Massachusetts taxpayers under water again

DAM SCARY: Water rages through the 300-year-old Forge Pond Dam in Assonet yesterday. The dam was breached after Thursday’s torrential rains.

Stop me if you've heard this one before, the Massachusetts "leadership" on Beacon Hill is squandering tax dollars, spending them with impunity on welfare expansion, Commonwealth Care, and other things not enumerated to them by our state or federal Constitution, and now Bay State residents are at risk due to the resultant neglected infrastructure. It is a reflection on the State of the State that residents in flooded communities are now at risk while immigrants are suing to be covered by Commonwealth Care. Granted, these are legal immigrants, but they are non-residents, this Commonwealthcare is enough of a failed program, no need to expand it further while our bridges, dams, rails and tunnels collapse around us.

You would think these overgrown children would have learned their lesson when a slab of dilluted cement fell on a poor commuter's head in the the Tip O'Neil Tunnell, but no. Last year, Deval Patrick had to borrow money from the federal government to fix our roads, an outlay that is supposed to be covered by our exhorbiant gas taxes($.41.9 a gallon, that's roughly 1/6 the total price of gas), where did that money go? Apparently the same place that our bridge and dam inspection budgets did, siphoned into the welfare state.

Who will be the casualty this time? If you live in an affected community, look around your PTA meeting, your local diner, your church, you could be looking right at the next eventual casualty of progressive malfeasance run amok on Beacon Hill.
-Nick McNulty

Bay State dams in deep water

Gov. Deval Patrick plans to drain $400G in funding

By Marie Szaniszlo

Thousands of Bay State dams - one of which overflowed yesterday and sent townspeople scurrying from their homes - could soon be left to hold back floodwaters with little oversight as the governor plans to cut $400,000 from the state Office of Dam Safety.

Wendy Fox, spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, confirmed the $427,000 budget for the office is being decimated through Gov. Deval Patrick’s midyear cuts.

She said the plan is to focus on the worst dams with the $27,000 left in the budget while letting most of the 2,900 other dams go unchecked. She added DCR will dip into capital funds to help.

Full story

John Boehner: "Freedom is a Right." GOP Leader Answers Your Health Care Questions

Obama's nanny care insults the American spirit

By: Michael Barone
Senior Political Analyst
February 24, 2010

You are victims. You are helpless against the wiles of big corporations and insurance companies and you need protection. You need the government to take over and do things you cannot do for yourself.

That is the thinking of what David Brooks calls "the educated class" that favors the Democrats' health care bills. Members of this elite spout tales of woe of people denied coverage or care with the implication that there but for the grace of government go you. So sign on and the government will take care of everything.

But voters quickly sniff out what this means. The government will use the "science" of comparative effectiveness research to achieve cost savings the only way government can: denial of care. The Soviet medical system kept down the heart disease caseload by placing cardiac care units on the fifth floor, walk up. Death panels, anyone?

Why do Americans reject such policies while Europeans seem content with them? One reason is history. Twentieth-century history -- and 19th- and 18th-century history too -- showed Europeans that they were often the helpless victims of tyrants and total war. That made them content to rely on government for security.

Full column

Another failed Big Government welfare program

GOP: Anti-foreclosure program could prolong housing slump

“Many Americans are throwing their money away through a government program that’s supposed to help them, but is only leaving them in a bigger financial hole,” U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in releasing a report he co-wrote with U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).

Under HAMP, major U.S. banks have agreed to voluntarily “modify” financially strapped homeowners’ mortgages rather than foreclosing.

Lenders typically cut a consumer’s monthly mortgage bill to no more than 31 percent of household income, extending a 30-year loan’s terms out an extra 10 years to make up the difference. Banks also get government cash bonuses for every mortgage permanently modified.

However, the Obama administration recently admitted that just 116,000 homeowners out of 1 million who’ve sought HAMP assistance have actually gotten permanent help.

Full story

CNN Poll: Majority says government a threat to citizens' rights

Washington (CNN) – A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.

Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government's become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.

The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans.

Full story

Upcoming GOP Events

From the Woburn GOP


Hello All,

* Note: Signature sheets, along with bumper stickers and signs are available for all candidates. Contact your city or town committee chair to obtain signature sheets.

Pick the candidate(s) of your choice and start collecting signatures. Have sheet(s) with you at all times to gather every signature that you can.

Statewide signature gathering is a very large project so all your help will be needed and appreciated! If each of you collected 1 sheet of signatures from family, friends & neighbors we would have a full ballot in the September primary!!!


