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- Sat 25 May 4:13 PMPresumed Guilty: The Reception of the BPS Teacher Evaluation System
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by mark-bail - Fri 24 May 5:15 PMHappy Memorial Day!
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by mike_cote - Fri 24 May 12:59 PMGomez calls Markey "pond scum," doubles down on Swift-boating, assault weapons, Markey-is-ineffective attacks
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by fenway49 - Fri 24 May 10:25 AMEmerson College poll has Markey up 12 (45-33)
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by fenway49 - Fri 24 May 8:30 AMSheriff Koutoujian will run for Congress if Markey wins Senate race
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by oceandreams - Thu 23 May 11:46 PMAnd now a message from bulls##t mountain
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by kbusch - Thu 23 May 3:30 PMState Senate Votes Are Online
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by pauldcraney - Thu 23 May 1:24 PMThousands falling through the cracks in the DDS system
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by dave-from-hvad - Thu 23 May 10:42 AMLynch joins rest of N.E. delegation in voting against pro-Keystone XL bill
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by fenway49 - Thu 23 May 10:08 AMGomez Refuses to Release his 2005 Tax Returns
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by johnk
- Sat 25 May 4:13 PMPresumed Guilty: The Reception of the BPS Teacher Evaluation System
ms
Person #: 2 Posts
Recommended: 1 time
Keep Kerry in Senate (0 Replies)
It’s time for the Obama administration to start trying to get things done in DC. That would mean having as many Senators as possible serving as Democrats. If Kerry quits the Senate to be Secretary of Defense or State, Scott Brown could get back in the Senate.
If Kerry is leaving the Senate, I think that Jim McGovern (my congressman) would make an excellent Senator. I would rather have President Jim McGovern (D-MA) than President Barack Obama (D-IL). In selecting the Presidential Candidate, there are things that are considered besides the policies that the candidate would put in, and that’s too bad, but that’s how it is.
If McGovern leaves the House, there is a good chance that a GOP Congressman will be elected in the 2nd district by the GOP base. Maybe it would be Peter Blute, maybe someone else. We don’t need that.
The Obama administration took Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) out of the Governorship of Arizona. This made Republican Jan Brewer the Governor. This idea of taking elected Democrats out of elected office to serve in the cabinet is bad news. It lets the elected office go GOP in many cases. And, there are plenty of people that could be selected who are not in elected office. Pick one of them, and keep Democrats in office.
McGovern Right, Obama Wrong on Libya (1 Reply)
The eastern Libya, Benghazi crowd who has taken over from Kaddafi are Al-Qaeda, Jihadist religious fanatics who have lynched Black African guest workers that Kaddafi brought to Libya. McGovern knows that American intervention in the Middle East has been a disaster and we should just butt out. Should US Military people come home in body bags so that politicians are not called “isolationist” by media gasbags? I say no way.
YES ON 3- MEDICAL MARIJUANA (1 Reply)
Medical marijuana is favored by people who know cancer patients. It’s opposed by “clean and mean” types who only care about punishing loose-living partiers. The medical marijuana scheme proposed isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction. Allowing sick cancer patients something that will allow them to eat and get strength is a greater priority than punishing partiers.
I also favor ending the drug war entirely. How many liquor store owners have shot each other recently? Exactly.
Lying Warmongers Film (0 Replies)
In these pieces, the warmongers push this “Terra-Booga-Muslims-Scary” theme, with no brass tacks specifics about what is really going on in these nations.
These lying warmongers had us attack Iraq. Iraq has never attacked us, and Saddam Hussein had Al-Qaeda types dipped in acid in front of him while he drank whiskey and smoked cigars.
Also, AL-QAEDA IS SUNNI (AND MILITANTLY ANTI-SHIA) WHILE IRAN IS A SHIA THEOCRACY.
The push for war makes no sense when you look at what is really happening.
Obama- Christian? Muslim? WHO CARES!!!!!!! (0 Replies)
This is standard-issue mud-slinging “booga-booga” from the GOP election machine.
The only person who should care if Barack Obama is Christian, Muslim, or Non-Religious is Michelle Obama. (Saying this is very conservative- in a non-political sense.)
I couldn’t care less because it doesn’t matter. All that matters is how the man will govern.
Also, being a dentist is about the patient’s teeth.
Dark Horse Moulton (1 Reply)
Just as being a dentist is about teeth, being a politician is about policy.
Right now, I see no stand on policy from Moulton, other than vague remarks about being “centrist” and “not a political guy.”
He’s going to run on his background in the Marine Corps, and contrast that with “Gambling Sleaze Tierney.”
BTW, Tierney’s scandal does not affect any of us in any way.
