By Patrick McGrady
Special to The Dagger
Flash back to Spring 2006– The General Assembly has just left Annapolis, and the fiscal future looks sound. No new taxes, and Governor Ehrlich’s final budget as Governor has a $1.3 Billion surplus going into the election.
Governor O’Malley defeats Governor Ehrlich in the November 2006 election and then presides over his first regular session of the General Assembly. He implements a variety of huge spending programs (including legislation that forces government contractors to pay higher wages for contracts and increased spending on the environment, education, and public safety) without having verbalized a plan to pay for them. Therefore, the Maryland government has spent away the entire surplus and we are now looking at a budget deficit of $1.7B.
So now (November 2007), after the regular session of the General Assembly, Governor O’Malley and the Democratic Leadership in Annapolis (Maryland has never held a Republican Majority in either the House or Senate, so the fingers cannot be pointed there*) has to hold a “Special Session” of the legislature in order to close the gap between spending and taxes.
This is where your memory kicks in– the tax hikes!
The infamous result of the Special Session called by the Governor was the largest tax increase in Maryland history. Now it’s all coming back to you, right? Let me list the jabs to your wallet:
–20% Sales Tax Increase, from 5% to 6%
–Computer Services Tax (later repealed)
–18% hike in Maryland Corporate Tax rate, from 7% to 8.25%
–20% increase in Titling Tax, from 5% to 6%
–100% increase in MD Cigarette Tax, from $1.00 to $2.00 per pack
–Slots approved (and therefore, hundreds of millions of dollars of tax collection planned)
–32% increase in tax on “Millionaires”, raised from 4.75% to 6.25% (see the failure of this sunsetted tax here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124329282377252471.html)
And after this painful $1.4 Billion taxing spree, the big-government Maryland Democrats were still not finished expanding the size and scope of government.
Back to August, 2011– Since O’Malley’s first budget, spending has soared, all while the economy– and tax revenue– has floundered. Check out the chart here:
The chart shows us that our spendthrift legislature and Governor have continued to grow government without paying for it. Maryland currently faces a budget deficit for the upcoming year of $1.1 Billion. This number increases in the out years, while costs shoot upward.
We could talk about past Special Sessions and big-government Maryland politicians all day long, but what is important is that we are facing a Special Session this October. On the face of it, the legislature will convene to handle the Congressional redistricting, but there is a very real possibility of huge tax hikes. The Governor and legislators will put a Band-Aid on the huge spending problem we have in Maryland and look for ways to balance the budget without cutting anything.
Potential “revenue sources” (TAXES) during the Special Session include the following:
-Taxes on Snack Foods
-Gas tax increase (currently 26.5 cents per gallon)
-Expanding the sales tax to many/all of the following industries currently free from State sales and use tax: Cellular Telephone, Cable Television, Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair,Tax Preparation, Barber and Beauty Services, Dieting Services, Temporary Help, Tanning and Massage Services, Real Property Management, Public Relations, Commercial Cleaning, Gym Membership, Employment Agency, Dating Services, Business Consulting, Security Systems, Pay Per View Television, Management Consulting, Interior Decorating, Business Brokerage, Mobile Telecommunications
-Internet goods tax — This is a doozie– and warrants a discussion all it’s own.
For years, Maryland politicians have spent money that they don’t have –ultimately calling emergency “Special Sessions” to resolve their short term budget crises.
Start calling your Delegates and Senators today at: 410-946-5400 to find out what they are predicting in legislation, and tell them what you want to happen. If you prefer email: http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx
Maryland can solve these long-term fiscal problems without tax hikes, but in order for our legislators to get anything done right, it is going to take a lot of input from involved citizens and taxpayers.
In next week’s column I will detail the Internet Sales Tax (Amazon Tax) and cover in further detail the expansion of the sales and use taxes to a multitude of services that we use.
*In fact, Ehrlich tried to stop the Democrat’s move leftward in Maryland, during the 2004 Special Session. He vetoed a handful of bills and during a Special Session, the General Assembly overturned the veto. The Republicans have a Super-minority in both Houses of the Legislature and could not stop this.
