Blue Mass Group

Attorney General Martha Coakley recently announced that she plans to file legislation that would severely limit non-profit, “charitable” organizations from paying a salary to members of their Board of Directors. This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as challenging the for-profit inclinations, and lack of taxation, of “mega-non-profits.” The former CEO of nonprofit healthcare insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cleve Killingsworth collected $8.6 million in total compensation last year, including $1.4 million in severance pay. This year he will receive $1.8 million in severance pay and $925,000 next year. But this pales in comparison to the $19 million 1996 salary of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s former chief William Van Faasan. If these amounts of money do not imply a for-profit mentality and structure, what does? The education and healthcare industries keep growing and prospering in spite of economic ups and downs in the rest of the economy. Why? Two reasons, availability of capital (meaning borrowing, loans, and the financial credibility to take on debt) and government assistance from taxpayers like you and me. Traditionally, we’ve looked at education and healthcare as non-profit entities with a purpose and design to help people and enhance humanity. Perhaps [...]

Debate over education reform often centers on issues like charter schools, MCAS testing, merit pay, seniority rules and tenure. It’s time for a much bolder look at reforming education. A major revamping of the American education system is needed.   Education must (A) become more technologically and engineering oriented, (B) assist underachieving students to obtain more social stability and productive capabilities, and (C) be less expensive.  Seems impossible; but here’s how. First, we need much more early childhood education for children whose own family cannot or will not promote early learning behavior.  This is needed from the time of birth through all the years (and summers) of schooling.  Because this is an expensive proposition, its subsidization must only be available to one’s first two children.  Expecting a huge increase in taxpayer support for more than two children who are not one’s own is counterproductive.  The program would commence in the future so everyone knows the parameters and limitations. Second, technical and vocational education should be offered beginning in middle school, the age where so many young people begin to know whether a life of bookishness is right for them.  By 11th grade people who do not want to concentrate on academics [...]

OK, here we go (email, no link). Today, Newton Mayor Setti Warren announced that he would be a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Scott Brown.  Setti Warren is an Iraq War veteran, and served a yearlong tour of duty there as a Naval Intelligence Specialist, before being elected mayor.  Setti worked in the Clinton White House, and was the New England Regional Director of FEMA.  He also previously served as John Kerry’s point person for small business in Massachusetts.  Setti is running for the Senate to provide Massachusetts residents with clear consistent leadership that reflects their values. Watch the official announcement video [embedded for your convenience. -ed.] “We are at a crossroads as a nation and must make significant decisions about the legacy we leave to our children,” Said Mayor Warren. “I believe it is only through a sense of shared responsibility – including a commitment to fiscal responsibility and investing strategically for our future – that we can fulfill America’s true potential.” As mayor, Setti has put Newton back on a financially sustainable path, while maintaining critical community services.  He has saved Newton taxpayers $8 million while delivering two balanced budgets.  Setti has done this [...]

What do you think the over-under is for how many times Joe DiNucci said the “c word” over the weekend? At least 500 I’d bet. But I’ll hedge it with a bet on how many times the phrase “douche bag” came out of his mouth. I’m talking about God’s gift to political class, our state auditor Suzanne Bump.  And guess what?  She deserves it . Now before you get your panties in a twist because I’m using pejoratives that can only be used towards women, let me say this; If Suzanne Bump was a man Joe would have been waiting outside her house Friday morning with his right hand tied behind his back looking for a fair fight against a chap twenty-five years his junior. So consider yourself lucky Suzy. BTW, Hey Paul McDevitt, where the hell were you on this? If this were your son instead of your wife you would disown the kid. Pillow talk my man, pillow talk. Suzanne my friend, does the word class mean anything to you? You know you could have made all the changes in the office you wanted and nobody would have cared. But instead you stab Joe in the back for your personal [...]

Newt Gingrich is in. Really, what more need be said? Has there been a presidential election in recent memory that was not seriously contested?  Bill Clinton vs. Bob Dole is about the closest I can think of.  But unless something dramatic happens in the GOP field, 2012 is going to put that election to shame.  ’Cause this is just sad.

Crossposted at http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-boston/peter-durant-caught-lying-to-the-worcester-telegram-and-gazette Peter Durant continues to lie to the media about his dependence on voter suppression organization Empower Massachusetts. Two lies to report here, as Durant retreats from the first: First, Durant and Empower Massachusetts leader Christen Varley have both tried to claim that the Durant campaign and Empower are not colluding. Varley told the T&G on April 6 that Empower Massachusetts has not endorsed a candidate in the 6th Worcester special election. But see attached photo, where Empower clearly hosted a fundraiser for Durant on March 23. Whatever distinction Varley is trying to make between holding a fundraiser and endorsing is dishonest, as Empower MA was clearly backing Durant at the time the T&G column ran. T&G columns over 30 days old require a subscription to view, so unfortunately no link is available. But subscribers can search the T&G’s website at http://www.telegram.com for a story titled IDs for voting sought \Two groups launch effort. In a May 2 debate, Durant tried to downplay the role Empower Massachusetts has played in his campaign. http://www.telegram.com/article/20110503/NEWS/105039927/1116 But this is all false. The attached photo shows Empower MA advertising its fundraiser for Durant on Facebook. Which brings us to lie #2. Durant claimed to the T&G [...]

Borowitz: Bin Laden Invested Millions in Company That Makes 3-oz. Bottles of Liquids and Gels: Seized Computers Yield Shocking Discovery WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – In a shocking revelation gleaned from computers seized in his compound in Pakistan, Osama bin Laden spent millions of dollars investing in a company that makes 3-ounce bottles of liquid and gels. According to CIA director Leon Panetta, Mr. bin Laden’s fervor for investing in the tiny bottle company, Trav-L-Size Inc., may have dwarfed his passion for jihad. “We haven’t found anything in the computers that indicate Osama bin Laden wanted to rule the world,” Mr. Panetta said.  “However, it is clear that he wanted to corner the market in 3-ounce bottles.” Daniel Kurtzman: “Osama bin Laden had money and telephone numbers sewn into his clothes. Apparently we got him just as he was on his way to summer camp.” -Jay Leno  “There’s already been some trouble for Osama bin Laden in the afterlife. There was a mix up and he was greeted by 72 vegans.” –David Letterman “Bin Laden was buried at sea. Or as Dick Cheney calls it, ‘the ultimate waterboarding.’” –Jay Leno “President Obama gave the order for Navy SEALs to kill [...]