2008: A CROSS ROADS ELECTION - AN ECONOMIC CRISIS The REAL new year has begun in October 2008 with a calendar twist. This is October 7, not December 7! But the United States seams to be facing a potential "financial Pearl Harbor". The endless election campaign seems less and less relevant as the politicians spend time and rhetoric on issues like Obama's friendship with a war protestor and McCain's connection with a lobbyist for the savings and loan industry. Although not constructive, these past events are more of the endless two year election campaign's "attack ads" syndrome.

This week the financial world of Wall Street has seen a drop between 300 and 800 in one day, bringing the Dow Jones level to below 10,000 for the first time in nearly a decade. This roller coaster activity is proof that economic results will take time, and that sweeping government legislation is not the complete solution.

Congress passed the controversial legislation that will require American taxpayers to bail out Wall Street for $780 billion; and we witnessed the hearing of Richard Fuld, embattled CEO of the Lehman financial giant, whose bonuses and salary combinations have totaled $480 million in that same decade. As we are forced to stomach a "bailout" legislation carrying baggage of Congressional "earmarks", (a new name for good ol’ fashioned "political pork" and bridges to nowhere), and we witness two more Presidential debates, the need to go beyond platitudes grows more necessary than ever.

To give some necessary perspective to the excesses of 2008 election rhetoric and the politics of Congress, let us first apply some historical perspective to elections past, some of which took place during uncertain economic times.


What is Past? Is it "Prologue"?

Every fourth year, during a Presidential election, the change is often hidden as summer fades and autumn begins. To a large degree, it is the final turn in what has become known as an endless campaign: two years of television and internet advertisements with more rhetoric than substance, consultants, political handlers, and money poured into a system that subsidizes both the media and those who "manage" the candidates.

As we approach the final turn of a national "Presidential Preakness" race, is the substance of issues and the candidates' capacity to actually govern as President becoming less important? Attack ads are not new. Here are just a few historical examples of what former politicians said before the media onslaught began to take over:

1860 "My opponent is a big-eared baboon".

Edwin Stanton referring to a Springfield lawyer, Abraham Lincoln. Stanton became Secretary of War during four of the most traumatic years in American history. As described in Doris Kearns Goodwin's revealing perspective, "Team of Rivals", Lincoln created a true coalition cabinet to shepherd the nation through a civil war.

1912 "He has the personality of an apothecary clerk".

Theodore Roosevelt speaking about Woodrow Wilson in the 1912 three man race where split votes between "Rough Rider" and heavyweight (literally) Teddy made a little known college professor a future World War I President.

1920 "I know he is not intelligent; but he looks like a President".

Henry Cabot Lodge, Senator and old school Boston aristocrat, in a Chicago hotel smoke-filled room session suggested that the Republican convention could best select appearance as the criterion for a campaign that was to call for a "return to normalcy". Result?: Warren Harding, a truly “lesser light" in the White House .

1932 "...an amiable country squire with no noticeable qualifications to be President".

Walter Lippman, the intellectual "wise man" of American journalistic opinion, commenting on Hudson River Valley aristocrat Franklin Roosevelt's campaign for President after just four years as New York Governor, in the midst of the worst economic crisis ever faced by the United States.

At the 1980 Presidential debate after a long-winded observation by President Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan smiled and sighed, "There he goes again." In this case, the humor was a preview of a candidate who, like FDR, had a unique way of connecting with the average voter and it worked in enabling him to reach far beyond the perception of an actor who could do little else. Ronald Reagan shifted the national gears toward "creative conservatism". Both Truman and Reagan were underestimated in the heat of the campaign process.

And, in 1968, Maryland's temporarily notorious entry into national politics was the nomination of its relatively unknown Governor, Spiro Agnew, for Vice-President. When asked why he was selected, Republican nominee Richard Nixon replied: "No one knows anything bad about him". Less than five years later, Agnew became the first Vice President to select resignation over court indictment and (likely) conviction for corruption.

