always take the time to do their homework - luckily, I have! And I only pick the best & most dedicated to the wellbeing of our Maryland community.

Best,
-JDS

[JDforLiberty.com] 

ENDORSEMENT: Kinsey & Boccelli for Maryland State Delegates

Justin Kinsey and Raymond Boccelli for Maryland State Delegates

When I made the decision to run for office, I did so because I believe that public representation is in desperate need of an influx of “everyday Joe’s” who aren’t wrapped-up in allegiance to political parties, who haven’t been ushered into politics and public representation by “party insiders,” and who, rather than subscribing to “politics as usual,” are legitimately devoted to the people & well-being of our community.

I wasn’t coming into the race as a current or former politician, because we sure have enough of those; I’m not bought & sold and will not be obliged to “party insiders” - though I welcomed their support if they truly believe in my message; I’ve refused the “red tape” and conditions we sometimes find in political circles that can present as deterrents from new faces entering races. I honestly and earnestly guaranteed you that my only allegiance had been to YOU, for the short duration of campaign, and to the conservative values and fiscal responsibility that matter to so many in our communities. I’ve never been one to subscribe to “politics as usual.” I don’t run local political clubs with access to high-profile favorites & insiders. I’m a “free agent” who wants the same common-sense values and fiscally-conservative approaches to legislation concerning our community – just like so many of you.

In parting the race for State Delegate in my district, a two-seat district where neither incumbent is seeking re-election, I immediately called all attention to the two candidates I wholeheartedly support, the two who will have my votes. I did so because I know these two gentlemen embody precisely the same convictions with which I sought to run for representative office. They share many of my own beliefs and ideals about fiscal conservatism paired with individual liberty. And in just a few short weeks, I hope you’ll vote for Justin Kinsey and Ray Boccelli when you make your way to the ballot on Election Day.

Justin Kinsey is a liberty Republican with an unwavering work ethic, a long history of public service to the community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, time spent in public service abroad overseas, and of service to his community in a multitude of other facets – as a teacher in public schools, as a professional in emergency services management, instruction, rescue, and hazmat disciplines. Take it from me: he’s smart, he’s articulate, he’s driven, and he’s dedicated to you and me. When you sit down and talk with Justin, the first thing you’ll realize is that the man is as sharp as a tack, and the second thing you’ll realize is how ambitious is his drive for public representation – there’s no ‘smoke & mirrors’ about his dedication to the community, or his understanding of how to improve the lives of the citizens of Maryland. Take it from me, as a former candidate in his very race, and as we’ve spoken a good deal over many months, that this man is seeking your vote for all the right reasons.

Raymond Boccelli is a highly-decorated military veteran with a mile-long list of special honors and recognition who served his country proudly and retired as a Major in the US Army Infantry; following his retirement, Boccelli has served as a Baltimore County Police Supervisor for many years. His uncompromising commitment to our community speaks for itself. He’s also just about the most amicable, transparent guy you’d care to meet – he’s upfront about his intentions in public representation, and his welcome spirit and generosity is a testament, in my opinion, to his humility before the community. Early in campaign season, Ray reached out to me, though we’d not been formally introduced, and told me to come out to his campaign kickoff event in Timonium. Ray saw that we had a unique opportunity for collaboration in a race where there were two vacant seats; his intentions were clearly to put the best interests of the community before the politics that surround public representation as it is intended to be – for the people of the community. That spoke volumes to me, and it is one of my fondest and most endearing memories of my time in the local political scene, that gesture of collaborative benevolence with the community’s best interests at heart.

Vote Justin Kinsey and Raymond C. Boccelli in the Republican Primary on June 26, 2018. www.JustinKinsey.com and www.BoccelliForDelegate.com – also connect with them directly via https://www.facebook.com/mjustinkinsey/and https://www.facebook.com/BoccelliforDelegate/

Thank you in advance.
God bless you, my friends.
And as always,
God Bless our United States of America.

In Liberty,
Joseph D. Sandy

ENDORSEMENT: Carl Magee for Baltimore County Sheriff

Carl Magee for Baltimore County Sheriff

Shortly after having made up my mind to pursue public representation in the 2018 Maryland elections, I had but a small group of men in whom I felt I could honestly confide how clueless I felt about the learning experience that is understanding and undertaking the launch of a grassroots campaign for office. I wasn’t discouraged, but knew it was one helluva learning experience I had in store.