Here is a list of upcoming activities and events:

* Thursday, 2/25, Charlie Baker & Richard Tisei Meet & Greet, Harley House, 909 Mass Ave, Lunenburg, 5-6PM

* Thursday, 2/25, Night with MA Republican Candidates Christy Mihos and Richard Tisei, Mission Oak Grill, 26 Green St, Newburyport, 7-9 PM, FREE

* Friday, 2/26, Chelmsford RTC Lincoln Day Celebration, 7- 9PM, Chelmsford Country Club, Guest: Todd Feinberg sharing thoughts on Pres. Lincoln, founder of Republican party, $5, RSVP to Maxine: sistersuzie@comcast.net

* Saturday, 2/27, Tea Party Meet & Greet with Christy Mihos, Gubernatorial candidate, Doubletree Hotel, 5400 Computer Dr, Westborough, 9-11AM, $10, rsvp by 2/25: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dENYZWhDNU5JT3BEUmRHSWNMMWFpSnc6MA

* Saturday, 2/27, Kamal Jain for Auditor Kick-off, Osgood Bradley Building, 18 Grafton St, Worcester, 1-4PM, RSVP events@kamaljain.com



* Saturday, 2/27, Charlie Baker & Richard Tisei Meet & Greet, Angelica's Restaurant, Rt 114, Middleton, 1-3PM, Free, coffee & light refreshments, RSVP: 508-423-4089

* Sunday, 2/28, 4th Congressional District of the Mass Republican Assembly Lincoln-Reagan Brunch, Elks Lodge, 4500 N. Main St, Fall River, 10:30AM-12:30PM, $15PP Guests: Christy Mihos, Kamal Jain, Earl Sholley, Marty Lamb, State Rep candidates, RSVP: Linda 508-254-7785

* Thursday, 3/4, Mary Connaughton for Auditor Wine & Cheese reception, home of Jeanne Kangas, 959 Hill Rd, Boxborough, 7-8PM, donations at www.maryforauditor.com or at the door, RSVP: jkangas@arnoldkangas.com

* Saturday, 3/6, Holly Robichaud and Michael Graham will host another Campaign School, 1 Cranberry Hill, Lexington, 9-11AM, RSVP: Holly@TuesdayAssociates.com to attend

* And then to Billerica for a Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner for Selectman Mike Rosa's re-election campaign, Saturday, 3/6, 12-3PM, Solomon Post VFW, Phiney St (off Rt 3A), N. Billerica, $10, RSVP: 978-663-2834

* Thursday, 3/11, Tea Party Candidates Night, 6PM, The Bunting Club, 449 Boylston St, Lowell, statewide & local candidates, FREE, RSVP: lowellteaparty@gmail.com

* Saturday, 3/13, Martinez Committee Annual Pre-St. Patty's Day party, 6:30PM, Skellig Pub, Moody St, Waltham, $25 in advance, $35 at the door, RSVP: Nancy Events@SandiMartinez.com or to sandiforstatesenate.com

* Saturday, 3/13, AttleboroGOP Lincoln Re-Enactors - Civil War History plus breakfast or dinner, Good News Hall, 235 West St, Attleboro, 10AM OR 1PM or 4PM, $15/ person. RSVP: 508-226-8020

* Sunday, 3/14, Karla Romero fundraiser - Wonder Women, Jazz lunch for female candidates, 1PM, Champion's, 234 Main St, Everett, $10, RSVP:info@voteKarlaRomero.com

* Saturday, 4/17, MA GOP Convention, DCU, Worcester

* Thursday, 5/20, GOP Red Sox Game v. Minnesota, $28, RSVP: bmckinney@marathonphysicaltherapy.com

Partisan Barney Frank "inheritted this mess!(tm)"

From yesterady's Boston Herald;

“I don’t understand how you make things better from the outside. I share the frustration, but I would have hoped he would have stayed around and voted to change the filibuster rule,” said Frank (D-Mass.), before appearing at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to sign copies of his biography with author Stuart Weisberg.

On partisanship, Frank said he believes a clear shift began under Republican Newt Gingrich’s tenure as House speaker in the second half of the 1990s.

Before that, he said, Democrats and Republicans could disagree but remain cordial and work toward compromise. Now, though, the pressure to please the party’s base to win primary elections has spawned a Congress in which the sides are “very ideologically differentiated,” he said

Evan Bayh is departing the Senate because it has become too partisan and divisive(and he is eying a run against the plummeting Barack Obama). While he is a good soldier, and will not come right out and say it, contrary to Congressman Frank's partisan remarks, this is a condition of Democrats. Frank blames Republicans, starting in 1994, facetiously failing to mention that the 1994 Republican Revolution was a direct reaction to partisan Democrats trying to cram Hillarycare and other socialism down America's throat. The 2010 Revolution - already begun by Scott Brown - is similarly seeded with Democrat tyrranical partisanship. Remember, just one month ago today, Democrats were stubbornly pushing the socialized medicine plan through congress, despite the fact that it was despised by more than 65% of the country. They were doing so behind closed doors, and without even speaking to Repulicans. Only after Scott Brown was elected did President Obama dust off his old campaign-era term of "bipartisan".

