Close to Home Prescription drug abuse and addiction is prevalent in America yet it lurks in the shadows. We don't like to talk about it because of the stigma associated with it. But if you are still reading this, you probably know … [Read more...]
Kids Need Love Most When They Deserve It Least
There is disturbing a trend in Massachusetts and across America that is leading us to be more punitive in how we address juvenile crime. Anyone who thinks that teenagers should be released back into society because they are a minor doesn't … [Read more...]
The Best Policy Depends on the Context, Not the Political Party
Republicans and Democrats are so firmly convinced that their ideas are in the best interest of the people they claim to serve. However, the ideas they push serve their party ideology more than the people. This is because there is no one … [Read more...]
Can a Repeal of Obamacare Actually Help Obama in November?
This week the SCOTUS will decide on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act of 2009 (AKA - Obamacare). This may be President Obama's primary legislative achievement. Conventional wisdom says that if the … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons and Unknowns of Casinos
After all the hoopla and passing a Bill that allows us to have casinos, the issue about if a community is going to have a casino has not been resolved. There has been a lot of talk and debate about the pros and the cons of casinos in … [Read more...]
Will We Spend Another $16 Million This Summer on Unknown Outcomes?
Times are tight. Money is scarce. Taxes are our money. Last summer Massachusetts spent $16 million on anti-violence and job placement programs for youth. We are likely to repeat such programs again. However, two important question should … [Read more...]
Protecting Children From Sex Offenders: Parents, Take Action!
Sexual predation on children and youths was recently in the national spotlight with Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State football defense coordinator accused of sexually assaulting multiple boys over 15 years. But this crime has slipped … [Read more...]
House Bill 477 is a Waste of Time
The war on drugs is a failure, yet there is another useless "get tough" bill proposed by Massachusetts state legislators, House Bill 477. This bill is an attempt to re-criminalize possession of one ounce or less marijuana in a school … [Read more...]
Can Prison Planning Learn Something From the MBTA?
The MBTA debacle should have been a foreseeable crisis and one that was avoided. I now ask: What is another crisis on the horizon? Prison overcrowding. PRISON OVERCROWDING At 140%+ capacity, we know from other state's experience that … [Read more...]
The MBTA – A Symptom of a Broader Problem
The notion that the MBTA 'suddenly' has to cut services and increase fees by a 43% because of a $160 million budget gap next year reeks of irresponsibility. Not just on the part of the MBTA, but on all parties involved. People depend on … [Read more...]