From the Friends of David Craig:
My Response to Governor’s State of State Address
Today Governor O’Malley offered a narrative about better choices in his State of the State Address. I share the Governor’s passion for better choices and a better Maryland. The Governor’s choices; however, have resulted in a higher tax burden for Maryland families and businesses, increased regulation, and a myriad of unfunded mandates passed on to local governments.
I would like to offer an alternative vision. We need to strive for the “Best Maryland”. The Best Maryland begins by government allowing individuals and business to lead in partnership with the State. We need to continue to improve our state, but not at the expense of the taxpayer.
We need to make pragmatic choices that balance our priorities and encourage private-sector growth and investment. The “Best Maryland” begins with an approach where our state is not dominated by one set of ideas and one set of leaders.
Together we can make even better choices and become the “Best Maryland”.
Reminds that government does not “allow” individuals or businesses to do anything. Rather, individuals who and businesses that pay taxes allow the government to serve them based on the confines of the U. S. and Maryland Constitutions. Please refrain from the word “partnership” because that could easily imply public-private partnerships. I would prefer to see a return to a “Free Maryland” relieving “citizens” of the overly oppressive tax burdens so we can use our God given talents and entrepreneurial spirits to pursue new endeavors in a free market economy.
Yah. “Free Maryland” in which nobody has to pay for any of the multiple benefits of having a progressive government. Move to Somalia, if you don’t like taxes and government.
You’re going to leave Bel Air South residential neighborhoods in shambles and watch nearby local small businesses get squeezed out by not negotiating with Walmart to find somewhere else for the largest Walmart in Harford County (185,000 sq ft) and you talk about a “vision” for a better Maryland?? Other than a statement you thought it wasn’t the right location, just what have you done to find a win/win for residents and Walmart? Near as I can tell you have done nothing but talk.
This is a pretty weak response to the Governor, Mr. Craig, you need to be a lot more aggressive if you want that Governorship…. I prefer Delegate Justin Ready’s response yesterday:
This afternoon, Delegate Justin Ready (R-Carroll) responded to Governor O’Malley’s 2013 State of the State Address. “Governor O’Malley’s speech was offensive to many struggling Marylanders and small businesses that have been living within their means for the last several years,” Ready said. “The governor talked a lot about his ‘tough choices’ but the only people his choices have been tough on are Maryland’s taxpayers.
In addition, Governor O’Malley doubled down on his proposals to restrict firearm rights for law-abiding citizens. “We all share in the legitimate sorrow and shock the evil actions of deranged killers (though Governor O’Malley does not believe they deserve the death penalty), but the Governor’s pandering on guns will not make our children safer,” Ready continued, “Attacking lawful gun ownership sends a troubling signal that the government does not trust its citizens and believes they should have fewer rights during dangerous periods.”
“In between calling people who disagree with him ‘rash’ and ‘baseless’, he admitted what Marylanders have long known –our traffic situation is the worst in the country. These delays are a direct result of siphoning gas tax revenues away from our highways. The O’Malley proposal to fix this is predictable. Raise taxes. Sadly that’s not a tough choice for this governor.”
“Governor O’Malley’s approach and priorities are wrong, his transportation policy is wrong, and his direction for Maryland continues to be largely wrong,” Ready concluded.
This is his vision? There is absolutely nothing meaningful or descriptive in this message.