Discuss this topic live with Patrick McGrady and Maynard Edwards at 8 a.m. Wednesday on WAMD 970 AM.
could any of the growth of the budget be related to inflation? I mean like in 1996 a gallon of regular unleaded cost 89 cents…now it costs 3.59. Just a thought.
Ah yes, inflation. The “hidden” tax created by the Federal government and its willing accomplice the Federal Reserve. Inflation, while certainly having an impact in this, is not really an excuse for the state to grow their budget because wages have not increased alongside it. Now that the feds can borrow trillions more (as of today) you can expect inflation to go along with it (especially since it’s the federal reserve that buys those t-bills with printed money….err, “quantitative easing”). It’s very complex so no one should question it, else the “mundanes” realize the whole system is rigged against them.
Maybe not this year but as McGrady bemoaned the increaseing budget since 96 in the graph I wonder how the graph would bear out with inflation factored in. Wages increased as well. Minimum wage was 4.15 in 1996 and is almost twice that now!
Wow are you guys spouting nonsense today. The oil market is an international market that prices itself independent of any currency. The fact that Republicans shipped all our jobs off to China so that they can now afford a ton of cars has shifted the demand curve causing prices to go up regardless of currency. Go look at a historical graph of the price of liter of Gas per Euro if you think that this is somehow the result of the Federal Reserve. Being an ignorant isolationist to the extreme of abolishing the federal reserve so that we no longer have some local control of inflation using money supply instruments is only going to exacerbate our exposure to inflationary price swings – not ease them. Yes, I know Ron Paul publishes a laundry list of every time the Fed got it wrong but you’re a fool for not realizing that 98+% of the time they do get it right and we’re MUCH better off for it. Ron Paul’s assertion that the Austria model is some kind of ideal is also nonsense — they benefit from being in the middle of the EU and their money supply is a ripple in controls that the EU policies of management of the supply of Euros takes care of balancing out. There will be no such invisible hand helping out the US if your nonsensical intellectual vomit were ever attempted as policy.
It is also astounding that tea party whacko’s ask us to look to Europe to somehow (incorrectly) justify a nonsense policy of abolishing the fed YET these same nut jobs refuse to acknowledge that health-care related price inflation in Europe is minimal because they have universal healthcare.
Inflation. The 25b in spending from 1996 would be 34.3b in today’s dollars. Today’s spending approaches 50b.
What’s wrong with a tax on Tanning, Snack Foods, Beverages, Gym memberships and PPV events. I have no problem with any of these and other similar items. They are not necessities.
So, just because you deem those items not being necessary you’re fine with taxing them?….wow…that’s “OPM attitude” at it’s best.
Furthermore, why should the government be able to continually “nickel and dime” us at every chance they get? I see no problem in paying taxes on goods/services that are there for the common good of the people. But, reaching into someone’s personal life to tax them on something like a gym membership?!?
You should be furious, not “I have no problem with (taxing) any of these and other similar items”.
Ok, gym memberships aside, what’s wrong with taxing junk food? Just like cigarettes and alcohol as far as I’m concerned. If I want those things (or go tanning, buy a PPV, etc), I need to pay a little bit extra.
The problem is that that Tea Party equates taxation with an attack on personal freedom and liberty.
Should we get spending in line, of course. Without question. But we need to find a way to increase revenues also.
Why can’t folks call it like it is….”raising revenues” is “taxing”. I have no problem with paying more in taxes yearly, based on inflation rate for example. But, paying more in taxes because of bloat, inefficiency & corruption in government isn’t good with me.
A tax based on consumption of goods/services is also OK with me so long as the goods/services are deemed as being for the public good. We have become so desensitized to paying taxes that most of us (like yourself, I’m assuming) are OK with paying taxes on just about anything, for any reason. When will enough be enough?
