What If...

It is fascinating how one small insignificant event can alter the course of history. In the late 1960s, George P. Mahoney was a politically connected paving contractor in Maryland. He incurred the enmity of Governor Millard J. Tawes, who literally hated him. Mahoney was a horse racing enthusiast who coveted the relatively insignificant position of Racing Commissioner of Maryland. This position was an appointment of the Maryland Governor who hated Mahoney and refused to appoint him. Mahoney swore revenge and became active politically. In 1968, Thomas B. Finan was the Democratic candidate for governor. Mahoney ran as an Independent and split the Democratic vote. As a result, one Spiro Agnew, an obscure Baltimore School Board member, was elected Governor of Maryland. When he was selected to be Richard Nixon’s running mate for Vice President of the United States, Marvin Mandel, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates was elected to replace him. At that time Maryland did not have a Lieutenant Governor and a vacant Governor’s position was filled by election by the House of Delegates. The Baltimore Sun disagreed with Mandel’s agenda and pursued a vendetta, culminating in his conviction on charges of, among others, bribery. Mandel appealed the conviction which was reversed by the Supreme Court. Mandel was released from prison and re-instated as Governor, completing his term.

What if Governor Tawes had appointed Mahoney to the position of Racing Commissioner? Would Thomas B. Finan be elected Governor? Would Spiro Agnew ever rise from the obscurity of the Baltimore County School Board and subsequently become Vice President of the United States? Would Marvin Mandel ever become Governor of Maryland, be convicted of bribery and be exonerated by the Supreme Court?

One small, insignificant action changed many lives and events.

Life Decisions

It is 1945 and there were some life decisions to be made. There were those of us who had been in the military service for as much as five years. We were in our early to mid-twenties. A grateful government helped us to implement, not make those decisions, with the GI Bill. Four years of college tuition and books plus a monthly stipend were provided to those who wanted a college education. Assistance in purchasing a home was available. Compensation was available for those who wanted to work but could not find a job. Some just wanted just to lay back and do nothing now. All of us wanted to get on with our lives. A chunk of our lives had been spent in the military service and we wanted to make up for that time in a big hurry. My decision was to accept the college tuition and get the degree in as short a period as possible. And while doing this, there was an opportunity to live the college campus life; parties, athletics, etc. I definitely knew that I did not want to return to Pharmacy School. At this age and with my experiences during the past two years, I was able to resist my Father and make my own decision as to my future. Johns Hopkins University was the best college in the Baltimore area and this would allow me to live at home. In 1945, there was no pressure on young adults to “get your own place.” Economics interested me so I enrolled in the School of Business with a major in accounting. This was a wise move in that it gave me the knowledge to make good financial decisions throughout my life.

Few high school graduates at age eighteen are equipped to make decisions affecting their path for the rest of their lives. And this is not a bad thing. Many are pressured by parents and end up changing careers in midlife. Many “fall into something.” I could no find a suitable job in 1949 (we were in the midst of a recession) so we bought the store. My experience working in supermarkets prior to 1942 and my financial education were vital to the success of the store. When I got involved in politics, I “fell into” a job with the State of Maryland which lasted for 25 years. And when I was required to make legal decisions, I took a few law courses which led to a law degree and a member of the Maryland Bar. For some of us, we make that life decision early in life. We know that from childhood, we want to be a doctor or a dentist or whatever. But most of us are guided by circumstance to become what we ultimately become. We “fall into” something. We find a job because we know someone who knows someone who has an uncle who owns a business and is looking for an employee. And it turns out to be our life’s vocation. Think about your present job and your interests. You probably “fell into it” and it may turn out to be your life’s vocation.