Massachusetts – Sales Tax Increase to 7% - one of 22 Proposed Taxes Under Consideration

The Democrat controlled Massachusetts Legislature, in concert with “tax and spend” Governor Deval Patrick are considering a long list of new taxes and fees in order to satisfy the run amok State budget. On the table,a proposed increase in the State sales tax to 7%. Massachusetts’ unemployment rate (March) is currently at 7.8%, and over 12% in cities in Barney Frank’s 4th District. Simply put, the sales tax will serve to hurt those on the middle and lower rungs of the economic spectrum. When coupled with inflation, additional tax burdens adversely affect the quality of life of both the middle class and more so, those living on fixed incomes, such as senior citizens. One may argue that a 2% increase in the sales tax would only be a slight burden; however, coupled with increased inflation, and additional state and federal taxes, those living on fixed incomes begin to choose between buying a pound of hamburger, or certain necessary paper products.
It may be an unintended consequence; however, levying tax upon tax, at both the state and federal level, makes life for many unmanageable.

The State legislature has an additional 22 proposals on the table regarding taxes and fees, including sales taxes on services such as e-mail, internet sales and online banking.

Regarding the burden on additional taxes, Jennifer Nassour, Chair of the Massachusetts GOP issued the following statement:
“Families are struggling these days, and yet state government is still out of control. Last year, every Republican voted against an irresponsible Democrat budget that spent too much,” Massachusetts GOP chairwoman Jennifer Nassour said in a statement. “With Republican leadership in the Massachusetts Legislature, we will restore fiscal discipline and relieve the crushing burden of high taxes on Massachusetts families.”

Ms. Nassour has a valid point – Massachusetts has suffered hard and long – Beacon Hill is rife with corruption, and taxing the populace is the rule, not the exception. When any government body is run by a super-majority of one-party, specifically one that purports to be “for the working class”, yet, places the largest burdens upon same, opposing viewpoints are cast aside and little can be done to bring balance to the madness that is Massachusetts (or for that matter, now that Massachusetts political think has been exported nationwide – the entire United States). The only way this Republic can have an effective legislature is when there is a balance of competing ideas within the same. Unless and until that happens, term limits imposed on career legislatures would be a great start, the trend will, unfortunately continue. Alternately, when elections occur, an opportunity exists to level the playing field. It is the hope of the majority of the residents of this Commonwealth, that the corner office will see a new face come 2010 – one similar to that of Former Governor Mitt Romney – at the least, a start in the right direction.

Oh Canada! Understanding Janet Napolitano – An Agent of Change – Apologies from Massachusetts

Napalitano does Canada - image : Canada Post

Canadian’s are a bit perplexed over comments made by Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano and the Canadian’s role in the 9/11 terrorists attacks. In newspapers across Canada the horror and confusion regarding the appointment of Ms. Napolitano is hitting headlines, and American’s are posting to sites apologizing for the administration’s choice of a less than qualified individual to head one of the country’s vital bureaucracies.

From the National Post: “The border for dummies”, the Post covers the basics of Ms. Napolitano’s ignorance regarding where terrorists entered the United States before 9-11, and goes on to question what exactly she meant when backtracking after being told she made a blunder and came out with this gem:

“Informed of her error, Ms. Napolitano blustered: "I can't talk to that. I can talk about the future. And here's the future. The future is we have borders."

One has to be proud, as an American, that Ms. Napolitano understands that there even are borders, considering that the manner in which this administration is handling everything from the economy to foreign policy is questionable to say the least.
However, her continued stunning ignorance is eroding what is left of any respect someone who is living in still living in a commune in either San Francisco or Chicago might hold for the poor woman.

From the CBC:
“Canada more lax than U.S. about whom it lets in, Napolitano says” – enough said.

US-Candian Border - Fedex.com

Anyone with the intelligence of a prune understands that there is a vast difference between Canada’s immigration policy and that of the United States, specifically when it comes to whom it lets in and whom it does not: For example from the Hills of Vermont to the rugged North Dakota Mountains, hoards of Canadian’s are not risking life and limb to break into the United States – there are no Canadian drug gangs shooting up the towns along the border – Canada is not Mexico, and border security, getting and out of Canada at least – is tight.

Every so often, a trip into the beautiful province of Quebec is called for, and an easy ride through the Green Mountain State of Vermont, when one reaches the border, the wait to cross is not overly long, the questions, thorough, and the border guards welcoming, proud of their country. Leaving Canada, one is subjected to a more thorough investigation to include a trunk search (in the event of any non-duty free shopping). What one notices most however, is that almost all of the vehicles entering or exiting the United States, contain American’s – with passports (and prior to the need to have a passport: two forms of identification.)

The problem: Ms. Napolitano has most likely never crossed the Canadian border (and in future, that might not be an option, given the opinion Canadian’s now hold of said Secretary of Homeland Security), and therefore, has no idea of what it is like, so she assumed it was just like Mexico, a border with which she is acquainted. Ms. Napolitano arrived in Washington via Arizona, where she held the Governor’s office (cheering Arizonans could be heard as far away as Utah), where Mexican’s, and all individuals from all types of country’s (except Canada) enter freely.
As Governor, Ms. Napolitano “hoped” that the violence caused by the drugs, smuggling and such, was “an anomaly”. The article, from the New York Times, concluded:

“There is an ongoing relationship that happens even in the midst of an immigration meltdown,” Ms. Napolitano said. “I think it’s reflective of the fact borders don’t need to be — how do I say this? — that there are challenges but also opportunities.”

The word Ms. Napolitano was at a lack for in reference to Mexico was “open” – a word she would have been wise to apply to our neighbor to the north, where American’s benefit from the legal trade between two nations.

By way of explanation to our Canadian friends, Ms. Napolitano’s experience has been confined to a previously under populated State on the U.S. Mexican border, she arrived at her current position in the capacity of “crony”, meaning that she was given the post due to an established relationship with either Obama and or the DNC (most likely for championing Open Borders, otherwise known as one of the DNC’s “Get out the Vote” drives.).

Take heart, Canada, only 34% of American’s, according to Rasmussen polls, now “strongly approve” of the President’s job performance and 3 years will go by like a blink of an eye – rest assured, as American’s did when they found Carter to be a complete boob, a sensible Citizen of the United States will, once again, be called upon to repair the damage done under yet another clueless administration. Therefore, when a United States Citizen is in your country visiting, please take a moment and give them your sympathy. We will spend the next 3 years constantly worried about our own safety, while battling a severe recession, being taxed to the limit, and apologizing for the constant blunders of our government.

From Toxic Harbor to Toxic Schools, New Bedford Stimulus Fund Toxic Clean-up Priority Based on Economics

Barney Frank and New Bedford Mayor, Scott Lang - projo.com

On April 15th MSNBC reported on stimulus funds that we’re earmarked to clean up toxic sites, among them New Bedford, MA Harbor. Both Massachusetts Senators, Kennedy(D) and Kerry (D), plus the Massachusetts 4th District Congressman, Barney Frank (D), were cited as responsible for requesting the funds to continue to clean the Harbor, one of the largest Superfund sites in the nation. New Bedford is the nation’s leading fishing port, and concerns regarding local fishing and lobstering in the Harbor were at issue.

Apparently, Kennedy, Kerry and Frank are unaware that in one of the lowest income areas of New Bedford, two schools, one high school and one middle school have been built on Toxic waste sites. The schools are nearby local projects, housing low-income residents. The schools experience ongoing testing for levels of toxins to insure students and faculty are not at risk, that said, several residents and former teachers and school employees have concerns regarding the levels of toxins at the school as well as the way the toxins are occasionally removed.

A CNN article via WKRG, Pensacola, in August, 2008, entitled “Despite Love Canal’s Lessons, Schoolchildren are Still At Risk”, describes the dangers to students, faculty, teachers at the school, as well as nearby residents. New Bedford is compared to the infamous upstate New York, Love Canal site, by Lois Gibbs, former head of the Love Canal Home Owners Association and now head of the Center for Health, Environment & Justice. The article is chilling:

New Bedford High opened in 1972 on top of a former burn dump for PCBs, an industrial chemical linked to cancer and brain damage. PCB levels in the body build over time, raising health risks.

"Like a lot of teachers there now, I figured, how bad could it be? I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005," said former New Bedford teacher Susan Dias, who is now cancer-free. She is returning to the classroom this fall but will not go back to New Bedford High.

Former teacher Maria Quann also says New Bedford High made her ill.

"I became very, very sick. My immune system shut down. I collapsed and was bedridden for several months," Quann said. Her health improved after she left the high school, she says, and she has now retired.

Maureen Woolley, who worked in the cafeteria, says she compiled a list of 25 school employees who died of cancer.

Three classrooms were closed last year because of high PCB levels, but the school has been scrubbed and a new ventilation system added. The rooms are expected to be open this fall.


Despite results of ongoing air-quality testing, teacher David Greene remains skeptical.

"I do think there are areas of that school that continue to be dangerous," he said.

Only seven states have laws preventing cities and towns from building schools on or near toxic waste, according to the Center for Health Environment and Justice. They are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, California, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and Utah.

Even in states with laws, many are weak or poorly enforced, she says. In Massachusetts, state law prevents schools only from being built close to active waste dumps, which would not have prevented New Bedford High's construction three decades ago on a former dump site.

Students Play unaware - photo Southcoast

In April of this year 45.9 parts per million of PCB’s were found at New Bedford High School (four times the standard level). Additionally, arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead and chromium were reported by BETA Group (hired by the City of New Bedford). “TRC, the current consulting group for the city, disclosed more toxic chemicals, 22 of which exceeded the safe standards.”

On Saturday, the 28th of March, the City of New Bedford decided to remove some of the toxic “dirt” from the high school premises. Due to the fact that this was the weekend, the Mayor, Scott Lang (D), noted that the City is not required to warn residents or those at the school, for that matter, when Toxic soil is removed.

On that Saturday in question, several students were cleaning the school yard, as part of a detention, close to the toxic clean-up site, in addition, just yards away, other high school students were participating in sports activities. A local resident recorded the removal of the soil in a YouTube video shown below.

Of additional note, these particular types of toxins are linked to birth defects; with the high incidence of teen pregnancy in the New Bedford School System (as in most urban high schools), the risks are immeasurable in terms of compassion for those affected as well as in economic terms: eventual cost to the taxpayer.

New Bedford rated worse than Fall River for teen births, but New Bedford’s rate has fallen 9 percent in the last 10 years, while Fall River’s has climbed 13 percent.
New Bedford also had a troubling statistic: 10.4 percent of infants born there had a low birth rate — the second-highest percentage in the state. That rate rose from a 6.9-percent rolling average from 1992 to 1994. That state average for 2007 was 7.9 percent; Fall River's rate was 8 percent.

With the Mayor and Barney Frank, our Financial Genius in Chief, so buddy-buddy, one has to wonder why nothing has been done to “invest in” New Bedford’s most valuable assets, their children. Could it be that low income families are not quite as important as say, the fishing industry? Or is it economics, as in political campaign contributions? Where, pray tell, is New Bedford’s “Erin Brockovich”?

Deval Patrick – Rasmussen Poll Suggests Early Retirement – Approval Rating 33%

According to a Rasmussen Poll released today, Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick (D), a measly 33% of Massachusetts voters are likely to vote for Patrick in 2010. The latest poll also indicates that more Bay Staters believe that former Governor Mitt Romney was a better administrator (49%). Additionally, only 38% of the voters polled “strongly approve” of President Obama’s performance.