You don’t see the fallacy in all of this? The very fact that the government even needs to consider “raising revenue” by taxing a gym membership or tanning booth or junk food should SCREAM to you: “We’re running out of ways to suck money from the tax base, and we’re on an unsustainable path of spending beyond our means”.
How convenient of Patrick McGrady to NOT mention the multitide of fees (taxes) that were substantially increased during the Ehrlich administration. And how about Ehrlich’s budget that “ballooned” for the four years he was Governor!?
“Flash back” indeed young Patrick. Suggestion….stop playing your partisan hack role, and start telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
I take these remarks seriously. I am not a “partisan hack”. Like I said on the radio program a few minutes ago, I wasn’t trying to make O’Malley look like the worst Governor, nor Ehrlich look like the best Governor. The point of the piece is to show that the legislature can do anything they want during a legislative session.
And O’Malley defeated Ehrlich in 2010– why must we re-litigate the past? O’Malley’s tax increases are the biggest in Maryland history. That’s the truth, and nothing but the truth.
The point here is that many of those who post anonymously on this blog and others are very, very quick to change the direction of the conversation when it is trending in a way you don’t like.
Please, take responsibility and defend your position instead of pointing fingers. If you support O’Malley’s taxes, defend them. Don’t say the equivalent of “But, but, but, your guy is worse!”
I have trouble believing the sincerity of your first paragraph of your comment when the first 3 paragraphs of your piece spend talking about how O’malley and democrats are ruining the state.
I agree spending has been out of control but your disingenuous graph would make one think we should have had no budget increase from 1996 when the reality is there has been significant inflation and a significant increase in the cost of doing buisness and that is the reason for the larger increase in the budget and not out of control spending that you wish to point to. The fact is the stuff we spend on has been there since before 1996.
Ah, the infamous lovers of liberal tax and spend politicians on the attack . . . making excuses for tax increases and displacing blame (Obama, O’Malley, and the Democrats favorite). Thinking back it seems to me that the fees Erhlich put in place were part of a compromise to hold off huge tax increases from the democrats. When Erhlich raised fees it was a tax (remember the political commercials?), but when the democrats raise fees, it’s just a fee (that goes into the general fund).
As usual . . . the double standard.
You have to love Maryland voters (or not). They get hit with one of the largest tax increases in history, complain about it, but vote the same clowns back into office. Yes, Maryland voters are among some of the brightest in the country.
For those who are OK with the democrats raising fees and taxes . . . feel free to open your wallet. Of course they may be the ones who benefit the most from tax and spend democrats with a monthly check. Work? Why work — why work, the government will take care you.
Sorry, but I am tired of paying more and more taxes. I would rather the state and federal government stop wasting tax dollars, get their houses in order, and let us, we the the people, keep more of our money. We know best how to spend our own money.
With the special sessions coming up (which will again cost tax payers millions of dollars) hold onto your wallets . . . it’s coming . . . get ready to hear once again “you have to pay your fair share” and then some.
S.S.D.D. from “Rob of Bel Air”. We’ve tried “trickle down”, “supply side”, “Reaganomics”, and as George Herbert Walker even called it…”voo-doo” economics on more than one occasion in the recent past. Look what we got from it!
(a recession, high unemployment, a shrinking middle class and more people on the dole than any time since the great depression). Wake the “F” up you uninformed OR biased dolts. Bring back Bill Clinton (or at least his policies AND his progressive tax rates that were fairer for the most Americans), AND the balanced budget that went along with it!
You can bring Clinton policies back by electing Newt Gingrich. Newt and the Republican congress changed the course of Clinton’s presidency and crushed Hilary’s health care plan.
I am leaving Maryland for these very reasons, to a State that will not tax my retirement. I believe many others will do the same thing along with buisnesses. Corporations will incorperate in other buisness friendly states. All the while the State giveaways expand. Can’t the Dems see they are destroying this state?
Leaving,
They don’t care because they know the “bright” voters of Maryland will vote them back in. There is no accountability in the state. No one holds their feet to the fire. They (the liberal dems) are very comfortable in their positions and only they (themselves) decide when they will leave office (not the voters).
