Daily "Recent Prince George's County News" updates were suspended in early March 2016. They were compiled primarily from retweets of news headlines. Those retweets continue, but in unformatted and unarchived form at PG-Politics-Briefs. To follow such headlines on a current basis, follow @pgpolitics on Twitter.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Comments on the Washington Post's Endorsement of Rushern Baker for County Executive

The Washington Post has endorsed Rushern Baker for County Executive:

"Rushern Baker would offer much-needed change in Prince George's"
Wednesday, August 4, 2010; A16

Of course the Post endorsed Baker.He offers the kind of change advocated by the Post for years: higher taxes.

The Post has consistently editorialized against TRIM and voter-supported limits on tax increases, and in favor of higher taxes for Prince Georgians. The Post also supported legislation to take away our elected school board.

Their endorsement of Tax and Spend Democrat Baker was to be expected. After all, Baker was a sponsor of both the law that took away our right to elect the school board and the law that circumvented TRIM to establish a telephone tax--one of the very highest such taxes in the nation.  Baker's history of opposition to an elected school board, and opposition to voter imposed tax limitations demonstrates his contempt fot the very voters he is now wooing.

Reading between the lines, Baker's "Pledge for Prince George's County" appears to call for more county partisan political control over the school system. It implies that Baker's team will increase the cost of government services by increasing the pay of government contract employees and by requiring goods and services to be purchased within the county (and creating more enforcement bureaucracy and red-tape), even if that costs the taxpayers more in the long run..

The "Pledge" includes implied promises to spend more money. It does NOT include any recognition of TRIM. It does NOT promise to hold the line on taxes. It does NOT promise to reduce county bureaucracy, redundant and entrenched administrative positions, or the red-tape that kills or delays and increases the cost of so many public and private activities in the county.

In summary, the Post has endorsed the candidate its editorial staff believes most likely to be able to raise taxes and increase government control of the county's economy and businesses and the personal lives of the residents.

It should be noted that the Post has also endorsed at least four other supporters of Baker's "Pledge:"
  • Angela Alsobrooks for State's Attorney
  • Frederick Smalls for County Council District 1
  • Derrick Leon Davis for County Council, District 6
  • Mel Franklin for County Council, District 9

20 comments:

  1. Maybe the Post endorsed Rushern Baker because by default he is the only choice. Michael Jackson's campaign thus far has consisted of vandalism, theft, and vague slogans. I have woken up on 2 separate occasions to find all the signs I placed in my lawn gone and a Michael Jackson sign in their place...in MY front lawn. The only word that comes to mind is disgrace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with above. There are a couple good candidates in this race, but let's be honest, this is a two candidate race. I think the post outlines pretty well why Jackson is just not a viable option....unless you think everything is just fine in Prince George's. If so, then please, vote Jackson.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Recently at a candidate forum, Mike Jackson was asked who he would fire if elected county executive. His answer? - No one. He thinks everyone is doing a fine job. Tell that to the folks whose houses were foreclosed on because the county couldn't manage to use the 5 MILLION dollars given to us by the feds for foreclosure relief, and had to GIVE IT BACK. We were one of only two counties in the NATION who had to give the relief money back. How can you say that everyone is doing their job well?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think the other Posters said it well... DITTO! Rushern Baker is a man of honesty, integrity and intelligence. GO BAKER!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my GOD, you're a REPUBLICAN!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I do not like any of them. It is too bad that one will when. Then we will have to endure another four years of sadness and frustration. Wake up PG county. Wake up. Can't we do better? Maybe not. Maybe we will get just what we deserve. If so, I will try to sell my house and move out of the county.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OR A CLOSET member of the Tea Party! BTW all of the candidates said they would VOTE No to the repeal of TRIM at the NAACP Debate tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd like to hear more about Gerron Levi in the media. I am definitely not voiting for Jackson.

    Ft. Wash., MD
    lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  9. If the choice is between Jackson and Levi, I will vote for Levi. If the choice is between Jackson and Rushern Baker, please, vote for Rushern Baker.

    ReplyDelete
  10. If you want to retain the status quo, then you can vote for Jackson. If all you want is more foreclosures of homes, low morales in the public safety, inefficient and ineffective school system, then go ahead and vote for Jackson. However, if you are like me and are yearning for a positive change, cast your vote for Rushern Baker.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree with the article. The Washington Post has been in favor overturning TRIM and taxing property owners for over 20 years. They helped Parris Glendening and Wayne Currie, but their editorials only informed the public what they could lose. Rushern WILL OVERTURN TRIM and bypassed voters - he already has in effect. I chaired the committees that put in term and tax limits; I do not endorse or support Rushern as I will have to battle every day to keep TRIM if he is elected.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Post has attacked Prince George's for years. All they cover is the negative. They ignore all the good that is PGC. Montgomery County has the same issues, but the Post doesn't make them public. Ask yourself why? Also,look at who is supporting Baker, and ask why. The Delegations in Districts 21 & 22. Think of who they are. Del. Barbara Frush said she does not want Michael Jackson to be her County Exec. "because he won't do what she tells him to do". Unlike Baker who will do exactly what people like her(Mike Miller,Steny Hoyer,Jim Estep) tell him to. Michael Jackson is & has always been for the PEOPLE of the County, not special interest or certain politicians. He doesn't just show up every 4 years looking for a job like Baker.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do not understand why people are attacking Michael Jackson for things he did not do. Check the facts for yourself. Don't just listen to the Washington Post or other media. And certainly do not listen to SEIU, a union out of New York City. Why are they involved in Prince George's election? I bet they're not running this ugly garbage in Montgomery or any other place in Maryland. Why do they feel free to do this here? Do they know that Michael was 100% union endorsed both times he ran for Sheriff? It's no wonder they were kicked out of the AFL-CIO.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Washington Post has always seen itself as Masters of a Prince George's County Plantation! That they would endorse Rushern Baker should not be a surprise to any old-line Prince Georgian. Baker brings no executive experience, which means he will rely on "behind-the-scenes" manipulators to run this County. Those of you who run down Michael Jackson are being blinded by the thoughts of turning back the clocks to eliteism and denial of rights. Do your homework, Rushern Baker is the mannequin in the window...dressed by someone else with the intent of trying to sell you something! Trust that he is no bargin...not real!! All show, but no go!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Michael Jackson supporters...the Baker supporters have mounted an all-out negative assault on Jackson. Please be of good cheer...whether it is pulled, pushed, or dragged, the empty wagon always makes the most noise!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Baker supporters...please pick up your handkerchiefs at the Washington Post Office in D.C.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those of you who blindly support Rushern Baker, please be advised that he will next be passing out the Kool Aid!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rushern Baker TALKS about supporting education, yet he has not worked with teachers or Principals in Prince George's. Jackson is endorsed by Teachers & Administrators. Baker bankcrupted his "teaching" institute. HE couldn't run a small nonprofit. He certainly can't run our County. Jackson has been recognized by Congress for his accomplishments.Baker?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Baker has already shown he does not listen to residents when he took away our right to vote for our board of ed. He has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from Southern Management. He is bought and paid for, and will sell out us & the County if elected. Do you really trust a guy who does nothing for the County, but shows up every 4 years to run for office? We need Michael Jackson. Born & raised in P.G.C. There for our students and us.

    ReplyDelete