Annapolis Capital Punishment

A reply to Speaker Busch's letter came from Annapolitan and Green party activist Ted Weber, herewith printed below:

Dear Speaker Busch,

Thank you for your summary letter. Indeed, there was some good news from the special session as you discuss in your letter. However, I thought that the combined reporting proposal did not make it through the Senate. Thus, half of Maryland's largest corporations will continue to get a free ride at public expense, and pay no taxes in our state. Please tell me if I am mistaken about this. I am disappointed that the state continues to cut state positions and hire employees only as short-term contractuals. This is little better than serfdom. Contractual employees receive no benefits, including no health insurance, and have no job security. Not only does this practice exploit workers, who have difficulty making ends meet, it leads to low morale, poor productivity, and high turnover. Why should an employee with no insurance and no future prospects work for the state any longer than it takes before finding an employer who will treat them fairly? All "long-term" contractual employees should be converted to classified employees with benefits. High turnover resulting from poor working conditions costs the state money in unnecessary recruitment, retraining, and lost productivity. As for slots, a referendum does sound like the democratic solution. That is, if the gambling industry doesn't plaster the airwaves with propaganda, as I expect will happen. In fact, there's a safe bet! To be fair to the communities who will suffer from an influx of slot machines, the slot machine referendum should be worded, "Do you support large gambling operations in your neighborhood?" If the referendum passes, slot machines can be placed in the precincts with the highest percentage of "yes" votes. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely, Ted Weber