Why don’t you run for office? You are always on here, calling people out and professing to know all the answers to all the problems. Why not run?
Great to hear that we won’t have to pay for your elder-care shuttles and that we won’t have to be stuck behind you going 20mph below the speed limit on our roads.
Wait – are you claiming that the Federal Government is going to is going to relocate the Capital, APG and Fort Meade all because of Maryland Tax Rates? Or are you talking about Hopkins, Shock Trauma, etc? The option of where businesses choose to locate, at least in this state, is not nearly as elastic as you assert.
Let there be no doubt — The biggest enemy to local quality of life in Maryland are the Tea Party Terrorists and Klan for Liberty.
Thank God he did it. I shudder to think of the misery that would be inflicted on Marylanders if we couldn’t keep up with unemployment and pensions in these lean times when these Klan for Liberty terrorists continue seek new ways to layoff the watchdogs and bring down the economy.
what do you mean “bright” voters?
Taxes are needed to pay for things that affect the common good (roads, police,sewer & water etc.). However, tax monet should not be used to fund rebuilding a mansion for CASA,tax breaks to well connected developers, multipal stadiums etc. After the massive tax increases from the last special session this new one should be a real treat.
Things like social security and pensions are the governments way of doing a person’s job for them. We as individuals should want that money that is taken from our checks to invest in our own retirement as we see fit not allow the government to do it for us. Those who think the government should handle retirements and pensions only feel that way because they either A. feel sorry for those who have nothing because they did not work or save to earn anything or B. know that they themselves are not responsible enough to invest in their own future so would rather have Big Brother do it for them….
I am really struggling to see how people are ok with Big Brother or sister in OWEMALLEY’s case justify giving up more of their own money so the state and Fed can piss away more and more money because they are too big and too involved in our lives. Smaller government and Smaller budget = more money in our pockets and in the economy its a plain and simple economics lesson that the liberals haven’t figured out.
Perhaps you are far more responsible than I, but I am now quite grateful that a pension contribution was removed from my paycheck beginning in my 20s. At that time I had no worries at all about retirement and was far more focused on buying my first home than preparing for my 60s.
I suspect this is the case for many people.
So you want to remove a safety net and require us to invest every penny in a heavily unregulated wall street that sees no moral conflict in building up houses of cards that inevitably crash and erase all our savings.
I’m glad you “feel sorry” for the people that you want to starve to death in order to eliminate both Medicare and SSI to balance the budget.
If I’m a Liberal Socialist what does that make you — a Fascist Jerkoff????
Nice mouth on you there, Anonymous! Still hiding behind Anonymous? Of course if your arguments are asinine then I guess you have to add foul language and withhold your name.
Democrats are ruining this state. We need good candidates who will encourage business like Texas, not discourage it. We cant afford to pay for so many sitting around with a check from the government. The jobs arent there. We cannot keep giving money away. The poor should be helped through donations to the churches. What are churches to Democrats? Barbara Mikulski is introduced at the closing of a Catholic church in Baltimore and someone stood up and called her a baby killer. The Muslim president has no business experience like a man like Romney does. Obama attended a church where the preacher preached against white America. I agree with those here who have mentioned these same issues. Obama wouldnt even let Franklin Graham speak at the White House and yet he encourages Muslims, a fairly large percentage of whom believe that Christians must be killed. Our governor gives millions to Casa de Maryland, which supports illegal immigration. Get rid of these politicians, Busch, Miller, O’Malley, all of them.
You are a scary, dangerous individual.
@ Clay, Who signs your paychecks?
I sign my paycheck. If I get taxed anymore; guess what, I’ll be signing one less employee’s paycheck. Call me a greedy business owner if you want.
@Clay – You’re an idiot. You make Dulcinea look smart.
