The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.

On July 25, we received our annual notice of Montgomery County property taxes. The third paragraph of the cover letter states: "However, increasing property values also mean rising state property assessments. Coupled with the governor's nickel increase in the state's property tax rate, every family budget is feeling the squeeze."

Now, as most citizens know, [Republican Governor Ehrlich] can propose a tax rate increase, but it becomes effective once the legislature approves the state budget. While the governor belongs to one political party, the legislature is controlled by the other party. This aspect of government seems to [have] been overlooked by the county executive [Socialist Champion Doug Duncan] and the County Council president [Socialist Viceroy Tom Perez]. What a coincidence to observe that the county executive, council president and both houses of the legislature are all associated with the Democratic Party.

Using a letter to all taxpayers paid with tax funds to make a misleading political statement suggests that the partisan political climate in Montgomery County mirrors the political partisanship evident in the federal government.

This is what happens in a democracy when you elect politicians and not leaders.

Good point. It's almost as if Mr. Fisher is speaking directly to District 3 Councilmember Phil Andrews [Alpha Socialist], who holds a master's degree in governmental administration.

Four At-Large council members, all Democrats, and three fellow Democrats representing districts two, four, and five join Democrat Councilmember Andrews. In fact, the only Republican on the Montgomery Council is District 1's Howard A. Denis from the affluent North Potomac district. And even he eked out a win last year.

So the Montgomery County Council consists of eight far-left slanted Democrats out of nine positions. The 2004 election ballot offered three charter amendment proposals that would alleviate the homogeneity to which Mr. Fisher referred.

The three proposals were:

Property Tax Limit

Eliminate the authority of the County Council to levy a tax on real property that produces revenue that exceeds a set revenue limit.

Term Limits

Limit the County Executive and members of the County Council to 3 consecutive terms in office [a good idea all around, regardless of political party].

Election by District

Remove the four At-Large positions and divide the county into 9 districts.

The first should be a no-brainer. But the last two, especially, were intended to provide a more balanced, local legislature that would hopefully close the floodgates on the recent unabashed spending.

In 2004, all three proposals were soundly defeated, by 59%, 52%, and (amazingly) 62%, respectively. Until the people of Montgomery County step up and vote against the partisan spending spree, we will continue to see this area spiral down into heavy taxation and inefficient government services, while our places of employment flee across the Potomac into business-friendly Virginia.

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