If Moulton gets in, and governs to the right of Tierney, it’s bad news.
But, I guess our rulers are picked by rich donors and media gasbags.
GOP Base Clean and Mean (0 Replies)
The base of the GOP today is not made up of rocket scientists and brain surgeons, but it is made up of comfortable, well-off people whose papers are always in order.
The Democratic base, on the other hand, is younger, poorer, and moves around more, which means many of them do not have their papers in order.
The GOP base is made up of economically comfortable people who look down on down-and-outers, considering them lazy and stupid.
Also, the GOP base is stuck-up, and looks down upon loose-living poor people.
Elections are about getting elected. The GOP loves these vote-suppression policies because they suppress the Democratic vote.
Instead of appealing to all of the people, just make sure that your political opponents can’t vote. Because your political opponents are lazy, stupid, dirty pigs who should be put in jail for their filthy ways.
LIKE NO $$$$$ CAMPAIGN (0 Replies)
Fat cats give money to political campaigns so that they can put on ads. These ads usually don’t say anything that really matters. In exchange, fat cats tell politicians which laws to pass, and the politicians obey.
If you get in doing this, it will be BRILLIANT, and it will change this nation. Going directly to the people, and giving them what they want without the meaningless ads will make this country go in the right direction for ordinary people, not the fat cats.
Also, I really like the idea of single payer health care and doing something about the MBTA’s financial problems, which have been created by the vested interests.
Don't Reduce Revenue (0 Replies)
Today, in 2012, the only states that don’t have a lottery are Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Alabama, and Mississippi :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotteries_in_the_United_States
If the biggest pusher of gambling is “0,” and the biggest foe of gambling is “100,”I am a “50.”
Reducing revenue for the state is a bad idea in this economy. And, ending the lottery would reduce revenue.
More progressive way to get revenue (that have nothing to do with gambling either way) should be implemented.
The biggest problem is really the way Congress spends federal money, but that is not a state matter.
Massachusetts has a very small land area, and many people who are into the lottery would just go to New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or New York to play.
Keep Ballot Questions Easy (0 Replies)
Creem has the right idea. Her proposal to outlaw ballot questions that take away freedoms is a great idea and should be supported. I can tell that she hates the bigots, as do I.
If there are concerns about outlawing gay marriage by getting petition signatures for a ballot question, they are unnecessary. It was tried here years ago, and it was a FLOP. Why?
1. The straight voters didn’t care because gay marriage did not affect them in any way, good or bad.
2. Outlawing gay marriage, in a place where it was legal for a period of time, could create a confusing legal situation that could be hard to administer. Most people believe that the laws should make sense.
Attempts to try that again will be a miserable failure and a pathetic, sad joke, as it should be.
Provost’s idea, to make it harder to get questions on the ballot should be opposed.
In the state and the nation, the inability to implement rapid change has resulted in tyranny, poverty, and misery for a lot of people. If anything, the avenues available to change policies should be made easier, not harder.
Pass the People's Rights Amendment (1 Reply)
It would be better if McGovern’s Amendment was passed.
Right now, rich people and organizations buy the government with campaign contributions.
A lot of this money comes from corporations, but some also comes from individuals.
Corporations are legally required to maximize short term profit for shareholders.
The Amendment does not deal with rich individuals. But, it would open up the possibility of cutting corporate contributions to campaigns, which will make candidates less sympathetic to big corporations’ cheap labor agenda. And, remember, cheap labor maximizes profits.
If corporate assets are confiscated without compensation by the government, the shareholders could bring the government to court for compensation of the value of their shares in the company as individuals, or with a class action lawsuit.
US Constitution, Article I, Section 5:
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Based on the above section of the Constitution, the Senate and House could be browbeaten into forcing its members to not take too much money from rich individuals, too, on threat of expulsion.
To win, you have to do everything to get power and use power. Big Business has already done this in the last 30 years. It’s our turn now.
Paul in NH (0 Replies)
Look, Romney always had New Hampshire in the bag. The only way he could lose New Hampshire would be to freak out and go mental on camera. And that’s not happening.
In New Hampshire, unenrolled voters can vote in the primary elections of the one party they choose at the voting-place.
Ron Paul came in second. A lot of people that usually favor Democrats, but are registered unenrolled, voted Paul.
Why?
Paul is a strict isolationist who would end the wars. Some of the better Democrats also oppose the wars, but many support wars. It’s time that we end our empire and come home, and mind our business.
Paul wants to legalize drugs. It’s ridiculous that we jail people for putting things in their own bodies voluntarily. And, Prohibition of alcohol was good…. for Al Capone.
Paul’s economics are really bad. But, voting for him shows support for ending foreign wars and the drug wars. And, that’s why he came in second.