Porter
As a % of population, Texas has more people on Medicaid and food stamps than any other state in the nation. Texas used stimulus funds from Obama to balance the last 2 budget years as Texas has a biannual budget. Texas is full of smoke and mirrows as the gobernor there is eyeeing a run for president. Their gains in employment can be partly attributed to the high cost of gas as is becoming more economical to pump Texas oil than to bring it from the Middle East. As far as total economic output, Texas is leading the nation thanks to Obama stimulus that allowed that state to reduce their taxes and push more people on the Medicaid/food stamps rolls.
@Frankly,
“As a % of population, Texas has more people on Medicaid and food stamps than any other state in the nation.” – Hey there, could you please provide a link to these statistics? I have done just a couple minutes research and have come up with some numbers that are so different from you it isn’t even funny. The Wall Street Journal at this site – http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/11/04/some-14-of-us-uses-food-stamps/ – states the US average for percent of population on foodstamps is 13.8%. Now, though Texas is over the national average at 15.3%, it is by no means the highest. DC is the highest at 21.1% and if you don’t want to consider DC as it is not a state, Mississippi is the highest at 20.1%. In fact, there are 17(18 including DC) states that have a higher percentage of people on food stamps.
As for the medicaid recipients, well, again, sorry to burst your bubble but you are wrong. According to statehealthfacts.org – http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?ind=291&cat=6 – the average of the US is 15% and Texas is doing great at 12%, 3rd lowest! Incredible, eh? The wrost was West Virginia at 21%.
“Texas used stimulus funds from Obama to balance the last 2 budget years as Texas has a biannual budget” – Yes, Texas, along with most of the states, used the stimulus to balance the budget.
“Texas is full of smoke and mirrows as the gobernor there is eyeeing a run for president.” – Smoke and mirrors? How so?
“Their gains in employment can be partly attributed to the high cost of gas as is becoming more economical to pump Texas oil than to bring it from the Middle East.” – Well, yes, the oil industry has helped, no doubt about it. There are other factors as well, such as right to work law, military, business friendly government, sea ports.
“As far as total economic output, Texas is leading the nation thanks to Obama stimulus that allowed that state to reduce their taxes and push more people on the Medicaid/food stamps rolls.” – California actually has the highest GDP, and has since at least 2005. I didnt bother checking prior to that. Texas, however, has been #2 every year. So…umm..yeah. Do you have a site that supports your claim?
Anyways, hope this has been helpful. Have a nice evening.
Paul
@Paul-I never said that Texas had the highest GDP, just the hightest growth, I was referring to employment figures from the Labor Dept for the most recent revised figures. As far as the other stats…I stand by my word. Anyone can find “other” figures to support their points as you have done. The main point is that Texas has managed to balance their two year budget thanks to Obama and his stimulus, so the spin that low taxes, less regulation and business friendly atmosphere are nothing more that smoke and mirrows as far as I am concerned. Paul you seem to be quite a pain in in butt. I guess if I said that the sky was blue or that the fields are green, you would find some argument why that would not be be case. At the very least you seem to be better than Patrick whom just seems to insult people and not make a point.
@Frankly,
“I never said that Texas had the highest GDP, just the hightest growth,” – You said highest economic output, which is GDP.
“I was referring to employment figures from the Labor Dept for the most recent revised figures.” That may have been what you were referring to, but it isn’t what you said.
“As far as the other stats…I stand by my word.” – Your word. Ok. I’ll stand by the facts.
“Anyone can find “other” figures to support their points as you have done.” – I have found figures from reputtable sources that counter your assertions. I am sorry if my facts get in the way of your opinions.
“The main point is that Texas has managed to balance their two year budget thanks to Obama and his stimulus,” – If that was the main point, it didn’t come across that way. The main point of a paragraph is usually the first sentence. Your first sentence was about Medicaid and food stamps. Your statements about those were wrong. If your main point was that Texas managed to have a balanced budget because of Obama and stimulus, the other items were irrelevant, so why state them?
