After leaving Baltimore 30 years ago because of taxes, housing and failing schools, I've observed that nothing is any different today. Leaders, politicians and people in prominent positions talk, talk, talk — and the city is no different. All of them fail to recognize that nothing will change until government stops creating citizen dependency. Nothing will change until they recognize that restoration of family, faith and education are key to giving every Baltimorean a chance, and that commitment will lift the burden off those like me who pay the taxes to support failure.
If Baltimore City Council members, the mayor or church leaders really want to see change, why not start by telling every child living in the city that he or she will be given a $10,000 education voucher to spend at any school. They won't do it because of teacher unions and politicians who want to continue the culture of dependency and despair. The current Democratic nominee for mayor, Sen. Catherine Pugh, said one of her major priorities is to bring the community together. That's just more nebulous, non sequitur after another without the courage to make the tough decisions.
Stephen B. Tabeling, Abingdon