1.)Eliminate local government waste including nonessential personnel.
2.)Eliminate State government waste including nonessential personnel.
3.)Recognize that our prison system is our cheap labor and bring jobs back from over seas.
4.)Start to educate and train our prisoners and rehab them to be able to contribute to society rather than drain it.
5.)Find ways to build up people's income so they can spend and help build on the economy. ( break up the monopolies that are causing inflation, institute laws that require manufacturers to eliminate planned obsolesence and product failure so we become respectable again throughout the world for our goods produced.)
6.)Create a grant program that funds worker's compensation and insurance programs for start up businesses to help create jobs and to temporarily help companies get off the ground.
7.)Create laws that keep investment money in our economy and our country.
8.) Establish a better equipped/staffed/funded retraining program to transition people into other fields of employment.( especially nonessential government workers)
9.) Review State pension plans to require investment in the Massachusetts economy.
10.)A penny that is doubled every day is better than a one time pay out of a million dollars. Desire a little from a lot of workers rather than a lot from a little amount of workers.

1% of the sales tax goes toward the Massachusetts School Building Authority. When the Governor looks at a project like the proposed Wilmington High School project and then looks at a cost estimating company like Reed Construction Data (RS MEANS) and sees that there may be a problem with over inflated prices and contracts that are not going out for competitive bid on the State's Central Register he may recognize massive waste. He may also feel that a community should not knock down a structurally sound building that could be used to generate income for a community when that community could build a school for less money on another site. He should recognize that regional schools could help defray costs of education. A Wilmington/North Reading regional school would accomplish that. Someone please take a look also into Wilmington's North Intermediate School window project. A same size school two years ago (the Shawsheen School) had a window designer contract of $84,000 and this school has a designer cost of $207,000. These designer costs do not have to go out for competitive bid on the State's Central Register. This is a huge mistake. There is a lot of nonsense that should be eliminated before raising taxes. I do like the Governor very much, I just think on the economical issues that he could be doing things different to gain success.

Kevin, everything you propose requires the government personnel conservatives feel is "nonessential." Eliminating them would hinder the very solutions you propose!

i agree stop taking OUR money; start cutting some of the needless ssdi , and ebt programs. i know plenty of people who COULD work but just wont, because they are getting all their needs for FREE (actually not free because us working people are paying for it!!)

Lisa, you seem to hang out with some very unscrupulous people.

I "know" the same types of people Lisa commented about. That doesn't mean I hang out with them. They were my clients for 10 years. They do exist for sure.

The governor is lying just like his president. He has already raised taxes by confiscating our local property taxes directly. MBTA assessment.. $20,000.00, no train near us. Unemployment, though our town has never laid anyone off, $11,000.00. I will motion in our next town meeting to remove these items from the buget. The MBTA is building a huge layover station in Westminster that is NOT needed nor funded. Beacon Hill has recently voted another UNFUNDED education mandate. This one says that we have to still educate the problem child or criminal adolescent if they get expelled. Gee, how is that going to happen? A bus load of tutors to the kids house or jail cell. Government is completely out of touch and corrupt and must be scaled back by at least 30%. The socialisation of the republic cannot be tolerated.
T. Jefferson

I'd rather live here than any state run by conservatives. Those states always require the most federal assistance!

If you want to be taken seriously, document these kinds of statements.

Just to back up BH, yes the salaries are a bit over the top. Here are the salaries from 2011 of all MBTA workers. It is 197 pages longs with approx 34 names per page. That is over 6500 employees!!! And they do make good money, some far to good. http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Smart_Forms/News,_Events_and_Press_Releases/MBTA%20Payroll%2012%2011%20Final%283%29.pdf

They can start by immediately stopping all payments to the 19,000 missing welfare recipients. Then pass a law that REQUIRES anyone requesting taxpayer financial assistance must prove legal status before getting a dime. Or conversely, limit any assistance to the same assistance a foreigner would receive in their home country. More likely to a beating and a jail sentence, followed by expulsion.

Joseph--ake a minute to connect the dots. "Working people" send their kids to school and there is a cost to education just like everything else. Costs don't stand still. As for "cut the budget," I suggest you specify what services you want to do without. As for "up'd our payroll tax," the right way to say it is that it was put back to where it was before what we all knew was a the temporary reduction.

And those electricians are in Group 4 retirement, like cops, firefighters and corrections officers, because back in the day, to work at a coal fired high pressure plant, was a very dangerous job. Today, not so much, just redistribute power and laugh all the way to the bank.

YOUR RIGHT THERE'S ALOT OF LAZY PEOPLE WHO NEED TO GET A JOB ! THE TAX PAYER'S ARE TIRED OF CARRYING TO MUCH OF THE DEAD WEIGHT !

You are absolutely correct - you got who you voted for!

Public schools in America continue to slide because they want to operate at the lowest common denominator which is impacted by the growing number of students with some kind of an issue. America is getting close to 50% of the population paying no taxes, but 50% receiving some form of government assistance. Does that seem like a formula for future success? Hardly! As for the "Progressives" mantra of keep on taxing and providing more benefits for the unfortunates, Mass. is doomed. Incidentally, have they located the missing 19,000 welfare recipients? Patrick is a fraud as a true leader but his cute smile keeps the votes coming.

Wow--logic and reason! How did this comment get in here?

@Butch, Great comments. I do not understand how some people think we can keep going on this way. Oh wait, these are the same people that want everything free.

Yeah, let's reward the deadbeat and illegal populations while putting it to the working folks who seem to get stuck paying for everything.
How about cutting ALL benefits to non-citizens, non-residents and making collecting welfare (for a living) much more difficult? Look at that savings alone.

Instead, Patrick plays to his people (so they think), provides a few goodies for labor and teachers unions and the chase is on.

The only choo choo I want to see built is the one that carries Deval Patrick out of here.

sales tax can also be seen as regressive. 6.25% paid on your purchase of a $600 beater is less than 6.25% paid on someone's $80,000 "look at me" BMW.

I usually don't like durogatory comments but it may be fitting here and it is funny. Had to copy it.

When you lower taxes you get MORE revenue.... PERIOD

It hardly seems that you are approaching the governor's plans with any degree of serious objectivity when you can't spell Governor DEVAL Patrick.

When you lower taxes you get MORE revenue PERIOD

Dennis can't defend Auntie Zeituni, 19,000 "missing" welfare recipients or rampant EBT abuse, so let's go for the spelling !!!

Yeah, only if you can pay via EBT card too.

"How many plan on watching the "CORONATION next week?"

Not I. That's one Hollywood production that I'll be happy to miss.

Not I. Rather have a root canal.

I have to clean my ceiling fan. I just can't put it off another day.

There's absolutely NO reason that state employee pensions are tax free! How much revenue would we get if retired state employees paid "their fair share" instead of getting a special interest exemption.

She's lucky to be able to call you "friend".

