Maryland Biz Buzz: Bloggentary by George Wills

HISTORY LESSONS

2009-06-23T08:57:00.009-05:00

For days global and national news has consisted of rioting, arrests, and killings in Iran, as demonstrators showed outrage at questionable election results. Hundreds were arrested as voters for reform mobbed the city of Tehran.

40 years ago I was in Iran as part of a small delegation of White House Fellows who spent five weeks in the Middle East visiting and interviewing leaders in Iran, Egypt, and Israel. White House national security advisor Henry Kissinger put together a small group of individuals who could access decision-makers in these three countries, but who would not attract attention. With Mike Armacost as our coordinator, this team of ten worked the corridors of power in a part of the world where tension and conflicts were, as are now, present. Just two years after the '67 War, the tensions were between Israel and Egypt. Iran appeared deceptively calm under the control of the Shah of Iran as we met quietly with senior government officials.

Overthrown in subsequent years, the Shah, a seemingly invincible leader was clearly in charge. During those meetings, we took notes to report back to the senior staff of the National Security Council. We had to do a layover"in Greece for reasons undisclosed to us - apparently a decision by the two antagonistic nations with weapons. The ability to communicate through Twitter and Facebook at this period would have been impossible to fathom!

TOUGH TIMES

Let us travel forward to Maryland’s tough times with three recent headlines in a single issue of the reliable Baltimore Business Journal.

"Streuver Stops Work on City Projects"

Bill Streuver's respected Streuver Brothers, Eccles & Rouse has suspended plans for a business park in Locust Point and development of a "Digital Harbor" office and residential complex in the Inner Harbor, former location of an Allied Signal chrome plant due to lack of financing.

"Public Service Commission Advised to Assert Authority of Constellation Deal"

This is a classic conflict to keep an international corporation's role in acquiring Constellation Holdings to a level not dissimilar to that of large auto corporations structured to permit government intervention and regulation. What will happen to customer utility rates that have grown under the once locally managed Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)? What will happen to the nearly $60 million bonus being proffered to Constellation's CEO as part of the ownership control to the international EDF Group?

“Baltimore Convention and Visitors Center Tries to Recoup Loss of Rite Aid"

Here, financial pressures have forced Rite Aid Corp. to back off from a “massive convention” that would have attracted 3,000 visitors and filled hotel rooms in Baltimore.

“O'Malley v. Constellation Holdings”

I am not often in accord with the Sunpapers's editorials, but a recent commentary on the seemingly unending battle between State government and holding company Constellation Energy seems to be on target with its article: "Separate politics, power" (June 15). The O'Malley Administration seems in favor of the Constellation deal, to sell half of its nuclear business to Electricite de France on the grounds that EDF could have the power to directly influence its new subsidiary, Baltimore Gas & Electric. Where does this leave the customers who face monthly uncertainties from the meter readers who check homes and businesses? Whatever happened to the 2006 campaign rhetoric that utility rates would be kept rational? No semblance of reality has occurred since. And, to boot, a prospective $87 million severance package for Constellation CEO Shattuck could be in the offing.

"INNOVATION: THE KEY TO PROSPERITY".

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Baltimore Museum of Industry luncheon honoring "Industrialist of the Year" Aris Melissaratos, former Westinghouse executive and Maryland Secretary of Economic Development (as good as State government has ever had) and now Senior Advisor to the Johns Hopkins University President. Aris' current responsibilities fall into the must happen category: technology transfer, corporate partnerships, and enterprise development. Aris is truly carrying forward the vision of my boss, Milton Eisenhower. An earlier President of Hopkins, Eisenhower often said that that "the primary constant in management is to recognize, understand change and put it to work".

Aris is following "Dr. Milton's" advice and has completed a new book which may make the case, "Innovation: The Key to Prosperity".

Technology and America's Role in the 21st Century Global Economy

During informal conversations at this award event with two former Maryland Governors, Bob Erhlich and Marvin Mandel, we came to a unified conclusion: Aris will cut through the B.S. with this book. I make that observation with two points made in the opening chapter:

1."How We Lost Our Technological Nerve"

The U.S. enters the 21st century as hostage to interests controlling fuels for obsolete technologies. It is a mistake to believe the myth of technological inevitability.

2."The Coming Together of All Sciences"

The positive energies of scientific and technological innovation must be seen as an integrated enterprise rather than a fragmentary collection of projects. Computer science is a new "lingua franca" among technologies and sciences.

I am a political scientist by academic training, an entrepreneur by instinct, and a participant in the interaction between free enterprise and government. Aris' exciting new book will open doors to testing these areas of interest and experience as I read by the lake at the Wills camp on Maine's Pemaquid Pond. Combined with my passion for creating coastal Maine watercolors, kayaking and swimming with grandkids, Aris Melissaratos will contribute to a super summer!

SPRING CLEANING

2009-06-02T11:18:00.006-05:00

Maryland's spendthrift Comptroller Peter Franchot complains that the number of taxpaying millionaires are "disappearing", meaning fewer collections of the new 6.5 % tax bracket than anticipated. The Mike Miller/Martin O'Malley team pushed the tax increase through the Legislature, after repeal of the computer service tax 1 year ago. Brad Wills and I had the professional and personal pleasure of helping the computer services executive Tom Loveland and his Maryland Computer Services Association, a statewide coalition of small businesses that took on the task of repealing that discriminatory tax.

What's next? Fiscal discipline!

Maryland's Comptroller cannot continue to mourn the exit of taxpayers from Maryland. The real need is to act, per sound advice recently given by the Baltimore Business Journal and the Daily Record. From the Daily Record: "Instead of addressing Maryland's long term, structural fiscal issues, the General Assembly applied a giant Band-Aid in the form of $4 billion in federal stimulus money, crossed their collective fingers and gambled that state revenues will rebound before the day of reckoning."

The commentary concludes by contrasting the Governor's finger-crossing with Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith's putting a rein on his local government's 2008 budget by a hard choice: limits on cost of living and benefits increases of County employees. One year later, much needed teacher salary increases of 3.5 % in Baltimore County were made possible by budget restraint where needed. Franchot should take a lesson from Smith.

Good News

As we look ahead to summer heat, there are some "good news" items to appreciate.

1. The Chesapeake Bay: Long overdue, Maryland and Virginia are taking a stronger regional approach to block continued passivity to serious cleaning up of the pollution of America's greatest watershed. In no small measure, much is owed to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's pushing, prodding and use of a lawsuit for more direct EPA work on environmental problems having a ripple effect on people in the mid-Atlantic region.

2. The Arts: A coalition to increase support for the arts got moving this year. As one with strong interest in arts education, I have been moved by the work of an after-school program in east Baltimore. The Club at Collington Square brings painting lessons related to history to needy children through the leadership of an honors graduate of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). This program director Julia DiBussolo gives meaning to the words "community art".

3. Public Broadcasting: We all can be proud of Maryland Public Television and its mission of programming that informs - from "The American Experience" series to last week's two hour documentary of "Humor History", funny stuff from W.C. Fields of long ago, followed by Bob Hope and, of recent vintage, Tina Fay as Sarah Palin !

Despite the need for "housecleaning", these three "good news" reports do prove that spring has really sprung!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

2009-05-17T10:20:00.004-05:00

After weeks of rain in Maryland, the sun has emerged bringing the welcome green of a new season. Now that spring has sprung, what is really happening?

Recent news has been infected with nasty headlines, proving that raw politics can still dominate the internet and front pages of the "good ole" print press: “Cheney Denies Colin Powell” and “John Edwards Denies Elizabeth Edwards”.

In a "Face the Nation" interview, former Vice President Dick Cheney stated, "In terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh ... my take was that Colin Powell had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican".

Having known both General Powell and Dick Cheney, here's my blunt reaction: The former V.P. is losing objectivity. Colin Powell and I both served White House Fellowships at the Office of Management & Budget. If he had decided to run for President during that "draft Powell" movement, I would have volunteered to help. Dick Cheney is not helping the Republican party nor authentic bipartisanship by speaking negatively about a fine American who also served as Secretary of State during an extremely difficult period. Rush Limbaugh? Get serious, Dick Cheney!

Another sad imposition is the holier than thou, self-serving presidential candidate John Edwards who put his wife, Elizabeth, through hell as he pursued his ambition. As an aggressive, anti-doctor trial lawyer, Edwards has personified the worst elements of political ambition: greed and deception. He is not alone; but where was his consideration for a loyal wife facing terminal cancer? Her recent interviews have underscored her decent and forgiving character, making her husband appear the worst of scoundrels.

From Headlines to Serious Problems: Social Security and Medicare Pressures

The global trend in government spending as a percentage of gross domestic product keeps going up,up.up. In blunt assessment of "The GDP Question", former Senator and moderate Republican Bob Packwood observes a reality: " Even if tax increases are limited to the so-called ‘rich’, Obama's plan, compounded by state and local taxes, could slow the overall economy." Packwood reaches a rational conclusion of only two options: raise taxes on the middle class, or demand that federal, state and local governments spend less.

A "choice of the horribles"? Yes...but, in grim reality, on the mark. In yesterday's Washington Post, the front page headline was "Alarm Sounded on Social Security. Report Also Warns of Medicare Collapse" .

The report is not an ordinary one. It is a product of the trustees of a Federal agency that monitors these two massive entitlement programs for the elderly. Specifically, the nation's economic downturn has added to the fragility of Medicare and Social Security because worsening employment means that fewer workers are contributing to the two trust funds through payroll taxes. Since the recession began in December 2007, the U.S. has lost 5.7 million jobs."

Is There an Answer? Yes, It is the "Vital Center".

One of Washington's most thoughtful analysts is David Broder. This point is proven in his recent commentary, "Why the Center Still Holds".

In this commentary, Broder gives the cold truth: despite partisan divide on the recent Obama Budget Resolution (NO Senate or House Republican voted for the Resolution; NO Democrat voted for the Republican substitute), voters see reality and a need for solution. Proof of this fact is borne out by the Pew Research Center's May 2009 research report's finding: Since January of 2009, the percentage of voters who think that Democrats and Republicans are bickering more than necessary has increased by 14 points.

The independent voters are going to drive the outcome of the big policy debates. This is a trend of hope, and reflects the value of competition between the two major political parties.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-04-16T12:25:00.024-05:00

April Fool's Day has come and gone. The Easter Bunny has done the same. The Christians and Jews brought families together during Easter and Passover celebrations. Along with these expressions of faith is good news:

In Maryland, the Orioles won two out of three first-of-season games against the N.Y. Yankees. In world news we watched the rescue of U.S. merchant ship captain, Richard Phillips, from Somali pirate captors reminiscent of Captain Hook in the Peter Pan adventures. With impressive precision, Navy Seal sharpshooters picked off three of the assailants with direct shots to the head and the American captain escaped unharmed on a lifeboat.

These are success stories, but let us examine springtime on the horizon. As Suzanne Wills notes with her usual wisdom, there are always "dandelions among the daffodils", at least on the Wills lawn!

The Usual "Maryland Government=Politics" News

Life, limb and property are safe, once again, as the Maryland Legislature adjourns. The Stimulus continues in the spirit of "a trillion here, a trillion there, and soon we'll be talking about real money". When colorful Senator Everett Dirksen first spoke those words in the Lyndon Johnson era, the amount was only "a million here, a million there."

Remembering the words of the late and Paul Harvey: "Now, here's the rest of the story"...

"During the 90 days yearly that the General Assembly meets, both man and God fear the worst". With ironic humor, George Delaplaine, longtime publisher and writer, gives this observation in his monthly "Dear colleagues, friends and relatives" letter. George is simply expressing the view that life, limb and property will become safe again as the Maryland State House empties of politicians this week. As Frederick County's premiere commentator, George brings us his usual wisdom and wit to observations about Maryland government, best described as a "quixotic" environment. Let us look at the landscape of this "Free State's" environment:

The State Budget: Is it Really Balanced?

Two months ago, Montgomery Gazette's astute political observer Barry Rascovar described Governor O'Malley's budget as a "mulligan", the golfer's description of getting a second chance when flubbing a tee shot. With the Maryland Legislature and the Obama Administration having been at work just two weeks, O'Malley decided to postpone action on immediate budget cuts and instead take a second swing at the $31.5 billion spending blueprint AFTER Congress acted on a pending stimulus package. Maryland was given a reprieve from its ongoing habit of ignoring a fundamental problem: that politicians allow their spending habits to overshadow willingness to raise taxes.

As of this week's closing of the General Assembly session, Maryland lawmakers plan to finalize a $14 billion budget that does not escape the plain simple truth: the politicians are delaying the most difficult decisions! Even with the Federal stimulus money, the Legislature will reconvene in another 9 months facing a budget gap that could exceed $1 billion.

Is this a failure to act with fiscal discipline, or is it just the Governor's "over-optimism" that an acquiescent Legislature will go along with the politics of postponement? The truth will come in 2010 when honest fiscal choices have to be made. The corresponding requirement is straight answers. Annapolis double talk will not work.

