Franchot: Support Fiscal Responsibility, Contribute to Me

Here's an amusing fundraising solicitation from one of the state's most liberal politicians: current Comptroller and former Takoma Park Delegate Peter Franchot. Franchot tells his list recipients that they should support fiscal responsibility in Annapolis by giving money to his campaign. That's some chutzpah considering that then-Delegate Franchot voted for the 1997 and 1998 income tax cuts as well as the 2002 Thornton education spending bill, the twin causes of the state's structural deficit, and then opposed the special session called by Governor O'Malley to fix it.

From: Peter Franchot [mailto:peter@franchot.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:40 PM
To:
Subject: Living Within Our Means


Dear ,

This is a tough year for our state and our citizens. Families, businesses and state government are coming to terms with the fact that we all must tighten our belts and make smart choices.

I'm fighting that battle in Annapolis. I've repeatedly stood up and spoken out against wasteful and reckless spending.

Today, more than ever, we need fiscal responsibility in Annapolis. If you appreciate an independent-minded fiscal watchdog that safeguards the hard-earned money of Maryland's taxpayers, I need you to support my campaign.

SUPPORT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ANNAPOLIS. CONTRIBUTE $25, $50 OR MORE TO MY CAMPAIGN.

We have just over two weeks away before our critical September 30th deadline and we still need to raise over $10,000. I know I can trust you to put us over the top.

I believe that fiscal responsibility doesn't end in Annapolis. Our nation's economic crisis is a sobering reminder that far too many of us lived far beyond our means in recent years.. Far too many folks have treated their credit cards as 'free money' and their home equity as personal piggybanks to buy things, on impulse, that they really didn't need. It's got to stop.

Over the next year, I look forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to champion legislation to make financial literacy training a requirement for high school graduation. Our kids need to be taught the value of money and how personal finances work, so that they can avoid the mistakes that have cost too many Marylanders their homes, their savings and their financial security.

If you agree that all Maryland kids should graduate high school with a solid foundation in financial literacy, I hope you'll support this important effort over the next year. And if you support my ongoing efforts in Annapolis to manage your money more wisely, please join me.

SUPPORT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ANNAPOLIS. CONTRIBUTE $25, $50 OR MORE TO MY CAMPAIGN.

Thanks so much for your time and your support.

Sincerely,

Comptroller Peter Franchot