Gingrich has the skills, experience to restore America Re: ” ‘Reformer’ Gingrich embodies what is wrong with Washington,” Editorial, Jan. 23
Frankly, I am somewhat stunned by this editorial, which parrots attacks by the biased press and Gingrich opponents. Nitpicking Newt by ABC and the rest of the shallow-minded media is obviously part of their continued campaign for President Obama.
Gingrich’s victory in the South Carolina Republican primary highlights the former speaker’s historical ability to confront and resolve the vital issues affecting the American people. I have carefully followed Gingrich’s career since the Reagan years, and I’m convinced he will make the best president in these trying, dangerous times.
We need a great communicator with his skills and experience to bring us through this crisis. Now, more than ever, is the time for all good voters to come to the aid of their country. Gingrich and a Republican Congress are the solution for restoring America.
Daniel B. Jeffs
Apple Valley, Calif.
Romney’s latest debate performance is the real disgrace
Mitt Romney could barely contain himself Monday night, calling Newt Gingrich a “disgrace” at least twice in the blink of an eye for actions Gingrich took at the end of the last century.
Romney filled the role of a disgruntled sore loser. For his ugly name-calling, Romney is the disgrace — and in the 21st century.
Nathan Dodell
Rockville
State drives up Maryland’s teacher pension costs
Re: “Maryland counties need incentives to contain pension costs,” Local Editorial, Jan. 19
Maryland counties understandably disagree on the policy of this proposed cost shift, but in particular object to the assertions posed as facts to support the policy.
Are county decisions the main cost drivers for state pension costs? Rather than rely on the counties’ own analysis, consider the statements made by Gov. Martin O’Malley in defending the pension shift. From there, consider the decision makers involved at each level:
Benefit design/employee cost sharing: Entirely a state decision, as these facets of the system are defined directly in state law by the General Assembly.
Investment performance: Also a state decision, since the state’s pension fund is invested under the oversight of a state-appointed board and agency.
Growth in teacher salaries: To suggest that county decision making underlies pension costs is an unreasonable stretch. County governments don’t even sit at the local negotiating table, only Boards of Education and unions. State policy — from a state-sponsored “Teacher Salary Challenge” to the continuing intense focus on class size, recruitment and retention — funnels billions into the classroom in the form of educators’ salaries.
In each case, the cost drivers are understandable, but none actually reside in the hands of elected county officials, who are now being asked to pay a huge and increasing share of these costs.
Gov. O’Malley and the General Assembly face a difficult fiscal situation brought on by unprecedented economic struggles. This policy change and its resulting effects on both taxes and non-education services should surely be debated.
But The Examiner’s uninformed comments about “the individual counties that negotiated retirement packages that are too generous” doesn’t do justice to this important policy debate, which should include a well-reasoned understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of the cost shift.
Michael Sanderson
Executive director,
Maryland Association of Counties