Neither will the maneuver of avoidance work; crossing one's political fingers does not guarantee that the economy will get better. There must be a willingness to deal with real fiscal problems in the same way that small businesses have to have sufficient income to cover expenses. Sufficient income applies to large corporations, as well as government. We have already seen bad outcome for some financial giants in avoiding fiscal discipline by the increase of corporate bonuses, beyond reason, untrammeled by reality.

Politics and the Preakness

Amidst all the political winds criss-crossing the State House, here's another: place the historic Pimlico racecourse in an "eminent domain" status to the Preakness race. Good or bad? Hard to prove either, but a local indicator of tough times during the current economic downturn does not necessarily warrant government control of the horseracing industry. Turning racetrack sites to eminent domain status is a disincentive to healthy competition that creates a better end result, particularly as we look to slots becoming part of changed racetrack operations. Somehow, the image of powerful Senate President Mike Miller, as a "legislative jockey" - even on a betting favorite - is not realistic. Magna is on the road to bankruptcy, and turning the Pimlico racecourse site into a shopping mall is not the answer. But, there are other entrepreneurs who are checking the racing landscape. Give them a chance without the interference of O'Malley, Miller, and Busch who will need to do serious budget balancing and management. Eminent domain is not a stimulus.

Problems and Prospects

Beyond the 90 days of rhetoric, some results from the General Assembly session are positive. But the bottom line remains: Maryland was able to avoid long-term hard decisions because of 2009 Federal stimulus help. Serious budget discipline will have to be applied in the coming months, including the willingness to exercise leadership from those who set fiscal policy. This challenge is well described by Delegate Susan Aumann this week.

A member of the Conference Committee for the 2010 Budget, Susan has been "where the rubber meets the road". Her summary recognizes the stimulus funding impact: "Growth in government spending is outpacing revenues and causing a deficit in Maryland ... I believe we should reduce the tax burden on our families and small businesses. During our deliberations, the Board of Revenue Estimates reported a downturn in revenues, and we had to trim the budget further."

As one who began a small public policy and communications business coinciding with the beginning of the Reagan era of 1980, I saw the impact of that Administration's move to reduce taxes on small business and individual executives as a core element of stimulating free enterprise to work. This policy is different from "super bonuses" to insulated executives who may need to face what I remember as a tough way to get started each morning: "Which client could fire me today?" Not easy, but it is only fair to recognize disproportionate taxes on small businesses is wrong.

Prospects

This commentary concludes with good news about wonderful Baltimore art centers, traditionally thought of as "museums". These special places are home for art in all of its creative forms and meaning.

The Baltimore Museum of Art, known to many of us as the BMA, home of the Cone sisters’ collection that brought Matisse, Picasso and their contemporaries to Baltimore, is a special place tied to childhood memories when BMA's Adelyn Dohme Breeskin, a second cousin, was the first woman director of a major national museum. It was cousin Adelyn who brought the Cone collection to Baltimore.

The American Visionary Art Museum, founded by the talented and energetic Rebecca Hoffberger, brings life, excitement and events to Baltimore's Federal Hill. The recent "Illuminated Exotic Ball' is as good as it gets for an evening of lively art as the environment for creatively dressed and motivated aficionados of modern art.

The Contemporary Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Saturday May 9th at its 100 West Centre Street location. The Contemporary is proving that art is exciting and connected to celebration and is "going to Bollywood" to prove it!

Finally, congratulations to "Maryland Citizens for the Arts" that led the charge for lessening budget cuts for the arts initially planned by the Legislature. I was encouraged by BMA Director Doreen Bolger to combine my passion for art and watercolor with public interest lobbying. It was exciting to contact legislators to give art its fair share during these challenging economic times.

"Beware the Ides of March" - Risk, Responsibility and Renewal

2009-03-03T16:28:00.007-05:00

The 15th day of March was considered an auspicious day on the Roman calendar in 44 BC until a soothsayer’s warning to Julius Caesar: "Beware the Ides of March”. A few days later, a group of Roman senators successfully carried out a conspiracy against their dictator. That first "Ides" created abrupt change, setting off repercussions through the remaining years of the world's first great empire.

Into the 21st Century: Fiscal 2010 and a $3.6 TRILLION Budget
The 21st century version of the Ides of March might be the annual Federal Budget. Despite President Obama's valid pledge to "break from a troubled past", the projection is a budget for the 2010 fiscal year of $1 - $3.6 Trillion, with a potential deficit of $750 billion.

President Obama is taking high, but necessary risks. For healthcare, a $630 billion reserve fund paid, in part, by reducing Medicare overpayments to private insurers by reducing drug rebates to manufacturers. On the good side, there will be $2,500 tax credits for college education and a 2.9 % pay raise to all in current military service. On the "tough" side, there are tax increases for families and owners of small businesses whose income is solid but rapidly consumed by home mortgages and college education costs. As founder of the Wills & Associates public affairs consulting firm in 1980, I know that had it not been for the Reagan drop in personal income and business taxes, the difficulties for this entrepreneur to succeed during those early years would have been even more challenging!

Thirty years ago, the government issued what the Washington Post described as a "gloomy prognosis in its ability to finance new initiatives." The Office of Management & Budget (then the "Budget Bureau") sent forth a mere $200.8 billion dollars projection, with a $1.3 billion surplus. That budget signing by President Nixon five years before Watergate is depicted in a photo that includes me looking glum with Robert Mayo, then Budget Bureau Director and my boss during a White House Fellowship when I was assigned to that agency. Mayo's instructions to the assistant directors and me: “Look appropriately solemn as the President signs". Our visual expressions matched the next day's Washington Post description of the 1971 fiscal year budget, "austere".

In Maryland, the political leadership is, as usual, not completely candid. The weekly Montgomery Gazette columns of the two "B's", Barry Rascovar and Blair Lee, describe it best. Rascovar: "Thanks to the Obama stimulus package, the conquering hero O'Malley does not have to make any job or State aid to school cuts. His immediate Maryland budget problems have disappeared -- and State employee unions will smile upon and support the smiling occupant of the State House". Barry R. concludes: " It is not surprising O'Malley is taking a head-in-the-sand approach. Let's ignore future fiscal problems as long as we can". Lee: "Instead of running scared, Maryland's lawmakers are basking in the stimulus package's glow.... where does all this funny money come from?” (The answer is, it comes from debt.)

A business approach to this problem is that we must realize that State tax revenues are not likely to rebound fast enough to offset the sudden loss of stimulus funds. O'Malley & Co. had better start applying business practices to government and prepare for this loss, sooner than later. I agree with columnist David Brooks that the Obama budget has a plus in proposing more of a pay-as-you-go approach and serious efforts to pay for at least half of health care reform. But don't consider health care needs solved by relying on bureaucratic management. Despite the aggressiveness of medical trial lawyers, it is still the doctors that are at the core of healthcare solutions.

Role Models for Small Business
In Maryland, the real work gets done by the entrepreneur of small business. Two interesting role models for me are George Delaplaine and Brad Wills, who get the work done as government promises and propounders.

George Delaplaine of The Frederick News-Post and Great Southern Enterprises
A leader in Frederick and western Maryland for nearly 60 years, George and I crossed paths in those early years when Maryland government was going through scandals of state and local government. Spiro Agnew was Governor, Dale Anderson and Joe Alton were county executives in and out of payoffs and payouts. It was an era of savings & loan scandals, wheeling & dealing in the Legislature and local government offices.

What I have found in George Delaplaine is "straight talk". He cuts through the B.S. and gets to the point with both wisdom and wit. From his days as Publisher and Editor of the Frederick News-Post to expansion to cable television as founder of Great Southern Communications, George carried on a mission of adventure.

I feel fortunate to have been able to share the entrepreneurial spirit with George in professionally assisting with the process from print to electronic communications; and in co-chairing on the Maryland Board with his colleague Marlene Young, vice-president of GS Communications. Together we secured funding for Maryland’s most successfully run magazine, “Maryland Life” and raised awareness to promote our Free State tourist, historic, and recreational assets.

One of my favorite reads is a monthly newsletter from George that begins "Dear Colleagues, Friends and Relatives". This month's March 2009 commentary celebrates the "Edison-Ford Connection" that began when Henry Ford, future inventor of the automobile assembly line, worked in the laboratory of the electricity genius, Thomas Edison. Just four months ago, the theme of George's letter was "2008: A Centennial Year for Transportation", 100 years since October 1, 1908, when the Model T went on sale as a mass product. In that same month, the steel mills of the Washington-Frederick-Gettysburg Railroad linked Frederick with Thurmont, and the Thurmont extension electrified the next year, 1911.

Brad Wills
This second role model is younger than either of the two Georges. My son Brad joined Wills & Associates (W&A) in the 20th century's last decade. Cutting to the core of change, Brad encouraged our consulting firm to venture into the technology era with tech and telecom companies. In the current "down economy", Brad's services are directed towards hands on assistance to these companies that face competitive challenges in the 21st century business environment. In competition, with other tech firms, there is an increased need for media awareness of what company X does as opposed to its competition.

When Brad and I join together on issues, the word "teamwork" best describes the way in which this father-son combination operates. Brad has been President and CEO since 2004 and it really works.

A recent example of that teamwork was one year ago when Brad helped a newly established small computer services coalition climb the legislative mountain to defeat a computer services sales tax put together in a special session's darkest room, a tax that would have driven many small computer service firm owners out of Maryland. Now Brad continues this entrepreneurial drive in assisting "The Tech Council of Maryland" with its work in advancing the mission of the tech services industry.

Bottom line for this year's "Ides of March":
In good times and bad, results come from private sector action. As big budgets come and go, the private sector and small business are the cutting edge. As citizens, we have a duty to focus on how the President's initiatives can be implemented and improved for results - not rhetoric.

WASHINGTON and ANNAPOLIS: Reality Sets In

2009-02-09T11:37:00.007-05:00

In Washington: Bipartisan Politics

It was a bad sign when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared, “We’ve won!” at the passage of stimulus legislation. Her father, Mayor Thomas D'Alessandro, sent the same message in Baltimore during the 1950s during his administration. "Ole Tommy" practically owned the City Council, but Nancy Pelosi cannot own the U.S. House. Another Marylander, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has a better approach: listen first. Steny is practical; and as a neophyte in working to reform the Maryland Legislature in the late 1960s, I organized a citizens' commission which received that solid advice from Steny, then a new member of the House of Delegates.

It is a good sign that Susan Collins is at the front of the “gang of 20”, the New York Times’ description of the group of moderate Democrats and Republicans who realize the importance of bipartisan cooperation as they struggle to agree on an energy and conservation bill.

I worked with Senator Collins in the 1990s representing the “Americans for Alaska” coalition on conservation and energy development. I found her to be reasonable and fair. Collins follows the bipartisan tradition of her Maine predecessors, Margaret Chase Smith, George Mitchell, Bill Cohen and Olympia Snowe.

Annapolis: Spending Marches On!

My favorite political columnists Barry Rascovar and Blair Lee cut through "B.S." from the halls of Annapolis. The "Miller/O'Malley duo" continues to pledge that all is well, so long as Federal stimulus funds flow into State coffers. In last week's Business Gazette's commentary, Rascovar puts it on the line: "Maryland's budget deficit results from a failure by public leaders to make difficult decisions. It is easier to pander to special interests than impose harsh fiscal realities". Going back to his days of covering the Legislature for the Baltimore Sun, Barry helped me learn the ropes as to the difference between Maryland's rhetoric and reality.

Barry Rascovar asks a fundamental question: where are Maryland's champions of change? "Maryland spends far more than it takes in. This nasty habit is catching up to State House leaders. The Governor's proposed budget is balanced with $1.3 billion, in one-time revenue gimmicks that won't be available in future years. If Maryland is slow to bounce back from the recession, O'Malley will face far larger budget gaps down the road."

I agree with Barry: "Tough choices surround O'Malley and friend." Those choices include a permanent roll back of unaffordable education aid programs and a rethinking of Maryland's healthcare expansion.

The Maryland State Government must push school administrators to reform spending habits and focus on teachers in the classrooms. Students need more individual attention. I volunteered at Baltimore's "Club at Collington Square" after-school program for elementary and middle school kids. This program is operated by a private non-profit foundation: Episcopal Community Services, with high level talent from two Maryland Institute College of Art graduates who use art education and math training as creative motivators. That program, along with outreach efforts from the privately funded Baltimore Curriculum Project are examples of results rather than rhetoric. Maryland has an especially good resource in Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick. Politicians should back her efforts and those initiated by Baltimore City Superintendent Dr. Andre Alonzo.

"The Week That Was" is The Week That IS!

2009-01-26T19:48:00.007-05:00

Much has happened in the past week that will be with us for a long time. Last Sunday, the Ravens found defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Tuesday, January 20th, we witnessed the Inauguration of our 44th President and the dawn of a new era.

We also saw the passing of artist Andrew Wyeth, a painter of legend whose visual gifts conveyed rural Maine and the souls of ordinary people. I had a personal encounter during a summer in Maine in the 1970’s which forever influenced my own artistic endeavors. I was painting outdoors with a workshop group, completing a landscape of a small pond in Tenant’s Harbor. I had always been motivated by Wyeth’s moody landscapes; and in those early years when I first dared to dip a brush into watercolor, the dark hills of Maine prevailed in my palette. Later, I was drawn to brighter, more impressionistic applications of color. But on this day, a few yards from our group, an old 1940’s wood-sided station wagon driven by a beautiful woman (no, not Helga) pulled up. Out of the passenger side emerged Andrew Wyeth, who wandered over to our pond and stood behind me. In a low voice he spoke these words, “Young man, I like the way you made those rocks and the way the shadows meet the water.”

