This morning while eating breakfast I sat down and watched a few minutes of news on the local Fox affiliate here in Boston. Not expecting to do anything besides laugh because the personalities on that station are down to earth and consistently cracking jokes, however I ended up witnessing something surprising. A politician actually being up front, honest and sincere in what he was saying. While I know this is surprising the interesting part is that this politician is a high ranking official in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts State Treasurer Tim Cahill (Democrat) is the politician who appeared on the news broadcast this morning. While being interviewed Treasurer Cahill stated that the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is looking for the state to bail them out of their current financial mess. He went on to say that in the interest of the financial status of the state along with the protection of tax payers that the turnpike should work out its own financial issues. Going on he also stated that government officials seem to only look at the current picture (amount due now) and not the long term picture which includes fees and interest which will accrue over time. The Treasurer also stated that he felt obligated to "raise his voice" concerning the issue and when he did he was chastised by fellow politicians for doing so. He also stated that he felt as though the state should not "reward" the department for its "Miss-management."
While personally being a life long resident of the Liberal state of Massachusetts I have grown to distrust many of the politicians here. Reason being that so many of them are only looking to pass bills that benefit themselves, their party, and their "friends." So many times here we see nothing being accomplished and the days, weeks and years slip away with no end in sight. Examples for this include but are certainly not limited to the Big Dig project which was overseen by corrupt politicians looking only to benefit and has now cost the tax payers of Massachusetts $22,000,000,000 more than originally projected.
Corruption in Massachusetts also includes the passing of laws in order to benefit the Democratic party. This I will explain in lay mans terms so that everyone will understand. Back in 2004 when U. S. Senator John Kerry a Democrat from Massachusetts was running for President of the United States, the Massachusetts House and Senate passed a law forbidding the current Governor (Mitt Romney-Republican) the ability to name a replacement for his (Kerry) seat in the Senate barring a Presidential election and so requiring a special election. Now that there is a Democratic Governor along with the failing health of U. S. Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy Democrat, the state wants to once again change the law back to its original wording which would allow for the current Governor (Patrick-Democrat) to name his (Kennedy) replacement if Senator Kennedy were to become too ill to serve or pass away.
The present Governor (Patrick-Democrat) has raised tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike as well as those on the states major Bridges and Tunnels. Not to mention the $400,000,000,000 plus budget plan for 2008 in which he expected $360,000,000 plus in revenue from his now defunct casino plan. The Governor also attempted to sleaze ball his was into leasing a Cadillac for his use while in office. The governor was not going to personally pay for the excess in spending until it was brought to the attention of the public. Lets not forget about the $10,000 drapes that were purchased for the corner office or even the $78,000 that was and still is being paid to a personal assistant for his wife. The personal assistant works no more than 15 hours per week. I could go on and on about the Governor's ideas and tactics but I will not here and save for a future post.
There is a simple conclusion to the Turnpike's financial troubles, this includes the removal of tolls and toll takers. Toll takers make an average of $65,000 per year to simply take peoples money. The so called tax on every gallon of gas purchased in Massachusetts would more than pay for the repaving of all state roads in the state which only need to be repaved every five years or so. The money generated from the issuing of speeding tickets by state troopers on state roads should also be put into this pool as well again lessening the burden on tax payers and commuters throughout the state.
These issues are only a few facing the residents and politicians of Massachusetts. They can not and should not be over looked and I urge Treasurer Cahill to continue to do what is right. I also want to thank him for bringing this issue to light and allowing the residents that voted him into office to see that their vote did not go to waste. There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything and this is certainly a case of doing things the right way. Treasurer Cahill please keep up the good work and hopefully other politicians in Massachusetts as well as those in Washington will take note of your honesty and start to do the same.
Jul 7, 2008
How to... Make Your Selection for the Next President of the United States
The first Tuesday in November will be a day that Americans will remember for years to come. On this date the election for next President of the United States will be held. What will the results of this election be? No one knows just yet, but we will all soon find out. However before we do lets take a look at exactly what it is that we need from our next president in order to get back to our prosperous ways.
As a nation we are amidst the worst war since Vietnam, the lives of numerous soldiers have been lost, others destroyed and we are supposedly among the worst recession in years. The economy is down, the value of the US dollar is down and the American consumer is being crippled financially by the soaring price of gas, not to mention the dramatic decline of the real estate market.
Taking the above mentioned topics as well as many others important to Americans into consideration we need to focus on who is the best possible candidate for the position. While not getting into specifics on who is with this party and who is with that one, as individual citizens we need to focus on who will do the best job in the position. The questions one must ask of the available candidates include and are certainly not limited to experience, tax and spending reduction plans, what their beliefs are in the Constitution and how they feel as though they are the best candidate to protect the physical, emotional and financial well being of the country and every citizen of our country.
Post 9/11 we live in a new America and one where safety of Americans is of highest concern. How do each of the candidates plan on protecting us as citizens? What steps will be taken to punish those that attack us if something were to happen? How do they each plan to prevent terrorists from getting here to begin with? These are just a few of the many questions that need to be asked to all the candidates and also answered by them. Will all the questions be answered? We will just have to wait and see how that turns out as well.
I would however recommend that as an American you put aside the labels of parties such as Republican and Democrat and do some homework on each of the candidates. To find information you feel is important seek out the answers in the numerous facets of media available to you which includes but certainly not limited to newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Ask yourself what do I feel is of utmost importance in the country right now? Which candidate do I feel will represent me the best when these subjects appear? Which of the candidates do I feel has what it takes to lead our great nation? The last question that I will ask of you to ask of yourself and of the candidates is as follows, which of the candidates will protect what our country, our constitution and all that it stands for and represents?
You and you alone can and will make a difference by believing in your country, by making educated decisions and not basing them solely on what political party you belong to. Remember that you and you alone are responsible for electing government officials and that it only takes one vote to make a difference. Go and seek out the information that is important to you, put your ego aside and make decisions based on your morals, beliefs and concerns and again not on the political party you belong to.
As a nation we are amidst the worst war since Vietnam, the lives of numerous soldiers have been lost, others destroyed and we are supposedly among the worst recession in years. The economy is down, the value of the US dollar is down and the American consumer is being crippled financially by the soaring price of gas, not to mention the dramatic decline of the real estate market.
Taking the above mentioned topics as well as many others important to Americans into consideration we need to focus on who is the best possible candidate for the position. While not getting into specifics on who is with this party and who is with that one, as individual citizens we need to focus on who will do the best job in the position. The questions one must ask of the available candidates include and are certainly not limited to experience, tax and spending reduction plans, what their beliefs are in the Constitution and how they feel as though they are the best candidate to protect the physical, emotional and financial well being of the country and every citizen of our country.
Post 9/11 we live in a new America and one where safety of Americans is of highest concern. How do each of the candidates plan on protecting us as citizens? What steps will be taken to punish those that attack us if something were to happen? How do they each plan to prevent terrorists from getting here to begin with? These are just a few of the many questions that need to be asked to all the candidates and also answered by them. Will all the questions be answered? We will just have to wait and see how that turns out as well.
I would however recommend that as an American you put aside the labels of parties such as Republican and Democrat and do some homework on each of the candidates. To find information you feel is important seek out the answers in the numerous facets of media available to you which includes but certainly not limited to newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Ask yourself what do I feel is of utmost importance in the country right now? Which candidate do I feel will represent me the best when these subjects appear? Which of the candidates do I feel has what it takes to lead our great nation? The last question that I will ask of you to ask of yourself and of the candidates is as follows, which of the candidates will protect what our country, our constitution and all that it stands for and represents?
You and you alone can and will make a difference by believing in your country, by making educated decisions and not basing them solely on what political party you belong to. Remember that you and you alone are responsible for electing government officials and that it only takes one vote to make a difference. Go and seek out the information that is important to you, put your ego aside and make decisions based on your morals, beliefs and concerns and again not on the political party you belong to.
Jul 5, 2008
America is Alive with Patriotism?
As I sit back and think about what the United States is going through right now I believe that we are getting stronger, not weaker. Across the country yesterday(July 4, 2008) millions of Americans from every race, creed, color and political background celebrated the 228th birthday of our great nation. Thousands of cities shot off fireworks, hundreds of thousands of people hosted cookouts, and many others demonstrated for what they believed in.
