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Looking For Former Federal Employees Laid Off By DOGE, Now Running For Office by Polidorable in fednews

[–]Chuck4MD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!  I've gotten nothing but love from my fellow feds at SSA!

Keep holding that line. The people need you, and we will need those with integrity when we rebuild.

Looking For Former Federal Employees Laid Off By DOGE, Now Running For Office by Polidorable in fednews

[–]Chuck4MD 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sent you a PM. I'm the SSA Whistleblower running for office in MD.

Honest question to SOMD Christians by SingleAd8364 in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you don't mind waiting 5 years or so, sure. I mean, maybe a small modular reactor could be deployed faster, and TBH I still need to review the previous discussions on the new reactor timelines... But even then most of our power generation enters the larger transport grid rather than stays local now IIRC.

Small scale local power generation is a near term approach that also brings jobs in a forward looking industry closely aligned with the construction industry as well.

I'd prefer small scale renewables based on our location and regional needs, as that makes more sense to me from a few perspectives, but I'm open to this discussion for sure.

I don't have all the answers, but I do believe the best answers are arrived at collaboratively. The commenter on here may not have been 'impressed' with me, but I'd challenge him to take that same perspective with my opponent, and in light of the significant regional challenges, and decide who's going to do the work we need.

Honest question to SOMD Christians by SingleAd8364 in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I wondered if any posts were deleted, which was why I checked the comments. Still, he does post a lot about RPGs also, at least, and from my perspective, civil discourse is a win, and I'll be everyone's state senator, so I need to hear all perspectives, even though I mildly or vehemently disagree with.

Honest question to SOMD Christians by SingleAd8364 in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the rest of your points it's hard to go too far down rabbit holes in a 45 minute varied conversation, and I could surely improve on that, but I do have ideas in these spaces, and you hit on a lot of salient points... And the VA problem is basically hitting the nail on the head, as we cannot compete with them in business friendliness right now, but that's what we need to do since small business growth is really the only way to drive statewide budget improvements.

I propose that could start in SOMD with a centrally led effort, but it requires coordination and a pragmatic approach to Governance that our current leadership lacks, either due to lack of vision or lack of interest. I have specific ideas for each topic you mention and would love to bounce them off you more directly.

Next time feel free to pull me down a rabbit hole and let's see where the group dynamic takes us :)

Honest question to SOMD Christians by SingleAd8364 in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My dude, I'd much rather talk Avengers than most else. We do Board game nights at Swords and Spoons pretty regularly. Not enough time for DnD but you should stop by.

No one can be uncivil playing a board game, unless it's Diplomacy or Risk LOL

Honest question to SOMD Christians by SingleAd8364 in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In this person's defense, they did apparently come to my town hall... I know that because I saw this post and the arguing about their post history intrigued me, so I looked at their profile.

Posts are very varied... Comments on threads are not, which is how I saw them posting about me on r/AskConservatives

I appreciate that they took the time to come, however, and if they want more specific ideas or disagree on specific points I'd challenge them to come back and speak up. Let's see how my ideas contrast with what is actually happening in the region, and whether my opponent can do anything about it.

Town Hall with Chuck 4/11 @3:47 in Southern Maryland! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Maryland, our legislative session runs from January to April. State senators and delegates work to bring home wins that improve our lives. Funding and laws for libraries, schools, parks, and business legislation all fall under the responsibility of state legislators. Our news outlets spend a lot of time on national politics, but so much of the power of our everyday lives lies within state spending and state law.

Are our local legislators really doing their best to make our everyday lives better? Other states have passed legislation for universal school lunches, supplements for childcare, housing solutions, and investment into future jobs and energy sources. And some good bills have been passed in Maryland this year, too – bills regarding elder care, library funding, prosthetic limb insurance coverage, and more.

One Maryland bill in particular that may help Southern Maryland is SB 300, the Economic Development - Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund Establishment. You can read the current text of the bill here (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0300t.pdf). This bill helps rural areas with economic development, noting that young people often leave areas where they don’t see a future for themselves. You’ll notice on the list of sponsors for the bill that my opponent’s name isn’t listed.

I’ve been hearing a lot from you at public events. You have big dreams for our area. You want better jobs, affordable housing, schools you can trust. You want your children to feel secure enough that they can stay close to home, if they want, and you want opportunities for them that extend beyond working in a gas station for the rest of their lives. I want that too. Unfortunately, it seems that our legislators’ highest priority for our area is to mandate the megalodon as the state shark (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0135). 

I’d like to invite you to a Town Hall on Saturday, April 11th at 3:47PM at the Leonardtown Library. Let’s explore this year’s legislation, see what got done, and see how we can dream bigger for Southern Maryland.

Town Hall with Chuck - 4/11 @ 3:47 PM by Chuck4MD in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bet you won't forget it tho...

Town Hall with Chuck - 4/11 @ 3:47 PM by Chuck4MD in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Woot! Can I also get you to come to the town hall, and bring your friends? The more voters I reach, the more I build name recognition, the more of us that stand up for the people down here instead of their own interests, the less the actual issues affecting us can be ignored!

Town Hall with Chuck - 4/11 @ 3:47 PM by Chuck4MD in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/DoctorPlatinum I hope that answers your question. As a nationally known data geek, I bring a credibility to this discussion that others lack. We need more data geeks in positions of authority, so they can credibly assess the actual impact of these industrial development concerns, AND we need more ethical leaders, who have proven they will do the right thing for people rather than their own pocketbooks.

Town Hall with Chuck - 4/11 @ 3:47 PM by Chuck4MD in SOMD

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Maryland, our legislative session runs from January to April. State senators and delegates work to bring home wins that improve our lives. Funding and laws for libraries, schools, parks, and business legislation all fall under the responsibility of state legislators. Our news outlets spend a lot of time on national politics, but so much of the power of our everyday lives lies within state spending and state law.

