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Not even in office yet, and already Michelle Wu is disappointing some supporters
By adamg on Tue, 12/10/2013 - 1:16pm
A progressive group doesn't get how the at-large councilor-to-be could think of supporting Bill Linehan for city council president.
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Comments
Bill Linehan barely wins
Bill Linehan barely wins reelection twice and he's up for city council prez? Really? Is this the best Boston can do?
Linehan
He won by over 1,000 votes last month. It was not close. It was a big win for someone they had ready for the the front room of O'Brien's.
Who does high level or geek analyses of Boston voting?...
Who does high level or geek analyses of Boston voting?... compare the efforts of mathematician Robert Winters for Cambridge at http://cctvcambridge.org/user/susana_segat
Geeze
Sorry I see Cambridge and election analysis and I'm thinking gas pipe.
Instant Runoff Voting
Instant Runoff Voting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqblOq8BmgM
Progressives my Arse
So when a "conservative" backs a "progressive" cadidate or cause, it's progress. But when a "progressive" backs a "conservative" it's some how treason. These folks talk a bunch of BS about inclusiveness but their true colors show whenever they don't get their way. Inlusiveness to them only includes their own. This JP group is just mad because they endorsed Linehan's opponent. Because Linehan squashed their preferred candidate they want to get at him another way. They will be unable to have any influence on the votes. President Linehan it is.
Why the hell does this matter
What "progressive" policies are we promoting in municipal government? And what can City Council really do about these things? 78% of the budget now goes to BPS, police, fire, health care and fixed costs and based on the city's own projections for the next two fiscal years that goes to roughly 84% by 2016 meaning that a whopping 16% of the budget is left for EVERYTHING ELSE (and for those that are keeping score that means 27% cuts to the "everything else" category just to make ends meet on the core budget items - i.e. - they will be turning over every rock for new revenues or slashing the hell out of city hall staff - there are no other options).
My opinion is that in addition to health issues Menino took one look at these numbers and decided to bow out so that he wouldn't take the blame.
So they have almost no power and less than no money - their main function is serving as service managers to the neighborhoods having trouble getting the city to follow-up on things. What do the progressives want them to do?
And Reuben Kantor as a former senior staffer to Mike Ross should know better.
Citation please:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/budget/fy14.asp
Scroll to the end and you'll see the budget projection for 2015 and 2016 - note I've estimated public safety increases to be 2.5% for these two years and health care increases to be 4%, excluding an estimate for BPS which is in their own budget - both probably very conservative.
Well maybe said "Progressive Group"
doesn't realize people didn't vote for Wu because of their "endorsement." Maybe voters, voted for her because of "Her"
ideas not "theirs."
Council Prez
The Council President weilds tremendous power. He or she gets to wear a Burger King crown and may call for hearings on the scourge of paving lawns.
What about Chic-fil-A?
That reminds me, did Marty Walsh state a position on Chick-fil-A? With Menino leaving, could Boston get one?
Not Menino's proudest moment
I hate bullying abuse of government power a lot more than I love tolerant, open-minded employers. Point to Chick-fil-a on this one, in my book.
Out of date software at Boston City Council.
A Presiding Officer of the City Council can make Public Meetings more accessible to folks far afield, for example in Mattapan, Hyde Park. Too often the current Council President referred to Council transactions ambiguously. Especially the appointments to Council offices are hidden by referencing the Agenda items ambiguously during Public Meetings. Software used at Boston City Council is out of date, difficult to navigate. For example, District maps don't show the names of the bordering streets of the Districts. New Council software could encourage more robust interactions with the public.
This isn't only a progressive issue
I voted for Michelle because according to her website, www.michelleforboston.com. It looks like she shares my values for the city. A vote for Linehan for CC president would make it harder for her to achieve her goals than an O'Malley or Jackson presidency. Not to mention, god forbid something happen to the mayor-elect and we end up with Mayor Linehan.
O'Malley
http://www.universalhub.com/taxonomy/term/532
This guy hasn't got a chance outside of his current position.
Oh how very tolerant..
It's hilarious how "progressives" demand that everyone be tolerant and of course," celebrate diversity". But just let someone even think about entertaining a point of view other than their own and their progressive heads explode. Watching them become unraveled when someone they think is one of their own steps out of line is another gift that keeps on giving.
You don't actually know what
You don't actually know what the words "progressive" and "tolerant" mean, do you?
They tend to mean "hypocrite"
They tend to mean "hypocrite".
How is that hypocritical?
How is that hypocritical? Most progressives I know are not opposed to other opinions, just the ones that are bigoted. But you are more than welcome to continue eating from Murdoch's trough.
This from a Kool-Aid drinker.
This from a Kool-Aid drinker.
Thanks for illustrating how
Thanks for illustrating how "liberals" (hint they aren't liberal in any classic sense of the word) claim to be open minded. Except when they are explaining that any viewpoint but their own to shut up.
True, those filthy liberals
True, those filthy liberals should really be more open to the idea that homosexuality is wrong, silly me. I'm not really getting the open mined argument here?
Pot calling kettle
What do you have against people with devout Muslim and Christian beliefs? Isn't the tolerance of expression of one's culture, religion, and opinion supposed to be a tenet of Liberalism? I thought all cultures, faiths, and beliefs were equal and enriching to society as part of the overall mosaic of humanity?
Yep.
They all are. Until one starts trying to use the levers of government to disadvantage those of whom they don't approve.
Yeah.
Yeah, I "become unraveled" when someone whom I thought was committed to principles of equality turns out to endorse racism and bigotry. Do you think that's out of line?
Racism? Bigotry? just
Racism? Bigotry? just because Linehan is Irish and from South Boston you label him like that. Linehan has never uttered a racist or bigoted thing in his life. but just by what you just wrote, any doubt about you has been erased
Really?
How is his argument that he and not Linda Dorcena Forry ought to host a famous political even anything other than racist?
Racism? Not quite
She's not from Southie. The breakfast has always been a Southie thing. Besides, they worked it out, no?
The key phrase is parochial, but thanks for playing. If you want racist talk, find any quote from his predecessor circa 1975. Southie has changed. The old time white people of Boston are not quite what you think they are. Their friends who fled between the 1950s and 1990s, they are exactly want you are thinking of.
Fair enuff.
I could play the "just imagine" game and speculate that his opposition to Dorcena Forry would have been nonexistent had she been a white male with some credible claim to Irish ancestry but that would be unfair and without merit.
Because she's not from south
Because she's not from south boston....
Any addresses for email for each of the new City Councilors?...
Before January, any addresses for email for each of the new City Councilors?...
Racial equality! Yay!
The Asian lady is as much of a moron as the Irish guy! 21st century Boston!
It's called Politics, People!
It's called Politics, People! Why is this any surprise? Politicians make deals. That's what they do for a living. Sheesh!