Modern liberal Democrats are the most partisan, anti-constitutional lot in our history, and they drove Evan Bayh out of congress. Republicans have little voice right now, and certainly are not setting the tone in Washington, partisans like Obama, Frank, Pelosi, Markey, Kerry, Boxer, Reid, and Schumer are doing that. But, in true, unaccountable, "Not Me!" Democrat fashion, Barney Frank shamelessly blames the GOP. Frank's solution? Change the filibuster laws so Democrats can go back to running the country via fiat(don't worry, the laws can be reversed as majorities or executives shift, as we saw in Massachusetts with our election laws last year).

Frank supports changing the rules on filibusters, which the minority party - in this case, Republicans - often use to debate bills for so long that an actual vote is prevented.

Yes, that will certainly clear up the partisan rancor inside the Beltway.

Retire this clown, vote for Earl Sholley this November. Besides crumbling our economy through Fannie and Freddie, Barney Frank is a primary contributor to the partisan, ideological mess that is Washington D.C. today. He is very much a part of the problem, Earl Sholley is the cure.

-NM

Gerry Dembrowski to run to unseat Ed "Cap and Tax" Markey

NOVEMBER 20, 2009 | WOBURN DAILY TIMES CHRONICLE

7th Congressional District Dr. Dembrowski eyes Markey’s seat

By James Haggerty/Woburn Daily Times Chronicle

Woburn - Dr. Gerry Dembrowski of Woburn is starting to put the pieces in place for a run at the 7th Congressional District seat occupied for the past 34 years by Rep. Edward Markey.

Dembrowski, a 1982 graduate of Woburn High School, is planning a formal announcement in December but knows it is never easy to unseat a long-standing Democrat in this state and is doing what he can now to get his campaign message out.

While he will be running on the Republican ticket, Dembrowski said his campaign will be more about changing the “politics as usual” which has taken over federal government and has proven not to be working time and time again.

Full story

Ed Markey - like most members of the public sector - thinks the economy is doing just fine

What, me worry?

Rep. Markey: The Recovery Act is Working

The following statement is from US Representative Edward Markey (D-Malden):

Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, issued the following statement to day on the one-year anniversary of President Obama signing in to law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

“A little more than a year ago, our nation was plunged in to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression,” said Markey. “Urgent action was needed to respond to this crisis. That is why Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and why President Obama signed this landmark bill in to law one year ago to day.

Full statement

Would the last centrist Democrat leaving the party please get the lights....

Bayh Decides Against Re-election Bid

By BERNIE BECKER AND JEFF ZELENY

“After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” Mr. Bayh plans to say in his remarks. “My decision was not motivated by political concern. Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.”

Mr. Bayh had been growing increasingly discontent with the Senate, an associate said, and told some advisers in 2006, when he briefly explored a presidential bid, that he did not know whether he would seek re-election to the Senate. He was seen by some fellow Democrats as someone who was not very active in the chamber on a daily basis. He often popped in for votes and was quickly gone, only occasionally giving floor speeches. He was also known to make time for the school and sports events of his children. In the past two years, he has been focused on budget and fiscal issues and frustrated some of his colleagues by balking at the Democratic budget proposals.

Full story

On teamwork, Obama’s all talk

By Jonah Goldberg
Monday, February 15, 2010

The president has invited congressional Republicans to sit down and talk through health care at a big “bipartisan summit” on Feb. 25. Some think it’s a little late for such a conversation. After all, the Democrats have built their health care palace from the ground up, using only Democratic labor and Democratic input; they just can’t get it to pass inspection. So general contractor Obama invites Republicans to debate the blueprints, and just the blueprints. Oh, and he wants to debate them, not change them. Not really.

“The president doesn’t think we should start over,” White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer explained. Obama himself has said he’s committed to the existing bill(s) in the House and Senate. He just wants to hash out ideas with Republicans, in front of TV cameras, at a much-hyped summit because he thinks it would be good for America, or something. The Republicans can get whatever fixtures they want in the guest bathroom. Beyond that, they should just co-sign Obamacare and shut up.

The best you can say about the effort is that it fits into the White House’s universal answer to all of its problems: “We just need to explain to these confused Americans how we’ve been right about everything.” To that end, the White House wants to use Republicans as a skeptical prop-audience in one last infomercial for the ShamWow of ObamaCare.