It was like the voice of God, and I floated along on “Cloud 9” for some time after.

The Ravens: No Super Bowl ... but a Player who Survives

Despite a close encounter with the helmet of Pittsburgh’s safety Ryan Clark in the fourth quarter, Ravens running back Willis McGahee emerged from a Pittsburgh hospital the next day with the message, "I'm OK". He suffered a concussion and a neck injury, but is expected to fully recover with the hope of getting a continuing Ravens contract signed by Ray Lewis - and maybe a Super Bowl in 2010!

A New President, A New Era

This January 20th swearing in of Barack Obama as our 44th President was 48 years to the day after the same oath was administered to John F. Kennedy in 1961. My first memory of that day was of lugging a heavy black & white television from Suzanne's and my first home, a small apartment in Norfolk, Virginia where my navy ship was docked between two Middle East trips. The TV's destination was two blocks away to the JEB Stuart Elementary School's 2nd grade classroom where Suzanne taught. We both felt that JFK's inaugural would be exciting for the children to watch. Later, in the crowded USS Aldebaran wardroom, all our ship's officers were deeply moved by Kennedy’s famous speech, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". As those words were spoken, a soon-to-retire World War II warrant officer commented: "You young guys, it's your show, now! "

January 20th, 2009 marks historic change for our country. Despite the oft-spoken "First African American in the White House”, there have been many more observations crossing daily papers and the internet. One that strikes me deeply was a commentary by respected Washington Post columnist, David Ignatius: "Obama's advisors say he makes decisions more confidently than anyone they have ever watched in politics. He's fashioning a new style of governing, as if by instinct, by rebuilding a center. He's heading into the loneliest, most difficult terrain on earth and he's still making it look easy..... but it won't be."

One positive indicator of President Obama's good instincts is the appointment of former Senator George Mitchell as special emissary to facilitate a peace settlement for the Israeli-Palestinian attacks in Gaza. George Mitchell and the Afganistan-Pakistan special envoy Hal Holbrooke are proof, as are the economic stimulus steps, of the new President's need for optimism amidst reality.

More to come as we look ahead to the business and public policy arena in the nation's Capitol and the historic State House in Annapolis when politics and policy begin to compete in the days ahead.

50th ANNIVERSARY of "THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED"

2009-01-13T15:42:00.008-05:00

On December 28, 2008, Baltimore celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Baltimore Colts' 1958 victory over the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium. It was the first NFL game in history to go into sudden death overtime, with a final score of Baltimore 23, New York 17. Johnny Unitas, who made famous the “2 minute drill”, Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry, and Lenny Moore became heroes in the history of Baltimore and professional football. The Colts went on to win two World Championships and the 1971 Super Bowl.

“The Move”
The Colts had a villain as well in owner Robert Irsay who acquired the team in 1972. When the city of Baltimore refused to upgrade its stadium, Irsay started shopping the team. Indianapolis, with its new Hoosier Dome, was ready for an NFL franchise.

In March of 1984, under the cloak of darkness, Irsay packed the team’s supplies into fifteen Mayflower vans and moved to Indianapolis in the wee hours of the morning. Many of the Colts were surprised to hear they no longer had a team.

Tough and honest Mayor Don Schaefer called in the mark on Irsay and spoke of the team's betrayal of the Baltimore pro football legacy. Schaefer's view of Irsay can best be described as the "south end of a horse going north".

There is another potential great journey for the successor team to the Colts: the Baltimore RAVENS!

50 Years Later in Maryland, The Ravens are on the brink of the Super Bowl.

RAVENS 13! TITANS 10
This score is a good way to transition into a new year for Baltimore, providing proof that the spirit of the ole Baltimore Colts prevails. Fifty years after the "greatest game ever played", the Ravens’ Matt Stover's 43 yard field goal with 53 seconds left sends the Ravens
to the AFC title game. The next round will be the Ravens v. the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, January 18th. Then on to the Super Bowl?

Another 50th Anniversary
The only priority over the Colts’ win in 1958 for this writer was the hope to secure a "yes" to my marriage proposal to one Suzanne Hansen when she graduated the following year from our shared Alma Mater, Penn State.

Fifty years later as we enter 2009, Suzanne and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary together on December 5th with two sons, one daughter, and four grandkids to prove it!

1933 and 2008:ECONOMIC CRISIS: THEN & NOW

2008-12-01T18:21:00.006-05:00

Just three weeks since my October 28th citybizlist commentary, "From Rhetoric to Reality: One Week to Go", we have elected Barack Obama as our 44th President. With comparisons to FDR at the beginning of the Great Depression, Obama has returned to Chicago to assemble an economic team and appoint key Cabinet officers at the State and Defense departments. In sharp contrast to the exiting Herbert Hoover and incoming FDR in 1932, departing President George W. Bush appears to be supportive of the changing of guard. In today's New York Times, respected historian William Leuchtenburg offers a relevant observation: "Barack Obama should bear in mind the Hoover-Roosevelt sequence of events as he threads his way through the minefields of the interregnum from now to January 20th. Unlike Roosevelt, who was all but invisible in the months before his inauguration, Obama seized the initiative last week. That course will make for a smooth transition....however, he should avoid collaboration with a discredited outgoing administration lest he become enmeshed in political commitments before he is vested with power".

In no aspect of power in a democracy is the adage, "The devil is in the details" more relevant than the transfer of that power from an outgoing President to a President-elect. Recently I had the opportunity to spend a day at a Washington College seminar with Steve Hess, one of the Brookings Institution's most thoughtful scholars, and part of management during the transitions of Eisenhower to Kennedy, Johnson to Nixon, Nixon to Ford, and Ford to Carter. In his book "What Do We Do Now?", Steve offers blunt counsel to incoming Presidents: "Tell your appointees that you expect them to schedule serious meetings (not mere courtesy calls) with their departing counterparts". In short, the shift is from promises to the responsibility of power.

In regard to the transition, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter wrote, "Americans are scared and eager for change". As was the case in 1932, when statistically, the economy was worse than today. Unemployment was down 25% compared with 6.5% today; the 1932 stock market was down 90%, not the 40+% of 2008. And the enmity between Obama and Bush seems to be more muted today than 75 years ago when Hoover and FDR emerged from a bitter campaign. As now, the incoming President was running against 8 years of geometrically increasing debt.

My father, while a young teacher of agriculture at McDonogh School, remembered that summer of ‘32 when he was a part-time advisor to the Maryland Agriculture Extension Service in southern Maryland. That part of our state had suffered 3 months of drought so severe the corn and tobacco fields were baked and cracked. On a hot August afternoon, candidate Franklin Roosevelt toured the farm area in an open convertible, and with his memorable personality, reached out to groups of people along the dirt roads to tell them things would be all right. Years later I could remember Dick Wills telling me that when it rained the next three days, many folks in southern Maryland towns were saying: "God came through here and is going to save us all!”

MARYLAND: A WORD OF HOPE

Our own State continues under dominant single party rule and without sufficient necessary constructive, bipartisan analysis. One of Maryland's most thoughtful analysts is Blair Lee, real estate developer and son of one of Maryland's public servants of that same name, the late Governor Blair Lee. In this week's "Montgomery Gazette", Blair emphasizes that “current Gov. O'Malley's biggest re-election problem is not former Gov. Erhlich; it is the economic crisis".

O'Malley "has blamed everything on Ehrlich so that Maryland now has three kinds of budget deficits: structural, when programmed spending exceeds estimated revenues; cyclical, when the budget becomes unbalanced because of unanticipated costs or revenue drops; and inherited deficit, where all is blamed on the previous Governor”.

Blair Lee notes that "O'Malley believes we are climbing out of recession". In reality, we are free falling into a long, potentially deep economic crisis. This theory is supported by the fact that next year's State budget is $1.3 billion and growing.

Budget deficits are bipartisan, where and how they hit us. In Maryland, government and business leaders must also rise above politics as usual. An upcoming conference sponsored by the Regional Manufacturing Institute carries the title: "What's Next? When Leaders Lead". Led by Aris Melissaratos, former secretary of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development, a panel of respected executives will offer suggestions to our tightly controlled Legislature. Now is the time to be on the alert for mistakes and do whatever is possible to prevent them.

"FROM RHETORIC TO REALITY": ONE WEEK TO GO

2008-10-28T19:58:00.006-05:00

Since the start of the 20th century, there have been huge transitions in the way America elects Presidents. In 1941, daily front page headlines and nightly news radio were all we had to announce a 2nd World War!

The post-war 50's through the 70's brought the arrival of the world of on site television coverage, and, of all things, political conventions.

Finally, in the last two decades of the 20th century and eight years into the 21st, the internet and instant wireless communication have us endlessly bombarded with up to the minute election coverage.

Amidst the technology, a new demon has arisen: a quantum increase in campaign length, candidate spending, and petty attack ads devoid of content. In short, rhetoric has begun to surpass reality.

In Maryland's 4th Congressional district, a shining example of the wasteful advertising is producing no content: Andy Harris vs. Frank Kratovil. Knowing Harris as a respected physician and credible advocate for protecting doctors in Maryland from law suit abuse, there has been no reference to this important policy issue. Campaign advertisements for candidate Kratovil have told us virtually nothing.

It is time for Americans to demand an election process that is issue driven and no longer run by handlers and paid media. The cost has become unreasonably high. The separation between election rhetoric and the reality of governing has become too wide to tolerate!

REALITY in the "Final Turn" of Campaign 2008

In Maryland, rhetoric takes priority over reality in the ongoing attacks on slots as a source of income by the spendthrift Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. In a thoughtful analysis, respected political columnist Barry Rascovar notes that "Franchot, the loudest anti-slots voice, has tried to demean slots backers and demonize the one-armed bandits. Yet he has never laid out a comprehensive economic plan for surviving the recession without Maryland's share of income from slots".

Maryland is not a two party state; therefore, the source of rhetoric over reality is entrenched political power of longtime legislators and officeholders. One example is Senate President Mike Miller. Maryland Governors come and go, but the Miller goes on! The Miller rhetoric of "everything's fine; I'm handling it" goes on as a prime example of rhetoric over reality.

What MUST be done? Organizing a Government

Just last week, I had the opportunity for an intellectual "reunion" with Stephen Hess, Fellow Emeritus at the Brookings Institution, and a friend whom I first met through Dr. Milton Eisenhower, Johns Hopkins President and advisor to eight U.S. Presidents. Steve has also served as an advisor to every Presidential transition since his first job as an assistant to U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. Steve's most recent book, "What Do We Do Now?" is described as a "workbook for the President-Elect". In a short snapshot introduction, "Getting Started", Steve describes reality setting in, over the endless campaign rhetoric of the past two years. In his words, that reality is "The President needs help!"

We Must Reform a Broken Election Process

The American election "system" is no longer working. It has become a tool of the political "handlers" ad agencies and media cash registers. To make the case for reform, look at how the $1.2 + BILLION thrown at advertising rhetoric might otherwise be used. Let's be specific. What if a Presidential candidate were to commit 2/3 of his contribution to nonprofit community projects that help people?

Her are three example projects with which I am familiar or have given volunteer help:

Boots for Baltimore raises $50,000 annually to distribute 2,000 pairs of boots to homeless people through 30 help agencies. All work is done by volunteers, my wife Suzanne among them. She and five others started "Boots" more than 20 years ago.

Jericho is a prisoner rehabilitation program that trains recently released people from jails, to receive counseling, learn to seek and secure employment. Funded and working for the past three years under a Dept. of Labor grant and private contributions totaling over $700,000.

The ARK is a daily care and education program for pre-school children who are either homeless or live in broken family situations.

The American political system can reform itself, conform to 1st Amendment purpose, and end the system of future politicians being tied to rhetoric and money as the way Americans elect their leaders. The time has come and it is NOW!

2008: A CROSS ROADS ELECTION - AN ECONOMIC CRISIS

2008-10-07T10:50:00.009-05:00

The REAL new year has begun in October 2008 with a calendar twist. This is October 7, not December 7! But the United States seams to be facing a potential "financial Pearl Harbor". The endless election campaign seems less and less relevant as the politicians spend time and rhetoric on issues like Obama's friendship with a war protestor and McCain's connection with a lobbyist for the savings and loan industry. Although not constructive, these past events are more of the endless two year election campaign's "attack ads" syndrome.

This week the financial world of Wall Street has seen a drop between 300 and 800 in one day, bringing the Dow Jones level to below 10,000 for the first time in nearly a decade. This roller coaster activity is proof that economic results will take time, and that sweeping government legislation is not the complete solution.

