In the #2 Debate Topic: health care, how it effects the state, and its rising costs.
Rep. Ross: Get government out of the way; that would help everything. The Government keeps adding mandates….and then Rep Ross just stood there. He could not seem to think of a single thing to say. He said, “I am bombing on this and I cannot believe it.” The moderator said he could just sit down if he didn’t know what to say and save his time for rebuttal. After standing there opening and closing his mouth for a while…Rep. Ross just sat silently down.
Smulowitz popped right up and said that “We are all in agreement that the drivers of costs are that some hospitals charge twice as much for the same procedure based on market power. Government needs more regulatory power to prevent such abuses based on market share, there must be more accountability and transparency. Also, we don’t place enough value on primary care, medical home models, and integrated care models that cut costs by as much as 30%.” Smulowitz also demanded malpractice reform to eliminate costly “defensive medicine.” He said the focus should be on patient safety. Cutting the cost of health care helps business and individuals, per Smulowitz. Smulowitz gets it – health insurance is NOT the same as health care.
Ross responded by saying he is an “independent voice.” That because Smulowitz is a Democrat he would be unable to be independent
Topic #3: Raising Revenue through casinos and slot machines
Smulowitz spoke first on this topic. He said raising revenue and casinos and slot machines are two different topics and he was going to address them separately. Smulowitz said that the way to build the economy is by supporting and growing small business, as well as new industries and rebuilding the manufacturing sector. Further, transparency and tracking how the states money is spent is critical.
Transparency is needed. The “go along to get along” culture of Beacon Hill eliminates tracking and transparency.
There is no independent cost benefit analysis on Casinos and slots. Smulowitz says without such an independent analysis he cannot make an informed decision, for example as to whether Casinos would add more jobs then Casinos would destroy by putting local business out of business. Further, those states that put in casinos to solve their revenue woes all failed to solve their revenue needs. Smulowitz stated that Casinos and slots have not worked in other states. He stated that there must be good data before making decisions.
Ross replied that there have been “10 billion in cuts”. He stated raising taxes does not provide revenue.
Ross again stated that as one of 180 Smulowitz would be powerless while as one of only 16, Ross would be free and independent.
Ross stated that if Peter Smulowitz is elected, he would either have to march to leadership, or be helplessly sidelined (I seem, however, to remember Edward Markey’s ringing statement, “You can tell me where to sit but you cannot tell me how to vote”)
Ross next attacked Obamacare as just another source of regulation.
My vote: Smulowitz won this debate.
I drove an hour each way; it was well worth it. Smulowitz exceeded my expectations. Disclosure: I oppose slots and casinos as a boondogle, business killers, and not a source of reliable revenue.
Wow. My kingdom for the video!
apparently it will be on the YouTubes and public access. Maybe it’s on the Norfolk wickedlocal or public access channel site. If I find later, i’ll post.
It sounds like Smulowitz is a pretty competent guy. Thanks for the write-up.
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p>By the way, I found this quite amusing:
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p>”Free and independent” to do what? Hang out with the other handful of Republicans in the State House basement and freely and independently be completely irrelevant?
Ross stated that he served on six committees because there aren’t enough Republicans to go around, and can really make a difference as a result! He said if Smulowitz is truly independent he will have no office and not be put on any committees – which is what reminded me of Ed Markey getting put at a desk in the hallway with no office and famously stating, “You can tell me where to sit but you cannot tell me how to vote!” Wish there was more of that kind of “brass balls” and just plain courage on Beacon Hill these days.
I was at this debate too. Smulowitz was forceful,substantive and compelling. Ross was just confounded and confused. Even his supporters looked embarrassed. The tape should be available soon and everyone will be able to see that Ross is in way over his head and can only spout tea-party talking points, when he can even do that. Where do the Repubs come up with these guys?
Post vid when you have it
…for attending the debate and posting your observations.
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p>What was your assessment of the audience response to the candidates?
Can we get a post from the candidate for once? I’m not in the district, but I literally look at it across my street and honestly, for an independent voice, I’m not too impressed with someone who doesn’t seem to be able to even comment on an influential democratic blog where lot’s of people are pushing for him.
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p>It’s good to hear he was good at this debate, because the debate in Natick for the primary was less than impressive and the Wicked Local video made him look kind of like a jerk. I’d like to hear more from the candidate – he’s got something like 300 words on his issues page – I need more than “he’s better than the republican” because honestly, a few more republican senators wouldn’t impact the balance of power at all – he’s got to really stand for something and for me, he’s not an insider isn’t enough – BMG is a place he can do that.
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p>FYI, small business represents 50% of employment (really small business, less than 100, represents closer to 30%), not 80% – the 80% is the amount of political influence small business has over a typical town government.
I heard he was fantastic at Natick. I’ve been meaning to look up the video.
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p>Step in line behind those waiting for a telephone call. And be sure to send the hot tip to Wicked Local: “SMULOWITZ DIDN’T POST ON BMG!” đŸ˜‰
I watched it on TV, so that can influence it, especially since the sound was less than ideal, but I wasn’t blown away and I certainly wouldn’t use fantastic. On health care he was clearly knowledgeable but didn’t seem to be proposing anything besides “I support Sal DiMasi’s plan with Governor Patrick’s adjustments, plus tort reform.” On the other issues, eh, it seemed like the fact that he was an outsider and he went to public schools was all he had going for him. That being said, Harkins wasn’t good either – she started off on the negative campaign literature issue, which I hadn’t seen and since she provided no context, was confusing but didn’t make Smulowitz look good. Honestly, on TV the thing that came across the most was that he kept on putting his hands in front of his face and then on the podium which made a noise – it was distracting and annoying.
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p>I get he’s the candidate you support, but honestly, wouldn’t it serve an outsider candidate to speak to the BMG community directly, rather than through staff? I’m always impressed with candidates who engage around the issues here directly and as I said, can’t get too excited about having one more Democrat in the Senate, unless I know that Democrat is going to work to make a real difference. If I could, I’d pull the lever for him, what I’m looking for is a reason to put a sign in front of my house or campaign for him.
Oh, I was just teasing you about that. I think it is great for candidates to come on BMG. I would love to see him do that. But realistically, if the plan hadn’t already been made, I doubt it’s going to happen w/ 7 days left. Maybe for the re-election campaign.
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p>What do you need to hear to put a sign on your lawn? I’m not being flip, I’m curious.
Generally I need one of three things to apply: 1) it needs to be a close race where a mediocre Democrat beating a Republican actually matters (Coakley, Obama); 2) the candidate needs to be a real progressive – which for me means hard left economics – free traders who support gay marriage are liberal democrats, not progressives (I’m still waiting for a candidate); or 3) they need to be a really interesting engaging candidate who come up with innovative, interesting ways to solve problems (folks like Jamie Eldridge come to mind).
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p>Smulowitz could be #3, coming on BMG or having an interesting, engaging website would be a start.
It was some time last week.
At least that is my opinion; no electronic measurements, sorry.
n/t
…but I’m sure Ross immediately emailed his list to say he won the debate hands down.
if the report that Ross stood there saying “I am bombing on this and I can’t believe it” is accurate, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.
I am not part of his campaign, I didn’t borrow my sons digivideo whatever (nor am I know how to run it!). I was sure NCL (the organization, I think, that set up the FORUM) would record, but who knows.
Post with cable video of the Richard Ross Bomb and the Smulowitz Win