I live (right now) in Montgomery County, Maryland.  An " All-American" community, if one is to believe the signs the county has placed near its borders and by its busiest streets.  But upon further inspection, the county would be more honest with a sign that read: Montgomery County, An "All-Government" community.  
   Why?  Because Democrats have run the county for over two decades, and to them and their cronies, it is county government that makes the area great.  County government is the creator of jobs, the creator of parks, and oh yeah, the producer of "things".  Well, I guess technically they are the seller of liquor, but that is because the County charter has been rigged to impose a monopoly over all liquor sales in the county (the better the fatten tax revenues).  And, I guess they are also the seller of "services", and "permits", like the wonderfully expensive parking permit I purchase every month to park at the local metro station.  Add these revenues to the massive increases year-over-year to property tax rates, and it is easy to see why MoCo government has gotten fatter then an early-1990s Oprah.

   Cost of living issues in MoCo aside, how can this be changed?  How can Republicans or at this point, the Greens, make a case that the Democratic stranglehold on the county is not good and not pointing to better times ahead?  It won't be easy, but 2009 and 2010 seem like times ripe for change.  In a series of blogs, I will write about the potential for change in MoCo.  Here's one glimmer of hope for 2009: Robin Ficker is back!