Md. General Assembly deserves reprimand

In response to the July 3 editorial, “Make transparency city’s policy,” I agree that every jurisdiction should make their spending open to the public. I disagree with the way the Maryland General Assembly received credit for giving it “bipartisan support.” For years Del. Warren Miller (R-Howard) tried to gain bipartisan support for this legislation without success. It was not until grassroots organizations who normally support Democrats got involved that Democrats gave him their support.

In years past, the Democrats pushed against any level of transparency of tax dollar spending. Maryland’s transparency bill does not include spending under $25,000. While Miller and those who have worked with him on this for years deserve credit, this General Assembly as a whole deserves a reprimand. Members do not deserve respect for making the citizens of Maryland wait years for transparency in the spending of our tax dollars.

Rick Bowers

Columbia

We will suffer without effective energy solutions

It must be assumed that the leaders of the state of Maryland think the rest of the country and world should supply our energy requirements without us having to carry any responsibility. (“Commerce decision on gas facility wrong for Md.,” July 2)

When are the politicians going to begin to do something to generate a true energy policy? Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) cannot possibly be serving the best interests of Maryland. She is part of a group that has placed impediments in front of efforts to rationally develop our resources as well as distribute them.

With the current prices for oil and gas, no self-respecting “wildcat” developer would let anything get in their way of making money. If our leaders do not begin to look for a solution that is truly in the interest of the greater good of all, we will suffer.

Alan Thomas

Towson

Better leadership needed

I am fed up with members of Congress who question big companies about the cost of oil, diesel and gasoline. (“Commerce decision on gas facility wrong for Md.,” July 2)  Why can’t the president and Congress get together on this?

Today’s energy crisis is a national emergency and requires a united effort from both industries and the government. We need to create a national energy program that eliminates or dramatically lessens our need for gas, oil and coal-based products. Where is the outcry from the public over the cost of electricity, gas and oil and the subsequent flow down through the economy? We the public must demand better leadership from our elected officials.

Richard M. Spencer

Aberdeen

Juvenile services a disgrace

 In reference to the June 26 article, “O’Malley, team defend sale of former troubled youth facility,” Gov. Martin O’Malley and other officials’ decision to sell the former Bowling Brook Youth facility to a Nevada firm that runs juvenile detention centers is absolutely absurd. It amounts to an open admission that the state of Maryland is incapable of developing a successful rehabilitation and educational program for its troubled youth. This clearly verifies the fact that after long years of ineffective operations, the Department of Juvenile Services has reached an all-time low.

I strongly recommend that action be taken immediately by state authorities to completely reorganize the Department of Juvenile Services. I also recommend that Secretary Donald DeVore and other high-ranking officials in his department be replaced.

Quinton D. Thompson

Towson

Flaws exposed in GOP

Mark Newgent’s July 3 article, “Republicans: Return to first principles,” is a good example of what is wrong with the Republican Party. It is partly found in his reference to tradition, fusionism and libertarianism. It is disguised in his accolades for [Barry] Goldwater and [Ronald] Reagan. It is even in the litany of conservative issues that former presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul represents. The blogger’s summary of the situation, along with the large picture of Paul, is merely setting the stage for another smear of the bravest statesman of our era. 

Just as Newgent elevated himself to conservative pundit extraordinaire, he pronounces, “Paul’s obvious weakness is foreign policy, and fusionists are right to be skeptical of his isolationism.” Isolationism? Paul has a long history of promoting free trade with other nations while maintaining a non-interventionist foreign policy. The Texas congressman specifically references some of these traditional “first principles” on his Web page. What’s wrong with the Republican Party and the nation as a whole? It is that misinformation is presented as the truth.

Michael Hargadon 

Catonsville