The great thing about our country is that we can do all we can to ensure that what is done is done properly. There are many who may disagree with me however we must all come together at times like this. Throughout the world there are thousands of troops fighting for our freedom. These troops are putting their lives on the line daily and fighting for what they believe in. They are not fighting for political advancement, financial gain, or fame, they are fighting for everything that both you and I believe in. They are fighting for our rights and the ability to grant what we have to millions of others around the world.
We may not all agree that our troops should be over seas right now fighting for their lives but lets support them, lets thank them when we see them and be proud to call them ours. During the World Wars we came together and supported the troops, we held parades for them and welcomed them home. During Vietnam we supported our troops but in a different way, we didn't hold parades for them when they returned, we held protests and fought to bring them home. Now we are in yet another war and it just seems as though with all the political agenda's and partisan politics that we are forgetting about what really matters and that is the support of our troops. Are we holding parades for them? Are we thanking them for their services? I believe not! What are we doing for them many of you may ask, well lets see, NOTHING. Things are so bad that I have heard people call our soldiers murderers and that makes me sick as it should you!
Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Patriots Day and Independence Day are not what they used to be, they are no longer days that communities to come together to thank our past and present veterans for their commitments to our freedom and for their services. They have turned into retail carnivals with this store holding this sale and that store holding that sale and so on and so forth! What happened to the days when every business was closed on these days? What happened to all the parades? What happened to all of the patriotism? No matter what race, creed, color or religion you are, we all live in this great nation and take advantage daily of its advantages. We take for granted our freedom of speech, religion, right to bear arms, and the rest of the freedoms for which our forefathers granted us.
In closing lets get back to our patriotic ways, no matter what country you are from, no matter what political party you are affiliated with and no matter what religion you are, we are all Americans. We live in a country that provides us with so many great opportunities and yet we pass them by, often times without even blinking an eye. Get back to basics and work hard for a living, more of us should start our own businesses instead of relying so much on the big corporations. The more small business owners there are the stronger our economy is and the stronger our belief in the American way is. Just remember the bigger the corporation becomes the smaller you become! Let's do more for our veterans and have more victory parades and celebrations. Most of all let us all become better Americans.
The great thing about our country is that we can do all we can to ensure that what is done is done properly. There are many who may disagree with me however we must all come together at times like this. Throughout the world there are thousands of troops fighting for our freedom. These troops are putting their lives on the line daily and fighting for what they believe in. They are not fighting for political advancement, financial gain, or fame, they are fighting for everything that both you and I believe in. They are fighting for our rights and the ability to grant what we have to millions of others around the world.
We may not all agree that our troops should be over seas right now fighting for their lives but lets support them, lets thank them when we see them and be proud to call them ours. During the World Wars we came together and supported the troops, we held parades for them and welcomed them home. During Vietnam we supported our troops but in a different way, we didn't hold parades for them when they returned, we held protests and fought to bring them home. Now we are in yet another war and it just seems as though with all the political agenda's and partisan politics that we are forgetting about what really matters and that is the support of our troops. Are we holding parades for them? Are we thanking them for their services? I believe not! What are we doing for them many of you may ask, well lets see, NOTHING. Things are so bad that I have heard people call our soldiers murderers and that makes me sick as it should you!
Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Patriots Day and Independence Day are not what they used to be, they are no longer days that communities to come together to thank our past and present veterans for their commitments to our freedom and for their services. They have turned into retail carnivals with this store holding this sale and that store holding that sale and so on and so forth! What happened to the days when every business was closed on these days? What happened to all the parades? What happened to all of the patriotism? No matter what race, creed, color or religion you are, we all live in this great nation and take advantage daily of its advantages. We take for granted our freedom of speech, religion, right to bear arms, and the rest of the freedoms for which our forefathers granted us.
In closing lets get back to our patriotic ways, no matter what country you are from, no matter what political party you are affiliated with and no matter what religion you are, we are all Americans. We live in a country that provides us with so many great opportunities and yet we pass them by, often times without even blinking an eye. Get back to basics and work hard for a living, more of us should start our own businesses instead of relying so much on the big corporations. The more small business owners there are the stronger our economy is and the stronger our belief in the American way is. Just remember the bigger the corporation becomes the smaller you become! Let's do more for our veterans and have more victory parades and celebrations. Most of all let us all become better Americans.
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