Maryland Needs a Change
Elementary principles of economics:
Time and time again the politicians in power have demonstrated that they do not understand (or choose to ignore) elementary principles of economics. They raised the sales tax twenty percent to 6¢/dollar, which disproportionately hurts the poor and lower middle classes – to whom they continue to give mere lip service. After doing so, despite the fact that we have proximate neighboring states with no sales tax, they expressed surprise when State revenues declined.
They attempted to pass an ill-advised computer tax, only to retract it in the face of hurried 11th-hour overwhelming opposition. They botched the BG&E sale and the slots issue, costing us millions of dollars of lost revenue – to this date we have received no slots revenue, and they used, in my opinion, an illegal Constitutional Amendment tactic to boot.
More Taxes:
After immediately wasting the $1billion surplus left by Governor Ehrlich, the current Governor called a Special Session which was supposed to solve our anticipated tax shortage. Of course it did not, but left us with numerous higher taxes. They passed a “millionaire’s” tax, and then, when many successful Marylanders, some with businesses employing many employees, moved to neighboring states, they were shocked to find a diminution of an estimated ONE BILLION DOLLARS to our tax base. Now Governor O’Malley faces an estimated $389 million deficit this summer because Federal bailout money, which was unwisely counted on, is not coming in.
Fiscal Responsibility:
We need to re-elect Governor Ehrlich, who has demonstrated fiscal responsibility in the past, and will do so again if given the chance. He has promised to require all State agencies to audit themselves and reasonably and responsibly reduce their budgets so we can weather this economic storm and he has promised to cut taxes or provide incentives to stimulate economic growth and add jobs that will benefit us all.
If elected, I would voluntarily forfeit the same percentage of my State Senator salary as hard-working State workers are asked to sacrifice. We really don’t have a revenue problem, we have spending and priority problems. We need to foster a more business-friendly state so businesses will come, stay and expand.
I am well beyond saying “I told you so”. I am worried that we are being permanently damaged by poor fiscal policies and management. Too many Maryland businesses are closing or relocating out of state, too many Marylanders are unemployed or under-employed. We need sound, conservative fiscal policies, especially in these trying economic times. We need to be helping businesses survive, flourish and grow in a more business-friendly environment, so more can be employed to stimulate the economy, and grow the pie so that everyone, and I mean everyone, can benefit.
Fresh Faces and Ideas:
Trust me, if we re-elect these incumbents again, then the other shoe will surely fall on us. They will raise taxes still higher. We are already over-taxed. We need relief. We need real change in Annapolis. We need fresh faces, fresh and innovative ideas, sound fiscal policy, and new blood in Annapolis. We need to consider term limits. We need to make sure that there is fairer representation for those who feel ignored and neglected. We need a fair balance of power so that conservatives, independents and moderates ‘have a place at the table’. We need to elect one of us, a real person, not a career politician, to speak and vote for us. I am willing to be that person.
If you feel the same way as me, if you want a fresh voice to speak for the 12th District, then I ask you to help me. Representative government is about serving the citizenry; it is not about serving the political aspirations of those who wish to stay in office.
You need to know the numbers are there to achieve success, but it will take a committed effort on the part of many. If the same number of people vote, I need to pick up 5,100 votes over the votes I received in the last election to beat Senator Kasemeyer. Remember - he beat me by less than two thousand votes in Baltimore County in 2006. The need to restore at least balance, if not outright order, to an Assembly run amuck with usurping power and ignoring our needs compels me to make this effort.
To restore a balance of power in Annapolis and to be in position to assist Governor Ehrlich when he is reelected to implement his policies to restore fiscal sanity to the state, we need to pick up at least 5 Senate seats and 14 Delegate seats. For this reason, this Senate campaign in District 12 is important for all like-minded citizens in the state of Maryland.
Pick Rick:
If you care about fiscal responsibility, more jobs and a better business environment, if you are concerned about the manipulation of our election and immigration laws, ignoring of our Constitution, and disrespect for laws, if you care about those who cannot care for themselves or speak for their own basic human rights and creating a culture of life; if the changing description of marriage and family and further moral erosion disturbs you, if having a legislator who listens to his constituency and represents the people is important to you, then I am ready to work for you.
I need your vote, I need your financial support, I need your prayer support, I need you to host neighborhood information parties, I need you to walk your neighborhoods with me so I can introduce myself to your neighbors, I need you to put up signs in your yard and stickers on your cars, I need you to buy and wear our campaign t-shirts, and I need you to get involved as much as you can!
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