Congress passed the controversial legislation that will require American taxpayers to bail out Wall Street for $780 billion; and we witnessed the hearing of Richard Fuld, embattled CEO of the Lehman financial giant, whose bonuses and salary combinations have totaled $480 million in that same decade. As we are forced to stomach a "bailout" legislation carrying baggage of Congressional "earmarks", (a new name for good ol’ fashioned "political pork" and bridges to nowhere), and we witness two more Presidential debates, the need to go beyond platitudes grows more necessary than ever.

To give some necessary perspective to the excesses of 2008 election rhetoric and the politics of Congress, let us first apply some historical perspective to elections past, some of which took place during uncertain economic times.

What is Past? Is it "Prologue"?

Every fourth year, during a Presidential election, the change is often hidden as summer fades and autumn begins. To a large degree, it is the final turn in what has become known as an endless campaign: two years of television and internet advertisements with more rhetoric than substance, consultants, political handlers, and money poured into a system that subsidizes both the media and those who "manage" the candidates.

As we approach the final turn of a national "Presidential Preakness" race, is the substance of issues and the candidates' capacity to actually govern as President becoming less important? Attack ads are not new. Here are just a few historical examples of what former politicians said before the media onslaught began to take over:

1860 "My opponent is a big-eared baboon".

Edwin Stanton referring to a Springfield lawyer, Abraham Lincoln. Stanton became Secretary of War during four of the most traumatic years in American history. As described in Doris Kearns Goodwin's revealing perspective, "Team of Rivals", Lincoln created a true coalition cabinet to shepherd the nation through a civil war.

1912 "He has the personality of an apothecary clerk".

Theodore Roosevelt speaking about Woodrow Wilson in the 1912 three man race where split votes between "Rough Rider" and heavyweight (literally) Teddy made a little known college professor a future World War I President.

1920 "I know he is not intelligent; but he looks like a President".

Henry Cabot Lodge, Senator and old school Boston aristocrat, in a Chicago hotel smoke-filled room session suggested that the Republican convention could best select appearance as the criterion for a campaign that was to call for a "return to normalcy". Result?: Warren Harding, a truly “lesser light" in the White House .

1932 "...an amiable country squire with no noticeable qualifications to be President".

Walter Lippman, the intellectual "wise man" of American journalistic opinion, commenting on Hudson River Valley aristocrat Franklin Roosevelt's campaign for President after just four years as New York Governor, in the midst of the worst economic crisis ever faced by the United States.

At the 1980 Presidential debate after a long-winded observation by President Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan smiled and sighed, "There he goes again." In this case, the humor was a preview of a candidate who, like FDR, had a unique way of connecting with the average voter and it worked in enabling him to reach far beyond the perception of an actor who could do little else. Ronald Reagan shifted the national gears toward "creative conservatism". Both Truman and Reagan were underestimated in the heat of the campaign process.

And, in 1968, Maryland's temporarily notorious entry into national politics was the nomination of its relatively unknown Governor, Spiro Agnew, for Vice-President. When asked why he was selected, Republican nominee Richard Nixon replied: "No one knows anything bad about him". Less than five years later, Agnew became the first Vice President to select resignation over court indictment and (likely) conviction for corruption.

Is What’s Past...Prologue?

Were these campaign observations predictions of anything to come? The answer is clear: No! With the exceptions of Harding and Agnew, all of those candidates belittled by opponents and commentators turned out as leaders under the pressures and demands of governance. What history says is that past campaigns have been silly, superficial and carried the potential of "surprise" in producing leaders who did lead. Lincoln and the two Roosevelts became surprise symbols of strength. Is that the benchmark of what lies ahead after a new President is inaugurated on January 20, 2009?

Did the debates separate reality from rhetoric? Will this seemingly endless campaign result in relief for American taxpayers and business owners?

Stay tuned for the conclusion of "2008: A CROSSROADS ELECTION -AN ECONOMIC CRISIS", to appear before the November 4th vote……….

From Factories To High Tech: Maryland's 21st Century Economy

2008-09-22T12:10:00.039-05:00

In the last two weeks, an economic crisis of tsunami proportions has created unease among us all. The dramatic changes for Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, AIG and, in Maryland, Constellation Holdings makes us consider the impact this will have on Maryland businesses in the foreseeable future.

While speaking over the weekend with Brad Wills, my son and CEO of Wills & Associates , the family public relations firm, we focused on some light amidst the economic clouds of Wall Street and government regulatory agencies. Believe it or not, the light comes from the Maryland region.

Instead of uncertainty, the ongoing emergence and staying power of the high tech sector is essential for 21st century Maryland. The clout of business executives and their associates who run high tech companies, both new and well-established ones, has replaced Maryland's 20th century factories, smoke stacks, and assembly lines as the economic engine of the future.

A Strong, Increasingly Stable Platform

The respected Milken Institute issued their annual State Technology and Science Index for 2008 and ranked Maryland # 2 in the country. This annual report measures which states are best positioned to achieve high-quality economic growth based on a range of criteria – mostly technology and scientific assets. This year's report highlights Maryland's move in the last three years from fourth place up to second place, and closing in fast on #1 ranked Massachusetts. According to the Milken Institute, Maryland ranks first in the U.S. for its "Human Capital Investment", and unlike Massachusetts, places consistently in the top ten in all five composite indices. This substantial improvement since 2004 makes Maryland a "serious challenger".

This is happening because Maryland has shown improvement in the ability to attract business into the state and new projects that link research with technology to produce the most advanced products. This state has been delivering what Milken calls "commercialization of its intangible assets, leveraged by its strengths in life sciences and communication technology".

Recognizing Meaningful Action

On October 2nd, The Greater Baltimore Tech Council will host its nineteenth "TechNite" at Baltimore's Convention Center. While one of the best networking events in the region, it is a celebration of how essential the technology community is for Baltimore and Maryland, now and in the future. TechNite is affirmation that the hard work by Maryland entrepreneurs, technology business leaders, and government officials is paying off. This year's event should be even more meaningful because a major bullet was dodged back in April when the Maryland Tech Tax was repealed before it ever got out of the starting gate. The GBTC knew, along with the Maryland Computer Services Association, Tech Council of Maryland, and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, that that if this repeal effort failed, and most thought it would, Marylanders would be seeing tech, low tech, and no-tech companies running for the hills to avoid this tax – moving operation out of state, reincorporating outside of Maryland, and shipping IT service away from Maryland businesses. The message would have been crystal clear to those thinking of doing business in Maryland – stay away.

Looking at how quickly and effectively the technology community descended on Annapolis and blocked this ill-conceived tax, it is clear that GBTC's effectiveness in growing and expanding the technology community in greater Baltimore during the last twenty years has played a major role in this effort.

"EMBARRASSMINTS" (or "EmbarrassMENTS")

2008-07-24T16:12:00.005-05:00

Recently, I saw a "Corner for Politics" in a small Maine store, where down east humor provided an appealing product line. Two small jars of candy mints were labeled "EMBARRASSMINTS". One had a picture of a grinning George Bush, and the other label carried a photo of Hillary Clinton with a "shut up and listen to me" facial expression. Are these embarrassMINTS really embarrassMENTS?

WISE OL' MAINE
Speaking from a “summah” perspective "up heah" in Maine, let's begin with some straight talking Maine wisdom, where citizens here are known for direct comments and low-key humor. One gathering place of wisdom is the Nobleboro Village Store where a longtime friend dispensed his thoughts on our "Free"(?) State politics nearly two years after the replacement of Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Noting that Maryland has a political monopoly of Democrats, an observation by a multi-talented senior citizen and one-time Leader of the Maine Legislature, real estate agent, and local minister, all wrapped up in one human being who was equally blessed with a truthful sense of humor asked, "George, is Maryland's state capital building going back to being a ‘DOME WITH A CASH REGISTER UNDER IT’?”

After my sides stopped twitching with laughter and the humor of an "Embarrassmint" faded, I turned to a more serious current example: this year's endless presidential/political campaign wherein the beneficiaries continue to be the political consultants, the ad agencies and the media cash registers.

The bipartisan spirit of former Maine office holders must be unanimous in condemnation of this trend. A poll should be taken up "theah" of the late Senator Margaret Chase Smith (whose first speech on the Senate floor condemned the Communist "witch hunter" Joe McCarthy), and "heah" of Senator George Mitchell (who negotiated a peace treaty for northern Ireland), and Senator Bill Cohen, a moderate Republican who served as Secretary of Defense in the Clinton Cabinet. All of these individuals could work across party lines and help get the job done. Mitchell and Cohen worked together to keep defense business for essential navy ships coming through Bath Iron Works and its efficient production record.

These three Maine Senators succeeded because they were steeped in reality and not tempted by what my longtime friend and onetime boss Milton Eisenhower advised when I started work at the Office of Management & Budget, on White House Fellowship: "George, the biggest danger to avoid in Washington is not getting obsessed, as too many are, with the VERTICAL PRONOUN."

Now may be the time for a REAL poll on whether we are accumulating new business, political, journalistic and even religious embarrassments:

THE BALTIMORE SUN
In the latest "Hurricane Zell": Tribune Company czar and new Sunpapers owner Sam Zell has blown away 20% more of a decreasing newsroom staff, including the entire business section of the paper. This was done last week during the current economic downturn, sending a message that "Zell & Co." simply can't afford to report or analyze economic impacts on business in the Maryland region. It is almost as if the economy is not a factor of value in good journalistic coverage.

Business mogul Zell claims that greater attention needs to be given to advertising; therefore, no Business section is needed. Question: Where do the advertising dollars come from? Political contributors who feed the candidates' advertising appetites? Are more ads from car dealers replacing business news?

The answer to these questions may become apparent when, held to a bright light, a blank Business Section says, "Sorry! Nothing to Report! " Pardon me, absentee landlord Zell! As a human example of the latest "buy out or get out" program, longtime respected business journalist Bill Salagnik was forced out of the newsroom. Is THAT the way to phase down and out a newspaper that once had a solid reputation?

From a declining standard of journalism to another storm, pure politics wins out over government management.

"MARYLAND'S GATHERING STORM"
Speaking of hurricanes, there is another so aptly described by longtime political analyst Barry Rascovar. The "gathering storm" he referenced: "Gov. O'Malley failed to act in support of exceedingly mild budget reductions by the executive agency charged with fiscal management”. In many cases, Rascovar describes "management" as "simply shifting funds from one account to another". Bluntly put, he notes that, "Overall, O'Malley's budget cuts amount to a lost opportunity. He didn't prepare the ship of state for that gathering storm on his political radar screen".

State tax receipts are falling short of estimates by more than $100 million for this fiscal year that closed June 30. How do the O'Malley administration and the Legislature's czars Mike Miller and Michael Busch think the deficit will be closed? Is their answer: by adding further burden to heavily taxed Maryland businesses and citizens having to shell out much more for gasoline and other financial concerns in the months ahead?

Like their national counterparts, Maryland politicians had better move beyond rhetoric and attack ad promises to deliver RESULTS! And, what are those results? Answer: an elementary school answer like Suzanne's and my grandchildren will be learning: "Don't spend other people's money when they do not have it to give you"!

Is this too much to ask of a Governor and legislators whose objective is spending more to be reelected?

"What's Happening?" and "Go Get "Em!" Remembering Tim Russert

2008-06-25T11:38:00.009-05:00

Another month has come to an end, and building on my most recent commentary, "Moments of Truth" continue to be found. We felt great sadness with the sudden passing of Tim Russert, journalist and political analyst of the first order. He was tough and caring, two words that do not often go together in identifying a person. In the same way, how could one person ask both "What's happening?", and give a battle charge, "Go get 'em!" ?

Tim Russert was a "2 for 1".

Russert would seek the latest information and updates from his journalists and staff associates, and as the one minute countdown to the Sunday morning start began for "Meet the Press", he would try to find out which politician was faking about what.
GO GET 'EM! These were words of encouragement to fellow reporters, friends and, very important, his favorite team, the "Buffalo Bills".

"WHAT'S HAPPENING? "
In the spirit of Tim Russert's challenge to fellow journalists working on an important story, how long does it take a work in progress to be resolved? Maryland has an example of a continuing issue that needs continuing work and action. That issue is the future of the government agency that works to strengthen economic development in Maryland: our Department of Economic & Business Development (DBED).

Following media reports that Governor O'Malley wants to reorganize DBED following a statement that "the DBED we have inherited, in essence, is designed to be a mezzanine loan office". He further described the process as "deals" originated through the counties. His Secretary of Economic Development further states that Maryland "needs to be better connected to the technology community".

It is strange that the computer services tax cleared DBED, and without high tech business opposition, might have slipped through both the Legislature and the cabinet department assigned to provide a favorable fiscal climate for the growth of high tech and biotech industry. There seemed to be a gap between organizational theory and hard reality.

In the spirit of finding out "what's happening", I sought information from one of the few business senior professionals who has served at DBED's helm, Aris Melissarotis, successful business executive, who left a Westinghouse career to open a new and refocused DBED, government action instead of talk, in behalf of economic action in sync with a changed 21st century technology-based economy. One of his most creative action steps was to insert economic strategy into the higher education sector. Putting it bluntly, this adds a 4th "technology gear" to higher education research that can strengthen the economic clout of technology: economic and human needs results from high tech and biotech research. Aris told me that a prime purpose of "government's economic development policy is to create intellectual property/applied knowledge by which the private sector business can grow".