Is What’s Past...Prologue?

Were these campaign observations predictions of anything to come? The answer is clear: No! With the exceptions of Harding and Agnew, all of those candidates belittled by opponents and commentators turned out as leaders under the pressures and demands of governance. What history says is that past campaigns have been silly, superficial and carried the potential of "surprise" in producing leaders who did lead. Lincoln and the two Roosevelts became surprise symbols of strength. Is that the benchmark of what lies ahead after a new President is inaugurated on January 20, 2009?

Did the debates separate reality from rhetoric? Will this seemingly endless campaign result in relief for American taxpayers and business owners?

Stay tuned for the conclusion of "2008: A CROSSROADS ELECTION -AN ECONOMIC CRISIS", to appear before the November 4th vote……….  10:50 AM •  0 Comments •

From Factories To High Tech: Maryland's 21st Century Economy In the last two weeks, an economic crisis of tsunami proportions has created unease among us all. The dramatic changes for Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, AIG and, in Maryland, Constellation Holdings makes us consider the impact this will have on Maryland businesses in the foreseeable future.

While speaking over the weekend with Brad Wills, my son and CEO of Wills & Associates, the family public relations firm, we focused on some light amidst the economic clouds of Wall Street and government regulatory agencies. Believe it or not, the light comes from the Maryland region.

Instead of uncertainty, the ongoing emergence and staying power of the high tech sector is essential for 21st century Maryland. The clout of business executives and their associates who run high tech companies, both new and well-established ones, has replaced Maryland's 20th century factories, smoke stacks, and assembly lines as the economic engine of the future.


A Strong, Increasingly Stable Platform

The respected Milken Institute issued their annual State Technology and Science Index for 2008 and ranked Maryland # 2 in the country. This annual report measures which states are best positioned to achieve high-quality economic growth based on a range of criteria – mostly technology and scientific assets. This year's report highlights Maryland's move in the last three years from fourth place up to second place, and closing in fast on #1 ranked Massachusetts. According to the Milken Institute, Maryland ranks first in the U.S. for its "Human Capital Investment", and unlike Massachusetts, places consistently in the top ten in all five composite indices. This substantial improvement since 2004 makes Maryland a "serious challenger".

This is happening because Maryland has shown improvement in the ability to attract business into the state and new projects that link research with technology to produce the most advanced products. This state has been delivering what Milken calls "commercialization of its intangible assets, leveraged by its strengths in life sciences and communication technology".


Recognizing Meaningful Action

On October 2nd, The Greater Baltimore Tech Council will host its nineteenth "TechNite" at Baltimore's Convention Center. While one of the best networking events in the region, it is a celebration of how essential the technology community is for Baltimore and Maryland, now and in the future. TechNite is affirmation that the hard work by Maryland entrepreneurs, technology business leaders, and government officials is paying off. This year's event should be even more meaningful because a major bullet was dodged back in April when the Maryland Tech Tax was repealed before it ever got out of the starting gate. The GBTC knew, along with the Maryland Computer Services Association, Tech Council of Maryland, and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, that that if this repeal effort failed, and most thought it would, Marylanders would be seeing tech, low tech, and no-tech companies running for the hills to avoid this tax – moving operation out of state, reincorporating outside of Maryland, and shipping IT service away from Maryland businesses. The message would have been crystal clear to those thinking of doing business in Maryland – stay away.

Looking at how quickly and effectively the technology community descended on Annapolis and blocked this ill-conceived tax, it is clear that GBTC's effectiveness in growing and expanding the technology community in greater Baltimore during the last twenty years has played a major role in this effort.  12:10 PM •  0 Comments •

"EMBARRASSMINTS" (or "EmbarrassMENTS") Recently, I saw a "Corner for Politics" in a small Maine store, where down east humor provided an appealing product line. Two small jars of candy mints were labeled "EMBARRASSMINTS". One had a picture of a grinning George Bush, and the other label carried a photo of Hillary Clinton with a "shut up and listen to me" facial expression. Are these embarrassMINTS really embarrassMENTS?