“so the spin that low taxes, less regulation and business friendly atmosphere are nothing more that smoke and mirrows as far as I am concerned.” – As far as you are concerned. Not as far as the facts, the figures, the people of Texas, or most reasonable people are concerned, but as far as you are concerned. Good to hear. Politifact said Texas used money last year to assist in balancing its budget. That is true, however, that isnt the only reason, the reasons I stated still hold true. Also, it is NOT a fact that Texas would not have had a balanced budget without using the stimulus. It would have been much more difficult, but not a fact.
“Paul you seem to be quite a pain in in butt.” – Thats what my wife says too.
“I guess if I said that the sky was blue or that the fields are green, you would find some argument why that would not be be case.” – If you stated a truthful or factual statement, I would support it. I however, have a problem with people making bold statements that are factually wrong. I also have a problem with people bashing my home state of Texas. Everything I have said has been a fact, you may not like what I said, but you have failed to make a logical counter argument to anything I stated.
“At the very least you seem to be better than Patrick whom just seems to insult people and not make a point.” – Take that Patrick! I am so better than you….er…wait…if this is coming from Frankly, I better check it out cause it most likey is false. Damnit, Patrick, you are better than me.
Have a nice evening.
Paul
@Paul-Gross Domestic Product is a marcro economic tool which is not the same a highest output which may be more of a microeconomic tool. The state of Texas has used the spin than low taxes (thanks to federal stimulus) are one of the main reasons that job growth has been higher there than any other state. You really can’t pretend to be for low taxes and less federal govt and use federal funds to balance your budget and then blame the federal govt for higher spending, which of course you didn’t turn down on principle. That’s part of the smoke and mirrows theme. I stand corrected about Paul, you may indeed win than one as Texas does grow them bigger and probably dummer too.
@Frankly,
Do you not tire of constantly being proved wrong?
“Gross Domestic Product is a marcro economic tool” – Usually, yes.
“which is not the same a highest output which may be more of a microeconomic tool.” – Well, according to numerous sources, such as the World Bank and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, ‘GDP can be determined in three ways, all of which should, in principle, give the same result. They are the product (or output) approach, the income approach, and the expenditure approach.’
“The state of Texas has used the spin than low taxes (thanks to federal stimulus) are one of the main reasons that job growth has been higher there than any other state.” – Proof? Yes, Texas used the stimulus. However, there is no proof that had Texas not used the stimulus the state budget would not be balanced. This is something like, I at Pizza Hut pizza for dinner last night so I am not hungry and I claim that without Pizza Hut, I would still be hungry today. That is not the truth, there are other places that, were Pizza Hut not there, I could have eaten at and not be hungry.
“You really can’t pretend to be for low taxes and less federal govt and use federal funds to balance your budget and then blame the federal govt for higher spending, which of course you didn’t turn down on principle.” – I agree in principle. However, why shouldn’t Texas, and all the other states, use the stimulus to boost its economy? Were Texas not to use it, wouldn’t it create an unfair advantage for the other states that do use it? In essence, it appears that you think that Texas, and the other states that don’t believe in the stimuls, shouldn’t use it and let the states that do believe in it and use it surpass the states that don’t. Thus, the states that don’t use the stimulus are at a disadvantage and are basically forced or coerced into using the stimuls just to remain competitive.
“That’s part of the smoke and mirrows theme.” – What smoke and mirrors? Texas uses the stimulus, noone has said they didn’t.
“I stand corrected about Paul, you may indeed win than one as Texas does grow them bigger and probably dummer too.” I am a winner! I knew I could do it one day. I would like to thank my agent, my hair stylist, my makeup artist, and most of all, I want to thank all the little people out there that rooted for me. Without you, this would never be possible.
Anyways, it is interesting that you think I am bigger and dummer (You do realize that dumber is the correct spelling, yes?) yet I have routinely countered your arguments with facts and have proven you to be wrong on numerous occasions. I can understand you may hate Texas. Alot of liberals do. One might say there is some jealousy there. Frankly, you just keep your liberal glasses on and remain blinded to the reality of the world. As long as you continue to post your opinions, half truths, and blatant lies, I will continue to counter your weak arguments with truth and legitimate sources. Thanks for playing the game.