Under this approach to managing an economic development agency, the Maryland Venture Fund, under the direction of Ann Quinn, took the approach of economic development for the Maryland region through direct investments and encouragment of investments in regional venture funds and providing incentives for the Maryland State Pension system to more creatively invest in alternative economic development options.

Bottom Line: before the current State Administration looks to "bureaucratic reshuffling", it must continue the free enterprise approach for DBED to act as a catalyst for private sector growth in the 21st century world of high-tech and biotech. Former DBED Secy. Melissarotis makes a direct point: "Government needs to get to substance, not moving bureaucracies round and round". Well spoken - and Aris is now doing that kind of work as a senior executive at Johns Hopkins to have intellectual property work with practical results.

If Tim Russert were still with us, he might say that, as we find out "what's happening", we should act! As he put it: "Go get 'em!"

HOW TO DO IT:

After considering the need to put a more practical business approach to government, let us return to the exit lines about Tim Russert that have meaning for today: both business and government, and the human beings who attempt to make both work. Thoughts at the Kennedy Center tributes to Tim Russert from his friends:

1. Doris Kearns Goodwin is an historian and author of "Team of Rivals", the story of how Abraham Lincoln garnered cooperation from campaign rivals to form a coalition cabinet during the frightening years of the Civil War's threat to destroy this nation. When asked by the press whether he was being "two-faced", Lincoln responded in direct fashion: "If I had more than one face, do you honestly think I would use THIS one? "

2. Son Luke Russert, in noting that his Dad was likely adapting "Meet the Press" to a heavenly audience and would bring back past American leaders for further Sunday morning Q & A sessions. Among those he thought might be early on the list for this election year were Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton - to have them keep debating instead of dueling, Theodore Roosevelt on the value of a 3rd, truly independent party, Jack Kennedy and Barry Goldwater on whether the 2008 election campaign can advance beyond rhetoric and expensive, no-substance advertising.

During the next few weeks of summer reflection and filtering out work from words, whether in business, government and our lives, let's thank Tim Russert for cutting through the rhetoric of political words and the example he gave through the story of family in "Big Russ and Me" and "Faith of our Fathers".

Whether in Maryland or in the nation, it is good to apply the words of St. Francis to our own lives, as suggested by Tim Russert's 4th grade teacher, Sister Lucille, "In giving of ourselves, we receive".

Moments of Truth...They Can Be Found!

2008-05-13T09:15:00.004-05:00

As May 2008 joins this year's calendar, alternate sun and rain mark the climate of these spring days - usually the best weather in the changing season environment. Because of too long a pause since my last commentary, now is the time for perspective.

In our natural environment, rain is necessary to help continue sunlight and warmth, unless in the form of tornado or flood. Like that natural environment, good and bad need balance in the worlds of business, public policy, professional sports, and even politics!

First, the good v. the bad in the recent session of the Maryland Legislature: Some of the bad obscured the good, particularly in "rhetoric" politics blotting out fiscal discipline and insufficient action to reduce spending by the decision makers on the first and second floors of Maryland's historic capital building.

The difference between truth and rhetoric is not always easy to find. However, one example of citizen action to successfully cut off the rhetoric: defeat of the computer/tech tax passed behind closed doors of the so-called "special session" of November 2007. Action by small businesses and individual citizens put the heat on through a "moment of truth". Hundreds of computer service firms would exit Maryland to more favorable business climates in surrounding Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Professionally and personally engaged in this battle, I found it meaningful to be part of putting the heat on politicians who seemed to be running towards the nearest exit. With the leadership of Maryland Computer Services Association, led by computer executive Tom Loveland working in tandem with organizations like the State Chamber of Commerce, the exit doors of escape were closed! Tom Loveland and Brad Wills, CEO of Wills & Associates, gave meaning to the word "teamwork".

"Moments of truth" can be found in unexpected ways, and some recent experiences give meaning to those moments:

TWO GIFTS BY THE HOUSE OF RUTH: MOMENTS OF TRUTH

Each year, Baltimore is reminded of the important work of The House of Ruth in its battle for the protection of battered women. An annual fundraiser helps this organization achieve its goal of helping these women and their children find safety and security. That goal was given meaning by an honoree of the meeting, Lisa Spicknall, whose story of her husband's abuse towards her and her children ended with his murder of those two children and his suicide. Her commitment to work with the House of Ruth to stop violence such as she experienced gave strength to all of us who heard her.

The legal system often moves too slowly to protect victims like Lisa Spicknall. It is time for lawyers and judges to accelerate justice for the victims of this kind of violence.

A second speaker gave another story of meaning and courage in a "moment of truth: Bob Woodruff, ABC news anchor, reporter and author of "In an Instant", the story of his serious injury in an explosion from an explosive device north of Baghdad. Woodruff's near death and recovery demonstrated courage and strength that has brought him to a return to service as an ABC reporter. Lee Woodruff, Bob's wife and co-author of "In an Instant", brought support and care during an intensely traumatic period of uncertainty when it was not clear whether he would survive high risk brain surgery. He did survive and the Woodruffs' moment of truth arrived by establishing the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury. This Fund raises money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and care following brain injury suffered in service to their country. Here is a real moment of truth to HELP war vets amidst all the rhetoric of how much their sacrifice in battle means to our country's security and safety.

ARTS EDUCATION, AND PERSONAL GROWTH FOR KIDS IN POVERTY:
"THE CLUB AT COLLINGTON SQUARE": MOMENT OF TRUTH

With cumbersome bureaucracy that often surrounds public education, there needs to be increased attention to hands-on work with kids in poverty, giving them more of an "edge" than their living environment provides. One example is a program of Episcopal Community Services (ECSM), a social needs "help" nonprofit that assists people in fighting neighborhood crime and poverty:
1.) "Jericho" prisoner rehabilitation and re-employment training, recently visited by President Bush, who was moved by personal recovery-in-progress through a positive reemployment rate for those whose lives in jail brought them to Jericho
2.) The "ARK" program of volunteers and professionally trained social workers who work with pre-school children from devastated home situations
3.) The "Club" takes those kids who have advanced to early teen age, but are confronting the adversity of drugs, street violence, and poverty.

The Club's moment of truth addresses personal growth for teenagers in a different arena: arts education. The Club is in the process of becoming a community arts program, thanks to the leadership of full-time Director Julia Dibussolo, recent product of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with undergrad and graduate degrees in Community Arts. She and associate MICA graduate Emily Vaughn recently held an afternoon class based on the paintings of Willie Birch. In Julia's words, "Willie's art and sense of community had a great impact on me. His art and my lesson plan based on 'After the Storm' had a profound effect on the Club youth. In the class lesson, youth were asked to remember a 'storm' in their own lives - and convert their emotions into a visual storm painting on paper."

Suzanne and I were observers of this class, joined by MICA enthusiasts Eddie & Sylvia Brown (whose commitment to art and the career of their daughter, painter Tonya Ingersoll, was the inspiration to fund the Brown Center at MICA ). It was observing and interacting with these kids that gave the four of us a "moment of truth". Kids, in spite of poverty and exposure to violence, can be stretched to creativity and learning by art and what it means to them.

What is the human lesson from this art lesson? In short, the answer is direct involvement with challenges. As a watercolorist and painting enthusiast, I had never thought of art as a means to help young people through their fears and frustrations. Again, finding and facing moments of truth can be means of trying to solve problems. It "ain't easy", but the lessons of art can be applied to business and policy.

THE PEACE CORPS: MOMENTS OF TRUTH

Finally, amidst all the excess of rhetoric in today's public life, real work still gets done. An example of the right work of public policy is the working legacy of the Peace Corps. From its origins under Sargent Shriver's leadership 45 years ago, the P.C. has been a means for young people to serve. Again, the moment of truth reached me through two young people who have and are preparing for volunteer service on two continents faced with challenges of poverty and human loss. The moments of truth are the dedication of two young citizens who understand and act in service to others: Elizabeth Tunkle who has just completed a term of service in Zambia, in Africa; and Caroline Ayres, heading to Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America. Both under age 30, their work has been and will be quietly done in the interest of helping others in need.

There is a theme of volunteer service and commitment to help others in stories from the House of Ruth; the Club at Collington Square; and the Peace Corps. From these "moments of truth", can we look and learn? Can we apply funds, ie.: real help to enlarge the work of the organizations and individuals described in these three case studies?

Here are two public policy and political action items for your consideration, good readers of Citybizlist and this commentary:

1.) Reform the gross excess of spending during endless presidential campaigns and reduce the length of those campaigns from 2+ years to the focus and discipline of an election focused on issues and not attack ads or excessively expensive media hype. Convert these multi-millions to funding of community service (NOT through new government bureaucracies) and work that directly helps those who need it.
2.) Apply economic and global political leverage on OPEC and the greed of oil monopolies to cease and desist in a national climate of an emerging recession.

If "moments of truth" can be found in good works such as described above, let us move to such moments and push to results where they are needed!

AN UNPREDICTABLE SEASON: THE ECONOMY, BUSINESS, AND POLITICS

2008-03-20T15:47:00.006-05:00

Out of two months of cold, rain, snow and even tornadoes emerges a season of presumed spiritual peace: Passover and its meaningful Seder that brings family and friends together, and Holy Week with its contrasting days of Good Friday and Easter.

The symbolism and peace of Passover and Holy Week can be for many, to use an ol’ navy term, "anchors to windward" in this month of quixotic events and change. These events carry change and uncertainty that might optimistically be considered "works in progress" as the economy, business and politics advance to what many hope might be "predictable indicators" for the near and long term future.

What are these "works in progress" and how are they defining the "State of the Union" ten months before President Bush's final speech by that name? As in my avocation of watercolor painting, a sweep of brush and color can be one way to help produce a landscape. But even using broad brush and vibrant colors, the devil can be in the details of the final product.

In three areas of this unpredictable season, let us explore the uncertainties and potential solutions for the economy, business, and politics. Are there apparent solutions to problems, sole indicators of emerging stability in the nation and in Maryland, often called "America in Miniature"?

THE ECONOMY

Home foreclosures and the credit crisis are reaching families and individuals trying to pay mortgages and meet the cost of living challenges of rising gasoline and home heating costs. On the macro level, the credibility of the Federal Reserve has been put on the line in the use of the Fed's powers to protect investors against a plunge in financial markets. The Bear Stearns syndrome serves as a recent example.

A related question: Is the stock market, with its quixotic ups and downs, going to settle down? Back in the 1929 crash, the market was the primary culprit. But, nearly 80 years later, the market is not the only story. NYSE and NASDAQ are just two parts of the economy, perhaps indicators of more that is going on. Why? In 2009 the markets are intertwined in the complexity of an increasing global economy where the import/export relationships of the U.S. to other global powers (such as China) have increasingly entered the picture.

BUSINESS

As the outward and visible sign of the economy, business is essentially providing the products and services of the private sector. There are macro examples, eg: the Boeing/Northrup Grumman defense contract battle. And, here in Maryland, the struggle continues between government and the technology sector - specifically, the computer service businesses, many of them small and medium sized. The threat of a 6% computer service tax still looms over these businesses in a growing IT services sector. The danger of this tax could drive Maryland based businesses to more friendly territory in Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

But, in this unpredictable season, business may win out. An example in Maryland is the battle by the computer companies to continue being a productive part of this State's high tech sector. Evidence of this battle are two days of mass turn-outs from almost 1,000 company executives and employees, including strong warnings before General Assembly committees more comfortable in the environment of lobbyists and "deals", often without the discipline of fiscal limits that are required in running a successful service business.

Thanks go to coalitions of computer service businesses such as the Maryland Computer Services Association, organized and led by Tom Loveland, CEO of Mind of Machines - a truly "grass roots" business executive who is translating his commitment to a growing high tech sector into nonpartisan political action. This is an example of what democracy is all about. This "democracy in action" may result in Maryland's Legislature and Governor being pressed into helping economic development through products and services, results of work by businesses and professional firms. What is needed at the finish line after 90 days of "Annapolis talk"? The answer is simple: REPEAL of a penalty tax that justifies more fiscal discipline by government.

POLITICS

Finally, the most unpredictable part of this unpredictable season: politics. An endless presidential campaign was recently narrowed down to cross fire from candidate Clinton against the first strong opponent she has ever faced, Barak Obama, who has tried to place rationality before a shouting minister.

National politics continues to be dominated by the geometric growth of campaign spending. The cost of a 30-second television attack ad can go into the millions. Just think how much better the use of private contributions could be when applied to after-school reading programs for deprived inner city youth. As a specific example of a mistaken priority in youth education, there is a possibility of Congress cutting the Federal Government share of "Reading is Fundamental", a national private/public partnership that purchases books and trains volunteers to help children learn to read so that books and reading can become part of deprived children's lives. As a Board member and volunteer, I find it an honor to help RIF wake up the Washington politicians to the real needs of people.

Ending on the media "binge” note of sex and politicians:

Has there been a time count on the internet space, newspaper pages, and hours of television devoted to the Spitzer escapades, as "client 9" in Washington's Willard Hotel? Perhaps in the current approach of a more predictable spring season, the Easter bunny can get some equal time!

