First Grade Geography: Baltimore is in Maryland

I wrote previously about how the rhetoric that is used by some to energize a political base actually moves us farther away from addressing the critical issues that face our communities. That previous post was inspired by the e-newsletter of the Maryland Republican Party. So is this one.

This week’s edition included some critical assessments of Baltimore City. Mayor Martin O'Malley gave a speech recently that according to the e-newsletter was delivered "with the backdrop of garbage floating in the harbor and an abandoned building over his shoulder."

A linked press release cites the city’s homicide rate and criticizes special education services in the Baltimore City Public Schools.

These are supposed to reflect poorly on the mayor.

But if that’s the case, a few more people need to be taking blame as well. After all, last I checked, Baltimore was still the largest city in the state of Maryland. And Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is governor of the entire state (that would be the same Gov. Ehrlich who cut $5.8 million in special education funding in the current-year budget).

There has been an incredible renaissance in Baltimore in recent years. It is a city with great neighborhoods, a wonderful arts community and tremendous creativity. And it also has significant problems that have not been adequately addressed.

The people in those communities deserve the attention of all of us and our leaders -- and not so that political points can be scored.

Campaign season has barely started. The rhetoric could get more divisive. But this is what we should demand from our leaders and their parties: Discussion, debate, and SOLUTIONS for the critical issues that face our communities. All of our communities.

Thanks for reading.

Related links:
Governor Ehrlich Was Correct

They Are All Our Children

The Regular Person’s Guide to the Governor’s FY 2006 Budget Proposal: What’s In it and What Isn’t