Good. That means they will lose another electoral vote as well.

There is a "War on Taxpayers" and we have to fight back ! Enough is enough .
Call or email your State Reps and Senators.

Excise and Gas Tax supposed to go to road repairs ! Don t surrender ! Don t give them one BLEEPING inch Dan.

Most likely it'll go into the black hole called the MBTA

Going from 5.25% (sic) to 6.25% is one divided by 5.25---not 6.25. Thus, the
answer using the percentages you supplied is really 19%, not 16%. Having said that though, I believe that the Commonwealth's sales tax rate BEFORE it became
6.25% was an even five per cent. Thus, 1.25 (the increase), divided by an even
five equals a 25% increase over the 5.00%. The dividing 'base' must be the
number you left and are considering going to. Compredez voux?

@Dennis, I am neither, actually I am an Independent parent in a local community. I don't feel the need to have my name out their for my children's sake. I am a hard working American, as is my spouse who struggles to get by. I pay my taxes, I raise my family and I work two jobs to survive. I just don't feel that my hard work should go to paying for people to sit on their butts and collect welfare or for fat salaries of Government workers. If Deval wants to help the State he can force people back into work. McDonald's is always hiring, people just don't want to lower themselves to do it.

So, Dennis, in your opinion anyone who is not a Liberal must be unamerican. This because their thoughts may be counter to yours and must be totally wrong?
Why is it there is never any "agree to disagree" debates any longer? All I see from those furthest to the Left or Right is belittling those who may make statements of inquiry. You know, it may be possible for both sides to have valid points on issues. It just has become so blatent, in our society, to fall for foolish rhetorical BS. BOTH sides slant to their philosophies, yet both sides can present valid, logical points without name calling. Yeah, I lean Right, yet I try to look at what points the other side offers. Sometimes I can agree with them. I don't always close my eyes. Your comments reveal your nature, vile name calling removes any credibility to your thoughts. A civil disagreement can be tolerated or accepted. Personal attacks are uncalled for. Remembering what I learned in Social Studies class, decades ago: "Believe nothing of what you hear or read and only half of what you see":.As Walter Brennan said in the Guns of Wil Sonnett "No brag, just fact:.

Isnt it amazing how the Moonbats reach for the "Hitler" mantra when you dont partake in the liberal Kool Aid ? ! Lowertaxes, you are right as rain ! Deval Dukakis will be remembered as a very below average, typical anti business, big tax and spend Liberal.

Dennis... stop being the Town's biggest hypocrite. How'd you make out putting your own selfishness ahead of the communities', and the children's, on the turf field project?

No Emcee, Larouch is not, by the measure of any Democrat I know.

Unless one has pending warrants, what else can one think when a person hides behind a pseudonym. Begging the question by pointing to how many others do the same does is simply illogical. If I said some of the foolish things being said here by people hiding behind phony names, I would feel sheepish enough to want to hide my identity too.

Please stay on topic and refrain from name-calling and other personal attacks. MG

Oh that is right Gretchen, anybody who isn't a liberal is a kook. Seriously, read these comments, people are not kooks, they are outraged!

Gretchen,
You're a typical liberal left democrat who resorts to name calling "Kooks" when you don't agree with the facts. According to my previous post, the facts are that Massachusetts is one of the 10 highest taxed states in the U.S. We're taxed too much and Governor Cadillac Deval wants to tack on a huge increase on the income tax, the workers who are barely getting buy. Meanwhile, while the working people are paying more than their fair share, the takers keep on taking and taking and taking. The culture on Beacon Hill is flawed. I wonder how Attleboro's new State Rep. will vote on Gov. Patrick's income tax increase. If he's against raising taxes as he said that he was during the election, he should vote no. It will be interesting to see how he votes on this.

Andrew I don't know the answer to that question. Where is our former state representative when you need her? She would know.

There are no pensions being paid to current workers you have to be retired. Also should my pension be slashed after working for 32 yrs in as a Correction Officer? Who would do the job without a decent pension. And don't tell me there are plenty of people who would take these jobs because not many last the first year. Just stop spending on useless things like wind turbines.

Thomas deserves his pension. But wind turbines are an equally good investment I believe. It's good to think ahead.

@Nancy Vorce:
Say that the sales tax rate is 8%. Joe, with a family of 4, earns $50,000 a year and spends $20,000 of that on taxable items. Thus Joe pays $1.600 a year in sales tax. Mary, who is single, earns $100,000 and spends $20,000 of that on taxable items. Thus Mary also pays $1,600 in sales tax. Joe has $30,000 left over for all other expenses for his family of 4. Mary has $80,000 left over for her expenses and herself.
(1) Which taxpayer paid a greater percent of his/her income in sales tax?
(2) What is the difference between the percent of annual income paid by each taxpayer?
(3) Which taxpayer is more likely to be able to afford a nice vacation and /or a new car?
(4) In a short paragraph, please explain how this is fair.

@Dennis, answers to your question.

Joe, should save his money and not spend so much! Joe is a Democrat. Looks like he lives beyond his means. Mary on the other hand spent the same but can afford it. So if I read between the lines you want to take away from Mary who has worked hard and built her life and give to Joe that makes bad financial decisions? what is fair about that?

@Dennis, Also, vacations and cars are not a right. they are a luxury that again based on your criteria looks like Mary has worked for and has the right to take. You don't buy cars and vacations when you don't have the money.

Which public service do you want to eliminate?

Dennis: You know that the majority of families have had to make many sacrifices the last few years. They cut back because they had to. They don't have the luxury of using other people's $$$ as Gov't can. People have "wants" and 'needs". Many have forgone the first to take care of the latter. If they didn't they, too, would be in "deficit". Those who now control Gov't seem to feel that they are entitled to all their "wants". Be damned where the $$$ comes from. Feds just raise the deficit and place the entire future generations in debt. Honestly, why the hell should they care, they'll all be dead when the bill comes due. That, Dennis, is truth!!! State also feels that they should receive everything they "want". They don't have the $$$ to pay for it. Where do they go? To the Tax Payer. I look at it this way, I can't get all I "want", why should the State? The more out of my pocket, the more I hurt. You may say the Sales Tax will go down. Yeah, but the price of everything keeps increasing. Most of my "wants" are on the back burner until things improve. Hopefully, they will.
Tough times everyone hurts. Families adjust. Is it asking too much for Gov't to do the same? The well is running dry, yet those in power demand more than their fair share. All people, those with common sense, ask that we all live a bit more frugally. The hurt should be shared by all, including Gov't. Dennis, is that really asking too much?

(con't)
Dennis: To use the argument about those on Gov't aide. Well, the PA Sectretary of Social Services put it best several weeks ago when he stated that "a single mother with 2 children earning $29K lives better than a woman in the same circumstance earning $67K". The reason being, the first pays less in taxes and receives many State & Federal free benefits so she actually winds up with more disposable income than the latter who earns more. That's PA, I'll bet that in MA it's even better for the first mom. This has to slow down or stop. We can't continue to provide all we do. Common sense tells us to help those in need, not to provide them with their "wants". Bottom line, it's too expensive. Maybe you feel that it is OK to provide everything, sad part is, now it is no longer a temporary fix for many of them, it's a way of life. It is becoming generational. You may say I'm mean and wrong, but, I'll bet there are an awful lot of people who feel this way. I'm just not afraid to speak on something I think isn't right. As I said earlier, I listen to other points of view. Show me where I'm wrong. I'll consider anything if it's legitimate. I've been wrong in the past, I'll be wrong again. I just think that the pain must be shared by all, including Gov't.

Education costs money. We can't say that we won't spend the money on educating our children--we've been downgrading our children's education for two decades now, and it shows. Our kids are less educated than they used to be, and to not spend the money on them is unfair to them. And we can't say to them, "Oh times are tough so we decided not to spend the money on your education, thereby ruining your chances to face the problems we helped to cause, or even participate in the process of making things better. Sorry!" Clinton and others showed it IS fiscally intelligent to spend money--even money from the future--ON the future! And he knew how to make money, and he spent a lot of it on educating.

What say we remove the "exempt" status from state & municipal employee pension income ?
Absolutely no one in the commonwealth gets a six figure pension.
No pension or "earned" time toward one, for any elected official while in office. 401K or SS like the DPS.
There's 3 to start.

But I don't see this--why should public employees, who usually don't make salaries like they do in the private sector, have the lowest pensions TOO? I work several jobs, in both public and private sectors, and the pay is much better in the private sector. So I think cutting public pensions is just a way of making public employees pay up front AND in the end. That seems really unfair. Why do they get blamed in good times and bad? Police? Teachers? Firemen? Garbage collectors? The work they do is just as important as any work that anybody does! Maybe more important if you ask me. Certainly comparable.

"But I don't see this......."
Yes MCREM, it's readily apparent that you don't.

Oh now I DO see--this is some sort of place where people make up lots of angry names for the people they don't like. But that doesn't make very convincing arguments, much less helpful ideas. I'm still waiting for people to admit that educating our kids is a major priority for people in Massachusetts. That is after all one of the two major reasons for the proposed tax reshuffle. And obviously it does cost money to educate kids. When I see a lot of angry names for politicians, I think that's a distraction from the job at hand. Which is to improve our understanding of the problems and to begin to work together to solve them. Anyway, the middle class includes mainly people from both political parties, so it ins't helpful to always be screeching names at the pols you don't like and the people who voted them in. It's regressive.

@FRITZ I agree that Education is very important. However, until the State gets rid of the MCAS the standard of education is going to continue to slip. My children are being taught to take a test and not much else. There is so much pressure for schools to outperform the previous year's scores that it doesn't give the teachers a chance to give the children a well rounded education.

I agree with Heather that teachers are wrongly pushed to teach "to the test". I think we do need an education overhaul. And I think we should spend money on it, because it benefits everybody in society when our kids are better educated! Everybody. Them first of all. But everybody. Also, I'd like to thank Heather for being civil--that really stands out in this place! (It's like a battlefield. But then so is love, according to Pat Benatar.)

It's the Democrats and their tax and spending ways that are bringing the country down. Reduce pensions at the MBTA from 80% to 50% that will be a good starting point in reducing waste.

Waste reduction--I'm for it! But the Republicans waste more than the Democrats by far! Inflated military budget and pork barrels, anybody? Talk about waste products!

Always convincing when one rests one case on a popular stereotype. WHy not mention that to the EMT's who show up when someone you or someone you love needs them---or perhaps to your child's favorite teacher at parent-teachr conferences--or the cop who shows up at 2am when someone is trying to break into your house.

I'm with Dennis-- lots of stereotyping here. And OUTRAGE. But you wouldn't try to leave a store without paying, now would you? You want a nice, safe life, you want happy, healthy, educated kids? You gotta PAY for it! We're lucky we live in a country and commonwealth where that's even possible!

What else is the money for, anyway???

Dennis, did you pay your State tax at the 5.25 percent rate last year or the optional 5.75%? You are so willing to take my money, I am wondering if you put your money where your mouth is?

There is a great difference between the two:
(1) Going to a Pats game is a choice....we may or may not go based upon a number of factors.
(2) Taxes are taken....often at the end of a barrel of a gun.
As an American, and clearly very bright worldly scholar, I thought you would have know the difference.

Chris L? Is that you?

@ the AnonEmcee: So I guess it somehow makes sense to you that these Larouchites draw a Hitler moustache on large posters of our Democratic President--President Obama---and stand out for years in public places like town centers and post offices passing out literature that has nothing to do with the Democratic platform of ideas---- should be thought of as Democrats. If you don't see a difference between what the Larouche cult calls itself and what it actually is--well I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Anybody can look up Lyndon LaRouche to find out he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican, though he was closer to the Right Wing for a long time. Now he's a 90 year old crank who hates President Obama--yeah, some Democrat. But who cares about Lyndon LaRouche? Back to our regular programming.

I agree Peg. I voted for Charlie Baker also, so don't blame me. To all the Democrats: Is this the hope and change that you're looking for?? If the Governor's proposal is approved, you will have no hope and very little change left in your pockets.

it's ok to change priorities on where money is spent, the issue is if you spend more in one place, you need to be brave enough to spend less somewhere else.

@ dana banda: An irrational diatribe like yours ought to count for something at least, so here's a take-away for you. You said: "this feeds there bases trough." Correct English would have read: "this feeds their base's trough." To help you in the future:

they're = They are. Example: They're here.
there = This indicates direction. Example: I saw them over there.
their = This indicates possession. Example: Their car was hit by a truck.
Summary example: They're over there, in their car.

Hope that helps.

@GR: Hi. I want to help you to improve your writing skills to prevent future mistakes in proper English usage. In your last sentence you misused the word "their." You should have said "they're." See below:

they're = They are. Example: They're here.
there = This indicates direction. Example: I saw them over there.
their = This indicates possession. Example: Their car was hit by a truck.
Summary example: They're over there, in their car.

Hope that helps.

@Joe: Racism is always ugly and inappropriate. Hopefully you are better than that and will show it in future comments.

Patrick has proven himself inept as governor, Warren is a proven liar.
Get a grip.

we ack this way because we've learned it from watching our politicians. Just a few weeks ago prior to the election I watched our governor on CNN completely trash his predcessor and the Romney governorship. Deval could not find one nice thing to say

Massachusetts is # 1 in Education Spending ! You ve won ! We spend the most.
Enough ! No more !

Government schools do not need more money. They need real reform. Extending the number of minutes, hours, days, months, years is not reform. It is job stimulus for the education industry.

We shouldn t get emotional about the 19,000 missing EBT files ? Please

If emotions are what you're into, go for it!

@Emcee: Me too. Joe should not have gone there.

Yes they do. They also bring out the card when they want to shock you... to shut you up... make you feel ashamed. I've been watching this phenomenon for four years now, and I must say, it's wearing thin.

And to top it off....by doing so they actually harm those they think they are protecting. Much like the boy who cried wolf.....they have desensitised us to it....so when a real problem exists....we do not notice.

@Indiana: Joe didn't strike me as a Liberal at all. What did he say that made you think he was?

@GR: I agree that the issues are more significant than grammar. I was simply looking for a place where redemption may at least possible. Glad you are open to it. PS Correct usage is not "those of us that dont live." It should be those of us who don't live."

Neighbor is reading different news from me. The Republicans didn't protest the pork, they jumped on board, with both hands. The opening line in an article in today's Conservative Papers reads: "Politicians from both parties in Washington are filling the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Relief bills with billions of dollars of pork – spending that has nothing to do with hurricane relief." And this guy is a conservative guest on Fox News! http://conservativepapers.com/news/2013/01/18/video-pork-in-the-hurricane-sandy-bill/#.UPoDvo7bwyE

Looks like it's take take take from BOTH sides--like a lot of posters seem to realize, it's BIPARTISAN bungling. But still, I think Boehner and several other Republicans were right to vote in favor of the bill, because it IS necessary to help the people--our FELLOW AMERICANS--who are victims of natural disasters, pork or no pork. Thank God Romney wasn't elected--he was pretty clear about not having anything in place for supporting our communities in times of enormous tragedies.

@Neighbor: Share with us what you would cut that would take away a MA government service from which you benefit now or will benefit in the future. And please don't bore us with unsubstantiated comments about government waste. PS: Usage tip: It is incorrect grammar usage to say "...think your an extreme democrat." Said correctly it is "...think you're an extreme Democrat."
You're is a contraction of you are.
Your is an adjective that indicates ownership or possession.
Usage example: You're not heading in the right direction to achieve your goal.

So true. I reported the "brothers" comment as inappropriate, as it was clearly used in a racist way in this dialogue by associating Governor Patrick and President Obama as the "brothers." Shockingly, no action was taken to remove it. Some consciousness raising is needed in monitoring racism on this site. Otherwise, it will only get worse.

I have been appalled by the racism, code wording and other offensive language and attacks, most of it coming from the right in an almost stream of consciousness way as though perps are only talking to their narrow demographic.. And usually by gutless characters who will not identify themselves. Some of the Patches are terribly edited in my opinion and just let this stuff slip and slide because it causes lots of clicks. Editors should not need to wait for reader complaints. Having complained on numerous occasions and pushed the inappropriate button to almost no avail I just choose to let it be (though I am happy to say that there is now relatively little of it on my town's Patch...Nboro). The whole business with Elizabeth Warren is a good case in point. There native American stereotypes were mixed freely and frequently with gender and even occupational ones. Since this kind of trash talk mainly contributes to hated liberals winning elections here and in many parts of the country, it seems counterproductive and can rest at that. One does not need to be labeled a 'liberal' to take offense, by the way.

@Michael Gelbwasser: Why not require that people use their own names? Enabling people to be anonymous only encourages bad behavior. Meanwhile, an editor can review the slurs on African Americans and Native Americans that are already in this conversation. Pay attention to code words as well.

@don't--Ad hominem arguments like this are, by their very nature, illogical. What you are doing is making a statement, not asking a question.

I took my clue from this: "Gov. Deval Patrick proposed raising the state's income tax by 1 percentage point...."

Thanks for pointing out that one percentage POINT is different from 1%.

I have to agree that those scenes do not generate confidence in the public mind. At the same time, I do not claim to know the basis for those multiple state police cruisers at highway construction sites. That basis is really the question that should be being asked. Your rude comment about "mni-me" was rude and unnecessary.

There is no difference between "government spending" and the good of the people. The money raised in taxes and fees gets spent on services that benefit the public, whether it be roads, bridges, education, law enforcement, social services, corrections, public transportation or any other public service.

In the early 1980's the anti-tax movement successfully created a false dichotomy between government and the good of the people. It was reinforced by the anti-government rhetoric of Ronald Reagan. This gave people permission to blame government for everything wrong in their lives. Constantly reinforced by Republicans ever since, this attitude is so deeply rooted today (and there is plenty of evidence in the discussion here), that anger and hatred is immediately directed at public officials and public employees whenever there is an effort to raise revenue. It is as though, even though the cost of everything goes up in our economy, somehow the cost of public services do not, and thus taxes and fees should never be raised. Yet the same people who emotionally balk at any revenue increase are often the first to cry foul when public services are cut that affect them personally. Sadly, this reflexive response is like a cancer eating at national harmony and public civility.

That is an excellent and exceptionally clear summary of Republican demonization of government over the past twenty years. It was wonderfully illustrated by the November elections and the national and local campaigns that led up to them. That demonization that feeds on fear of taxation (and sorry, the Founding Fathers were NOT against taxation--they were against taxation without representation, and representation we got!) also blurred the basic fact of the matter: that those people ranting and voting against taxation are in fact--statistically, demonstrably--more likely to be the very same people who benefit from the taxes, and the very same people who will suffer (and complain) when their governmental subsidies are threatened in any way.

Dennis,
I think both parties have failed us in living within our means because both parties have been in control at the state and federal at some point. Let's not pretend the Democrats weren't in control of Congress during some of those Republican Presidential spending spree years. I'm not anti-govt...just pro-small govt. I think govt in general has done a bad job in downsizing and being leaner and more flexible the way businesses adapt. They need to learn to do more with less and not try solving all problems. It's just too expensive as inflation and population grows in my opinion. In this Deval case, it is OUR money so I think people have the right to speak up and voice their opinion. I don't see that as a bad thing.

The problem with correcting someone's grammar and spelling is that it is rude, and the person offering the service knows that it is rude. People make typos every day. This is not an English class and these blogs are not essays on philosophy.

Good comment, and this probably is my last (gasp!) one in this thread. We live in an age when many of the same ranters dismiss immigrants because they don't want to speak English (usually not true) when they themselves would flunk eighth grade English in many cases. Ignorance is bliss if it is one's own. In the past couple of weeks numerous right wing pols, including a red state governor, whose guts are in an uproar about this and that invoked the current 'Soviet Union', though that went away in 1991. The rants on the Second Amendment and US Constitution by the NRA and sympathetic pols are so far off base large numbers of conservative commentators say "study some history" before declaring positions taken by Ronald Reagan mean we now have a King, or a Stalin or a Hitler. Idi Amin will doubtless be next. We all make typos, but I say that if one is going to take up this space try to use the King's English and act as though at least one US history or political science course was taken seriously. That respects the reader and avoids getting one put in the 'know nothing' category. Oh, and even liberals should take this advice. Sometimes I think that many who use aliases here are not so much worried about letting their neighbors know who they are and what they think, but just don't want to say something with respectful care. Venom wins few sympathizers they forget.

I agree, Emcee. If someone wants to do a blog on the importance of good grammar, have at it. On racism and "code words", sure.

On topical threads such as this, it really is just one more tool used to silence the masses and to attempt to prove a point (and a person) irrelevant.

How are people "silenced" by having their grammar or spelling corrected? That seems like an inaccurate claim. People's comments are not canceled by corrected grammar, they are made clearer. Respect for rules is a good thing, and shows respect for tradition and other people, too.

Okay, back to the outrageous tax hikes. In today's Sun Chronicle there is an article stating that "Republican governors are proposing their states eliminate the income tax completely." That strategy has surely brought prosperity to Texas and other red states. Maybe what we need is a Republican governor. Matter of fact, I know that's what we need along with more Republicans in the legislature. A one-party system, essentially a tyranny of the majority, leads to exactly what we are getting... and it can only get worse.

Dennis: Are you suggesting a truce? That's great! But can we abbreviate? Even on my best days I can't spell Lieutenant.

Deb: Don't be concerned with your Spelling. Teachers of today aren't concerned. We asked my granddaughter's teacher about Spelling and her answer was similar to this: "Well, the kids are all texting now and using abreviations, so we don't concern ourselves with the spelling of words. Also, they can use spellcheck to get the correct spelling". Isn't this wonderful, all this $$$ going into education, yet, kids can't spell or worse. They can't make change in a market without the aid of a compuuter type cash register, telling them how much change to give back. I know, I work in a store where the cash register DOESN'T work and we do everything manually, including Sales Taxes. Customers come to the store because of our "old fashioned" way of doing things. Each day, at least 2 - 3 are amazed and comment how the youth of today can't do this. Just basic, as Jethro Bodine would say "Cyphering". Spend more $$$, for what??? Dumber kids. A test is being taught. Students aren't learning subjects that are important in overall education. If Math and English and Science MCAS scores rise, that's fine. Bet most would fail (high school) US History, which is something they should know about. In reality, most of our voters are clueless as to candidates policies or issues that are important. That is truly sad. How can an approval rating of Congress be 13%, yet, 86% get re-elected. Something is wrong. Again, Deb, don't worry about Spelling. The future leaders of our country don't worry (or care).

Wait a minute, we shouldn't support taxes for education because of a personal anecdote reported second hand by an anonymous commenter? Spelling and grammar do matter, and the HISTORY of education in America backs this up.

I can only ask again of all people who automatically take a negative position on any tax increases: Which services that you and yours currently receive from state government do you choose to do without. Costs go up for public services maintenance and improvement just as do the costs of everything else, so if you don't want to pay for that, please share what services you pick to eliminate or curtail. In doing so, please reflect that the idea of community demands that we should care about services that benefit others of our fellow state residents, not just ourselves.

I'm a Democrat, you know who I am (and I know who you are) and I will admit that Deval has wicked bad timing with this hike. It's a bad time for a lot of things like senior/veteran centers, animal shelters, and new fire stations. I'm against everything and that includes welfare, food stamps & free phones. You don't have to be Republican to be sick of paying for freeloaders.

Dennis, What world do you live in? I don't want to do without any services. I want the state government to cut all the BS out of the system so we can afford the services without putting more of a burden on everyone. Do you dare to say there is not excess in the state government that could be done away with? If you do then ALL of your posts are totaly invalid as you must live in a different world than the rest of us.

Here you go Dennis: welfare, food stamps, and free phone. Excellent starting point by Paul.

I don't know who Paul is. I don't like the idea of lazy people taking advantage of the system. But I do like the idea of paying for more and better education. I think supporting the police, the fire department, local libraries, garbage collecting, etc. are ALL WORTH IT. And I think that Americans DO owe it to their fellow Americans to help out when they are out of work, or in need. That could happen to any of us. And we owe it to children and to the disabled and to the elderly to provide for them. These are the things that make America what it is, and the greatest country on earth.

Thanks for the link. I usually don't bother with suggested links, but Mia Love was worth looking at and listening to again. It's been a while. God Bless America.

Oh Jeesh. The 'inspecting storm damage' incident has caught up with him. Will they ever learn.

Yes. And I will pray for him.

"The American people spoke."

A little bit more than half the citizens of American spoke/voted in favor of Obama. The rest of us, probably 48-49% would have preferred Romney or anybody other than Obama. We have a voice, also. Democrats have to realize we exist and are not going to go away.

Dennis, not every American spoke in support of or voted for President Obama, just his sheep did... the EBT card holders, the greedy union workers and others who take, take and take. Who is left holding the bag? The people who work for a living, they are the ones who will be paying for it in the form of a huge tax increase on the middle class (Obamacare). The President's pal, Governor Cadillac tax it all Deval Patrick, seems to be following suit by proposing the largest middle class hike in the state, those who make 37 thousand dollars a year and above will be paying more than their fair share and as a result, if the Governor's proposal is approved by the legislature, it will cost the state 8,500 jobs. The current unemployment rate in Massachusetts continues to increase and the income tax hike will lead to the state's economic downfall.

Oh no, another prophet of doom! And President Obama won the election, but nobody who voted for him is in the middle class. Only the taker sheep. Shut up, Richard. The sheep think you should just shut up.

The regime stole the 2012 election. Certain districts, all in states withOUT voter ID,
had turnout rates of 125% to 160%. It's obviously fraud. There had to be in order to overcome 21 million or more out of work in America.

If left to my own resources, I would have spelled Lieutenant incorrectly. I simply referred to your comment for the correct spelling.

Posts like that are ridiculous and don't add anything to a conversation.

Dennis, YOU cause people to get upset with your grammar lessons and you ask people to work on civility? Practice what you preach!!!

One of the main topics of the article that we're supposed to stick to according to the editors is taxation for education. That is pretty ironic, given so many of the comments. Spelling and grammar do matter. And when someone corrects your spelling or grammar, they are not being rude, they are being helpful. Or do you tell your kids that spelling and grammar don't matter, and the teacher is only being rude if they correct them? And since how you say something is inseparable from what you say, it all matters. I don't get why so many commenters are so defensive about the things that we're educated to do. But then, I'm in favor of paying taxes for better education for all Massachusetts children. A typo--no biggie. But poor grammar and spelling and saying that they don't matter is just ... uneducated! Though health is the most important thing of all.

Besides Rubio, there is Ted Cruz, a new senator from Texas, Susana Martinez, governor of New Mexico. Republicans will have a choice.

Oops... I think that's Great Barrington and not West Barrington. West Barrington might be in RI.

But it isn't about individuals and what they get out of it. Some people get an occasion plowed road. Some people with kids get better educated kids. Some people without kids get a good local library or better street lighting. It is time to think about the commonwealth as that, wealth common to us all.

Another excellent point Paul. I like your thinking. I lived in Fall River for 2 years so I concur.

New Bedford is a great and beautiful town, filled with history. Stop being so negative, please!

I heard it was because he could not raise enough revenue on a sales tax increase alone. Taxing income is a better source. Hence, the 1-point/16% increase. Some one else might have a better explanation, but for sure it's not because he wants to be nice to poor people.

The income tax increase is 19% not 16%. The proper calculation is 6.25-5.25/5.25 = 19% or how about this tax on 1000 = 52.50 or tax on 1000 = 62.50 52.50 *.19 =9.98
52.50 + 9.98 = 62.48. a 16% increase would result in an 8.40 adjustment. So much for the Mass school system :)

That should help the revenue stream, along with shoppers from other states. RI has a 7% sales tax.

Not only would people not have a reason to go to New Bedford, the good folks of New Bedford might not have a reason to go to Boston. The good-paying jobs in Boston tend to be hi-tech/bio-tech, banking jobs, etc. The professional people working in New Bedford probably live in the burbs and commute in.

And then there is always the NIMBY argument. It seems no one wants a fast train running through their town. Norton folks and others along the route bring out their signs every time a train is proposed.

Why do we continue to insist? In two years Patrick might pack up his life and move to another state, and we're left with all this debt.

"Lazy people" and other such references, with which this conversation has been replete, are merely code words used to stereotypes minorities...and in your your heart, you know I'm right. People who do it never seem never allow themselves to be persuaded by the facts.

I see lazy people....you see minorities....who is the racist?

When I read that I read it as "Lazy People". It was not specific to a certain group. I think people that do read it that way are the ones with an issue.

It is often easier to "see the speck in your brother's eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye".

Uh-oh. I wrote "brother";)

Either way....thanks for the cash Dennis....now I have more for ammo.

Lazy people ?
Exhibit "A" : Auntie Zeituni Onyango
Exhibit "B": Clarabelle Ventura
Exhibit "C": The Nanomom from Springfield
A white, a black and a hispanic.
"Lazy" knows no color barrier.

I don't know much about the foster care system in any state, let alone Massachusetts. But since we are a nanny state, and the governor has vowed to snatch newborns from the cradle to put them on the road to a proper education, should we be surprised on our rating?

YES to better educating our children in Mass!

Tim: Very good point. The Stimulus was a limited amount of $$$ for a limited time. Communities that took it only offset cuts for a short period. Now, the funds are gone, the cuts must be made. The truth sometimes hurts. Families cut when needed, whether they want to or not. Gov't just doesn't get the fact that they must also cut. Taxpayers are being drained by Local, State and Federal Gov't already. To keep up with their unending diet for more $$$ is placing the Middle Class further and further behind the Eight Ball. Remember, the Middle Class is what keeps this country going.

Patrick already declared he will not seek re-election in 2014.

Now that's a well-reasoned argument. Why waste our time? Seek help.

The people who 'continue to believe the Democrat lies' and generally the people who profit from them. They know a cash cow when they see it and care very little about our future or our children's future.

There is no one on Social Security collecting $75,000 a year. Generally, they collect about $15,000 or so per year and out of that amount, they must pay something like $2,000 yearly for medicare part B and D premiums and co-pays. And these are federal programs and not state programs. The recipients pay property taxes and sales taxes and excise taxes like everyone else. Where is the hypocisy?

It simply isn't true--and pretending it is true cost Romney his credibility and the election--that one party takes and the other doesn't. One of the greatest things about this country is its insistence--by both parties, by all the parties--on the rights and responsibilities of each individual. Individuals "take" and individuals "give"--most do a little of both, depending on need and ability. The constant, energy-draining, patently false repetition here of the myth that the people of one party just take, and the people of the other party are just taken from, is a complete and destructive falsehood. It's also really boring after a while. And unions, too, like corporations, like government, etc., are only as good or bad as the people who are in them. Individuals, doing individual things, and making things better by doing good things together.

People on the dole know nothing about politics, all they know is that a check comes and it's free. Deval Patrick doesn't care how people vote, he's out next year. Don't let your hatred of democrats cloud your intelligence. We Democrats hate lazy freeloading baby factories just as much as you.

paul, "the dole" as you call it, the social security safety net, is the ONLY thing that saved my family when an incurable illness left me disabled. My "Job Creator" employer, one of the wealthiest men in the US, brought corporate attorneys to bear and via a legal endrun, was able to terminate me WHILE ON FMLA and TAKE ALL DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR WHICH I HAD PAID.

Tell me again how we "on the dole" know nothing of politics. You know nothing of "the dole" and the situations of those "on it".

The parents hired her......

You're just as bad as the Democrats you despise. All you Republicans want to blame every Democrat for people on welfare and on the dole. You are all just like the Democrats, oh the poor mommys, we must give them more money to help them fund their next litter, please. Deval Patrick for President? You Republicans are in a world of your own.

Funny how the $75K for/life Liberal Rumswab retreated to his bunker after being called out. Since when are facts and public records cause for "flagging as inappropriate"?

Name calling, personal attacks, petty viciousness--these are reasons for "Flagging as Inappropriate," according the The Patch rules. Unhelpful and inaccurate stereotyping are perfectly acceptable, so you'll be okay!

"Rumswab"? Did you make that up? Leave other people alone. Stick to the topic. Stupid bully.

Emcee, my bad. I get it, all the negative comments that you have made about Democrats on this thread alone, is tough love, right? Forget about your relatives, your posts show that you loathe Democrats just the way I do Republicans but at least I admit it. Typical Republican in denial, just ignore the facts.

I agree, Emcee. I would like to add there are "haters" in both parties. paul's comments are an example. Wake up, Gretchen and Dennis. He's one of yours.

I don't know about you, but I perceive the Democratic Party has more than it's fair share of misogynist' who would like nothing more that to push granny, mommy, sister and daughter off the proverbial cliff! Of course, they would have them land on a big giant mattress made in China for "Big Guv". Out of sight, out of mind.

Like I said, (and in this case the truth hurts) you are a Republican in denial.

"it's for our children, the future..."

That phrase is as tired and worn out as the race card.

How could these proposed taxes be for the children when the states aims at taxing their parents into oblivion. Let the working people keep their money and apply it to the day cares or kindergartens or colleges of their choice. This money grab away from individuals and into the hands of mostly corrupt officials is insanity.

Give hope and change a chance and vote Republican.

There is a box that you can check, on your income tax form, that allows you and all your moonbat friends to pay more taxes to support your hackorama. I suggest you check it and get all your liberal friends to check it as well. You may feel the need to pay more and you can. I pay enough!

So by your logic....a yearly increase in taxes is no problem....what will happen when it reaches 100%? How will you and your public education think and feel then?

There's a saying. There are two kinds of people in the world, those that get it and those that don't. Those that get it, get it those that don't don't, and they never will. With all due repsect to you and your opinion and all to obvious well-to-do financial status, you just don't get it. And you never will. THERE IS NO MORE MONEY!!! I honestly don't know how to explain it any clearer. Many of us work for a living; and not for the govenrment earning fat incomes with guaranteed raises and even fatter pensions. We work for companies with the same burdens and limitations as their employees. They are not able to give out automatic raises and other benefits that the public sector so easily gets. We are not independently wealthy either. We are basically on fixed incomes. Yet, are our expenses fixed? Nope, not even close. Everything has gone up, fuel, food, insurances, federal taxes, local taxes. Have you been to the grocery store lately? Now we have our own mental midget telling us we need to give more, for the good of the people, the children, for all of us. Well, it just isn't there. THERE IS NO MORE TO GIVE!!!

I see them as important also. I also have no problem paying taxes to better educate kids or to repair roads. If the State was run better and there wasn't as much waste I wouldn't have a problem. If it was just a matter of education prices being higher I would say "prices go up" and I would gladly pay more. The fact of the matter is the government wastes a crazy amont of money and wants us to bail it out over and over. The poor managment of the State is now at a point where it will change my lifestyle. If poor decisions on my part were effecting Duval he would be pissed. I work hard to enjoy my life and because of the way he manages things I cannot afford things I once could. It is not because of rising costs of education or the price to pave the roads it is due to mismangament of funds already collected by the state and they want us to just give more. It is just wrong.

People that work for the city and state get COLA and pensions for life, teachers get the summer off. Historically in this country? Are you talking about 200 years ago? Any city or state job is better paying and has twice as many benefits than a equal position in the private sector. No one ever quits a city or state job, they retire, early.

MCREM: Most of us understand costs do rise. What I do not understand is why the Governor feels it is necessary to expand the government school industry. As I stated once before, more minutes, hours, days and years will not improve quality. We need real reform. But we won't get it. And who will suffer? We the plebeians. The system is rigged and we will all get hammered.

If funding is the sole contributing factor to the quality of education....please show studies to back that contention up. I contend that increased spending is NOT a factor and here you go: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/09/does-spending-more-on-education-improve-academic-achievement

If the Heritage Foundation said it, do the OPPOSITE!

Please elaborate....as that study seems to show that drastically increased funding does NOTHING to improve education. Hope this isn't too personal.

Obviously, you can't put any stock in a "study" conducted by the Heritage Foundation. They are running their own agenda.

And who is saying pay teachers less , shut down more in-school, pre-school and/or after school EDUCATION!!!. I am all for public scholarships. But shouldn't they be reality based, and not just based on hopes and dreams?

Exactly. The conversation is about whether or not we should increase taxes in order to maintain and improve education and public works, specifically transportation. ("Maintain and improve", with regard to education, being a summary of Governor Patrick's intention to direct new revenue toward "funding high-quality early education and K-12 education, investment in public colleges and universities, and the re-invigoration of the MassGrants scholarship program.") Many posters here and elsewhere have rightly pointed out that the price of everything is rising. I agree. I also pointed out that everything is more expensive for state employees--including teachers--too. Not to pay more to teachers, and not to expect to pay more to maintain an educational system which we all seem to agree is, like everything else in the world, rising in cost, is virtually the same as paying teachers less and reducing educational opportunities. I understand that there must be limits and oversight, and these, like education and everything else in the world, should be improved. But there is a consensus here that everything is getting more expensive, so I don't see how we can say, "Everything is more expensive, so let's not spend more on education..." That is tantamount to a reduction in services, and is guaranteed to reduce the quantity and quality of educational opportunity.

MCREM: Don't hitch me to your wagon train. We need reform. We won't get it. End of story.

We all have a say when it comes to the end of the story. Though this is not the end.

Thanks....now its : Forget the kids...pay the teachers. Wow.....but thanks again for bringing some clarity to the debate. At least you have the guts to say it....it's all about the unions.

If, we as a society, continue to give more and more every time a school district needs it....when are they held accountable....when will reform take place....when is waste eliminated? It seems to me that it won't....unless it is forced on the districts.

They are held accountable anytime the city/town or the DESE decides to audit them. If you know of waste, then you should bring it to the attention of the school committee, the superintendent, and/or the media.

Unions are people--your equals and your peers. And you are the government. And the Reagan era is over, thank God.

Services cost money. You have to pay for quality. The money COMES from all of us, and it is only fair that at least SOME of the money is RETURNED to ALL of us, by way of good police and fire departments, good schools, good libraries and good roads, good waste collection, etc.

It doesn't sound like he was bestowing these "platitudes" on himself, but on the Commonwealth. And if it's true, and the costs are rising, then that's why he has to keep finding money to pay for our leadership in the educational sphere...

MC, "The money COMES from all of us, and it is only fair that at least SOME of the money is RETURNED to ALL of us,......"
Where does the REST of the money go ? Thanks for proving my point.
ayca, "leadership in the educational sphere" means $75,000 to well over $100,000 annual pensions for those "educational leaders" starting in their mid 50s age wise.
Your logic is simply to keep "finding money" to pay for that ? While you're apologizing for Deval here, you do understand that if, on the other hand, what he said at the DNC is not true, then, that makes him a what ?

Ken B, I'm not apologizing for Deval--keep your eye on the ball. The Governor is looking for ways to keep up with the rising costs of education, and it looks like he is also trying to improve education at the same time. What does this make him? A good governor, because he's trying to guarantee some resources for one of the most important things our shared resources are for. As for where the rest of the money goes, you tell me. You haven't proved a point, you've spouted another suspicion. You don't like that some educators and transportation workers get pensions you think are too high when they are too young. No statistics, no documentation, no comparative information (how much does a banker receive in pension with comparable credentials? A lawyer in a firm?) Just anther rag on public education, which, like it or not, we all benefit by and need. It is what we put into it. It gets more expensive like everything else. The people who work in it have as much right as anybody to see their pay rise to meet costs. Etc.

ayca, It's not suspicion, it's FACT. Do you read or follow the news ? Former Foxboro Supt. Martes retired at age 57 with a pension in excess of $100K/year. Cong. Bill Keating has been hauling in a $100K+/year MA pension the last two years, is 59-60, and is also taking a congressional $100+K/year paycheck. Those are ridiculous payouts at a time when the social security carrot on the stick continues to be pushed to an increased age.
What the banker gets or retires with is irrelevant. You can choose to do, or not do, business with the bank, while supporting the government is mandatory.

You're not paying attention, Ken B. Who cares if you think that one state worker's pension is too high? You don't get to decide what is too high, and you don't get to change the terms after the promise is made. And it's a promise (pensions, etc.) that has benefitted Republicans as well as Democrats, if you're talking about the pensions of elected officials. If you're talking about school officials, etc., presumably the individual communities have signed off on the terms--that is, it isn't a secret when the deal is struck. Reneging on the deal later on is just plain dishonest. But you know that, I'm sure.

I agree with Mr. Lunt, for once.

So...are corporations are people, too?

Unions have become a burden to taxpayers. Plain and simple. They have pulled down so many blue states (like CA and RI) with their 'unfunded liabilities' that it is surprising they have advocates any more. A hundred years ago, they were a wonderful thing. Today, they are manned by thugs who bully even their own members. How many non-union taxpayers does it take to fund one $75,000 pension per year for life? I would say, too many. And pretty soon there will not be enough tax revenue to feed the beast.

Corporations, like anything made up of human beings, are only as good or bad as the the people who make them up. When ex-Governor Romney made that huge and regrettable and costly gaff, claiming that corporations are people, it was just another piece of the the larger puzzle that was his arrogant perspective, the perspective of the very rich. Whatever was consistent in Mr. Romney's campaign focused on the rights of the wealthy. So it makes sense that he could think corporations were people, but everybody knew he did not mean to include the mail boys or the security guards or the typing pool in his defense of the "humanness" of corporations (hence the streamlining...). He meant the people who control the corporation's money. And that's what pretty much everything Mr. Romney said was about--protecting and increasing the money of those in this country who already have it.

Unions, historically and in this context, are one manifestation of the REACTION of working people (the people who depend on work to live) to this corporate and in some ways feudal mentality. They too are made up of people, and they too are subject to the vices and qualities of the individuals that make them up. A corporation is not a person, and neither is a union. But a union of workers is human in a way that a corporation is not: unions represent individuals dependent on work AND EACH OTHER for their survival and betterment--a vast spectrum of unique human goals. A corporation has one goal: profit.

Union workers pay taxes just like everybody else. And they also pay union dues, to ensure that they have some sort of say in the wage-bargaining process (which is otherwise no process, but a fiat from the single boss. And many of these corporate bosses, we keep discovering, pay less in taxes than their workers...), and in terms of safe working conditions (who has a problem with safe working conditions? Well it is unions that fought for and won this essential consideration), and to provide some if only temporary financial support when business is bad or gone. As for them being manned by thugs--thugs are everywhere, like Christians, like Libras, like pollen in the spring, but there were more of them thugs per capita in the workplace BEFORE there were unions.

Public sector unions are people, many of whom are part of the political elite and/or benefit from the status quo. Which is why we will see no real reform. At least on the education front where it is most needed, IMO.

Indiana, when MCREM's head is far enough "up there" he will finally be able to look you in the eye. Now get down out of there and leave people alone. And back up your dumb explosions with a specific fact or two, a statistic, an argument, a thought, even, we'd settle for...

Oh that old saw. Or those old saws. It's not a one-party state just because one of the many parties consistently appeals to a large majority. It's a COMMONWEALTH, where a majority of voters understand and embrace that ideal. Losing an election means something, but it doesn't mean there was no election.

There is always someone worst off. When I look at Chicago and Detroit, I think 'how lucky we are to have Boston'. We might have corruption and leaky tunnels, but our unemployment rate is better and so is our murder rate.

If you like the blues, then you're in the right place.

The comment below this one should have been addressed to MCREM.

I believe I already answered that on this very page, though it's got little to do with the topic of the article. How's that "unheaval" working out for you?

Joescarp, I'm a Democrat and I've been waiting for an ambitious Republican politician to run for AG with a campaign to "clean up the mess on Beacon Hill." Why do you suppose that hasn't happened? Could it be that the charges of curruption are overblown? If the curruption is so bad could it be the Republicans are in on it too? Could it be the Republicans lack a qualified candidate?

Actually, the 3 most recent Democratic Speakers of the House in Massachusetts did not "shame themselves," since they have no shame. More to the point, they are all convicted felons. DeLeo should be making it four-of-a-kind any day now.
Interesting "two wrongs make a right" argument posting that link.
Problem is, we're talking about Massachusetts, which is controlled lock, stock & barrel by Deval & the liberal democrat party. Try to stay on topic ?

You too, Ken B. The topic is tax hikes for education and transportation. Your whining is the usual unsupported smearing that you specialize in. "Democrats bad!!" "Republicans good!" A majority of people in Massachusetts don't agree with you, and a majority of voters in the country don't agree with you. Work on your demons! Trying to find ways to support education and transportation is not in and of itself corrupt! And that IS the topic. And if two wrongs don't make a right, all your wrongs sure as heck don't!

Hey ayca, My response was to MC.

Forget to switch to your "MC yadda yadda" name to respond ?

Oh I thought the conversation was open to everybody! I thought we could all participate. Did you change the rules again, Ken B.? Anyway, I know who i am, and that's the important thing. AND back to the topic!

Hey Ken Yadda Yadda! I may not agree with everything that ayacaramba says, but when he or she agrees with me, I am fine with that! Be nice!

Ayca/MC, So the best you got is a claim that since SC is corrupt we should throw more money down the demotax rathole under the guise of improving education and transportation ? Where's your proof that it will ?.....oh, nevermind, you said so, so it must be true.
(Sound of buzzer)
Dissss-missed !

It is, but when a state is governed by Democrats, the corruption comes out of the governing party.

MCREM,
just wondering how your doing recruiting all your liberal friends to check the box to pay higher income tax to enable the corrupt hackorama?

Oh no, you don't have to be in the governing party to be corrupt. How many historical examples of that do you need? And as for recruiting people to pay taxes, that's not what I do. And again, taxes are not something that "liberals" want and "conservatives" don't. President Reagan, a self-avowed conservative, raised taxes. Taxes are the primary way in which we pay for things we share. They are open to discussion, they are necessary, they are always vilified by the same people who depend upon them (we all depend upon them). We should monitor them better, but when our knee-jerk response is to refuse them, and to pretend that it is only one party who wants them, we are usually only hurting ourselves.

Presumably all the Republican thieves, crooks and felons will be driving their own cars, or being driven by their drivers...

Haven't seen many of them in this corrupt one party Democratic state. Maybe you can enlightened all of us and provide some names.

Well I suppose technically you should WIN first before you can be corrupted. But it's there. How about the Brown campaign dressing up and paying the homeless? Sounds corrupt to me. (http://www.nationalmemo.com/massachusetts-republicans-pay-the-homeless-to-pretend-to-support-brown/) BUT the topic here is increased taxation to pay for and improve education and transportation. I'm for it because I count on both. I don't think the Governor is corrupt for or by suggesting it--in any case, you haven't proved that. And clearly there is not only one party--the Republicans are so vocal they leave no doubt as to their existence. It is THEIR job to convince more people that they have anything interesting to offer. So far, not so much.

I'm back!

http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/aboutfdr/unions.html

Reagan raised taxes. Look it up.

Lemme get this straight. If you support unions, you are a troll. But if you are against unions, you are like Indiana. TROLL!! Indiana is a troll!!!! Hiding behind anybody so long as it gets to be a TROLL!