As Yogi Berra used to say, it's déjà vu all over again. Republican Larry Hogan is elected governor much to the shock and disgust of the Annapolis Democratic establishment. We heard from them claims of "working together" and bipartisanship, but as soon as Governor Hogan proposed his budget, the "days of whines and woeses" began ("Democrats say most of Hogan's agenda won't pass," Feb. 6).
In another example of why we need to establish school vouchers and charter school reform, Maryland teachers unions and their Democratic legislator minions complained of school budget cuts despite the fact that the proposed budget actually increases spending for schools. The real complaint is that the unions will have less money to spend on political campaigns supporting Democrats.
Similar complaints have been made by every interest group that received generous funding from prior management. All have one thing in common: "I don't know about anyone else, but my program shouldn't be cut."
As to the structural deficit, Annapolis Democrats state: Election? What election?
Governor Hogan was not elected to appease Democratic Party interest groups but, instead, to get our spending under control. He should hold firm on repeated requests to maintain the status quo. Otherwise, the line of various feeders at the public trough will closely resemble the proverbial free beer line at Camden Yards. As predicted, the only adult in the room trying to do something about the structural deficit is Governor Hogan, and the public should give him their full support.
Robert C. Erlandson, Ellicott City