What Do Conservatives Stand For

(Letter to Baltimore Sun editors -8/25/2026)

I am uncertain how many of The Sun’s readers have a strong sense of what those with a conservative political view, largely Republican, hold dearest in terms of our values. Whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or “other”, our political views as citizens and voters can vary widely. This is in part the genius of the American political system often described as a constitutional federal republic with strong democratic traditions, built on a deliberate balance of power, competition, and tension. Given this framing, how can we share with Democrats, Independents and others the conservative principals most Republicans could logically agree on.

Jay Richards, PhD of the Heritage Foundation, “identifies 15 principles, arranged logically from the deepest foundations upward: moral realism and the natural law, God as the source of moral order, and human equality and dignity; then inalienable rights, government by consent, and the reality of human fallenness; and finally ordered liberty, the rule of law, limited government, religious liberty, the pre-political family, virtue, free enterprise, national defense, and patriotic citizenship.”

Some of these notions are a bit esoteric, like moral realism and natural law (ask AI and you’ll easily grasp the authors point), but I believe most of the principals mentioned are easily understood and align perfectly with the intentions of our founding fathers. Included in these principles are the need to address human frailty, dignity and equality. Harsh things are often said about conservative-leaning citizens. We believe you can have a heart, and a head. Doing good must be balanced with good fiscal governance. Other notions like peace through strength and the Constitution as the supreme law of the land have served this nation well. Defending these notions and principles has a treasured human cost, freedom is not free.

The American system has produced the greatest standard of living in the human experience for hundreds of millions of people for hundreds of years. Based upon a democratic capitalistic free-enterprise system envisioned by the genius of our founding fathers.

Recent Letters to Baltimore Sun Editor

Subject: Socialism

Those who are too young to remember or are uneducated in the roots of socialism must be taught that the abbreviation NAZI represents the Nation Socialist German Workers Party. The German nation in the 1920s and 1930s was suffering under the harsh reparations they earned at end of WWI. Very tough economic times led the German people to increasingly support the hopes that socialism would lead them to prosperity. Once the socialists gained absolute political power the nation fell into a state ruled by fascists characterized by an authoritarian, ultranationalist regime that violently opposed dissent and that blamed all of its troubles on Jews. That unrestrained antisemitism resulted in the holocaust and the death of six million Jewish people.

Those in this country who believe that history cannot repeat itself here are disillusioned by the same beliefs that democratic socialism will not lead to a similar result. Many nations with a quasi-socialist system, like France as an example, find frequent riots in the streets as those fooled by the socialist promises find themselves angered by a system that has failed common workers with inadequate pay, pensions and a national health care system that is characterized by low-quality care including very long waits for services. All while high income earners can afford a shadow private health care system that provides higher order care. Those at the top of a socialistic system do not suffer.

Our system is imperfect. But our standard of living remains far superior to those offered by socialistic systems elsewhere. We must reject the charlatans touting socialism as the better system. Once they achieve absolute power, the same story told in Germany would be our likely future.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Republican Representation in Maryland

There has been much talk on the editorial page citing statistics from various sources. The worst-case scenario for Republicans, if you choose to believe the touted divisions, is about a quarter of the state electorate is registered as Republican.

I suspect if you removed the Baltimore City/Annapolis/Anne Arundel Democrat-dominated complex from the calculations, the presence of more conservative voters would be measurably more. Even with a one in four minority, shouldn’t more conservative leaning voters have one of eight representatives to Congress? “Leadership” in the Democrat controlled state government say no. It seems those truly threatening democracy are the ones crying wolf.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Fixing Social Security

All this talk about what must be done and who must pay for it is hyperbole at best and potentially an egregious miscarriage of justice at worst.

We, among millions of seniors, dutifully paid “our dues” in the form of a SSA/Medicare payroll taxes for 45-50 years! When we retired, we knew how much we should expect in income support regardless of our retirement age income and based our retirement plans on this iron-clad commitment from our government. We should not now be asked to forgo a portion of that income to right the ship.

Any politician in a position of power to make decisions about the way forward will be committing political suicide if they come after those already retired. Seniors vote!

The system was poorly designed from the outset. If commercially available, low risk investments options had been utilized we wouldn’t even be having this conversation as the available funds would be plentiful.

Given the current state of affairs, those younger than 55 should have their payroll taxes gradually increased to where they should have been in order to keep the system solvent. This along, with accelerating the eligibility age increase to receive benefits, should have the desired effect. Those new funds should be invested wisely as the current scheme is clearly failing.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

More Unpublished Letters to the Baltimore Sun Editor

Subject: Lawlessness is a Common Problem (4/11/2026)

Any of us who read daily news reports can heap claims of inappropriate conduct on the other party’s elected officials; and be correct. In reality, all should feel shame for electing politicians who piously claim they are totally committed to public safety and transparency, then immediately trample their claims with inappropriate conduct.

If you are paying attention, it’s difficult to refute the writer’s excoriation of the current administration (“Which Party Really Supports Lawlessness” L.G. Connor Ellicott City). But so many similar stories could be told about the previous administration’s policies and failures to act in the best interest of the nation. Narcissists all.

Closer to home, Maryland voters continue to elect the same type of politician whose speeches are filled with claims of righteousness. Then point the crooked finger at others for blame when festering problems reach their doorstep or duly appointed watchdogs are denied the tools necessary to uncover misdeeds. Or worse, refuse to appointment truly independent voter/taxpayer ombudsman.