WISE OL' MAINE
Speaking from a “summah” perspective "up heah" in Maine, let's begin with some straight talking Maine wisdom, where citizens here are known for direct comments and low-key humor. One gathering place of wisdom is the Nobleboro Village Store where a longtime friend dispensed his thoughts on our "Free"(?) State politics nearly two years after the replacement of Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Noting that Maryland has a political monopoly of Democrats, an observation by a multi-talented senior citizen and one-time Leader of the Maine Legislature, real estate agent, and local minister, all wrapped up in one human being who was equally blessed with a truthful sense of humor asked, "George, is Maryland's state capital building going back to being a ‘DOME WITH A CASH REGISTER UNDER IT’?”

After my sides stopped twitching with laughter and the humor of an "Embarrassmint" faded, I turned to a more serious current example: this year's endless presidential/political campaign wherein the beneficiaries continue to be the political consultants, the ad agencies and the media cash registers.

The bipartisan spirit of former Maine office holders must be unanimous in condemnation of this trend. A poll should be taken up "theah" of the late Senator Margaret Chase Smith (whose first speech on the Senate floor condemned the Communist "witch hunter" Joe McCarthy), and "heah" of Senator George Mitchell (who negotiated a peace treaty for northern Ireland), and Senator Bill Cohen, a moderate Republican who served as Secretary of Defense in the Clinton Cabinet. All of these individuals could work across party lines and help get the job done. Mitchell and Cohen worked together to keep defense business for essential navy ships coming through Bath Iron Works and its efficient production record.

These three Maine Senators succeeded because they were steeped in reality and not tempted by what my longtime friend and onetime boss Milton Eisenhower advised when I started work at the Office of Management & Budget, on White House Fellowship: "George, the biggest danger to avoid in Washington is not getting obsessed, as too many are, with the VERTICAL PRONOUN."

Now may be the time for a REAL poll on whether we are accumulating new business, political, journalistic and even religious embarrassments:

THE BALTIMORE SUN
In the latest "Hurricane Zell": Tribune Company czar and new Sunpapers owner Sam Zell has blown away 20% more of a decreasing newsroom staff, including the entire business section of the paper. This was done last week during the current economic downturn, sending a message that "Zell & Co." simply can't afford to report or analyze economic impacts on business in the Maryland region. It is almost as if the economy is not a factor of value in good journalistic coverage.

Business mogul Zell claims that greater attention needs to be given to advertising; therefore, no Business section is needed. Question: Where do the advertising dollars come from? Political contributors who feed the candidates' advertising appetites? Are more ads from car dealers replacing business news?

The answer to these questions may become apparent when, held to a bright light, a blank Business Section says, "Sorry! Nothing to Report! " Pardon me, absentee landlord Zell! As a human example of the latest "buy out or get out" program, longtime respected business journalist Bill Salagnik was forced out of the newsroom. Is THAT the way to phase down and out a newspaper that once had a solid reputation?

From a declining standard of journalism to another storm, pure politics wins out over government management.

"MARYLAND'S GATHERING STORM"
Speaking of hurricanes, there is another so aptly described by longtime political analyst Barry Rascovar. The "gathering storm" he referenced: "Gov. O'Malley failed to act in support of exceedingly mild budget reductions by the executive agency charged with fiscal management”. In many cases, Rascovar describes "management" as "simply shifting funds from one account to another". Bluntly put, he notes that, "Overall, O'Malley's budget cuts amount to a lost opportunity. He didn't prepare the ship of state for that gathering storm on his political radar screen".

State tax receipts are falling short of estimates by more than $100 million for this fiscal year that closed June 30. How do the O'Malley administration and the Legislature's czars Mike Miller and Michael Busch think the deficit will be closed? Is their answer: by adding further burden to heavily taxed Maryland businesses and citizens having to shell out much more for gasoline and other financial concerns in the months ahead?

