Politicians, Unions, and Child-like Behavior

So this will probably result in a rant by the time it is done--but there are just some things that I don't understand and if I were king for a day, I would change.

For instance, why do politicians feel that they are elected to find new ways to raise taxes? Maryland is talking about trying to find a new way to tax drivers for the number of miles they drive. Sound new? Really? What is a gas tax? The more miles you drive the more gas you use and the more you pay in taxes. Duh! There are just trying to find a new way to increase taxes.

Oregon and Washington State are already experimenting with this approach. It seems that the new environmentally sound cars are reducing revenue and so politicians need another source. I am sure the revenue hungry state of Maryland will soon follow suit, and this is in addition to toll roads and increased gas taxes.

And don't forget--Maryland taxes rain and soon, I am sure, will tax air. 

Politicians need to find ways to reduce taxes and not creatively develop and implement new and hidden taxes. 

Here in Howard County, the School Board, who are really non-partisan politicians, are refusing to negotiate with the teachers union and the result is chaos at the end of the school year. The article Teacher Contracts Stall in Howard County describes the impasse.

The childishness of the entire situation, as characterized on the news, is incredible. A bunch of adults with bad attitudes playing out their grievances in the press. Just what we need--great examples for the kids.

Bob's view? Simple. Teachers deserve raises commensurate with the continual rise in cost of living and taxes. They haven't had they in a couple years. They are behind. Howard county is one of the 10 best school systems in America. Unless we want to descend into mediocrity, we are going to have to pay for the education. That's why people move to Howard county. That's why our housing prices are so high. Yeah, we have high taxes--but penalizing teachers for the free-spending county executive is not the right answer.

The School Board and the Teacher's Union need to talk because there are some incredibly stupid things happening which are jeopardizing the education of the people who really matter--the students.

If I were elected, I would like to think I could fix this. But the reality is that I would probably be a lone voice of reason in a sea of insanity. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD