U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown visits Quincy’s 1000 Southern Artery

 

Sen. Scott Brown greets residents of Quincy's 1000 Southern Artery senior complex

Residents at Quincy’s 1000 Southern Artery senior complex enjoyed a special holiday treat last week, when American Idol finalist Ayla Brown performed a brief concert at a holiday reception for her father, state senator and U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown.

Currently a senior at Boston College, Ayla Brown took time out from her college break December 23 to join her father on the campaign trail, offering seniors a bit of holiday cheer while her father discussed the more serious issues facing Massachusetts and America, including taxes and health care.

 “If you care about Medicare and the half a trillion-dollar-cut Congress plans to make to Medicare to fund this proposed health care bill, you need to vote on January 19,” Brown told attendees. “The choice in this election is very clear: If you want someone who will go down to Washington and vote in lockstep with Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to cut Medicare, raise taxes and increase government spending, then vote for my opponent. If you want someone who will be an independent vote and a voice for the citizens of Massachusetts, vote for me.”

Former Quincy Mayor Frank McCauley and American Idol finalist Ayla Brown

Former Mayor Francis X. McCauley, who introduced Brown at the event, noted that the special election to fill the Senate seat formerly held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy holds significance not only for Massachusetts residents, but for the entire country. Currently, McCauley said, Senate Democrats have the 60 votes they need to prevent a filibuster and limit debate on important issues.

“If Scott Brown is elected January 19, he would be the 41^st vote that could stop damaging legislation like this proposed health care bill from being passed against the wishes of the American people,” McCauley said.

Currently serving his third term in the state Senate, Brown previously served as a state representative and a Wrentham selectman. A 30-year member of the Massachusetts National Guard, he holds the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps.  In 2004, Brown received the United Chamber of Commerce’s “Public Servant of the Year” Award for his leadership in reforming the state’s sex offender laws and protecting the rights of victims.

A Christmas message from a true leader

Mike Capuano: A Taxpayer’s Worst Nightmare

Click on the link below to hear US Senate Candidate Mike Capuano tell in his own words how he plans to stick it to Massachusetts taxpayers if they are stupid enough to vote for him.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/multimedia/m/video/27377414/mike-capuano-in-his-own-words.htm?q=Capuano

With phrases like “a public health care option financed by tax increases” and  ”the only entity capable of creating jobs is the federal government” and “we need a large, MASSIVE infusion of federal money,” Capuano at least makes no bones about his typical tax-and-spend liberal Democratic ideology.

Be afraid, taxpayers. Be very afraid.

 

Barney Frank present when partner bagged for pot possession

Another proud, proud moment for the Mass. Congressional delegation! I guess we should be glad that this time it doesn’t involve underage pages or operating a prostitution ring out of a congressman’s townhouse.
From Fox News:

“Rep. Barney Frank admitted Friday that he was sitting on the porch of his partner’s Maine home when police came to arrest his partner for marijuana possession. Frank, responding to new reports that he was present during the Aug. 2007 arrest of James Ready, said in a statement he was unaware Ready had marijuana plants.

According to a police report obtained by MyFoxBoston, Maine police arrested and charged James Ready with marijuana possession, cultivation and use of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty to civil possession and paid a fine. The remaining charges were dismissed last year. Frank was not charged. Frank is the author of a medical marijuana bill that would outlaw the prosecution of persons who use marijuana for medicinal purposes.”

Of course, the real question is, why are we just learning about this now?

Roos victory proves every vote counts!

Karl Roos claimed the third seat on the School Committee in last night’s election — taking the slot by just one vote.

Roos’ victory proves once again that oft-disputed belief that every vote counts. It also confirms that, contrary to liberal dogma, voters will support well-qualified, dedicated candidates regardless of party affiliation when given the chance to meet and compare candidates.

Informed, engaged voters are vital to the success and survival of democracy. Think about it: Yesterday, with a heated mayor’s race and several contested ward seats, only about 50 percent of registered voters exercised their right to vote. Just imagine what we could accomplish if the other 50 percent made an effort to take part, too…

 

Together We Can: How’s that workin’ for ya?

Today’s Boston Globe announces that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick plans to cut 1,000 state jobs in order to stem the flood of red ink rolling down Beacon Hill:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/30/patrick_to_end_nearly_1000_jobs/

Sounds impressive,  right?  Tough governor making tough choices. Well, that might be the case if Cadillac Deval hadn’t added 2,000 jobs to the state payroll in his first 18 months in office (see my previous blog posting from August 2008). Apparently, “Together We Can” meant “Two thousand of my closest friends and campaign contributers and I Can…provided you fork over more of your tax dollars to give them good jobs and ridiculously generous pensions and benefits!”

Perhaps if Gov. Patrick whacks the other 1,000 employees he added to the payroll, we might actually get somewhere.

Scott Brown enters race for U.S. Senate

State Sen. Scott Brown announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate today at a press conference at the Omni Parker House.

View NECN’s report:

http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/2009/09/12/State-Sen-Brown-enters-US/1252790587.html

Continuing job losses show failure of Patrick administration

The Mass. GOP issued the following condemnation of the Patrick administration today, detailing the cold, hard facts that prove the Democrats’ much-vaunted “stimulus” and tax-and-spend policies aren’t alleviating the economic crisis. To the contrary: They’re making it worse.

Here’s the statement from GOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour:

“The Democrats’ risky and expensive economic experiment is not working, as unemployment grows and Democrats continue to bail out irresponsible government spending instead of creating jobs in our state.” Nassour continued: “Governor Patrick has no plan of his own to create jobs in Massachusetts and he is devastating our economy by raising taxes. After all this stimulus spending, we’re still losing 2,800 jobs a month.”

Continuing Job Losses in Massachusetts Show the Failure of the Patrick Administration and Obama’s Stimulus:

Since Obama Took Office, America Has Lost More Than 2.8 Million Jobs. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Website, www.bls.gov)

Unemployment in Massachusetts continues to increase: “The state’s [Massachusetts'] unemployment rate jumped to 8.8 percent last month, as local firms slashed 2,800 jobs from payrolls in July. The rate stood at 8.6 percent in June.” (Boston Herald, 8/21/09)

A prominent group of Wall Street economists, academics, and central bankers from around the world recently stated the stimulus is unsuccessful: “While stimulus was needed, they said, it came too late and wasn’t optimally designed. For instance, some of the administration’s spending programs haven’t been implemented quickly. Economists are highly uncertain about whether fiscal stimulus gets much bang for the buck. Obama administration economists estimate that a 1% increase in government spending causes a 1.5% increase in broader economic output. Some private economists say that’s too high an estimate.” (Wall Street Journal, 8/24/09)

The Success of the Stimulus Cannot Be Measured:

Jobs “saved” cannot be quantified: “State officials can’t say how many jobs they’ve created or saved with the whopping $2 billion in federal stimulus cash already spent, blaming baffling top-down orders from federal officials.” (Boston Herald, 8/14/09)

Even Jeffrey Simon, the head of the office in Massachusetts charged with overseeing the federal stimulus funds, is frustrated and unable to calculate the exact number of jobs created: “Jeffrey Simon, who heads the office charged with overseeing the federal stimulus cash, blamed ‘evolving’ federal guidelines. ‘We’re on version three now of directives from (federal officials),’ Simon said during a legislative hearing yesterday on the spending.” (Boston Herald, 8/14/09)

“Shovel-Ready” Projects Are Not Receiving Funds at the Local Level:

“Jeffrey Simon, the Ipswich man appointed by Patrick to oversee the proper use of Massachusetts’ share of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, summed it up pretty well in a recent letter to city and town officials: ‘After careful review of the legislation and receiving guidance from Washington over the past five months, it has now become clear that the final ARRA bill that emerged from Congress contained much more programmatic funding and far less funding for infrastructure and municipal projects than originally anticipated.’ In other words, after compiling lists of “shovel-ready projects” that might be funded with the stimulus money, mayors and town managers are being told to forget about most of them. (Eagle Tribune, 8/22/09)

A Majority of Americans Think the Avalanche of new Federal Aide Has Cost Too Much and Done Too Little to End the Recession:

“A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found 57% of adults say the stimulus package is having no impact on the economy or making it worse. Even more -60% – doubt that the stimulus plan will help the economy in the years ahead, and only 18% say it has done anything to help improve their personal situation.” (USA Today, 8/17/09)

The Stimulus May Be Failing to Create Jobs in Massachusetts, But It Will Create Jobs Overseas:

“The building was leased, the press alerted, and the state had pledged millions in support. Boston-Power Inc., the high-tech battery maker in Westborough, was ready to accept a huge chunk of change from Washington to pay for a new factory in Auburn. Then, on Aug. 5, the word came down. The company would not get the $100 million in federal stimulus money it hoped for. That funding, and more, went instead to a handful of rivals that included A123Systems Inc. of Watertown, which is building a plant in Michigan to make car batteries for Chrysler. Now, as lawmakers and Boston-Power executives deal with the shutout, chief executive Christina Lampe-Onnerud said without a quick injection of cash, the company will build its new plant somewhere else – perhaps in Europe or Asia. ‘Our issue is that we need to expand production capacity now,’ Lampe-Onnerud said.’ (Boston Globe, 8/23/09)

Recently Distributed Stimulus Funds Going to Foreign Corporations Creating Jobs Overseas:  “Nearly half of the $2.4 billion in federal grant money awarded Wednesday to stimulate the U.S. economy and boost the production of hybrid and electric vehicles went to six companies with ties to places as far away as Russia, China, South Korea and France. … But because so few American companies have the necessary technology, much of the money will initially go toward manufacturing electric vehicle batteries overseas.” (Washington Times, 8/6/09)

Charlie Baker joins growing race for governor

From the Boston Herald:

Republican Charlie Baker, the well-financed CEO of Harvard Pilgrim, has jumped into a quickly swelling 2010 gubernatorial race only two days after Treasurer Timothy Cahill said he decided to switch political parties.

Baker, who is largely unknown to voters throughout the state, will leave Harvard Pilgrim on July 17 and set up a political committee by July 28, according to a source close to Baker. Read more…

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Care Package Collection Drive a Big Success

Yesterday’s care package collection drive was a huge success, garnering nearly 100 boxes of items  — enough to assemble several hundred care packages for U.S. soldiers — and $1,500 in donations for the Weymouth-based non-profit CarePacks.

Held at Milton’s Heritage Hall American Legion Post — which donated the use of its facilities — the collection drive brought out local residents from across the South Shore, who dropped off bags and boxes full of clothing, toiletries, snacks, writing and reading materials and other items for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In addition to volunteers from the Milton and Quincy Republican committees, student volunteers from Quincy and Milton helped sort the donated items, which were delivered to CarePacks for later assembly into individual care packages for our soldiers. Visit the Quincy Republicans website for photos from yesterday’s successful event.

Jon Voight calls out Obama as ‘false prophet’

It’s D-Day plus 65 years: Show your support for our troops!

Sixty-five years ago today, thousands of American soldiers — many of them still in their teens — helped save the world.  At a time when it’s become fashionable for some people to blame America for all of the world’s troubles, it behooves us to remember the fact that, were it not for America and those brave soldiers, there likely wouldn’t be a world today — at least not one worth living in.

Consider what the world would be like today had the Nazis won World War II. Pretty horrific thought, don’t you think?  That’s why it’s important for patriotic Americans to stand up to the forces of political correctness and defend America’s record for protecting and advancing freedom around the globe.

To that end, the Republican committees in Quincy and Milton are joining forces with the Weymouth non-profit CarePacks to organize a care package collection for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Saturday June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Heritage Hall American Legion post (114 Granite Ave., Milton), volunteers will collect toiletries, snacks, books, magazines and other items for packaging and shipment to the brave men and women who today continue the legacy of the “Greatest Generation.”

Click here for details on the collection drive and suggested items.

Library patrons express support for keeping branches open

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Thomas Crane Library’s Adams Shore branch last night to discuss possible budget cuts, and to ask library trustees to fight to keep the city’s three branch libraries open.

The hearing was one of three public meetings held this week at eachof the branch libraries (Wollaston, North Quincy and Adams Shore).  The response from attendees was unequivocal: The main library is great, residents said, but the branches fill a special  role in their respective neighborhoods – particularly for children and seniors who can’t easily reach or access the main library’s services.

For more than an hour, Quincy residents of all ages and from all walks of life described their personal connection to the Adams Shore branch. Mothers recounted the many hours they spent at the library as children, and how pleased they were to be able to share that tradition with their own children.  Seniors described relying on the branch’s large-print volumes and books on tape. A volunteer at the Germantown community center told how she regularly brings dozens of neighborhood children to the library on Tuesday afternoons, where the kids use the computers and reference materials to complete homework. Middle school children recalled how they loved attending story hour with “Miss Laurie” when they were younger, and how they now depend on her to help them with homework and school projects.

Many attendees expressed surprise to learn that the annual budget to operate the main library and all three branches amounts to just 1 percent of the entire city budget. Others questioned why the city would even contemplate closing library branches during an economic recession, when its free resources and computer access are needed more than ever.

“How come (the city) can spend $85 million to build the Concourse and millions more for 1,100 condos, but they can’t come up with a couple hundred thousand dollars to keep the libraries open?” one attendee asked.

Library trustees Harold Crowley, Alicia Coletti, Janet DiTullio and Sandra McCauley — accompanied by library director Anne McLaughlin — assured residents that they shared their support for keeping the branches open. “You’re preaching to the choir,” Crowley quipped.

Trustees also encouraged residents to share their concerns over possible branch closings with Mayor Koch and the City Council. 

Click here for a list of city officials and their e-mail addresses.

Boston’s Tax Day TEA Party: Up the revolution!

Photos courtesy of Amy Kelly

Contrary to what the so-called “mainstream media” reported, there were more than a “couple hundred” people at yesterday’s Tax Day TEA Party on Boston Common. A lot more. Like, say, a couple thousand people. And that doesn’t count the thousands who turned out for Michael Graham’s waterfront TEA Party later that afternoon.

Now, I hate to disillusion you, but I can’t help but wonder whether the media intentionally underestimated the turnout at these TEA Party events, while at the same time blowing out of all proportion Homeland Security warnings about “right wing extremists.” (For the uninitiated, a “right wing extremist” is anyone who has yet to accept Barack Obama as his/her personal savior.)

Far from being a sea of crazies, yesterday’s TEA (as in Taxed Enough Already) Party was an upbeat and orderly civil demonstration. Both speakers and attendees expressed their frustration at the arrogance of our public officials, who seem to view hardworking taxpayers as an unlimited blank check with which to fund their perpetual gravy train. WRONG! If yesterday’s protest was any indication, that government gravy train is about to reach the end of the line!

In addition to the signs shown in the photos above (courtesy of photographer extraordinaire Amy Kelly!), here are some of my favorite signs from yesterday:

“Don’t spread my wealth, spread my work ethic”

“What’s in YOUR wallet? MY money!”

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”

That last quote comes, of course, from Thomas Jefferson — you know, our most hypocritical founding father who decried the evils of slavery while siring a bunch of his own with his wife’s half-sister/slave. “Do as I say, not as I do,” that was Tom’s motto. No wonder modern liberals are so crazy about him!

Daschle withdraws as Obama’s HHS secretary nominee

Ah yes, now it can be told!  It seems the real reason that liberal Democrats are always so ready and willing to raise taxes is because they don’t pay any.

Tom Daschle, at least, has had the decency to withdraw his name from contention – unlike our new TREASURY Secretary, who didn’t pay his own taxes but has no problem enforcing the IRS rules when it comes to the rest of us.

Apparently, Leona Helmsley was right: Taxes really are for the little people.

Nassour elected chairman of Mass. GOP

Congratulations to Charlestown attorney Jennifer Nassour, who  was elected chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party yesterday. The Mass. GOP issued the following press release announcing her election:

The Massachusetts Republican Party announced today that Jennifer A. Nassour was elected as chair of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee on a platform of strengthening the party’s grassroots, fund raising and communications.

Nassour pledged to be a full-time chair and lead a resurgence of the MassGOP by harnessing the energy, dedication and spirit of Massachusetts Republicans and expanding outreach to unenrolled voters. MassGOP Chair Jennifer Nassour said, “The Massachusetts Republican Party is blessed with great strengths, including dedicated and impassioned activists, accomplished and willing fundraisers, and principles that ring true and clear with Massachusetts voters. Together, we will grow this party from the grassroots up, building a strong base from which we can launch winning campaigns.

“The MassGOP will continue to be the voice for common sense and honesty in the Commonwealth. By promoting and defending our values, we will generate new voters, new resources and a new day for Massachusetts Republicans,” added Nassour.

Nassour replaces outgoing Chair Peter Torkildsen, who stepped down after a two-year term.

The Honorable Peter Torkildsen said, “I congratulate Jennifer on her victory. She has many years of experience helping Republican candidates and she is committed to returning two-party competition to Massachusetts. I look forward to helping her in any way I can.”

“All Republicans in Massachusetts owe Peter a debt of gratitude for his service as an elected official and as steward of the party. We wish him well in his future endeavors and hope to continue to benefit from his experience and wisdom,” concluded Nassour.

Nassour’s comprehensive plan for rebuilding the Massachusetts Republican Party includes focusing on the traditional aspects of a strong party – grassroots, fundraising and candidate recruitment – while also increasing the use of technology to connect and communicate with voters. Her plan also calls for cooperating with New England and national Republican organizations and building connections with like-minded civic organizations.

Nassour, 37, is a Republican State Committee member from Charlestown and is Of Counsel to Consigly & Brucato, P.C., in Milford. Nassour is an accomplished fundraiser and a veteran of Republican politics. As a fundraiser for both political and charitable causes, Nassour has raised more than $1 million. As a state committee member, she has been an active supporter of Republican candidates up and down the ballot, and she served as finance director for the Grabauskas for Treasurer campaign.

Nassour earned her juris doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 2000. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master’s degree in political science from C.W. Post University. Nassour and her husband, C.J. Brucato III, live in Charlestown with their two daughters.

South Shore Republicans meet to discuss rebuilding state GOP

Milton Republican Town Committee Chairman Richard Pilla addresses attendees at the recent South Shore GOP Summit

While Democrats were jubilantly celebrating Barack Obama’s inauguration last weekend, Republicans from across the South Shore gathered in Hingham not to commiserate over the November elections, but to plan for the revitalization of the Massachusetts GOP.

The “South Shore GOP Summit,” held January 17 at the 99 Restaurant in Hingham, brought together nearly 50 Republican town committee chairs and members from nine South Shore communities to hear from elected state Republican leaders, including Sen. Robert Hedlund, Sen. Scott Brown and Rep. Brad Hill. The event also gave attendees an opportunity to hear from Jennifer Nassour and Mike Franco, who are candidates to become the next state party chairman of the Mass. GOP. The Republican State Committee will elect a new party chairman January 27.

“This was a great opportunity for local Republicans to meet and discuss how we can revitalize the Massachusetts GOP,” said Richard Pilla, chairman of the Milton Republican Town Committee, which co-sponsored the event with the Quincy Republican City Committee. “It was also a chance for local Republicans to share their concerns and ideas with our elected Republican leaders as well as the people who will be leading the party for the next several years.”

In addition to calls for greater communication and collaboration between the Mass. GOP and local town committees, attendees expressed a desire to redefine what it means to be a Republican.

“For too long, Republicans have allowed Democrats to define us instead of defining ourselves,” said Jennifer Logue, chairman of the Quincy Republican City Committee. “It’s time for the GOP to take back ownership of what it means to be a Republican by offering a positive alternative that voters can embrace.”

Logue said that summit attendees plan to continue meeting regularly to coordinate Republican activities across the South Shore. For more information or to get involved, visit www.quincymassgop.com or e-mail jenniferlogue@quincymassgop.com.

Caroline Kennedy’s Senate quest exposes liberal hypocrisy

Remember how just a few months ago, liberals were foaming at the mouth over Gov. Sarah Palin’s selection as the Republican Vice Presidential nominee?

Card-carrying members of the ACLU were up in arms at thought of a pro-life Christian woman one step away from the presidency. But of course, that’s not how they spinned it. Instead of admitting that their hatred for Palin was firmly rooted in her pro-family,  Christian lifestyle, they labeled her “inexperienced.”

Never mind that Gov. Palin’s governmental experience included sitting on the  Wasilla City Council, serving as mayor of Wasilla and advocating for ethics reform as a member of the Alaska Energy Commission prior to becoming governor. Or that Gov. Palin earned her elective offices the old-fashioned way — by actually running for office and letting the voters decide on her candidacy.   Sarah Palin was not “one of them,” and so she had to be taken down swiftly and mercilessly.

Contrast this unsavory chapter in American politics with the treatment Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is receiving as a potential recipient  — yes, recipient, as in “handed to her on a silver platter” — of a U.S. Senate seat. Whereas Gov. Palin’s candidacy had Left Coast whackos hanging her in effigy, liberals are positively gaga over the prospect of “Camelot, Part II.” And they seem remarkably untroubled by their standard bearer’s complete lack of governmental experience.

Unlike Sarah Palin — who possessed 16 years of elected government experience — Caroline Kennedy has never lowered herself to run for office. What’s more, this liberal princess hasn’t even been that steady a voter, choosing to skip those pesky little things like elections that can make one late for the charity black-tie gala du jour.

Yet the very same  liberals who were apoplectic over Sarah Palin’s alleged inexperience seem to  believe that Ms. Kennedy Schlossberg’s record of perfect attendance at the “right” cocktail parties and Democratic fundraisers is all the experience  she needs to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Liberal.

Quincy Republicans Holiday Social

Democrats love to joke that local Republicans hold their meetings in phone booths. Not so last night, when 35 local Republicans gathered to celebrate the season at the Fox & Hound Wood Grille & Tavern.

It wasn’t a meeting or a strategy session — just a chance for local conservatives to meet, get to know one another and have a good time. In addition to enjoying a terrific buffet (thank you, Fox & Hound!), attendees took part in a political/current events trivia contest, winning small prizes for answering such brain teasers as “What beauty pageant title did Sarah Palin once hold?” (Answer: Miss Wasilla) and “Name the last five mayors of Quincy beginning with our current mayor and working backwards.” (Answer: Koch, Phelan, Sheets, McCauley and Tobin.)

Among the prizes: A bumper sticker that read “Proud to be everything liberals can’t stand!”; a GOP Christmas ornament emblazoned with “Republicans: Working hard so you don’t have to!”; several “Proud to be a Republican” buttons and a “Proud Republican” t-shirt. (Notice a theme here?)

Here are a few photos:

 

Susan and Paul Burke join Jim Flaherty at the Quincy Republicans holiday social. Is that mistletoe over Paul's head?

 

Anne Dawson and Sue Sullivan enjoy the Fox & Hound's festive decorations.

 

Heather Sargent, Kathleen Sullivan-Moran and Linda Proto catch up at the holiday social.

 

Frank McCauley and grandson Bryan Logue try to get the most correct answers in the trivia contest.

How Obama Got Elected

Well, this just about sums up why America is now headed down the wrong road…again.

Great — now the uneducated, ill-informed people get to choose the president.  But hey, at least Obama’s super inspiring, right?  Right?

more about “How Obama Got Elected“, posted with vodpod