Like their national counterparts, Maryland politicians had better move beyond rhetoric and attack ad promises to deliver RESULTS! And, what are those results? Answer: an elementary school answer like Suzanne's and my grandchildren will be learning: "Don't spend other people's money when they do not have it to give you"!

Is this too much to ask of a Governor and legislators whose objective is spending more to be reelected?  4:12 PM •  0 Comments •

"What's Happening?" and "Go Get "Em!" Remembering Tim Russert

Another month has come to an end, and building on my most recent commentary, "Moments of Truth" continue to be found. We felt great sadness with the sudden passing of Tim Russert, journalist and political analyst of the first order. He was tough and caring, two words that do not often go together in identifying a person. In the same way, how could one person ask both "What's happening?", and give a battle charge, "Go get 'em!" ?

Tim Russert was a "2 for 1".

Russert would seek the latest information and updates from his journalists and staff associates, and as the one minute countdown to the Sunday morning start began for "Meet the Press", he would try to find out which politician was faking about what.
GO GET 'EM! These were words of encouragement to fellow reporters, friends and, very important, his favorite team, the "Buffalo Bills".

"WHAT'S HAPPENING? "
In the spirit of Tim Russert's challenge to fellow journalists working on an important story, how long does it take a work in progress to be resolved? Maryland has an example of a continuing issue that needs continuing work and action. That issue is the future of the government agency that works to strengthen economic development in Maryland: our Department of Economic & Business Development (DBED).

Following media reports that Governor O'Malley wants to reorganize DBED following a statement that "the DBED we have inherited, in essence, is designed to be a mezzanine loan office". He further described the process as "deals" originated through the counties. His Secretary of Economic Development further states that Maryland "needs to be better connected to the technology community".

It is strange that the computer services tax cleared DBED, and without high tech business opposition, might have slipped through both the Legislature and the cabinet department assigned to provide a favorable fiscal climate for the growth of high tech and biotech industry. There seemed to be a gap between organizational theory and hard reality.

In the spirit of finding out "what's happening", I sought information from one of the few business senior professionals who has served at DBED's helm, Aris Melissarotis, successful business executive, who left a Westinghouse career to open a new and refocused DBED, government action instead of talk, in behalf of economic action in sync with a changed 21st century technology-based economy. One of his most creative action steps was to insert economic strategy into the higher education sector. Putting it bluntly, this adds a 4th "technology gear" to higher education research that can strengthen the economic clout of technology: economic and human needs results from high tech and biotech research. Aris told me that a prime purpose of "government's economic development policy is to create intellectual property/applied knowledge by which the private sector business can grow".

Under this approach to managing an economic development agency, the Maryland Venture Fund, under the direction of Ann Quinn, took the approach of economic development for the Maryland region through direct investments and encouragment of investments in regional venture funds and providing incentives for the Maryland State Pension system to more creatively invest in alternative economic development options.

Bottom Line: before the current State Administration looks to "bureaucratic reshuffling", it must continue the free enterprise approach for DBED to act as a catalyst for private sector growth in the 21st century world of high-tech and biotech. Former DBED Secy. Melissarotis makes a direct point: "Government needs to get to substance, not moving bureaucracies round and round". Well spoken - and Aris is now doing that kind of work as a senior executive at Johns Hopkins to have intellectual property work with practical results.

If Tim Russert were still with us, he might say that, as we find out "what's happening", we should act! As he put it: "Go get 'em!"

HOW TO DO IT:

After considering the need to put a more practical business approach to government, let us return to the exit lines about Tim Russert that have meaning for today: both business and government, and the human beings who attempt to make both work. Thoughts at the Kennedy Center tributes to Tim Russert from his friends:

1. Doris Kearns Goodwin is an historian and author of "Team of Rivals", the story of how Abraham Lincoln garnered cooperation from campaign rivals to form a coalition cabinet during the frightening years of the Civil War's threat to destroy this nation. When asked by the press whether he was being "two-faced", Lincoln responded in direct fashion: "If I had more than one face, do you honestly think I would use THIS one? "

2. Son Luke Russert, in noting that his Dad was likely adapting "Meet the Press" to a heavenly audience and would bring back past American leaders for further Sunday morning Q & A sessions. Among those he thought might be early on the list for this election year were Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton - to have them keep debating instead of dueling, Theodore Roosevelt on the value of a 3rd, truly independent party, Jack Kennedy and Barry Goldwater on whether the 2008 election campaign can advance beyond rhetoric and expensive, no-substance advertising.