I am new to Maryland and in my seventy plus years have never witnessed a state/city with totally unaudited, hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds going to supposed nonprofits. Everyone knows much of this money is going into the pockets of elected official’s friends, family, associates and donors.

And public safety? The growing violence problem is frightening to everyone despite claims of improvement. Some of Baltimore’s problems with violence are moving to nearby suburbs. Who isn’t afraid to go to the mall?

Yet, here we are in another election year and I fear little will change. Maybe the chorus of boos directed at the governor during the recent Orioles game will be a harbinger of new voter enlightenment.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Subject: Just Sayin’ (4/18/2026)

Mr. Cromwell, I now understand your perspective. ( A little grace can’t hurt on the political landscape 4/17/2026). You apparently found what you were looking for in action by the Maryland legislature in 2026. The rest of us did not. We were hopeful for much more meaningful action on the part of our legislators relative to reducing the relentless, crushing increases in the cost of living in this state as the exodus from Maryland increases. 2026’s session focused elsewhere preferring just another kick the can down the road and be reelected year.

I spent several years directly engaged with efforts to affect legislative action in Virginia. I fully understand those who have direct access to legislators must approach with sugar, carrots and relevant information.

Virginia’s economy is thriving because government there recognizes that economic strength increases the tax base in a fashion that benefits all citizens with increased government program spending and lower taxes. It takes time and political courage to turn the ship. I see no signs of real progress toward that goal here. And Virginia has nearly as many federal employees as Maryland.

Predictably, it appears the fiscal problems in Maryland become much worse in the near future. This is why those of us who see no meaningful progress or change are becoming angry and resentful. I am hopeful this year’s election will deliver that message more effectively. But hope is not a strategy.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Subject: The Image We Seek (4/28/2026)

An excerpt follows from “In Memoriam” as recounted in the introduction to the book “The Passing of the Armies” describes the hero of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg as well as the book’s author.

”Respect and admiration for the soldier-governor were not limited by party lines. His four years of service were an ‘era of good feelings’. His messages were admirable documents. They breathed of loyalty and state pride and his recommendations were made with care and full consideration and had only in view the welfare and advancement of the state and people. All the duties of his office and the many functions to which he was called by the people were performed with thoroughness, grace and dignity and to the enhancement of the great love and consideration in which he was held. His reputation as a statesman was worthy of that he had made as a soldier”

Joshua L. Chamberlain, professor, soldier, general, governor then finally President of Bowdoin College, was a man of many accomplishments. A man held in the highest regard for his heroism, leadership, integrity and governing, to state just a few of his exceptional qualities. An ethical man whose image I struggle to associate with Maryland’s current occupant of the executive mansion. Chamberlain’s record is fully on display transparently for all to see in every detail. Every Marylander should hope and pray that someday we would have a candidate for governor of this caliber to elect, reverse our decline and lead this state to the future its citizens deserves.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Subject: Not Much Headroom (5/21/2026)

Despite valiant attempts by many to bring to voters the myriad of reasons why this is finally the time to change the course of state government, I have resigned myself to the fact that Democrat machine voting will carry on again this November. Moore and his political cronies will be reelected despite clear evidence of narcissistic behavioral-driven mismanagement of voters trust and taxpayer funds.

Taxpayers must be secretly fearful of the coming slew of new taxes and fees necessary to address the billion dollar plus structural deficits facing the governor and general assembly for 2027, 2028 and beyond. The corporate tax rate is the highest in the region excepting only, by less than 1%, in tiny Delaware. Will they have the audacity to go there with accelerating corporate flight from the state? I am guessing not. So where then, because surely real financial discipline and actual spending cuts are not likely, will the increase in required funding come from? Income tax, sales & use tax, and fees are the primary revenue sources substantial enough to offset the structural deficit and balance the budget. All resting most heavily on citizen/taxpayers. With property tax (primarily for local government) they don’t even have to raise rates while riding the secretive valuation assessment increase train to more spending.

As many others have written here, wake up Marylanders, this election in November is your chance for real leadership-driven change!

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD

Subject: Just a Voter’s Voice (6/1/2026)

I read both the Honorable Steve Hershey’s letter today as well as the one he referenced. Eighteenth months ago my wife and I moved to Maryland from Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. I have some knowledge about state and local government as I worked several years with Virginia, Maryland and D.C. state and local government entities during my career.

The contrasts between Maryland and Virginia are stark. Maryland gives greater credence to the often heard credo absolute power corrupts absolutely. Years of total control by one party has brought the state to the breaking point with disgracefully high taxes, fees and regulation. We can say the same of Baltimore City but the lack of governmental oversight of $20 billion in grants to “non-profits” EACH YEAR is opening the flood gates to mismanagement, fraud and abuse enriching politicians cronies.

My wife and I are proud to be Republicans and wish to help the party exert some positive influence in Maryland with our votes, letters to Sun editorial staff and financial support of worthy candidates. The party is not perfect, nor are some of its leaders, but, as Senator Hershey so aptly described it, the principles the party stands for represent our personal values.

A two party system is most successful for the people when true reins of power change hands on occasion and each party must compete fairly for voter trust. The one party system in Maryland has allowed that party over many years to hone the system to ensure their continued political success granting themselves absolute power.

Curt Rasmussen

Taneytown MD