Dear Fred,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding Massachusetts’ need for the Lieutenant Governor’s office. As you know, when John Adams penned our commonwealth’s constitution, the term of the Governor was just two years and the likelihood that we would need to replace both a Governor and Lieutenant Governor in that short period of time was remote. With the term of service having been extended to four years, I believe it is even more critical to have a Lieutenant Governor to continue to deliver to the people of Massachusetts the vision for our future that they elected.
In addition, I recommend that our neighbors throughout the Commonwealth ask not whether the office of Lieutenant Governor is necessary, but how it can have meaningful purpose in the 21st century. Part of my vision for this office is to make the Lieutenant Governor’s office more valuable in the global economy by serving as our champion and chief promoter. We have much to offer—everything from our world-class education and talented workforce to our deep history in both traditional and precision manufacturing. Massachusetts is operating in this globally competitive economy—it is time we fully compete.
I recently led an exchange mission to Ireland—a country where accelerating the pace of economic growth and job creation is an urgent national priority.
During my conversations with Enda Kenny, the Prime Minister of Ireland and President of the European Union, I was struck by the impact these missions can have. The Irish are eager to strengthen commerce with Massachusetts, a natural trading partnership rooted in more than two centuries of immigration and cross-cultural collaboration.
And the Irish are not alone. On behalf of Massachusetts, I have negotiated partnership agreements with Spain, Mexico and Portugal, three other countries looking to deepen economic ties to our Commonwealth.These deals will reinforce Massachusetts’ leadership in precision manufacturing, health systems, and the broader innovation economy–all areas that will create new high-paying jobs for Massachusetts residents for years to come.
But securing state-based trade agreements takes time, expertise, and commitment.
To that end, I envision a never before seen purpose of the office of Lieutenant Governor — to promote the Commonwealth in international markets, expanding job opportunities for ordinary citizens at every educational level. We should strengthen the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. And we should leverage the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism more strategically to promote our state’s cultural and natural assets to tourists and investors around the world.
Why is this particularly important right now? President Obama recently met with leaders of the European Union, led by Mr. Kenny of Ireland, to establish the groundwork for the largest trade deal in the history of the world. Massachusetts, whose economy is larger than several European countries, must get ahead of the curve and ride the wave of this coming trade not only with Europe, but with rapidly emerging markets in Asia, Africa and South America while simultaneously strengthening our relationship with Canada, our largest trade partner.
To envision such a future we might do well to look to our past. Around the time John Adams was crafting our Constitution, he was shuttling back and forth to Europe, cajoling the French and the Dutch to support the new American Republic.
Adams understood the power of international trade and relations, and how personal diplomacy can make the difference in a successful deal.
Today, we are operating in a global economy, but Massachusetts must do more—we must fully compete in that global arena and effectively attract jobs and investment. Our commonwealth needs an elected executive who has the standing to fully represent Massachusetts and its interests. Our next lieutenant governor should fill this vital role for state government.
I hope you share my vision for a more competitive, more globally aggressive and persuasive Commonwealth capable of delivering jobs and opportunities to our communities. Please join our campaign by visiting www.ElectMikeLake.com and sign up to be part of our campaign family.
Kind regards,
Mike Lake
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
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