During the next few weeks of summer reflection and filtering out work from words, whether in business, government and our lives, let's thank Tim Russert for cutting through the rhetoric of political words and the example he gave through the story of family in "Big Russ and Me" and "Faith of our Fathers".

Whether in Maryland or in the nation, it is good to apply the words of St. Francis to our own lives, as suggested by Tim Russert's 4th grade teacher, Sister Lucille, "In giving of ourselves, we receive".  11:38 AM •  0 Comments •

Moments of Truth...They Can Be Found! As May 2008 joins this year's calendar, alternate sun and rain mark the climate of these spring days - usually the best weather in the changing season environment. Because of too long a pause since my last commentary, now is the time for perspective.

In our natural environment, rain is necessary to help continue sunlight and warmth, unless in the form of tornado or flood. Like that natural environment, good and bad need balance in the worlds of business, public policy, professional sports, and even politics!

First, the good v. the bad in the recent session of the Maryland Legislature: Some of the bad obscured the good, particularly in "rhetoric" politics blotting out fiscal discipline and insufficient action to reduce spending by the decision makers on the first and second floors of Maryland's historic capital building.

The difference between truth and rhetoric is not always easy to find. However, one example of citizen action to successfully cut off the rhetoric: defeat of the computer/tech tax passed behind closed doors of the so-called "special session" of November 2007. Action by small businesses and individual citizens put the heat on through a "moment of truth". Hundreds of computer service firms would exit Maryland to more favorable business climates in surrounding Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Professionally and personally engaged in this battle, I found it meaningful to be part of putting the heat on politicians who seemed to be running towards the nearest exit. With the leadership of Maryland Computer Services Association, led by computer executive Tom Loveland working in tandem with organizations like the State Chamber of Commerce, the exit doors of escape were closed! Tom Loveland and Brad Wills, CEO of Wills & Associates, gave meaning to the word "teamwork".

"Moments of truth" can be found in unexpected ways, and some recent experiences give meaning to those moments:

TWO GIFTS BY THE HOUSE OF RUTH: MOMENTS OF TRUTH

Each year, Baltimore is reminded of the important work of The House of Ruth in its battle for the protection of battered women. An annual fundraiser helps this organization achieve its goal of helping these women and their children find safety and security. That goal was given meaning by an honoree of the meeting, Lisa Spicknall, whose story of her husband's abuse towards her and her children ended with his murder of those two children and his suicide. Her commitment to work with the House of Ruth to stop violence such as she experienced gave strength to all of us who heard her.

The legal system often moves too slowly to protect victims like Lisa Spicknall. It is time for lawyers and judges to accelerate justice for the victims of this kind of violence.

A second speaker gave another story of meaning and courage in a "moment of truth: Bob Woodruff, ABC news anchor, reporter and author of "In an Instant", the story of his serious injury in an explosion from an explosive device north of Baghdad. Woodruff's near death and recovery demonstrated courage and strength that has brought him to a return to service as an ABC reporter. Lee Woodruff, Bob's wife and co-author of "In an Instant", brought support and care during an intensely traumatic period of uncertainty when it was not clear whether he would survive high risk brain surgery. He did survive and the Woodruffs' moment of truth arrived by establishing the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury. This Fund raises money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and care following brain injury suffered in service to their country. Here is a real moment of truth to HELP war vets amidst all the rhetoric of how much their sacrifice in battle means to our country's security and safety.