Amend for Progressive Tax (1 Reply)
In the MA Constitution, the “uniform rate” means that the income tax has to be a flat tax.
The Constitution should be amended so that the fat cats have to pay more. They have all of the money, and taking more from them to spend on everybody else would do so much good for the economy.
Also, unlike most states, MA still has its original Constitution, written by John Adams. Most states have had several.
Stand for Children = Union Busting, Catholic School Vouchers (0 Replies)
Groups like this attack the unionized public school teachers so that they can bust them up, fire them, and replace them with intimidated, desperate towel boys and girls who will work cheap.
Then, as the public schools go down because they have fired the qualified people and replaced them by tired, browbeaten servants (who need 2-3 other jobs to survive), parents will be offered vouchers.
In Massachusetts, most of the vouchers will go to Catholic schools, because of the demographics of this state. These Catholic schools could end up demanding that parents become or remain Catholic and attend Mass in order to get schooling for their children. Something similar to this is happening in the UK.
They also may end up teaching authoritarian “values” to the students who are a captive audience.
Senator Brown, Prom King? (1 Reply)
What does Brown think, that people should go to the US Senate to name Post Offices, and pass non-binding resolutions saying, “we love this, we love that?”
The US needs to change a lot of things concerning money, war and freedom. US Senators should focus on those issues, not dodge them.
Giving no concrete policies of your own while attacking the opponent as “radical,” shows that you are running for Prom King or Queen, not public office.
For most people, Prom is OVER, and a lot of us are dancing the BROKE AND DESPERATE BOOGIE-WOOGIE while the economy goes down the toilet.
P.S. I am not against Prom, or Prom Kings and Queens. I am against running for office with no policy proposals and just tell-offs for the opponents.
Speak with Moderation, Govern for Your Base (0 Replies)
The politicians, in election campaigns, speak with moderation. In fact, most campaign ads are “mom and apple pie,” which is basically nice-sounding fluff.
But, Brown is funded by big banks because that is who he governs for.
To win, Warren has to show the voters that she will do more for voters on pocketbook issues than Brown.
Equal Laws, not Judgement Calls (0 Replies)
Look, the laws should be equal, giving any 2 adults that are not related (to the required degree) the right to get married.
The government should not act like a dating service or a church, determining which non-related adults can get married and which can’t.
It’s really sad that candidates run on not letting “Adam and Steve” get married, when “Joe the Ax Murderer” and “Jennie the Thrill Seeker” are allowed to get married in all 50 states.
Schofield or Brownsberger (0 Replies)
From what I have seen online, the two who offer distinct advantages are Schofield and Brownsberger.
Governors like Michigan’s Rick Snyder and Wisconsin’s Scott Walker have engaged in massive union busting and trying to fire public employees. Look them up to see how they do it.
Here in Massachusetts, we have avoided this so far. Schofield is pushing for progressive income taxation, so that those who have more pay more. That move will insure that we do not get austerity as this recession continues on.
What Brownsberger wants to do is outlaw non-compete agreements forced on employees. These agreements prevent employees who have been fired from getting work with a competitor. These agreements screw workers who need a paycheck, and that’s the last thing we need right now.
McCarthy’s talk of “shared sacrifice” is not something that I would put much trust in. The super-rich pretty much own and control everything, and everyone else is left out in the dark. Corporations are sitting on cash while there is no demand for products, and the non-rich sit and rot. We need candidates who will take concrete steps to address the pocketbook problems of the working class, not safe place-holders who will do nothing.
THANK YOU JOHN OLVER (1 Reply)
First, John Olver deserves our thanks for retiring, so that Jim McGovern would not have to go against him in a primary, which would not only waste time and money, but would be a very tough choice for left-wing voters to make.
Districts must have about equal populations. They are always “funny-shaped” because some areas are densely populated and some are not. Midwestern states, where cities, towns, and counties are a lot more straight and square on the map than here, also have “funny-shaped” districts that split communities.
Losing seats is a bad thing, but the proposed map of districts ought not to be opposed. It provides the best chance to keep the incumbents in, which is to be favored at this time.
In this state, both “blue-collar Democrat” types and “college town progressive” types could be attracted to voting for politicians who tend to have populist economic policies and more libertarian social policies.
I believe that the idea that there are irreconcilable differences between the “blue-collar” and “white-collar” people is a false, destructive myth.
State Bank Now (1 Reply)
Having a state-run bank like BND is a great idea that is long overdue.
I’ve heard that Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) has some interest in the idea.
Regardless of anything else, it should be done in the 49 other states.
It’s time to use state money for the advantage of Massachusetts, not to make profits for banks.