We Don’t Need More of The Same – Guest Op-Ed – By Michael Albano

I’ve gotten to know both of them and they’re nice guys, but their messages are predictable and don’t make sense given the current state of our economy and government. Both of them are doing the usual stuff – raising lots of establishment money to pay for signs, literature, ads and mail, even though it’s clear the usual stuff isn’t working.

My message is different: Our government has failed us and I want to be a leader in the movement to change the way we do business on Beacon Hill. In candidate forums throughout this campaign (which I encourage voters to watch at my web site at electalbano.com) I have made it clear there are real differences on the issues that distinguish me from the other candidates and electing me would be a significant departure from business as usual. I’ve given a leadership voice to the idea that we can change state government with bold, decisive action – something sorely lacking on Beacon Hill.

I realize changing our state legislature won’t be easy. But between now and November, Massachusetts voters will elect at least 10 new state senators – a large enough number to create the real possibility of changing how we govern.

This election is one of those 10. We have an opportunity to elect a state senator who isn’t more of the same.

What’s different about me is that I not only have more political experience than my opponents, I’ve also spent most of my professional life working in the private sector helping companies grow into successful businesses. I understand how business people think and operate and I also know how politicians think and operate.

I started campaigning as a kid with my father, former State Senator Sal Albano, a community organizer who became a maverick alderman and state senator and changed Somerville politics. He taught me about the nobility and importance of public service — giving back to one’s community — and I’ve remained civically active all my life including in Chelsea where I moved 15 years ago.

I’ve been in the trenches, both professionally and as a volunteer, helping candidates win public office, including State Senators Pat Jehlen, Sonia Chang-Diaz and Jamie Eldridge, and State Rep. Denise Provost. These legislators are the heart of the progressive movement on Beacon Hill and they have publicly endorsed me because I’m the progressive leader they want on their team.

For too long now, the wealthy and powerful have been getting what they want while working families and children lose ground every day.

8 out of 10 Americans believe members of Congress don’t deserve re-election because the relationship between government and American business is out of balance and powerful special interests have too much control over our government.

That’s why we’re struggling to control the rising cost of health care which is strangling us. That’s why Wall Street greed and speculation collapsed the banking industry, destroyed our housing market, and ruined the lives of millions of Americans. That’s why banks and credit card companies got billions in taxpayer bailout money and continue to rob hardworking Americans.

To stop this cycle of influence and greed, we have to get the money out of politics. Politicians spend as much as 70% of their time raising money and running for re-election. They have little time to actually govern, and are more concerned about their own jobs than they are about ours. We need campaign finance reform to bring the relationship between government and special interests back into balance.

The cost of state government is out of control, and so therefore, are our priorities. Nearly half of our state budget goes to debt service, pensions, and Medicaid, which by itself accounts for 31% of state spending. By comparison, we spend 2% on early education, and 2% on K-12.

My opponents say they can deliver money to our district, but they don’t say how and this flies in the face of fiscal reality. We need a state senator who is ready to make tough choices. I will take the lead on healthcare cost reduction, progressive tax reform and cutting state spending by eliminating waste.

To generate revenue and alleviate our fiscal crisis, we have to get this economy moving again. I will file legislation to make money–not tax credits–available to small businesses because they are the engines of job growth in our economy.

We need swift action. This play it safe, get re-elected political culture on Beacon Hill has put Democrats on the defensive, made us vulnerable as the party in power, and made people across this state angry, frustrated, and hungry for change. It has empowered conservatives and they are taking control of the political conversation in this country. Scott Brown’s election is a wake-up call for Democrats. We need to cleanse our government of the culture of inaction and lack of leadership that has given government a bad name. If we don’t, we are putting everything we care about at risk.

I’m from East Somerville and I’m not afraid of a fight. Send me to Beacon Hill as your state senator and I promise you will always know where I stand. I will battle fiercely to restore faith and confidence in our state government. I will loosen the grip of money and special interests. I will make sure our state government serves the best interests of children and working families. I will change the way we do business on Beacon Hill.

If you believe the government we have is what got us here and you want change, please vote for me on April 13th.