There is an alternative to the status quo, at least in the race to replace ex-Speaker, "accused felon" Salvatore DiMasi.
I am running as an independent in the special election, which will be held on June 16.
Residents in the 3rd Suffolk District have the opportunity to send a message to Beacon Hill that they've had enough and demand change.
People can choose not to vote for the Democratic candidate in this race because of his role as a staff member under Representative DiMasi and can choose to vote for me based on my unique background, my fresh ideas, and my knowledge and experience as a lifelong Massachusetts resident, 20-year Boston resident, and small business owner.
My only loyalty lies between me, my partner Terry, my family, and, as the next 3rd Suffolk State Representative, my neighbors and constituents.
or more specifically, the state party's inability to put forth viable candidates in state legislative races. MassInc (CommonWealth Magazine) recently published an oft-cited report ("Ending the One-Party State") dealing with this (I didn't bother to paste the link because a subscription is required - sorry if I've screwed up on web etiquette).
I have said this before on UH and elsewhere: if the Republicans would put up true Republicans, you know, the Yankee-socially-libertarian-fiscally-conservative ones (e.g., Weld), we would have a very well-balanced legislature (at least with respect to the two main parties). Since so many Republican candidates here build their candidacy with the planks of the (western-southern centric) national party's platform dealing with the so-called culture war issues, they immediately render themselves non-viable options for very many Massachusetts voters. That is something that is very much within the control of the state party, and I just cannot figure out why the hell they continue to put up these non-viable candidates.
Not to absolve Democratic legislators, but Blue Mass. Group discusses what was wrong with today's Globe story, the one that seems to blame the Patrick administration.
We're going to be airing a full hour on the DiMasi indictment, and on calls for ethics reform at the State House. Do you think lobbiests have too much influence on Beacon Hill? Give us a call tomorrow at 1! www.radioboston.org.
Mark Navin, Senior Producer, Radio Boston
WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station
Do lobbyists have to much influence? From the Boston Phoenix:
Flaherty, as the State Ethics Commission disposition agreement put it, "accepted and received gratuities from lobbyists, lobbying groups, and individuals before the Legislature" — including Edward O'Sullivan and John E. Murphy, who both run successful Boston lobbying firms, and developer Jay Cashman, whose influence has again been called into question in relation to DiMasi. And, oh yes, Flaherty himself, head of Capitol Consulting, runs one of the most successful lobbying businesses in the state.
So a former Speaker, driven out of office for corruption, is now a successful lobbyist? There's your answer. Everyone in the business knows that the system is entirely corrupt. And everyone goes along.
Comments
I bet Diane Wilkerson feels like a chump
Getting busted for only a few thousand dollars worth of (alleged) graft -- I bet she wishes she'd aimed higher!
Fortunately, there is an alternative
There is an alternative to the status quo, at least in the race to replace ex-Speaker, "accused felon" Salvatore DiMasi.
I am running as an independent in the special election, which will be held on June 16.
Residents in the 3rd Suffolk District have the opportunity to send a message to Beacon Hill that they've had enough and demand change.
People can choose not to vote for the Democratic candidate in this race because of his role as a staff member under Representative DiMasi and can choose to vote for me based on my unique background, my fresh ideas, and my knowledge and experience as a lifelong Massachusetts resident, 20-year Boston resident, and small business owner.
My only loyalty lies between me, my partner Terry, my family, and, as the next 3rd Suffolk State Representative, my neighbors and constituents.
Three criminal Democrat
Three criminal Democrat House Speakers in a row, and the problem is Republicans?
Typical.
Perhaps the problem IS Republicans...
or more specifically, the state party's inability to put forth viable candidates in state legislative races. MassInc (CommonWealth Magazine) recently published an oft-cited report ("Ending the One-Party State") dealing with this (I didn't bother to paste the link because a subscription is required - sorry if I've screwed up on web etiquette).
I have said this before on UH and elsewhere: if the Republicans would put up true Republicans, you know, the Yankee-socially-libertarian-fiscally-conservative ones (e.g., Weld), we would have a very well-balanced legislature (at least with respect to the two main parties). Since so many Republican candidates here build their candidacy with the planks of the (western-southern centric) national party's platform dealing with the so-called culture war issues, they immediately render themselves non-viable options for very many Massachusetts voters. That is something that is very much within the control of the state party, and I just cannot figure out why the hell they continue to put up these non-viable candidates.
The investigation began under a Republican administration
Not to absolve Democratic legislators, but Blue Mass. Group discusses what was wrong with today's Globe story, the one that seems to blame the Patrick administration.
More opportunity to be heard about DiMasi
We're going to be airing a full hour on the DiMasi indictment, and on calls for ethics reform at the State House. Do you think lobbiests have too much influence on Beacon Hill? Give us a call tomorrow at 1! www.radioboston.org.
Mark Navin, Senior Producer, Radio Boston
WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station
Do lobbyists have to much
Do lobbyists have to much influence? From the Boston Phoenix:
So a former Speaker, driven out of office for corruption, is now a successful lobbyist? There's your answer. Everyone in the business knows that the system is entirely corrupt. And everyone goes along.
I always wondered
how Flaherty's ignominious exit didn't disqualify him from lobbying...