But those men, some of them with extensive experience in local politics, and some of them at the head of their own campaigns for public office, pointed me to a gentleman who had previously run for Congress right here out of Baltimore County, Maryland, and who was speaking of possible plans to run for a more local level of office. They encouraged me to reach out right away – that he wouldn’t steer me wrong, that he was a straight-shooter who could tell me all about the scene and his experiences within it.

Five minutes later in a horrendous rainstorm outside of my day job, perched under a Victorian awning on grounds, I was on the phone with Carl Magee. Carl is, in fact, a straight-shooter: just earlier this evening as I write this, in fact, he and I were on the phone and I was reminding him of the first, and incidentally, perhaps the wisest, advice I’d gotten from him, received within the first five minutes of our first conversation, about the competitive nature of local politics, and how you know when you’re excelling. He spoke from his own experience earnestly, without reservation, with enthusiasm and zest for the process of campaigning, in a tone and with a vigor that would have made anyone who bore witness to the conversation absolutely certain that we were business partners or longtime friends. That’s just the kind of guy he is. He immediately started making tentative plans with me to do meet & greets locally, to speak at a few of the venues where he knew he would be making appearances later during the campaign season.

Though my own campaign went on hiatus and I made the decision to run for public office down the road following 2018, I’ve proudly watched Carl’s own campaign for Baltimore County Sherriff gain momentum these last several months. And it has been remarkable, folks. In no uncertain terms, people are flocking by the masses to Carl Magee. And it’s not hard to see why.

Mr. Magee is the only candidate in his race who explicitly calls for, in no uncertain terms, “No Sanctuary,” and his brazen and unapologetic conviction, a reflection of what so many property owners in Baltimore yearn for – a safer, more prosperous Baltimore County – is what sets him apart from his competition. His mission in Baltimore County is overwhelmingly clear: absolute transparency in public service, accountability, and a higher standard than what we have come to expect and consider the norm. His campaign focuses also on a need for increased school safety and protections for our constitutional rights as citizens of this great country.

Meet him at one of his events this season and he will shake your hand, look you in the eye, and you’ll know, personally and immediately, his absolute conviction to his cause. He’ll be there with his gorgeous wife and his family, and they’ll probably be hosting an event somewhere easily accessible in town (and with great food at that, so you’ll be well-fed and in great company!) – because that’s just who Carl is, and none of this is by accident. See, a true ‘people’s guy’ knows what the people want, all the way down to meeting the man himself in a comfortable & personal setting, where you can really get to see & hear Carl’s vision for Baltimore County. And that’s Carl Magee all the way, point-blank, from day one.

I’m proud to endorse Carl Magee for Baltimore County Sheriff, and I’m proud to call him one of those rare few you meet in life who would give you the shirt off their own back should you need it, who will break bread with you no matter who you are and talk facts. He’s a guy who will go out of his way to meet you and to invite you along for the ride; he teaches what he preaches when it comes to transparency. And that’s rare – truly rare – in the politics that accompany public representation. Carl Magee unequivocally keeps it real, and that’s the man we need in a position of trusted public representation. Trust is huge with Carl Magee, and I do trust him. I firmly believe you will, too, should you reach out to him and see why he is, as I am sure you will come to find as I surely did, the right man for this job.

Vote Carl Magee for Baltimore County Sheriff in the Republican Primary on June 26, 2018. https://carlhmageejr.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/CarlHMageeJr/ are the best ways to reach him.

Thank you in advance.
God bless you, my friends.
And as always,
God Bless our United States of America.

In Liberty,
Joseph D. Sandy

ENDORSEMENT: William T. Newton for Congress & Baltimore County Republican Central Committee

William T. Newton for Congress & Baltimore County Republican Central Committee

I’ll be the first to tell you I’m probably not the smartest guy in the room, and definitely not the most knowledgeable, but then, I know how to surround myself in the right people; I’d like to think I have an affinity, too, for picking out the sharpest ones in the bunch and knowing just where to turn for reference when it counts. And in the politics that surround public representation, coupled with the laws surrounding campaigning, it has always been learn-as-I-go; that’s what you do when you enter unfamiliar territory, and hopefully, you have the right people on whom you can count along the way.