The worst you can say is that it’s a cynical trap, designed to make the GOP look out of touch, ill-informed and ideological. Indeed, there’s a bipartisan consensus growing in Washington that the whole thing is a setup. Obama is going to say “nice doggie” to Republicans right up until the moment he smashes them with a rolled-up 2,000-page health care bill.

Even so, the GOP should go.

Full column

Red army galvanizing in our bluest towns

Republicans coming ‘out of the closet’ in wake of Scott Brown’s win
By Jessica Fargen

THE FEW, THE PROUD: Edward Wagner, left, meets at Doyle’s in Jamaica Plain with fellow Republicans, from left, Nick Nesta, Aaron Goldstein, George Rigas and Brian Culver.

The state’s loneliest Republicans - those who languish in the navy blue regions from Northampton to Nantucket - are shaking off their years-long malaise and rebuilding a political machine in the land of Birkenstocks and Priuses.

“People are coming out of the woodwork saying, ‘We’ve been Republicans in hiding and now we want to be out and help,’ ” said Jeffrey Hopkins, chairman of the City Republican Committee in the old Democratic union stronghold of Fall River.

In the wake of Scott Brown’s victory in his Senate campaign versus Martha Coakley, a surge in interest in the GOP has come from longtime Republicans, independents, Tea Party activists and even Democrats, dazzling many organizers.

“It was not a team that anybody wanted to join,” said Larry Giunta, 41, chairman of Newburyport Republican City Committee, which grew from zero members to 60 in one year, thanks to organization and Brown’s win. “The days of meeting in the basement of your local library and having two or three people show up are over.”

The GOP is organizing across Boston, the heart of the Democratic Party’s network in the state. This past year, Republican ward committees reorganized in traditionally Democratic Southie, Charlestown and Dorchester.

Full story

Obama alarmingly out of touch

I was taken aback when I read the following direct quote from the President of the United States;

“Our real problem is not the spike in spending last year, or the lost, even the lost revenues last year, as significant as those are,” he said. “The real problem has to do with the fact that there is a just a mismatch between the amount of money coming in and the amount of money going out. And that is going to require some big, tough choices that, so far, the political system has been unable to deal with.”

That is downright Clintonian, right up there with "What is 'is'?", or channeling a dead child to win a large settlement in court. And does anyone really think those "tough choices" will entail spending cuts? No, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet given this radical's track record, those "tough choices" will be tax hikes, tough on us in the working class, not so much for the elites in D.C.

It is clear that President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the far left leadership of the Democrat Party care nothing for middle-class Americans, they have their agenda and that agenda trumps any agenda to improve the quality of life for regular Americans. They will say anything to justify their unconstitutional attempted coup right up until November when voters put the brakes on it.
-NM

Forced Unionization

by John Stossel

Michelle Berry runs a day-care business out of her home in Flint, MI. She thought that she owned her own business, but Berry's been told she is now a government employee and union member. It's not voluntary. Suddenly, Berry and 40,000 other Michigan private day-care providers have learned that union dues are being taken out of the child-care subsidies the state sends them. The "union" is a creation of AFSCME, the government workers union, and the United Auto Workers.

This racket means big money to AFSCME, which runs the union, writes the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free-market think tank.

Today the Department of Human Services siphons about $3.7 million in annual dues to the union….

The money should be going to home-based day-care providers — themselves not on the high end of the income scale. Ms. Berry now sees money once paid to her go to a union that does little for her…

Patrick Wright, a lawyer for the Macknac Center, says the union was forced on the women after a certification election conducted by mail in which only 6,000 day-care providers out of 40,000 voted. Wright told me his clients, like Berry, say they were "shocked" to learn they were suddenly in a union.

Full blog

Medford tot tops Gap search

WINNING SMILE: Starting today, William McLaughlin, 14 months, above left, appears in Gap ads across the nation. Mom Rebecca, right, plans to visit mall stores featuring pictures of her son.

By Jill Radsken
Thursday, February 4, 2010

Move over Scott Brown - there’s another handsome male model from Massachusetts who swept an election.

His name is William McLaughlin, and the 14-month-old won the nationwide Gap modeling contest.

Starting today, William - dressed in a bright orange zip hoodie - appears in ads at 717 Baby Gap and Gap Kids stores across the country.

“It hasn’t hit us yet,” said his dad, Billy, who works as a security supervisor at Massachusetts General Hospital. “I just can’t believe it.”

Toddling around his Medford home last week, William worked his winning persona. He danced with his stuffed Snoopy toy, played with his mom’s cell phone, and flopped on his miniature arm chair.

Full story