ARTS EDUCATION, AND PERSONAL GROWTH FOR KIDS IN POVERTY:
"THE CLUB AT COLLINGTON SQUARE": MOMENT OF TRUTH

With cumbersome bureaucracy that often surrounds public education, there needs to be increased attention to hands-on work with kids in poverty, giving them more of an "edge" than their living environment provides. One example is a program of Episcopal Community Services (ECSM), a social needs "help" nonprofit that assists people in fighting neighborhood crime and poverty:
1.) "Jericho" prisoner rehabilitation and re-employment training, recently visited by President Bush, who was moved by personal recovery-in-progress through a positive reemployment rate for those whose lives in jail brought them to Jericho
2.) The "ARK" program of volunteers and professionally trained social workers who work with pre-school children from devastated home situations
3.) The "Club" takes those kids who have advanced to early teen age, but are confronting the adversity of drugs, street violence, and poverty.

The Club's moment of truth addresses personal growth for teenagers in a different arena: arts education. The Club is in the process of becoming a community arts program, thanks to the leadership of full-time Director Julia Dibussolo, recent product of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with undergrad and graduate degrees in Community Arts. She and associate MICA graduate Emily Vaughn recently held an afternoon class based on the paintings of Willie Birch. In Julia's words, "Willie's art and sense of community had a great impact on me. His art and my lesson plan based on 'After the Storm' had a profound effect on the Club youth. In the class lesson, youth were asked to remember a 'storm' in their own lives - and convert their emotions into a visual storm painting on paper."

Suzanne and I were observers of this class, joined by MICA enthusiasts Eddie & Sylvia Brown (whose commitment to art and the career of their daughter, painter Tonya Ingersoll, was the inspiration to fund the Brown Center at MICA ). It was observing and interacting with these kids that gave the four of us a "moment of truth". Kids, in spite of poverty and exposure to violence, can be stretched to creativity and learning by art and what it means to them.

What is the human lesson from this art lesson? In short, the answer is direct involvement with challenges. As a watercolorist and painting enthusiast, I had never thought of art as a means to help young people through their fears and frustrations. Again, finding and facing moments of truth can be means of trying to solve problems. It "ain't easy", but the lessons of art can be applied to business and policy.

THE PEACE CORPS: MOMENTS OF TRUTH

Finally, amidst all the excess of rhetoric in today's public life, real work still gets done. An example of the right work of public policy is the working legacy of the Peace Corps. From its origins under Sargent Shriver's leadership 45 years ago, the P.C. has been a means for young people to serve. Again, the moment of truth reached me through two young people who have and are preparing for volunteer service on two continents faced with challenges of poverty and human loss. The moments of truth are the dedication of two young citizens who understand and act in service to others: Elizabeth Tunkle who has just completed a term of service in Zambia, in Africa; and Caroline Ayres, heading to Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America. Both under age 30, their work has been and will be quietly done in the interest of helping others in need.

There is a theme of volunteer service and commitment to help others in stories from the House of Ruth; the Club at Collington Square; and the Peace Corps. From these "moments of truth", can we look and learn? Can we apply funds, ie.: real help to enlarge the work of the organizations and individuals described in these three case studies?

Here are two public policy and political action items for your consideration, good readers of Citybizlist and this commentary:

1.) Reform the gross excess of spending during endless presidential campaigns and reduce the length of those campaigns from 2+ years to the focus and discipline of an election focused on issues and not attack ads or excessively expensive media hype. Convert these multi-millions to funding of community service (NOT through new government bureaucracies) and work that directly helps those who need it.
2.) Apply economic and global political leverage on OPEC and the greed of oil monopolies to cease and desist in a national climate of an emerging recession.

If "moments of truth" can be found in good works such as described above, let us move to such moments and push to results where they are needed!  9:15 AM •  0 Comments •

AN UNPREDICTABLE SEASON: THE ECONOMY, BUSINESS, AND POLITICS Out of two months of cold, rain, snow and even tornadoes emerges a season of presumed spiritual peace: Passover and its meaningful Seder that brings family and friends together, and Holy Week with its contrasting days of Good Friday and Easter.

