Hats-off to Stephen Moore for his insightful analysis in the Wall Street Journal of the very different economic tracks of Maryland and Virginia.  In addition to sharing a border, these two states uniquely are impacted by the "cash-dispenser" in Washington, D.C.   Each state also has a powerful Governor that is the Chairman of their respective political party's Governors Association. 

But, that's about where the similarities end.  Virginia has taken a conservative approach – lower taxes, encourage business investment, reduced government spending – under the leadership of Republican Governor Bob McDonnell.  Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley is an "unapologetic" tax-and-spend liberal who has followed the Obamanomics Keynesian model of more spending, higher taxes, and more debt.