THE POLITICIANS' SUPERBOWL - MARYLAND

2008-02-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

The problem of excess money put into election campaigns, attack advertisements and manipulative political "handlers" has become an incursion on democracy, benefiting a few who get rich off election campaigns-the longer, the richer.

Here in Maryland, we have been infected by a cross-barrage of attack ads between 4th Congressional candidates Pipkin, Gilchrest, and Harris, amounting to several millions for one Congressional seat. Two teams lead the competition in the Annapolis “Super Bowl” of politics-as-usual v. creative economic growth:

1. Maryland politics and one party power through a special session legacy from a Governor and Senate president who is quarterbacking potential damage to Maryland’s economy and technology sector, and

2. a growing coalition of computer service companies dubbed “our digital harbor” by then Mayor O’Malley, who as Governor, has permitted a 6% computer services sales tax without a corresponding reduction of state government spending.

It is a shame that such an enormity of funds is wasted on campaigns instead of helping the “real” people. Consider Jericho, a private and public sector project to help prisoners coming out of Baltimore jails matriculate into the "real world". In a highly competitive process, Jericho, funded by Episcopal Community Services (ECSM), a private non-profit human needs agency, earned a grant of $600,000 for 3 years. It has achieved to date, nearly 70% re-employment for many ex-prisoners who undergo intensive training in a small row house in the Collington Square section of east Baltimore. This section of town faces many challenges of drugs and crime, but citizens' work is being done to help disadvantaged children (the "ARK) and teenagers (the CLUB AT COLLINGTON SQUARE).

ECSM runs after-school youth assistance programs. As an ECSM Board member, I was among several volunteers last week who saw "JERICHO" prisoners reemerging into society. We had the opportunity to listen and learn what successful human recovery and help really means to people in struggling communities.President Bush was in attendance; and after his departure, one of the prisoners spoke to me with tears in his eyes : "There I was in jail 6 months ago! It was my birthday that I never cared about. But today the President told me 'happy birthday' and wished me luck! "

Another possible contender in Maryland’s “Super Bowl” might be Nancy Grasmick and public education. It appears that this competitor, an experienced, result-driven professional educator has already won. Did Governor O'Malley suddenly see the light when a tested professional was welcomed to continue her work as State Superintendent? The answer is probably more connected to the reality of improvement of school performance: a contrast with 12 underperforming Baltimore City schools that Nancy Grasmick offered to assist. It was Grasmick's offer to help that candidate-for-Governor O'Malley saw as a threat to his election prospects. But once elected, he saw the threat become votes of legislators that could displace his desire to politicize public school management.

In the Governor's fiscal 2009 operating budget, there are no additional funds for the Sellinger Program that supplements independent college support-a sharp contrast to a 9.1 % increase for public universities and 12% increases for community colleges.

Other contenders, independent colleges and universities, have been part of Maryland's system of higher education for 225 years. In effect, the proposed budget no longer includes independent higher education as a necessary part of our State's ability to balance essential support for all components of college education. If "politics as usual" wins, Maryland citizens lose on this one. Why? Maryland's independent colleges and universities receive 4% State funding for higher education, yet confer 25% of all degrees in the State. This is an investment in the future of ALL Maryland college students. It is neither wise nor right that,as a statutory program, Sellinger is undermined by a complex sounding "Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act" to sever the long-standing cooperation and link between public and independent college funding.

Might an upset over this kind of politics be successful in the Legislature's "4th quarter"?

Wouldn't it be better for this competitor to have a 4th quarter upset? Wouldn't it also be better if money poured into politician's attack ads could be diverted into more "Jerichos” of Maryland and the United States!

That's the kind of "Super Bowl" we all need! It leaves "politics as usual" where it belongs-behind the real priorities of technology growth, education/public and private, and real help to real people.

A New Year or Encore?

2008-01-23T10:53:00.000-05:00

Across the United State, we are seeing an increase of political rhetoric in a presidential campaign that benefits a limited few on candidates' payrolls. The media and advertising sectors are scooping up contributions and absorbing them for a limited few.

There is also an emerging economic challenge for which government, Federal and local, must work with the private sector, which, after all, produces the income needed to fund government services. We need less bureaucracy of red tape.

Across Maryland we see a one-party political wall failing to respond to fears about increasing numbers of doctors leaving Maryland in a lawsuit abuse environment, and "special session" taxes being slid under the door of small computer service businesses critically needed to grow. Technology is becoming the replacement for Maryland's historic smokestack industrial base. The State House in Annapolis seems to be the last to "get the word"!

POLITICAL RHETORIC

At this front end of uncertainty, what is on the near and far horizons?

First, let's look at the political noise emerging from presidential candidates of both parties. Recently, I heard a long respected executive‘s observation that now may be the time to shift the priority from charges to performance. He suggests the viability of a Michael Bloomberg candidacyand the growing independent voter sentiment. Bloomberg is now the subject of a petition drive to draft him for a presidential bid. This comes in a year when increasing numbers of voters indicate anger with both parties in Washington, and at the lack of discipline by both Democratsand Republicans to control spending.

Bloomberg has the track record to cut through the promises of dramatic change to delivery of change. This delivery consists of experience in bringing discipline to America's most complex and largest city government, as well as managing a growing nationalcommunications business in a highly competitive environment. Combined with an independence from campaign contributors' pressures, it is the work product and the results that count if this type of government leader can bring it to cross party lines and GET THE WORK DONE.

Think about this Bloomberg observation in his recent "State of the City" address: "Keeping New York City and America at the front of the pack begins with openness to new energy ... meaning innovation. That's how I built a business and worked to bring to a city government that was insular and provincial and married to the conventional." Perhaps combined with the personal integrity of McCain and the idealism of Obama, the rhetoric can be narrowed down to real results.

And speaking of failure to move to real results, Bill Clinton has demeaned the responsibility of a former President by daily "charge-counter charge" rhetoric thatdoes nothing constructive and feeds the appetites of the "campaign hype" types, those handlers and advertising moguls who make more money the longer a campaign runs.

ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

In terms of direct results from action by a government agency, the Federal Reserve provides reality not rhetoric. The timing of action on interest rates by the Fed may be needed, near term, to stem the growing number of problems caused by the loss of home ownership in the subprime mortgage arena. But, the balance between Congressional calls for further tax cuts and stimulus packages is a delicate one that does not lend itself to promises and rhetoric. Chairman Bernankehas indicated that a 50 to 150 billion stimulus package seems reasonable with funds going to low and moderate income people. This will likely result in more economic recovery than if it only benefited people with high incomes. This means a separation of long term economic policy from short term stimuli, with a careful balance between the two.

The real factor in the longer term must be a discipline inspendingand the avoidance of hidden taxes. The alternative minimum tax and the complexity of deductions only slide under the door, giving primary benefit to tax accountants in their invoices to clients for whom our tax system has added a level of complexity to maintaining a fiscal discipline at the personal level.

The jury is still out on this quiet but increasingly serious impact on American taxpayers and moderate to lower income citizens. We need to stay tuned and avoid further encores of political rhetoric in the coming weeks of the campaign. Even more important, we need to heed action ratherthan promises.

Let 2008 be a real new year for less political rhetoric and more direct work on behalf of the economy. We need a sensible solution for restoring a strong and stable economy, not weakened by the hot air of political promises. We need a solution that is not weakened by the loss of essential doctors and health care providers or the departure of growing technology business in Maryland.

FOR OUR COUNTRY: FOR OUR STATE: HAD ENOUGH?

2008-01-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

FOR OUR COUNTRY: HAD ENOUGH? VOTE INDEPENDANT!FOR OUR STATE : HAD ENOUGH? KEEP POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION!

First , OUR COUNTRY

As the sun rises on the first cold day of 2008, a welcome to the new year is in order. Remember the days when Presidential campaigns were reasonable in length and not tied to campaign contributions that travel quickly ---

into the pockets of wheeler - dealer political "handlers" of the Karl Rove and the James Carville variety;
into the advertising cash registers of rhetoric-driven television commercials and advertising agencies;
into the relentless candidate sound bites, in Iowa & New Hampshire, out of the mouths of Hillary, Huckabee to all the others that promise a "new dawn" even more exciting than the Times Square image of the new year's arrival.

But, on the last day of last year -- December 31, 2007 -- an independent group of "centrists" / solution seekers have called for forming a "government of national unity"!

Surprise? the answer is "maybe", until the American voter notes who is sounding a trumpet call. As reported by respected Washington Post analyst David Broder, some past and current respected national leaders are calling for change. Look at a sampling of those sounding the alarm, in the spirit of Paul Revere, "Watch out! the partisan politicians are coming! "

Jack Danforth, former Missouri Senator and Episcopal minister who says that politics should not dominate one's faith;
Sam Nunn, former Georgia Senator whose leadership of the Senate Armed Services / Intelligence committees reached out for workable solutions to serious international problems;
Christie Todd Whitman, former New Jersey Governor and EPA Administrator, who saw the need for attention to the "Inconvenient Truth" of global warming being factored into environmental regulations;
Charles Robb, former Va. Senator , who has lent his experience to post-911 bipartisan commission work, based on crossing the line of Democratic -- Republican divide;
William Cohen, former Maine Senator and , as a Republican, served as Secy. of Defense during the Clinton Administration;
Charles Hagel, current Oklahoma Senator and Vietnam veteran, who has expressed concern with rigidity of both the Democratic and Republican party machinery during the current national and international issues, some of which have little past precedant. As 2 examples: globalization of trade and economic issues, the contrast of terrorism that cannot be easily anticipated by traditional military forces that won the 20th century's 2 world wars.

One of this growing group is Susan Eisenhower, personal friend with whom I have had the opportunity to work,as a Board member, of the Eisenhower Institute: a public policy center in Washington, that has takes a leadership role in practical steps towards more cooperation with Russia during the post-Soviet/Stalin era. During his private sector interlude, I worked directly with Chuck Hagel on a election /voting machine reform project that, several years later was proven to be valid during the "chads blizzard" in recent elections. I saw and admired Bill Brock, former Senator from Tennessee, when he -- after moving to Maryland -- worked to bring a broader base to this State's Republican party, then reduced to a narrow minority by the "boss-driven" control of the majority opposition.

What are these people and a growing number of others calling for? Answer and no surprise: Election of a respected leader not embedded to the consultants and the draw-down of millions of dollars being diverted from civic , education causes to which voters might contribute in preference to the online suction of money into campaign advertising and "fix it", overpaid political handlers.

The action line of this new "get the work done", moderate coalition , is to seek an "independent" candidate sufficiently tested in the battlefield of private sector and government management.
The person with whom this group is meeting in less than a week: Michael Bloomberg : no -nonsense Mayor of New York; preceded by private sector business leadership in the communications field and, in Baltimore -- support of higher education as Chair of the Johns Hopkins Board of Trustees and force for funding, by personal example, with the Hopkins School of Public Health and other similar initiatives.

Where will a growing desire for American government, less dominated by partisan bickering , be seen once again? -- in the spirit of once isolationist Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg crossing the aisle to support the United Nations and the Marshall Plan for European recovery.

We do not know the answer to that question -- perhaps, in the maze of the impending Iowa and New Hampshire voting, a shadow of concern about the manipulated, partisan politics of today will be cast over the voter landscape!

ANOTHER PARTISAN INTRUSION: IN MARYLAND AND PUBLIC EDUCATION

Partisan manipulation is not confined to the national scene; we are seeing a threat Maryland's higher education system, managed professionally by a respected former public school teacher and State Superintendent under 1 Republican and 2 Democratic Governors, now at risk: Dr. Nancy Grasmick does not and has never functioned as an advocate for politics in schools -- whether by the teachers union or by outside forces not focused on the improvement of opportunity for creative learning by students -- particularly in impoverished parts of Baltimore.

Recently, as a volunteer trustee of a privately funded social services community needs organization (Episcopal Community Services of Md.), I had the opportunity to work with Nancy Grasmick in assessing the potential of pre-school help to kids being successfully implemented in ECSM's program to assist kids from broken family and home environments. A half day with Dr. Grasmick and her team, was in a word: inspirational, as she listened to staff and volunteers describe how they worked with little kids to enable them to reach higher, even at the pre-school age. What Nancy is now examining is the application of what the ARK does to what can help strengthen the start of kids in the public schools of Maryland.

How can anything go wrong with nonpartisan and professional leadership of public education?

An unnecessary and wasteful battle appears to be emerging for Maryland public education, as competent leadership is beginning to be the unnecessary victim of politics in the management of our State's public schools.Behind the obvious reasons to continue the service of respected professional Nancy Grasmick is emerging the wrong issue: a the willingness of the Governor and others to reverse the nonpolitical help proposed by Ms. Grasmick to provide a properly funded / improved management over the most troubled Baltimore City schools.

Along with discriminatory taxes on small business, there appears on the Annapolis horizon, a cloud similar to partisan national politics where "crossing the aisle" to work with those of different views, seemsto becoming the norm. THE ANSWER ? WATCH FOR THE NEW YEAR TO UNFOLD!