Thanks to folks like William Newton who have never steered me wrong, I know that the community has great leadership and brilliant minds already serving it.

The fact is, while William Newton runs for public office, and already holds a seat on the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, he has been at the helm for some time, working tirelessly and diligently to bring transparency to legislation and public representation. He is an absolute powerhouse in-and-of-himself within the conservative & Constitutionalist community, and thereby, to and for our community as a whole. I can endorse a great many candidates for public office in Maryland, but few have done the work that William Newton has over a great many years.

His work on election integrity, in particular, is unparalleled. His zest and vigor for the very principles of our great United States of America – those principles held most near & dear by Constitutionalists across the nation – and his drive to proclaim that, indeed, “America Is Rising,” brings hope to a community where all-too-often it seems that, little by little, we give away our rights and contort the vision our great Founders had for this land.

Newton is truly as solid as they come, and yet one of the most welcoming folks you’ll meet. I first met him at a meeting of many fellow liberty-minded conservatives in Baltimore County, hosted by another member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee. At that time I was still getting to know a number of the men & women who have been integral and active in the local political & public representation ‘scene’ (and though my campaign went on hiatus this election season, I’m happily still at it). Little did I know as he introduced himself egregiously and shook my hand, having complimented a few brief introductory remarks I had made to the group about considering a run for public office in the upcoming election year, that I was shaking the hand of a man who is perhaps one of the most knowledgeable men I have yet to meet in my journey. Newton is a man who didn’t owe me a passing glance, much as he has contributed to the community, but that didn’t seem to matter to him, and that just seems to be the kind of guy he is. That speaks volumes to me.

You will be hard-pressed to find a single person in the area who knows so much about the history of our nation, who holds such strong convictions about the importance of Constitutionalism both nationwide and right down to the most local public representation, or who dedicates so much of his time, energy, and stamina to liberty.

Nor will you find someone so forthcoming, pleasant, helpful, and kind as Mr. Newton. The man encouraged me from Day One in my pursuits, provided reference materials such as those related to election integrity (all of which are publicly available, of course – and if you ask, I know firsthand he’ll point you in the right direction), is always available with encouraging remarks, has a helluva sense of humor, and incidentally (and much to my delight), has a great deal of artistic flare, too! – which of course I appreciate as somewhat of a self-proclaimed artist in my own life pursuits.

I could try to touch on all of the work Mr. Newton has done in the name of upholding our rights in this great community, and I would fall absolutely short – luckily, Mr. Newton works daily in the pursuit of liberty through a strong social media presence to provide you the many fruits of his labors, and you owe it to yourself as an informed citizen to check out his accomplishments and his tireless work if you aren’t familiar. Nothing I state here can effectively do it justice, and you will see that his work and his pursuits speak to his deep convictions.

Vote William T. Newton for Congress & Baltimore County Republican Central Committee in the Republican Primary on June 26, 2018. www.Newton4Congress.com and https://www.facebook.com/LibertywithJusticeforall/

Thank you in advance.
God bless you, my friends.
And as always,
God Bless our United States of America.

In Liberty,
Joseph D. Sandy

ENDORSEMENT: Jay Payne for Baltimore County Council

Jay Payne for Baltimore County Council

Jay is no stranger to the local political landscape. One of the first things I noticed through social media during the time that I was initially considering a run for public office was that he had a passion for public representation and was a straight-shooter when it came to the questions that need to be asked of our public officials and those seeking seats of representation of the community. I admire that straight-forward, go-getter attitude. Social media made it apparent that he knew extensively many of the candidates and would-be candidates on the scene, too. But what was most impressive was his commentary and his knowledgeability regarding local matters of representation – and his apparent conviction, that of a true liberty man.

