Politics & Opinion

By Cathy Vitale, Delegate, District 33A

I initially started this month’s column with Christmas wishes to all, but then I remembered that in our politically correct world, I might offend someone. So, I deleted “Merry Christmas.” But then I tried to include all the holidays I could think of that would be covered during the “season” and realized that if I forgot one, I would offend someone – so I deleted those as well. Then I realized something. By the time I worry about each word I use, and how it will be interpreted by the reader, there would be no point in any of us writing anything, for it is sure to offend someone. So, guess what? Merry Christmas to all. To those that celebrate the season but not Christmas, Happy Holidays. I like Christmas, I enjoy saying “Merry Christmas.” I was raised to celebrate Christmas and to enjoy the holidays of my friends who celebrated based on their upbringing, culture, religion or ethnic background. Christmas makes me smile.

Why do I bring that up? Well, Christmas is about family. It’s about friends and family getting together to share time during the holidays. They catch up on the goings on of the previous year and talk about their hopes and dreams for the New Year. I guess it has me thinking, because with every gathering to be had, and those that have already taken place, the conversation continues to come back to politics and what will happen in Annapolis after Christmas. No matter who you talk to, or how you try to spin it, it appears the Grinch will be coming on January 11, 2012.

Remember the alcohol tax? Did we really need that one? First a dime a drink, then percentages were reached. But do you know that old Grinch was “so smart and so slick, that he thought up a lie and he thought it up quick”? He told the disability community to advocate, and advocate they did. Well, the Grinch came early, 25 million was given BACK. Why again did we raise the tax? The flush fee is back. Each year, $30 is taken from homeowners for the Bay Restoration Fund. You would think that as the years go by, accumulated funds would be used for the Bay. Then why did they take $90 million? To cover the shortfall of course! Now, the Grinch is coming to take more, another $30 I hear? No wait, that’s not enough, raise it $60 more! Then I expect it will be raided again and again. What does trust mean if you can’t trust a trust fund? Will it be the gas tax, the bag tax, the car fee? The jar fee? Will we tax businesses or people, services or supplies? Will they act just like the Grinch who took every crumb, by the time the Legislature is done? People often ask me why I even bother. Why do I fight if the deal is already done? I’m an optimist, the eternal one I guess, who believes in Christmas miracles, children’s smiles and that if you work hard for what you have, someone will let you keep it. So, here’s my Christmas wish, a happy and safe holiday season for all, and please, put the General Assembly on your calendar, come join the fight. Speak your mind, lest someone else tell you what you should believe. District 33 will be having a special night at the General Assembly, keep watching for details. Come see us! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 410-841-3510.