Paul
What is scary and dangerous is the fact that what Clay states is all factual.
You do not have to puyour money in wall street but we still do not need our retirements handled by government and as far as Medicare it needs to be much more regulated and only given to those who deserve it. Not meant for poor lazy people who won’t save their money or have too many kids that they can’t pay for
Medicare and Social Security as earned benefits for which workers and their employers contributed while working until retirement. Its structure will have to change as the baby boomers retire and there are less people to pump money into the system. Medicare is only granted to those whom paid into it and not given out if you haven’t accumulated your 40 quarters. SSI is not funded with FICA taxes and does not enter into the Social Security calculation. In fact, the USA govt owes Social Security trillions of $$$$ in money borrowed from the system.
Yes the structure will have to change….like stop giving social security money to the military!!!
You need to explain that CDEV. I spent 20 years in the Army and paid maximum Social Security every one of those years. What part of the military is being funded with SS money?
Unlike most people think. Social Security money does not go into a “lock box” or a fund for only social security. The government frequently takes the money not needed to pay benefits and “borrows” from it to fund other things. Thie biggest place it gets borrowed and “lent” to is the military. So the social security fund is full of IOU’s from other areas of the government. This was the same method the govt used to extend the debt cieling date by borrowing from the military and civil service pension funds. Of course those IOU’s are being paid back!
Socialism blows… Worked real well in Russia! If you want socialism move to north Korea
L. Jack@ss – Remember this is not yahoo. There are some standards of civility from most on here.
I find it interesting that Medicare, Social Security, and other “socialist” venues were fine while Bush was in office and Ehrlich was governor of Maryland. Now they’re evil and uneccessary. I’m so sick of this attack on middle and working class citizens to further a radical and idealogical agenda based on fear and misplaced anger. Enough is enough.
HDG READER, Actually they weren’t fine then and they weren’t fine when Clinton was president and they aren’t fine now. You just don’t get it, do you? We middle and working class citizens are paying for about everything. Everything. What we aren’t paying for the rich are paying for. Check the percentage of tax receipts by income grouping. This is America and I do believe in helping those less fortunate that need help. Most all of us do. We don’t believe in and we are about done paying for every crack pot liberal scheme that comes down the road that is the solution we must implement right now to the crisis du jour. If you want to pay for that stuff then write them a check but don’t tell me I have to write them a check.
They weren’t “Fine” when Bush was in office. It was absolutely wrong for Democrats to block Bush SSI reform efforts back in 2005 after his reelection. At that time, Republican’s had the right plan for SSI and healthcare reform.
Conversely, it is absolutely wrong for Republicans to now block Obama’s reform efforts that are based upon the same plans that just a few years before Republicans were completely supportive of.
I voted for Bush both times and then I voted for Obama since I was being an intellectually honest voter and voting for the same, correct, policies that bring our govt spending back into balance without putting the economy into a death spiral from the eradication of stimulus. It was obvious that we weren’t going to get any reform from McCain since he lacked the balls to even put a page about SSI or Medicare reform on his campaign website.
Now unfortunately, the party has swung too far. Intellectually honest Republicans need to stand up and take back their party from these Tea Party terrorists that are otherwise going to destroy us with the unintended consequences their overly-simplistic notions.
Don’t fall for the racist anti-Obama sentiment of the Klan for Liberty that they disguise with their questions of citizenship and labels of socialism. Their problem is purely black and white and it’s also why they take to the anti-immigration nonsense like a duck to water.
You know who you are, Republicans. You’re the same ones who were scratching your head when of all people, Rudy Giuliani, Christy Todd Whitman and Tommy Thompson were told there is no longer room in the party for their views. Either we get these loud-mouthed racist clowns to sit down and shut up or we form a third party — I’m open to either at this point.