The symbolism and peace of Passover and Holy Week can be for many, to use an ol’ navy term, "anchors to windward" in this month of quixotic events and change. These events carry change and uncertainty that might optimistically be considered "works in progress" as the economy, business and politics advance to what many hope might be "predictable indicators" for the near and long term future.

What are these "works in progress" and how are they defining the "State of the Union" ten months before President Bush's final speech by that name? As in my avocation of watercolor painting, a sweep of brush and color can be one way to help produce a landscape. But even using broad brush and vibrant colors, the devil can be in the details of the final product.

In three areas of this unpredictable season, let us explore the uncertainties and potential solutions for the economy, business, and politics. Are there apparent solutions to problems, sole indicators of emerging stability in the nation and in Maryland, often called "America in Miniature"?

Home foreclosures and the credit crisis are reaching families and individuals trying to pay mortgages and meet the cost of living challenges of rising gasoline and home heating costs. On the macro level, the credibility of the Federal Reserve has been put on the line in the use of the Fed's powers to protect investors against a plunge in financial markets. The Bear Stearns syndrome serves as a recent example.

A related question: Is the stock market, with its quixotic ups and downs, going to settle down? Back in the 1929 crash, the market was the primary culprit. But, nearly 80 years later, the market is not the only story. NYSE and NASDAQ are just two parts of the economy, perhaps indicators of more that is going on. Why? In 2009 the markets are intertwined in the complexity of an increasing global economy where the import/export relationships of the U.S. to other global powers (such as China) have increasingly entered the picture.

As the outward and visible sign of the economy, business is essentially providing the products and services of the private sector. There are macro examples, eg: the Boeing/Northrup Grumman defense contract battle. And, here in Maryland, the struggle continues between government and the technology sector - specifically, the computer service businesses, many of them small and medium sized. The threat of a 6% computer service tax still looms over these businesses in a growing IT services sector. The danger of this tax could drive Maryland based businesses to more friendly territory in Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

But, in this unpredictable season, business may win out. An example in Maryland is the battle by the computer companies to continue being a productive part of this State's high tech sector. Evidence of this battle are two days of mass turn-outs from almost 1,000 company executives and employees, including strong warnings before General Assembly committees more comfortable in the environment of lobbyists and "deals", often without the discipline of fiscal limits that are required in running a successful service business.

Thanks go to coalitions of computer service businesses such as the Maryland Computer Services Association, organized and led by Tom Loveland, CEO of Mind of Machines - a truly "grass roots" business executive who is translating his commitment to a growing high tech sector into nonpartisan political action. This is an example of what democracy is all about. This "democracy in action" may result in Maryland's Legislature and Governor being pressed into helping economic development through products and services, results of work by businesses and professional firms. What is needed at the finish line after 90 days of "Annapolis talk"? The answer is simple: REPEAL of a penalty tax that justifies more fiscal discipline by government.

Finally, the most unpredictable part of this unpredictable season: politics. An endless presidential campaign was recently narrowed down to cross fire from candidate Clinton against the first strong opponent she has ever faced, Barak Obama, who has tried to place rationality before a shouting minister.

National politics continues to be dominated by the geometric growth of campaign spending. The cost of a 30-second television attack ad can go into the millions. Just think how much better the use of private contributions could be when applied to after-school reading programs for deprived inner city youth. As a specific example of a mistaken priority in youth education, there is a possibility of Congress cutting the Federal Government share of "Reading is Fundamental", a national private/public partnership that purchases books and trains volunteers to help children learn to read so that books and reading can become part of deprived children's lives. As a Board member and volunteer, I find it an honor to help RIF wake up the Washington politicians to the real needs of people.