Stay tuned, citybizlist readers! I will report back to you as we move from New Year's day to the first weeks of January-- as more will be learned about the need to VOTE INDEPENDANT for the future of America-- as more will be learned about the O'Malley -Mike Miller - Michael Busch axis to inject partisan politics into Maryland public education.

In hopes for a sensible and more nonpartisan 2008 , your correspondant -- George Wills

EXCUSE THE INTERRUPTION BY A MARYLAND TAX ON SMALL BUSINESS!

2007-11-26T13:07:00.000-05:00

2008 will be a new year for perspectives. One example of a new perspective is technology and its computer component to which many professionals and executives participate. As one who has limited "techie" skills, I am dependent on skilled computer repair professionals. Should such labor services be subject to Maryland Sales Tax? NO!

Computer technology has been temporarily but rudely interrupted by Maryland's Legislature and its Governor. At the conclusion of a happy family Thanksgiving gathering, I stopped by a neighbor's house. Part of that pleasant neighborhood visit was a not so pleasant discovery from a guest who started a computer services business in Baltimore that exports to other states and overseas. This business owner told me that he was "amazed to find that, in its quest to find 'soft targets' to raise tax revenue, the Maryland Senate Finance Committee has arbitrarily decided that a Maryland sales tax should now apply to computer services companies, most of them small in size".

My friend's firm has two offices, one in Baltimore and the other in Pennsylvania. As the owner of this small business, his decision may have to be " to have no future services performed or billed out of the Baltimore office, should the tax be levied on this type of service business". Furthermore, he noted that that if the tax is levied, he will have to ask his existing employees "to move to Pennsylvania immediately." The matter is of such concern to this businessperson that he may have to discourage other computer business executives from locating or expanding in Maryland.

A similar concern was expressed in today's Daily Record Opinion page by another small computer services owner, Stephen Kolbe, President of a local IT consulting firm staffed by 30 employees, most of whom live and work in Baltimore County. Mr. Kolbe added that the computer service industry has been provided with "practically no notice or means to offer commentary on this matter".

What is the message for taxpayers, small business managers and citizens in Maryland? The answer is clear: It is a mistake for Maryland's economy AND its taxpayers.

Another service business has a "special session" challenge: auto repairs. As a member of the Board of Directors of AAA Mid-Atlantic which represents thousands of automobile drivers, I volunteered to assist our regional association in blocking such a discriminatory tax against auto repair firms in Maryland. This Maryland tax would have been in contrast to the other states served by the national AAA.

Like cars made more complex by computer technology, the service providers for home and small business computer users are increasingly essential to the public. Not only is the customer hurt, but also his service provider. That service provider is often not the multi-state corporation that gives CEO's a huge bonus when bad business results actually warrant that exec's departure. We are talking about SMALL businesses, like the one my friend started on his own creative skills and management.

The danger of this kind of tax getting final approval by the Md. Legislature in the upcoming session is clear. It reflects the questionable maneuvering to place a special session as a detour by Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Busch, and Governor O'Malley, around an honest effort to reduce government spending and apply the tax increases fairly. Maryland is no longer a heavy industry state. New technology and health care are critical to our economic future.

Would Miller and the trial lawyers ever permit a tax on legal fees? Not likely, as proven by the skilled maneuvering to prevent tort reform in reducing the excess lawsuits against doctors. The necessity for legislative responsibility is increased for less of a "closed corporation" whereby one of the General Assembly management sets all the rules. An example of this necessity was expressed by the small computer services owner when he heard a report that the Md. Senate President has said publicly that, once elected, a State Senator has only to follow his or her views rather than the needs of the taxpayer electorate. The computer service sales tax is an intrusion on those needs.

Let us remember and apply the same lesson that helped create this State of Maryland and the American nation: "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IS TYRANNY".

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? -- WHEN WE NEED THEM! WILLIAM JAMES , JAMES CLARK & MAC MATHIAS

2007-11-02T08:35:00.000-05:00

These thoughts come forth on Halloween, as I wish that three ghosts of the past might return! Even if only for a brief visit, two of Maryland's finest legislators could bring much to judgment and honesty to our State House in Annapolis. William James and James Clark both served in the Maryland State Senate as members and Presidents of the Senate. As a young "reformer" wanting action to improve honesty and results from the Legislature, Bill and Jim were my inspiration. In the process of working with fellow activists to form a "citizens commission" to achieve these goals, I was given the opportunity to learn from both of these leaders.

Just recently, I plunged into a remarkable story of one of these role models:

"Jim Clark: Soldier, Farmer, Legislator: A Memoir by James Clark Jr. "

From Jim Clark, I learned the most about land conservation needs and opportunities in Maryland, encouraging me to take on the responsibility of chairing the Maryland Environmental Trust. During the years of working with the Trust and its mission of working with landowners / farmers to consider easements as a means of protecting open space for conversation purposes. I remember walking through woodlands and wetlands with Jim Clark to absorb the meaning of citizens' action for land use reform and protecting our natural environment. Jim and Dick Wills, my father and Director of Agricultural Programs at McDonogh School, were kindred spirits who viewed farming and agriculture as a bedrock of what made America strong.

Also, from Bill James I learned the value of honesty and modesty in getting REAL work done. The strength of character and judgment in his work enabled bipartisanship. As an example of this approach to State Government leadership and management, Jim Clark's "Memoir" recalls the 1964 story of efforts to secure support for a Senate bill to limit funds expended in political campaigns. From their perspective, in Maryland, service in the State Senate is a public responsibility-by example of personal conduct and integrity, as well as legislation passed or rejected.

These two leaders did lead - not by noise or ego - but by being consistent and fair in the tricky pathways of Maryland politics. Their example is appropriate for today's two presiding officers: Mike Miller and Michael Busch - and, as the rhetoric from the Governor increases, Martin O'Malley should look to two of his predecessors: Republican Theodore McKeldin and Democrat Harry Hughes who met difficult challenges and connected with citizens/taxpayers. This is more honest than blaming fiscal problems on predecessor and fiscal conservative Bob Erhlich who, in that same spirit of direct communication with the public, faced 4 years of partisan opposition from the Legislature's management.

What are the fundamental differences in public policy between these two groups of politicians? Integrity and consistency are the differences!

Jim Clark, Bill James, Ted McKeldin, Harry Hughes shared a commitment to State government living within its means and acting, not just talking about a balanced budget. Today, O' Malley, Miller and Busch demonstrate little beyond the rhetoric claiming that increased taxes will only affect the "ultra rich". Realistically, small business and middle income producers will be hurt under "plans" that promise everything, but do little to apply iscal discipline in government operations. Further concern emerges as "spender Comptroller" Franchot seems to be for more personnel to audit taxpayer income tax returns than to use the Comptroller's office to control costs.

Bottom Line: Watch the so-called "special session" for at least some evidence that integrity and fiscal discipline are on the first and second floors of the State House.

FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO THE UNITED STATES:
WHERE IS BIPARTISANSHIP WHEN WE NEED IT?

Examples from the Past: Margaret Chase Smith - Decency over Joe McCarthy

Another "good ghost",from America's past, should sweep across this year's Halloween sky: Maine's Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. It was Smith, a Republican early in her Senate years, who had the courage to call the shots accurately in her warning about the dangers of Sen. Joe McCarthy and his tirade against those with whom he disagreed -- lumping them into the categories of "Communists", "traitors", "dangerous liberals", then blending these descriptions into what his demagogic view classified as dangerous to American values. Margaret Chase Smith had the courage to be the first to sound the real alarm against McCarthy's false rhetoric. She did this in the spirit of honesty and bipartisanship when McCarthy, another Republican, went too far.

Examples from the Present : The Baker-Hamilton Commission on Iraq
Congress :More Work/Less Talk

Recently, I heard a 21st century call for bipartisanship from two Americans to whom we need to listen: the co-chairs of the Iraq Study Commission - James Baker, former Secretary of State, and former Congressman Lee Hamilton, President of the Woodrow Wilson Policy Center. At a dinner sponsored by the Churchill Centre, these two real leaders issued serious warnings as they received the 2007 Winston Churchill Leadership Award. Bluntly and courageously, Jim Baker and Lee Hamilton remind us that we need to follow the Churchill example when he led a coalition government during the evil Hitler/Nazi era of death and destruction on Europe. When has the current White House management listened to or taken seriously the thoughtful recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group? The silence has been deafening!

While we are not living in the torment of "the Blitz" bombings on London, the United States needs to step up to the plate and meet our responsibility of world leadership. This means a President who will honestly include members of the opposite party for consultation and reaching a balance and middle ground in major legislation. We are not seeing that in children's health insurance needs or clarity in what may be "around the corner" with Iran. The stakes are too high in the aftermath of Iraq, with billions of dollars of debt piling up as a legacy for generations .

Neither is the Congress free from rhetoric. Its Democrat leaders may usefully reflect on the approach of freshman Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, recently dubbed "Maryland's Senator Fix-It " in a Washington Post commentary. The article spoke of Cardin's willingess to cross the aisle, citing as examples: working to achieve results in legislation providing incentives for good teachers to work in the neediest schools; getting the Army Corps of Engineers involved in clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay, one of the nation's most significant estuaries. It is not "Sunday talk show headliners" who get the real work done - like Cardin at the Federal level and former Gov. Bob Erhlich at the State level .

Politicians today need to follow the examples of Jim Clark, Bill James, and Margaret Chase Smith who speak from our past; and Jim Baker, and Lee Hamilton who now call for action in honest bipartisan cooperation to get the job done in Maryland, and the nation.

ANOTHER GOOD SENATOR WHO IS HERE! -- CHARLES "MAC" MATHIAS

During the post-Halloween weekend, heading west -- with 2 of the 4 grandkids -- to Clarksville Pike to visit Clark's Elioak/ Animal Petting Farm, I was hearing the voice of State Senator, Jim Clark, call "from above" :

"George , great that you are taking those kids to the farmland that has been in my family since 1797 ! As soon as you get back to your place, be sure to include Mac Mathias in your "good ghosts" story.

Jim, how could I have forgotten! But, Frederick County native Mac Mathias continues with us as a real person, now living in Chevy Chase. He is over 80, but very much a part of life and the real meaning of good government in Maryland and the U.S. Senate.

In the spirit of the same respect I have had for others in my "good ghosts/good leaders" commentary, Mac must be included! He had the courage to take on the challenge of making sure that balanced/moderate jurists were the kinds of Supreme Court justices that this country needed --- during and after the Watergate scandals. Knowing Mac and Ann, on Isle au Haut during the early summers in Maine added to his being a role model for public service. Just two years ago found us sitting together at a Middle East seminar taught by another Maryland resident Bruce Laingen, mutual friend and U.S. envoy to Iran during the hostage crisis where he and other Americans were held prisoner there for 400 days.

Mac and Bruce remind us all that public service is still achievable over selfish politics!

O'MALLEY ARRIVES AT THE EMERALD CITY FOR A SPECIAL SESSION IN "OZ"!

2007-10-16T18:31:00.000-05:00

Gov. O'Malley has now completed his quixotic journey in Maryland, promising no pain and more money to fund Maryland's deficit (covered in citybizlist commentary October 5 : "O'Malley on the Yellow Brick Road").

Unlike the real "Wizard of Oz", there has been no delay in discovering who is pulling the cord behind the curtain of Maryland's charming "wizard". It is no other than Maryland's real carnival huckster and behind the scenes "decider" of all things General Assembly, Senate President Mike Miller, aided and abetted by House Speaker Michael Busch! Instead of the Emerald City, we are being greeted by a special session (at taxpayers' expense) of the General Assembly of Maryland!

In the actual land of Oz, the Kansas carnival huckster found that his balloon took the Kansas travellers, compliments of a Midwest hurricane, to a land called Oz. And, there the analogy to Maryland may end. There will be no silver shoes clicked together by a girl named Dorothy, or a fast trip home for her and the other Kansas taxpayers. Instead, in Maryland, under the facade of single Democratic party harmony, comes 2 to 4 weeks of special session wrangling, beginning October 29 --just 2 days before Halloween.

In the Free State, the "land of Oz" is now in the Senate and House chambers where words tend to overshadow the reality of Maryland's budget deficit of nearly 2 billion dollars. What is interesting is the contrast with the last special session in 2005. Miller, a strong advocate of non-stop lawsuits driving doctors out of Maryland, killed a proposal by then Gov. Erhlich to assist patient access to healthcare by reducing unlimited fees to trial lawyers in an attempt to steady malpractice insurance premiums in Maryland. Out of that special session, the General Assembly invoked State subsidy as the answer, avoiding limits on lawyer percentages of amounts awarded plaintiffs .

Now the "land of Oz" has gotten bigger, and there is more of a "puppet" atmosphere surrounding the charming Wizard Governor. But reports of yesterday's special announcement by the Governor shine a dim light on the outcome of the early gathering of the Legislature. For year 5, the magic of slots being offered to generate $550 million to offset a $1.7 billion deficit which O'Malley contends he inherited, had no real action to curtail State spending since a year ago when the platitude of "one Maryland" was sung by candidates for office.

