The Last Quarter Summed Up: We Got Screwed…and there’s a catch too.

December 28th, 2007 by Kenneth Burns

I am going to sum up the last couple of months in regards to the November Special Session.  I was taking care of other priorities, hence why this site was on hiatus.  There are more important things than blogging, although I admit it is pretty much a part of what I do these days career wise (albeit I am doing this for free…for the moment.)

The bottom line…not only did we get screwed by the General Assembly, democratic controlled mind you, but we will be guaranteed future incidents of getting screwed!

Riddle me this…Governor Martin O’Malley (D) as part of the budget bailout plan for the $1.5 billion budget deficit, Governor O’Malley proposed a good chunk of it to come from slots revenue in addition to raising taxes on everyone.  But those funds will not be seen right away because the slots will have to be approved by referendum…in November 2008.   By the way, my belated congratulations to the General Assembly and Governor O’Malley on really running from making a tough decision, more on that later.

Has anyone thought about what would happen if slots fail, uh hold on there Democrats.  That does not necessarily mean that the will of the people had spoken.  If that was the case, voter turnout would not be under 50 percent…or 40 percent for that matter.  It would simply mean that a referendum did not pass and that you would have given O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and the General Assembly a license to tax us even more.

If slots do not pass, think of where the Sales Tax can be expanded to.  If slots do not pass, think about all of the brand new tax schemes that Governor O’Malley can create.  Be afraid people…be very, very afraid.

We are a little over 11 months away from the actual day of the vote.  There is be a lot of porpaganda from both sides when it comes to slots.  I am going to ask you to do a few things for your buddy Kenny:

1. Do your due diligence and READ and LEARN about both sides.
It is this blogs editorial policy not to formally endorse a position.  I will give my opinion but don’t look for any formal support from me or this blog.  Read more than one news source and do your own research before entering the voting booth during the Primary or General Elections…

2. If you don’t know, don’t vote.
Not many people will not say this, I am.  If you are not serious about voting or politics, stay home, but I must warn you.  By staying home and not being serious about picking a leader, you have spat on everything that people before us gave they’re blood for.  Frankly, you are lucky that you are in a country where the leaders are not trying to kill each other.  Think about Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated in Pakistan, all because she was standing up for freedom.  Despite what happened in 9/11, we are still the freest nation on the planet.  For you to not take picking a leader seriously or to stay home, is an insult to all of us and those who have fought to make sure you are free.

I will say however, I think slots are good for Maryland and we should pass them and do something that the elected leaders on the state side of Annapolis has failed to do, going on a decade now, make a tough decision.

O’Malley didn’t want to make a tough decision in January of this current year.  The General Assembly doesn’t want to make a decision on gay marriage, slots and coming soon, Capital Punishment.  Look for another exciting three months in Annapolis, starting January 9.

P. Kenneth Burns is the editor/writer of Maryland Politics Today and is a contributor to Red Maryland.  He lives in Laurel, Prince George’s County.