Saw this at the Sunrise Movement Boston events page (https://www.facebook.com/events/606019430292922/) while putting together this week's Energy (and Other) Events (http://hubevents.blogspot.com), my free weekly listing of events on those … [Read more...]
Moyers & Company: Plutocracy Rising
Thank Goodness for the outspoken voices of Chrystia Freeland and Matt Taibbi, as well as the media access provided by Bill Moyers & Company and PBS. Can we get this message out on the campaign trail? … [Read more...]
The Usual Budget Mystery: What to do?? UPDATE
[Cross-posted from RealClout.org, where I sometimes channel Hecate to answer common questions from bewildered community activists...] Dear Hecate, I’m a “citizen” lobbyist, part of a statewide organization, and we have been lobbying for … [Read more...]
Being Republicans Won’t Beat Them, or how I learned to stop worrying and vote for Mike Lake
I felt a lot of pressure, being from Worcester, to vote for Guy Glodis for fear of making enemies among the Worcester powerbrokers. More than one person advised me to abstain from the vote when I made it clear I could not vote for someone … [Read more...]
Wall Street – from their perspective.
It is interesting to listen to the talk on Wall Street, and the way they feel put upon by government and society. They think Tim Geithner is "solid" and the good guy. They spin tax numbers to make it seem like they are going to … [Read more...]
Lobbying – a recession proof occupation
According to David Bernstein, in the Phoenix 25 million went to lobbyists on the record in 2009 which was a minor drop in totals. Who were the big winners, well, per Bernstein: In accordance with these shifting interests, there were winners … [Read more...]
Mass Lobbyist have a record year……….losing
Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause/Massachusetts, said the stark budget realities had much to do with the lobbying activity.“Interestingly, during an economic downturn there is often more activity at the State House as … [Read more...]
The elephants in the house (no, not the GOP)
NPR has a truly magnificent bit of reporting here -- one that deserves a big fat following of me-too following from every media outlet: A panoramic shot of the lobbyists and other special-interest-shuckers in the health care hearing room -- … [Read more...]
We Need A Good Ethics Bill– Call today
(Update from Pam: I just got a call from someone "in the know" who reports, and I believe it, that the ethics bill is close to being finalized, that both the House and Senate are cooperating, and that I will be very happy with the … [Read more...]
Senate President Murray’s Best. Move. Ever. — updated: did she fool me?
In response to the many strong comments, and Pam Wilmot's detailed post, I have to retract. The Prez seems to have given me some campaign finance gold, and I missed the ethics coal stuck in the bill. I haven't always been the biggest … [Read more...]