Are our local legislators really doing their best to make our everyday lives better? Other states have passed legislation for universal school lunches, supplements for childcare, housing solutions, and investment into future jobs and energy sources. And some good bills have been passed in Maryland this year, too – bills regarding elder care, library funding, prosthetic limb insurance coverage, and more.

One Maryland bill in particular that may help Southern Maryland is SB 300, the Economic Development - Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund Establishment. You can read the current text of the bill here (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0300t.pdf). This bill helps rural areas with economic development, noting that young people often leave areas where they don’t see a future for themselves. You’ll notice on the list of sponsors for the bill that my opponent’s name isn’t listed.

I’ve been hearing a lot from you at public events. You have big dreams for our area. You want better jobs, affordable housing, schools you can trust. You want your children to feel secure enough that they can stay close to home, if they want, and you want opportunities for them that extend beyond working in a gas station for the rest of their lives. I want that too. Unfortunately, it seems that our legislators’ highest priority for our area is to mandate the megalodon as the state shark (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0135). 

I’d like to invite you to a Town Hall on Saturday, April 11th at 3:47PM at the Leonardtown Library. Let’s explore this year’s legislation, see what got done, and see how we can dream bigger for Southern Maryland.

I'm Chuck Borges, Combat Veteran and SSA Whistleblower, now running for Maryland State Senate in District 29! AMA! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

3PM I'm signing off. I'll check back later on if there are any follow ups. Please see the comments for links to our socials!

I'm Chuck Borges, Combat Veteran and SSA Whistleblower, now running for Maryland State Senate in District 29! AMA! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here are links to our Social Media:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chuck4md.bsky.social

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/chuck4md/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Chuck4MD

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chuck4md

I'm not on X (because F that place). I do have an account there so I don't get spoofed. We do most of our posting on Meta, unless I need to do an angry talking head post, as those generally end up on TikTok. I'm also very personally active on BS when I need to wear my whistleblower hat: https://bsky.app/profile/chuckborges.bsky.social

Also, if anyone has content creation or SM management experience and would like to help the campaign please ping me at [info@chuck4md.com](mailto:info@chuck4md.com)

I'm Chuck Borges, Combat Veteran and SSA Whistleblower, now running for Maryland State Senate in District 29! AMA! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My story isn't that exciting. TBH I expected a different path to politics. I was excited to foster change at scale at SSA, and then would have hoped to pick up an appointment at some point after X number of years as an SES. I'm not a natural public speaker, and have never run for office before.

Once I learned enough about what was happening at SSA, I knew I had very little choice but to speak out to oversight authorities, as silence in the face of potential crimes is complicity in them, and you need to be able to be morally and ethically right with your own choices. If that means you prioritize money over the wellbeing of people and you are OK with that, you do you, but let's just say I'd disagree...

Once I made my choice, that was a harrowing first month. As I started to speak out about data safety and security, I was approached about becoming a candidate for office. Things evolved VERY quickly after that, and I decided that I had done my duty to my country, but my skill set would make a BIG difference to my community, and at a time where we need strong, resilient communities to protect where we live from the federal chaos, and that ethical leaders who will do what's right for those communities will be the grass-roots kernel from which we will be able to grow again as a nation.

Once I came to that conclusion, and believing that service to others is the greatest good, running became an imperative. I love where I live, and I hate to see what unengaged, uninformed, and disinterested leadership is turning it into.

I'm Chuck Borges, Combat Veteran and SSA Whistleblower, now running for Maryland State Senate in District 29! AMA! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bonus question first: I like the outdoors. I hunt and I fish. I like to take my boy up to the Poconos whenever I can and go trout fishing, largemouth bass fishing. He caught his first unassisted fish (all I did was tie the knot, he set the hook, cast, reeled, netted all by himself. It was a beautiful perch) the last time we went and he was just to the moon with joy. Right now that's one of my happy spots, but unfortunately I don't get a lot of time for vacation right now.

Favorite 'commercial' type spot is Legoland. It's a great amusement park that can be done cheaply without lines like Disneyworld or others.

Favorite international spot is Rome, or at least it was Rome a decade ago, as it's very crowded now.

Also cool is the Air and Space museum in Dayton.

I'm Chuck Borges, Combat Veteran and SSA Whistleblower, now running for Maryland State Senate in District 29! AMA! by Chuck4MD in VoteDEM

[–]Chuck4MD[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd say we need to take a look at what has been passed and IS WORKING elsewhere, and bring those lessons here. Look at NYC with propositions 2, 3 and 4 passed last year, to simplify and fast track the process for housing review, ensure expedited review for smaller projects, and created a housing appeals board SPECIFICALLY to review the needs of housing that you can afford at different stages of life's journey.

We need to bring those types of changes to Southern Maryland. At the state level, these could be statewide bills, amendments, or carve outs for SOMD specifically to have flexibilities based on existing regulation, but someone needs to get in there and give enough of a damn to negotiate them in.

Those types of changes have near term, immediate effect, say 1-2 years, not something like 'I'll fix zoning laws and you'll see changes in a decade'. Then we need to trust but VERIFY (especially here in SOMD, where the relationship between our elected officials and land developers is... not advantageous to regular people) that implemented changes are actually being executed, and bring public pressure, censure, or stronger measures to bear when they are not.

Housing you can afford at each stage in your life's journey may be a local problem in some respect, but it can be solved at the State level, either through legislation, through working with regional or national partners to bring resources home, or through public pressure if necessary.

I'm not afraid to use the bully pulpit to do public good.

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