This is precisely the conviction we need in public office at the very local level. We’re talking local law and ordinances that impact the everyday lives of everyday citizens – all of us – in this community of Baltimore County. That’s where change happens and we experience it from local representation. Mr. Payne is the guy for the job. And a big part of that is a willingness to call ‘em like he sees ‘em, which lends itself to calling out the errors of others in public representation, including those of his competition, when it has compromised the integrity, liberty, and wellbeing of our communities and where our spending goes. This speaks to Mr. Payne’s ability to critically analyze where others have fallen short of providing the best public representation for our local community. It makes me confident that Jay can see the wrongs, and I believe he will work dutifully to make the right choices in a seat of representation on the County Council.

I have tremendous respect, admiration and appreciation of individuals with liberty at the forefront of their convictions, and I have appreciated how Jay has given fair and remarkably insightful feedback to a number of the postings on social media I made during my prospective run for State Legislature, as it encouraged me to vigilant critical thinking, which is vital to the best interest of the community. That being said, imagine my enthusiasm when Jay announced he was going for County Council to represent District 5!

I would gladly lend whatever services I might be able to provide to be of assistance to his campaign, and I encourage all of you reading to learn more about Jay and his plans for Baltimore County. The guy knows his stuff, and you owe it to yourself as informed citizens of this community to get to know his plans for our community.

Vote Jay Payne for Baltimore County Council in the Republican Primary on June 26, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/JayPayne4MD/

Thank you in advance.
God bless you, my friends.
And as always,
God Bless our United States of America.

In Liberty,
Joseph D. Sandy

ENDORSEMENT: Al Redmer for Baltimore County Executive

Al Redmer for Baltimore County Executive

With the support of Maryland’s own Larry Hogan, Al Redmer hardly needs endorsement by a virtual newcomer such as myself – me being a fairly-recent transplant to the GOP from the world of third-party liberty politics. His credentials speak to his forty-five-year commitment to public service: he’s served on many community councils over the years, excelled in the private sector, served District 8 as a Maryland State Delegate, and has held his current seat as Maryland Insurance Commissioner under two governors. Redmer is as well-acclimated to public service as any I have met among the ranks of local public representation & the politics that accompany it.

Instead, I’ll speak to what I’ve seen personally since I initially met Al, for those of you who have perhaps not had the pleasure. I met him walking into the campaign kickoff of a candidate for Baltimore County Council. He spent his evening egregiously welcoming all who attended, introducing himself to those who may not have previously made his acquaintance (including myself). We didn’t have the opportunity for much discussion about his plans for Baltimore County, but after all, we were there to support a candidate running for County Council for what I deem ‘all the right reasons,’ a true supporter of transparency and accountability who is driven by an ethos of fiscal conservatism and individual liberty. Later that evening, Al sent me a message directly saying it was a pleasure to have met earlier that day. To be direct and concise, Al Redmer is a long-time “key player” in Baltimore County and he certainly didn’t owe me so much as a passing glance – much less a sincere and personal message – and since then, as I’ve learned more about Al and his plans for the community, Al has kept in touch, even offering kind words of sincerity when I announced that I would be putting my own campaign for representative office on hold temporarily. He had absolutely nothing to gain from his kindness al along, but it would seem that’s just the kind of guy he is, and for that, I am so thankful – and impressed.

Since then, I’ve seen him at multiple community & campaign kickoff events; he’s always a man on the go, full of energy, a lot of personality and exuberance about public representation and the people of Baltimore County. I’ve been following him along the campaign trail, seeing him visiting many areas of Baltimore County meeting one-on-one with concerned citizens in many neighborhoods about their ongoing problems and needs for clean-up efforts across the county.

A coworker and I were discussing events around town not long ago and Al’s name came up – she shared with me that her fiancé has worked in his office in years past and that Al was the best boss a guy could ask for! Clearly his reputation precedes him.

You won’t hear that kind of praise in passing conversation about his opponents. But then, Al Redmer is a genuine, sincere, one-of-a-kind guy who is very in touch with the community he has represented in so many capacities for nearly five decades.

He has my vote, and I hope he will have yours as well.

Vote Al Redmer for Baltimore County Executive in the Republican Primary on June 26, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/AlRedmer2018/

Thank you in advance.
God bless you, my friends.
And as always,
God Bless our United States of America.

In Liberty,
Joseph D. Sandy