Republican have done little in eight years to earn trust

Republicans, for much of the last eight years, have had authority in all three branches of government. This presented them with a great opportunity to make life better for Americans and the world. Instead, they have managed to bring our country to the brink of collapse.

There are so many problems, it is difficult to identify one thing that has made a positive impact on our lives.

They have resisted any attempts to fix a number of obvious national and world problems, and what actions taken have mainly benefited their political supporters.

They allowed the auto industry to defeat attempts to increase the requirement for higher gas mileage in their fleets and now dealers have hulks rusting in their showrooms.

Oil companies are making unprecedented profits, yet the Republicans found it necessary to give them huge tax benefits. Our deficit has risen to uncontrollable levels and China, because they have leveraged the ideologue experiment in Iraq, now owns us.

This "experiment" has also destroyed our military with losses in equipment and the carnage of troops and their families.

Our health system is a disaster. The drug and health insurance companies make huge profits and billions are spent on advertising while CEO salaries are skyrocketing.

Millions of Americans, because they cannot afford or obtain insurance, place a huge financial burden on those fortunate to have coverage. Even those with coverage could face bankruptcy if they lose their job.

After 9/11, world citizens supported us. We were always considered the model for moral principles and leadership. This has eroded. Our policies are based on fear.

We now have an ideological doctrine that allows America to attack any nation it thinks is a threat, and most world leaders are understandably worried. This presents a perfect storm should a "maverick" become our commander-in-chief.

The Republicans have a true hero as their nominee for president. Yet he, for political advantage, added Gidget to the ticket.

Her addition will now bring out single-issue voters, the same ones who elected President George Bush.

Our nation is on the brink of third world status. This requires electing leaders who are firm, calm, intelligent and blessed with the ability to restore confidence and respect throughout the world. Even with a war hero and a saint, the Republicans have not earned the reward of four more years.

Vince De Palmer

Manchester

GOP provides fiscally responsible budget plan

As stocks tumbled on Wall Street this week, many of us re-examined our personal savings accounts, retirement accounts and pension funds. It seemed only prudent to make sure our fiscal house was in order.

Unfortunately, under the current leadership in Annapolis, that principle has been ignored.

Less than a year after a $1.3 billion tax increase, Maryland is facing a $1 billion structural deficit.

This deficit was created by the refusal of the democratic leadership in the General Assembly to restrain spending. It is time for Gov. Martin O'Mally to stop blaming Bob Ehrlich (who left office with a huge budget surplus) and take responsibility for the spending spree.

Last year, during the special session, the massive tax increases passed by the Democrats were not used to solve the state's budget problems. The tax increases were used instead to fund new programs and new spending. The amount of new revenues raised by the O'Malley tax package was equal to the amount of increased spending in the FY 2009 budget. Maryland legislators do not have a revenue problem. They have a spending problem.

While we struggle at home to protect our future and pay our bills, the governor and the Democrats have spent our surplus, raided funds, raised taxes, and we still have a deficit.

Last year, the House Republican Caucus presented a plan to the governor to balance the budget, without increasing taxes, by simply slowing the rate of growth in spending. Our plan was rejected.

Last week, the House Republican Caucus announced another fiscally responsible plan to slow spending, repeal Gov. O'Malley's tax increases and eliminate the $1 billion budget deficit that is forecast for next year.

Our plan would provide significant tax relief -- $1,750 per family -- by repealing the governor's 20 percent sales tax increase, the 120 percent increase in motor vehicle title registration fees, and several other levies that were pushed through during last year's special session.

We in Maryland are the fourth-most-taxed people in the nation, according to a Tax Foundation report released in August. Do we really want to rank higher on that list?

Let's repeal the governor's tax increases, slow spending, eliminate our structural deficit, and protect our state's savings accounts.

State Del. Susan W. Krebs, Dist. 9

Eldersburg

---

user comments (0)