Ehrlich

Politicians (including former politicians) like to be right more than most people. You see, in politics, public officials live or die by their (very) public opinions concerning the issues of the day. It is with this somber thought in mind that I reissue a sampling of previously published opinions - with timely updates For Your Information. Opinion: Prominent liberals will continue to market a new narrative that pushes public sector growth as the key to economic recovery. Update: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's Jan. 31 floor statement concerning the U.S. economy's negative growth in the last quarter of 2012: "Growth went down in the fourth quarter because of reduced government spending, and a reticence in the private sector as government fought over the fiscal cliff.

Former Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich, Del. Steve Schuh and acting Anne Arundel County Executive John Hammond led a field of 16 applicants Friday to complete the term of former County Executive John R. Leopold. County Republicans said the unexpected number of applications indicated a healthy interest in setting the county on a path away from the turmoil that has enveloped the government for at least two years. Leopold, 70, a Republican, resigned midway through his second four-year term this month after his conviction on two counts of misconduct for using county employees to perform personal and political tasks.

As a former Republican and grass roots party activist, I was embarrassed by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s attempt at shoring up the party's wobbly planks ("A midterm election agenda for the GOP," Feb. 10). I'm waiting for a GOP visionary who could slash through rhetoric and the tangled mess we all witnessed during the last election. However, Mr. Ehrlich's comments on spending and deficits were right on, and if the Republicans would only articulate the hazards of sloppy fiscal management and propose realistic reforms, I'd vote GOP again.

Last week's column chronicled a dire set of circumstances regarding our economy and culture at the onset of Obama II. This status quo is complicated by an aggressive liberal establishment attempting to take advantage of the president's post-election momentum and an always compliant mainstream media. And then there's the necessity of offering an inviting conservative message, attractive to the all-important swing voter - a vital constituency that supported the president by a significant margin in 2012.

Former Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich is considering running to fill the Anne Arundel County executive seat that was recently vacated by John R. Leopold, saying Saturday that she feels "uniquely qualified for a unique situation. " The County Council has 30 days to fill the seat left by Leopold, who stepped down as county executive Friday after being suspended from his position following his conviction on two counts of misconduct in office. Ehrlich, an attorney and the wife of former Gov. Robert Ehrlich, who has sparked rumors she would run for the top Arundel seat in the past as well, including in 2009, said Leopold's fall has left many county residents and employees frustrated and ready for change.

If he would chuck the Soviet-smelling term, "collectivism," and substitute the American terms, "common good," or "general welfare," Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. would have a much better understanding of what is going on in his country ("The vast left-wing conspiracy," Feb. 3). Paul Marx, Towson Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

Former Governor Ehrlich's columns are generally a laughable compote of right-wing cliches and Fox News talking points, but in his latest column, Mr. Ehrlich went past mere Republican hackery into fear-mongering, to say nothing of inexcusable wrongness and lack of fact-checking ("The vast left-wing conspiracy" Feb. 3). Mr. Ehrlich would do well to remember that the most powerfully partisan movement of the past five years came not out of the left but from the far right. Does the former governor realize that in ranting about the "mega-meeting of the left's most powerful groups," he could as well be on a diatribe against the Bilderburg Group, or the perennial favorite of those conspiracy theorists with which the esteemed former governor is so careful to not align himself, the Illuminati?

Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., in his unwavering right-wing view, bemoans various initiatives supported by President Barack Obama and Gov. Martin O'Malley as the consequences of the recent election. Yes, the election has consequences, and the list presented by Mr. Ehrlich are precisely the positions that we Democrats voted for: health care reform, women's right to choose, gun control and gay marriage among them ("The vast left-wing conspiracy," Feb. 3). There's also in-state tuition for deserving children of undocumented workers, elimination of capital punishment, support of workers to bargain collectively, repeal of laws that deny voters right to vote, women in combat, expansion of eligibility for food stamps, clean energy, same-day voter registration, unemployment benefits and an increase of the minimum wage.

Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has fallen into the trap of the majority of his Republican brethren: They just can't get over the fact that the majority in this country has moved beyond the Republican agenda of lower taxes for the wealthy, health care tied to employment and deporting illegal immigrants ("What if? Life under President Romney," Jan. 27). His column is pure wishful thinking. This country will be far better served when Republicans wake-up to reality and start engaging in productive dialogue instead of pushing a recalcitrant agenda that doesn't serve anyone except the privileged few. Jon S. Meyer, Baltimore Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has outdone himself ("What if? Life under President Romney," Jan. 27). With his predictions of what would have transpired under President Mitt Romney, he has produced his funniest column yet. However, he seems to have omitted a few things that would have happened under the bumbling Mr. Romney. To begin with, Mr. Ehrlich failed to mention Mr. Romney's plan to turn health care planning over to Prevention Magazine which, while resulting in an increase in subscriptions, did not lower the cost of health care.