The dawn of a new year is usually a time of hope and ambition, of dreams for the future and thoughts of a better life. Not since the Great Depression have Marylanders been so concerned about their future and the chance to have a better life for themselves and their families.

Opportunity and anxiety run high – and rightfully so.

You see, the folks who control Annapolis often look to Europe as the utopian model for Maryland.  It’s time they face the facts:  Europe is failing and an unhinged Europe resulted in two world wars in the 20th Century.

A new direction is not only necessary – but absolutely imperative!

Let’s make 2012 a year of economic renewal in Maryland.  Let’s start by doing the following:

• Reduce Job-Killing Regulations
• Put the “Trust” back into the “Trust Funds”
• Reduce spending and stop taxing Marylanders out of their homes, farms, and businesses
• Reward innovation, creativity and risk-taking

By accomplishing the above items, we can renew Maryland’s “Opportunity Society” and restore faith in our Government that is supposed to be “of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Happy New Year!

Mark N. Fisher