On Sunday, I read the Boston Globe’s story on Sal DiMasi and his lobbyist “friends” by perpetual DiMasi antagonist Andrea Estes – to me the story contained nothing new – imagine lobbyists in the State House making money off clients and their friendships with the Speaker – I was surprised that it made an above the fold front page appearance on the Sunday broadsheet
The three lobbyist featured in the story did make A LOT of money, but I was surprised to see that they weren’t even in the top 10 list that the Globe included as part of the story.
Frankly you could have included any other lobbyist and made a connection with the leader of the House, Senate or Governor and wrote a similar story.
As a daily reader of the Globe and an avid political junkie – I must say that this was a weak shot at DiMasi by the Globe.
I am not defending the lobbyists – but I am going out on a limb to say that DiMasi deserves a little better – Since he has been speaker he has championed health care, gay rights, reproductive rights, stem cell research, clean and green energy and economic growth through responsible tax policy (ok the last one, you guys may disagree) and he is an ardent casino opponent as well – frankly, I think his position on casinos has brought him a lot of shit (including death threats and bad coverage by the Globe and in particular Andrea Estes (who since last spring, really seems to have a fixation on DiMasi)
These are just my thoughts on a news story that really puzzled me – and I guess, my defense of a guy who has built a good resume while speaker with great policy positions that I agree with!
The devil you know is better than the one you don’t!
However, the article added some more insight into how things work on Beacon Hill (if anyone had any doubts), and provided the strongest circumstantial evidence to date of the all-powerful influence of money on state legislation.
Worried about the adverse effects of some idealistic freshman representative’s bill on your lucrative business?
Kick some cash to Richie, and he’ll talk it over with Sal at the bistro or on the 8th hole. You’ll be all set.
If this sort of thing is a-ok with you, then the story’s boring and meaningless. But if you worry that your issues aren’t getting a fair hearing because you’re not “down with the brothers McMoney (McDonough, or Murph, or McGlynn)”- well, then the story might bother you a little bit. And “championed health care” is a bit strong- last time I checked everything still cost a shitload of money for the average person, but insurance companies were raking it in.
And I won’t comment on the “devil you know” part.