Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Let’s fill Scott Brown’s seat with a Progressive Democrat.

By

Everyone knows that Scott Brown’s election to the U.S. Senate was a referendum on health care reform.

(At least, that’s what Michael Steele and the RNC would like us to believe.)

Now, we have the opportunity to provide a counterpoint to this right-wing narrative by electing a progressive, pro-health care reform Democrat to fill Scott Brown’s open seat in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Dr. Peter Smulowitz, an emergency room physician with a master’s degree in health policy, will face Republican Richard Ross in a special election being held on May 11.  

A Democratic win in this district would send a clear message that voters do, in fact, share progressives’ vision of health care reform.  If the Scott Brown win gave Republicans momentum, a Peter Smulowitz victory would be like pulling the emergency brake.

The Massachusetts Republican Party recognizes the symbolic importance of holding onto Scott Brown’s seat, and is pouring money and resources into the Ross campaign. There is no doubt that this will be a tough race for Democrats, but if anyone can win, it’s Peter. In the primary election, Peter–who has never held elected office–defeated a 21-year incumbent State Representative, a feat previously thought impossible by political insiders.

Peter is dynamic, smart, and a great campaigner. If he loses, it will be because he is outspent. Richard Ross ran unopposed in the primary, and has amassed a considerable war chest. Having never run for office, Peter lacks the big donors who come with being entrenched in the political scene.

Can we come together to support Peter?

I would like to donate $ to Peter Smulowitz for State Senate!

<input type="image" name="startdonatecustom" style="border:none;

display:inline”

alt=”Contribute with ActBlue”

src=”http://actblue.com/images/actblue-button.gif” />
Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0

Comments

      • However, you can always donate your time.  This is often more valuable, especially for small scale special elections like this one.

          • we need your help talking one-on-one with the voters of the district and delivering Peter’s message of independent leadership who will stand up for them. You can sign up to help out on the campaign website!

        • There’s a nuance — the youngster has to state that it’s his or her money, donated on his or her own volition.

          <

          p>Then again, with different regulations covering fed, state, and local donations, please check with a professional!

          • According the the feds:

            <

            p>

            While most individuals are free to make political contributions, three categories of individuals are prohibited by law from making contributions: foreign nationals and Federal government contractors and, in some instances, minors.

            <

            p>Unfortunately it does not say what those instances are.

          • from the OCPF website…

            <

            p>”Contributions by Individuals: The maximum aggregate contribution to all state, county and local candidates by an individual may not exceed $12,500 per year. Individuals under 18 years of age have an aggregate contribution limit of $25 per year. There is no limit on how much a candidate may contribute to his or her own campaign, though the maximum amount that certain candidates may loan varies by the office sought. Contact OCPF for information concerning limits on loans from state candidates to their own campaigns.”

            <

            p>http://www.ocpf.net/guides/fs_…

              • …defined in this instance as those too young to vote in federal elections.

                <

                p>Is there any legal or constitutional validity to a hypothesis that political contributions by minors constitute a backdoor way to evade limitations applicable to their parent(s)?

                <

                p>…and is there any case law on this, however indirect?  

                • One of the provisions of BCRA struck down by the Supreme Court in that case made it illegal for minors to contribute.

  2. An emergency room physician who spent years of education and training wants to trade in his profession to be a Senator…not US Senator, but a STATE Senator?

    <

    p>Don’t we need more qualified doctors rather than over-qualified State Senators/ Whomever paid for his education must be having a migraine.

    • A successful and influential career in politics has to start somewhere.  State Senator isn’t bad.  I’ve heard people say, “If he wants to be state senator, he should run for Parks and Rec first”.  

      <

      p>I have no idea whether or not he’s done with being an ER doctor, but the attitude that people in “regular”/non politico jobs ought not want to get engaged in public service and making legislative differences bothers me.

      <

      p>We NEED more doctors, teachers, construction workers, secretaries and so on who think about and pursue public service as elected officials.  

    • Reminds me of this joke:

      <

      p>

      The first Jewish President calls his mother in Queens and invites her for Chanukah. “I’d like to,” she says, “but it’s so much trouble…First, I have to get a cab to the airport, and I hate waiting on Queens Boulevard….”

      “Mom! I’m President of the United States! I’ll send Air Force One!”

      “Yes, but when we land I’ll still have to carry my luggage through the airport… An try to find a cab…And you know what holiday crowds are like…”

      “Mom! I’ll have a helicopter pick you up! You’ll go straight from the plane to my front lawn!”
      “I don’t know… I’d still need a hotel room. And hotels are so expensive..and they’re not like they used to be…”

      “Ma! You’ll stay at the White House!”

      “Well…” She thinks. “I guess. O.K. ” she sighs, ” I’ll come…for you.”

      That afternoon, she’s talking on the phone with one of her friends.  “What’s new?” The friend asks.

      “I’m visiting my son for Chanukah.”

      “The doctor?”

      “No…the other one.”

    • I’m just spitballing here…

      <

      p>Let’s say he really likes helping people with their medical troubles.  Let’s say he’s done the calculus, and he can help 20 people a day, 250 days a year, and on average he sees a person twice a year.  That’s 2500 people a year which he’s participated in helping (as did the nurses, other doctors, technicians, receptionist, janitors, etc).

      <

      p>But he really likes helping people.  As a state senator, he can improve health care outcomes by improving access, lowering barriers to care, and so forth for six million people.

      <

      p>6,000,000 > 2500

      •  He could continue to be a life-saving doctor and lobby in his spare time…we need more competent doctors on the job, state senators not so much.

        • We could all be a life-saving doctor in our spare time.

          <

          p>Go to medical school.  This line of tsk-tsking Smulowitz is bizarre.

    • What professions are appropriate for State Senators to have before seeking office?

      <

      p>Is it just doctors that are off the list?  What about Opera Singer/Lawyer/Bloggers?

Archives