Ending on the media "binge” note of sex and politicians:

Has there been a time count on the internet space, newspaper pages, and hours of television devoted to the Spitzer escapades, as "client 9" in Washington's Willard Hotel? Perhaps in the current approach of a more predictable spring season, the Easter bunny can get some equal time!  3:47 PM •  0 Comments •

THE POLITICIANS' SUPERBOWL - MARYLAND The problem of excess money put into election campaigns, attack advertisements and manipulative political "handlers" has become an incursion on democracy, benefiting a few who get rich off election campaigns-the longer, the richer.

Here in Maryland, we have been infected by a cross-barrage of attack ads between 4th Congressional candidates Pipkin, Gilchrest, and Harris, amounting to several millions for one Congressional seat. Two teams lead the competition in the Annapolis “Super Bowl” of politics-as-usual v. creative economic growth:

1. Maryland politics and one party power through a special session legacy from a Governor and Senate president who is quarterbacking potential damage to Maryland’s economy and technology sector, and

2. a growing coalition of computer service companies dubbed “our digital harbor” by then Mayor O’Malley, who as Governor, has permitted a 6% computer services sales tax without a corresponding reduction of state government spending.

It is a shame that such an enormity of funds is wasted on campaigns instead of helping the “real” people. Consider Jericho, a private and public sector project to help prisoners coming out of Baltimore jails matriculate into the "real world". In a highly competitive process, Jericho, funded by Episcopal Community Services (ECSM), a private non-profit human needs agency, earned a grant of $600,000 for 3 years. It has achieved to date, nearly 70% re-employment for many ex-prisoners who undergo intensive training in a small row house in the Collington Square section of east Baltimore. This section of town faces many challenges of drugs and crime, but citizens' work is being done to help disadvantaged children (the "ARK) and teenagers (the CLUB AT COLLINGTON SQUARE).

ECSM runs after-school youth assistance programs. As an ECSM Board member, I was among several volunteers last week who saw "JERICHO" prisoners reemerging into society. We had the opportunity to listen and learn what successful human recovery and help really means to people in struggling communities.President Bush was in attendance; and after his departure, one of the prisoners spoke to me with tears in his eyes : "There I was in jail 6 months ago! It was my birthday that I never cared about. But today the President told me 'happy birthday' and wished me luck! "

Another possible contender in Maryland’s “Super Bowl” might be Nancy Grasmick and public education. It appears that this competitor, an experienced, result-driven professional educator has already won. Did Governor O'Malley suddenly see the light when a tested professional was welcomed to continue her work as State Superintendent? The answer is probably more connected to the reality of improvement of school performance: a contrast with 12 underperforming Baltimore City schools that Nancy Grasmick offered to assist. It was Grasmick's offer to help that candidate-for-Governor O'Malley saw as a threat to his election prospects. But once elected, he saw the threat become votes of legislators that could displace his desire to politicize public school management.

In the Governor's fiscal 2009 operating budget, there are no additional funds for the Sellinger Program that supplements independent college support-a sharp contrast to a 9.1 % increase for public universities and 12% increases for community colleges.

Other contenders, independent colleges and universities, have been part of Maryland's system of higher education for 225 years. In effect, the proposed budget no longer includes independent higher education as a necessary part of our State's ability to balance essential support for all components of college education. If "politics as usual" wins, Maryland citizens lose on this one. Why? Maryland's independent colleges and universities receive 4% State funding for higher education, yet confer 25% of all degrees in the State. This is an investment in the future of ALL Maryland college students. It is neither wise nor right that,as a statutory program, Sellinger is undermined by a complex sounding "Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act" to sever the long-standing cooperation and link between public and independent college funding.

Might an upset over this kind of politics be successful in the Legislature's "4th quarter"?

Wouldn't it be better for this competitor to have a 4th quarter upset? Wouldn't it also be better if money poured into politician's attack ads could be diverted into more "Jerichos” of Maryland and the United States!

That's the kind of "Super Bowl" we all need! It leaves "politics as usual" where it belongs-behind the real priorities of technology growth, education/public and private, and real help to real people.

Labels: Governor O'Malley, Grasmick, Maryland politics

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