Now, the chickens are coming home to roost. What are those chickens? Per the O'Malley dance down Maryland's Yellow Brick Road, some definitions are: slots, as well as taxes on income that allegedly will only hit the "filthy rich". This is left deliberately fuzzy as to its impact upon small business and wage earners, already being zapped by a syndrome of no comment on the progressive income tax and its impact on those in the middle to lower-middle income brackets .

The politicians seem to be diverting attention from the real problem of government bureaucracy being unable to limit itself. Instead, we now have the diversion of a "people's referendum" on whether or not there will be slots in our tax future. Mike Miller sees this diversion as perhaps limiting the forceful control he has on what legislation goes to committee and whether bills he does not like will ever see the light of day. Miller, per the Washington Post analysis, says that O'Malley is putting deficit reduction "under the bus" by agreeing to referendum before a special session even starts .

It is interesting to watch a single party Democratic state having no convenient target (as was Gov. Erhlich) at whom to fire rockets, while Wizard O'Malley tries to convince the folks in front of the "Emerald City stage" that all is harmony and peace on the first and second floors of the State House.

It is the hidden taxes on which this Governor, as was the case with some Governors before him, will rely upon to confuse and open the door to what his Administration seems to be propounding as a new "field of dreams": tying gas tax increases to the cost of construction materials; limiting growth in the so-called "Thornton" component of education expenditures (leaving more discretion in the hands of too strong a bureaucracy dominating student learning); raising corporate income tax from 7 to 8 %; and utter silence about person al income tax levels.

Another example of a subtle issue relates to the gasoline tax. If increased, there must be a corresponding commitment to secure a better balance that uses The Transportation Trust Fund solely for transportation and, within transportation, to redress the imbalance between mass transit and the increasing repair/ construction needs of highways, roads and bridges.

Maryland may be becoming a miniature U.S. Capitol, in knowing no limits and living by "continuing Resolution " as the answer to fiscal problems. Unlike family and small businesses, where the rubber always meets the road, Governors and, yes, Presidents often live by "Mission accomplished! " when the real work is better service to taxpayers/citizens who have to balance budgets and live within our means.

O'MALLEY ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

2007-10-05T21:48:00.000-05:00

For the past month / even the past year, Maryland has been subjected to its version of the Wizard of Oz's yellow brick road. Instead of "we're off to see the wizard", a variety of messages come from Gov. "Wizard" O'Malley, as he travels a quixotic a campaign-like journey from a Towson housewife's kitchen to the attic window of a Baltimore tower, a stallion breeding barn, and stops along the way to "Oz".That journey is filled with promises to eliminate a $ 1.7 + billion dollar deficit begun 12 years ago, by Parris Glendenning, Maryland's non-stop, spending Governor ; a deficit which Gov. Bob Ehrlich attempted to slow down -- only to be blocked by the Miller-Busch axis in the General Assembly, 2002 - 2006.

What is this Governor's message? It depends on to whom he speaks or what media camera is pointed in his direction. The messages are all over the lot:

putting " constructive" taxes on small / mid-sized businesses who can allegedly "afford it" -- in reality, these taxes may implement the dreams of accountants/ lawyers that are translated from hidden bureaucratic maneuvers into penalizing taxes.

pledging no tax changes/ even reductions for the "little people" except at the sales counters of retail stores where thousands have to buy home and family goods;

"painting" vague descriptions of tobacco taxes that are touted to take care of most of the problem;

touting slots as being able to cut the deficit / when - for the past 5 years - the Legislature has ignored a horse breeding and racing industry, blocking any chance of controlled management of this form of gaming to a limited number of tracks ; l

promoting the gas tax as another "cure-all" to help eliminate the deficit , as the yellow brick road orator contends that this tax is not much of an addition to escalating gasoline prices -- and no move to make a gas tax be applied primarily to essential highway/ bridge maintenance , repairs.

This commentary was intended to be completed in mid-September, when there would some sign of what the Governor was going to do. I have waited for a full month for that indicator --- and there are still words,words, words! The citizens of Maryland are being reassured that all problems will be solved by 30 days of a General Assembly session.

To carry the "Wizard of Oz -- yellow brick road" analogy forward, does this mean that Wizard O'Malley is in front of a curtain with 3 "managers" behind the Governor: Senate President Mike Miller/ House Speaker Michael Busch and leftward spending leaning Comptroller Peter Franchot. Are they doing a "puppet pulling" routine?

To borrow Winston Churchill's description of appeasement Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain : Maryland's current Governor appears to be a "mystery wrapped in an enigma" : many themes, as he now indicates that a November "special session" will satisfy citizens of a State falling back into a troubling pattern : described by my long-time Maine summer friend mentored by that State's remarkable Sen. Margaret Chase Smith : 95 year old "liberal Republican" Linwood Palmer, recently asked me "if Maryland , is returning as ' a dome (the State House) with a cash register under it ' " ?

The time has come for straight talk with the citizens of Maryland and honesty about an accumulated deficit in the management of State Government. The missing link is acceptance that two essential steps must be taken : set priorities among policy choices and reduce in government waste / unnecessary spending .

Maryland's political leaders need to come forward with what they will actually do, if there is a special session. The last such session was marked by rejection of then-Governor Erhlich's attempts to put limits on lawsuit abuse that still can threaten to drive doctors out of practice in Maryland. Healthcare reform and other problems are not solved just by increase of taxes -- but by setting/implementing serious choices among competing options for the use of taxpayer money. As one small example , when will there be a shift of education spending for a large administrative bureaucracy to needed teachers given opportunity to be creative/ innovative and flexible in working with their "end product" ; the students .

Governor O'Malley , this journey is not a dance along the yellow brick road with a scarecrow, tin woodman and your background music. We are at the beginning of "truth time" --- almost a full year after your election -- during which little beyond talk has happened. The politicians must be prepared to make tough fiscal decisions ; not provide more promises along Maryland's "yellow brick road" .

SEPTEMBER KALEIDOSCOPE

2007-09-19T06:24:00.000-05:00

No, this subject does not describe a Picasso or Jackson Pollack work of art! Rather, this September kaleidoscope" fits the definition of Webster's New World Dictionary (circa 1884) of kaleidoscope: "anything that constantly changes".

A sweep through online and some paper versions of Newsweek, The Wall St. Journal, Baltimore Examiner, Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, provides a kaleidoscope of "news" : neither artistic nor orderly. Truly, here is are living example of "mixed" artistry as the "other new year" begins : September and the rush of Fall 2007 events :

In the Nation :The "endless" Presidential campaign continues

The primary beneficiaries of this part of American democracy continue to be the political "handlers" / consultants in the James Carville and Karl Rove mode. More money is being siphoned into the candidates' cash registers, via business wheeler-dealer Hsu and his fat cat friends funneling money into the coffers not only 3/4 million dollars into the Hillary Clinton campaign, but smaller but still-in-the-millions to many other candidates. Other beneficiaries continue as before: the ad agencies, the television industry. It is the American people who are getting turned off, after 9 months' "political pregnancy" and 13 months to endure the endless debate rhetoric, even after the jumble of early primaries just 4 months away in January.

In Maryland: Doctors still in danger with the false security of medical insurance "comfort"

For the past 4 days, the public has been treated to the news that the Med Mutual medical insurance company's $ 69 million surplus means that there are no problems for doctors continuing practice in Maryland, no threat of excessive lawsuits or aggressive trial lawyers operating under the protection of minimum tort reform as encouraged by the Md. Legislature. In the words of Brian Frosh, medical malpractice trial lawyer and Md. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman (no conflict of interest ?) : "the Legislature was right not to enact strong tort reform along with the premium subsidy of 2 years ago". His solution: turn the money back to the State bureaucrats to lessen the $1.5 billion budget deficit -- no return to the doctors as policyholders of Med Mutual. Maryland's legislative leaders continue to ignore the warning of dedicated doctor crusader Dr. Carol Ritter that "the malpractice problem is more than about subsidies and temporary surplus. It is about the moral imperative of supplying adequate healthcare to all." Dr. Ritter is both morally and medically correct.

In Baltimore City: a 28 % voter turnout -- problems continue

Is this low voter turnout the meaning of Baltimore's grass-roots democracy and one-party government? "All politics is local " -- but is all politics based on single party control and management from the back rooms? A significant impact of the City primary is that Baltimore now has its first woman Mayor -- but there needs to be real policy and good management of the bureaucracies that almost are smothering our public school system. The new superintendent appears to be a potential leadership answer -- but in a recent observation by Abell Foundation President Bob Embry, there must be more of the spirit of "Teach for America" than just technical/ somewhat robotic "qualifications" from handbooks and training manuals.

Increasingly frightening numbers of homicide increase and gang warfare for drugs are clouding the "human horizon" for our City. Not only law enforcement, but education and volunteer community groups must step up to the plate to help stop this unchecked trend.

In Congressional hearings, General Petraeus is NOT General Betray Us !

The so-called statement ( "General Paetraeus or General Betray Us ?") in a $150,000 New York Times ad, by a so-called "liberal" organization. "MoveOn.org" issued that description of a respected military /non-political leader charged with the management of the difficult problems in post-war Iraq. MoveOn.org provided a mixture of campaign rhetoric and politics to convey policy by that rabble - rousing headline. This "spin" statement was published, during Congressional hearings last week, as Gen. Petraeus analyzed problems and mistakes in a war that has been filled with difficulties that rival the tragedy of our nearly a decade in the Vietnam quagmire. MoveOn.org exceeded the bounds of decency and even truth in that national newspaper ad.

"The World According to Greenspan"

This title of the current week's "Newsweek" magazine is the prelude to his new book , "The Age of Turbulance". Brilliant as the 20-year Federal Reserve Chairman, Greenspan is the living exponent of what has come to be called "Fed Speak": in effect , analytical and thoughtful assessments of the American economy and its increasing global impact. Greenspan's impact on steering Fed's impact on the economy had significant impact as that economy moved through 20 years, 1987 - 2006 , of turbulence to unprecedented growth. As noted in the Newsweek article , the end of the cold war, globalization, the rise of China , the rampant rise of information technology set the stage for economic growth, high productivity, low inflation, and rising markets. Greenspan sees the inconsistency between professed conservatism and increased government spending. His legacy will be better understood through his memoir, but the impact of 21st century's economic beginnings is yet to come. The story will continue!

O.J. Simpson

At the beginning of September 2007 , the American people again have to endure Simpson's dishonesty and selfish ego. Enough said!

Welcome, September and Happy "other" new year !

DAN BREWSTER: THE TRIUMPH OF PERSONAL VICTORIES OVER PUBLIC LIFE

2007-08-21T11:43:00.000-05:00

The passing of Dan Brewster marks a story of personal courage over the image and seeming "victories" of public life. Born with the silver spoon of family heritage, this interesting individual brought lessons for us all. As an early summer part-time helper when he was first running for the U.S. House, I learned the real and the image surrounding public life when driving Dan Brewster to political meetings. My father's encouragement to "help Dan" also helped me to see the complexities, and sometimes unrealities of a busy public life .

As Senator, Dan attracted attention when he ran as stand-in for President Lyndon Johnson during a heated primary when the segregationist George Wallace saw Maryland as a test of the political climate for the future of civil rights. He was what one might today call a "compassionate moderate": almost an endangered species in today's political world .

But the real story of Dan Brewster has been at the personal level. Son Gerry has said it best in describing Dan's devotion to his country and his rising above the challenges of alcoholism: " It wasn't a perfect life. He made mistakes and had setbacks, but he became an inspiration by overcoming those mistakes."

A second memory of Dan Brewster was tied into my volunteer work as a new Board member of the Maryland State Fair, continuing a tradition begun by my father who directed the agricultural education programs at McDonogh School. Dan and Edwin Warfield, then Adjutant General of Maryland, assembled a "Friends of the State Fair" volunteer cadre of citizens. Dan, Ted Warfield and others mobilized these citizens to block commercial development of the nearly 100 acres that provided an agriculture education center and, for many city dwellers, their only exposure to farm life and live cows, horses and young kids off the farm to show these animal and compete for the coveted blue ribbons. Dan served as President of the Fair's Board of Directors; he was a quiet but true leader who set the tone for a tradition that continues with today's Board President and management: Grove Miller,Cecil County farm and civic leader, and Max Mosner Executive Vice President/General Manager.

Just this past spring, at the Grand National Hunt Race, Dan and I had what was to be our last conversation. In addition to his usual tweaking me for being a naval officer/ 6th Fleet navigator, instead of the Marine Corps, we talked about how he was doing in what we described as his "health department". Instead of concern or complaint, his simple observation said it all : "Feeling less than perfect is just part of life; but being here to watch the horses and see friends , makes the other stuff less important."

Dan's strength to cope with life's personal challenges had an undergirding by heroism in World War II Marine Corps landings on the Pacific islands of Guam and Okinawa. Sharing those challenges and helping Dan has been his special partner and wife, Judy, whom he met at a recovery center. Their story together is one of inspiration and strength for all who knew them; truly, Dan and Judy have worked together to translate the "before" challenges to a positive "after" story in both their lives.

When the scorecard is finally totaled up, it is the personal victories and private accomplishments that are the most real . As has been said, real character and strength is demonstrated when "no one is looking". Daniel Baugh Brewster has been a live demonstration of that strength.