So, the Tea Party went from being an “Astro-turf” movement that wasn’t “real”, to being “terrorists” that are causing the destruction of our country?….wow….I’m relieved to know that it wasn’t the spending of money that we don’t have to pay for things that we can’t afford……yea…..the damn Tea Party caused our financial woes….do you like the Strawberry or Tropical Fruit Cool-Aid?
Liberals are destroying us and what we have fought for for generations. They found a section of metal that looks like a cross at the former World Trade Center and erected it. This is where over two thousand people were slaughtered. Now they want to take it down so they can build a Muslim temple. The president supports the Muslims. This is America. You cant legally bring a bible to a public school without breaking the rules. But yet, some schools have a special room so Muslim students can go pray for Ramadan. This is America. Our governor gives away millions in taxpayer money to support Casa de Maryland to support illegal immigration. This is America. He doesnt care about aborted infants with piles of cut up arms, heads and legs laying there to be disposed of. Yet he is happy if there is enough oxygen for fish in the Chesapeake Bay. This is America, and America was founded on Christian principles. Scary? It sure is. You know why? Because for too many people here, Christ doesnt count anymore. In the end, Christ will be back to change what we know now. And that isnt scary at all. It is very comforting.
Clay – Lay off the Bay! I don’t really care what else you rant and rave about. The health of the Chesapeake Bay is vital to this state’s economy and our traditions are deeply tied to it. As a native of the Eastern Shore, I can tell you that we are very fiscally conservative, but understand that our economic health is linked to the Bay’s health. Investing in the Bay is investing in Maryland’s future. Investing yields profits while spending yields debt. Maybe our brand of conservatism is a bit different. We have a long term investment horizon and often invest our profits back in to our business. We hold to tradition and a way of life that is a bit more respectful than some of what you seem to espouse.
I wasnt saying that we shouldnt care about the bay. I also care about the bay. I was just refering to the fact that people have priorities in the wrong places. We have to care about what God wants first. With all the fertilizer runoff and sewer runoff going into the bay, is there any real way to stop more dead zones? We let way too many houses be built on the bay for one thing. Money became more important than what we did for the health of the bay. God told the rich young man “sell what you have and give it to the poor and follow Me.” The man walked away sad so we assume that he couldnt do it. With Godly characteristics like less greed, our environment would be a lot healthier. But anyway, when Christ comes back to rule it will all be very healthy again, not only the people here with Him but also the environment.
Clay, Christ isn’t coming back to rule, and even if He did I expect He would be pissed about what we did to His planet.
How about saving the Earth instead of your soul and everyone else’? Whatever your timetable is for Judgment Day we still have a lot of tidying up to do.
We sure do have a lot of tidying up to do, and for most of us, it consists of looking at ourselves and where we are with God. Most people dont even go to church. Even with those who do, we may believe that we are saved because of some church we attend, or some ceremony or sacrament that we have gone through. We may think that it is because of some good deed we have done. But the bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9. No one is saved because of any church that we attend. Have you had that born again experience with Christ? Has your life changed? Are you now working for Him? If not, there is a problem. Do you go to church on Sunday and then to the bar to get drunk Sunday afternoon? Or do you go back for evening service? How many of us are really saved? There probably wont be that many who are here for that reign with Christ.
i just spoke with God. He wants you to shut the hell up.
Many others than yourself dont want to hear what He has to say. It doesnt mean that I shouldnt say it. God bless.
I’m blown away at how many people are throwing around even more “taxing opportunities” for our runaway State government spending. More taxes – really? How much more dung do you want heaped on you? So recently, we get a 50% increase in the alcohol tax. Unbelievable silence from Marylanders as the Gov. tells us that this will raise 30-something million in tax revenues that will be used to build schools. And I have a bag of bananas to sell you! Are people really that stupid or just too lazy to think of how ridiculous this is???!! There will not be one brick laid with these millions extorted from the drinking public. It is another boondoggle. Recall the $35/yr bay restoration fee that started several years ago – how’s that Bay doing?? You are just not thinking for yourself.