Patrick’s poor performance in the polls is tax related: with 70% of the voters worried that Massachusetts will pick up its old moniker – “Taxachusetts”, after the recent release of the Governor’s new proposed tax increases on everything from Gasoline to Soda. Interesting: 51% of the Bay State citizens approved of the Tea Party Protests. Massachusetts voter enrollment is compromised of approximately 33% Democrat, 12% Republican and 51% Independents.

The Nation Wakes Up - While ABC News and AP Rip Gibbs over Obama Miniscule Budget Cuts – Freedom Works Plans September 12 March on Washington

The Capital - image CNN

On Monday during the White House Press Briefing Robert Gibbs dodged questions from AP Reporter Jennifer Loven and ABC’s White House Correspondent, Jack Tapper. A Video of the exchange is available at Real Clear Politics. At issue, the $100 Million in budget cuts that Barack Obama requested from his Cabinet - (Granted he said it was just a “drop in the bucket) – a transcript of the exchange:

JENNIFER LOVEN, AP: The $100 million target figure that the president talked about today with the Cabinet; can you explain why so small? I know he talked about -- you know, you add up 100 million and 100 million, and eventually, you get somewhere, but it would take an awfully long time to add up hundred million (inaudible) in the deficit. Why not target a bigger number?

GIBBS: (Smiling) Well, I think only in Washington, D.C. is a hundred million dollars...

LOVEN: The deficit's very large. It's not a joke.

GIBBS: No, I'm...

LOVEN: The deficit's giant. $100 million really is only a step.

GIBBS: But no joke.

LOVEN: You sound like you're joking about it, but it's not funny.

GIBBS: I'm not making jokes about it. I'm being completely sincere that only in Washington, D.C. is $100 million not a lot of money. It is where I'm from. It is where I grew up. And I think it is for hundreds of millions of Americans.

LOVEN: The point is it's not a very big portion of the deficit.

TAPPER: You were talking about an appropriations bill a few weeks ago about $8 billion being minuscule -- $8 billion in earmarks. We were talking about that and you said that that...

GIBBS: Well, in terms of -- in...(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: ...$100 million is a lot but $8 billion is small?

In the grand scheme of things, with the earmarks included in this budget in the billions, Obama should be telling those members of Congress and the Senate to start eliminating earmarks post-haste. A primary example would be Senator Diane Feinstein (CA-D), requested $25 billion for a firm that awarded a contract to her husband. It’s only money, taxpayers money, and the taxpayers are fed up with both parties abuse of the public trust – from bumbling Barney Frank (D-MA) and Mortgage Mogul Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) mismanagement of financials, to Harry Reid’s high speed train from Vegas to Disney; the never ending list of earmarks reads like a monopoly game run amok.
The Tea Party’s held across the country on April 15th, may have given, Obama advisor and Political Kingmaker (Duval Patrick Governor (D-MA) and Barack Obama), David Axelrod the “hebbie jebbies” –

Axelrod was asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" about the "spreading and very public disaffection" with the president's fiscal policies seen at the "Tea Party" rallies around the country last week.
"I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that's unhealthy," Axelrod said.

One has to wonder how Mr. Axelrod, and his friends at what has become known as MSDNCby conservatives, will react when the Tax Day Tea Party takes to the road in a planned March on Washington DC on September 12. (suggested – road trip) Permits have been secured, and this grassroots organization which managed to mobilize an estimated 800,000 non-violent protesters on April 15th, will send another message to Washington regarding fiscal responsibility, or the lack thereof. Freedom Works, a Washington based Conservative Think Tax, has an outstanding Board of Directors, including Steve Forbes of Forbes Magazine and former House Majority Leader, Dick Armey. There is a link on the website homepage which allows one to sign-up for the March in September (suggested). It might be interesting to see the next Janet Napolitano Homeland Security Missive, naming publishers, investors, and former House Speakers as possible domestic terrorist, right along with those dangerous pro-life Christians.

A side note: The Tax Day Tea Party’s that were held across the nation were organized by several groups, Freedom Works being one of the most prevalent sponsors. The events were bi-partisan and included individuals from all parties. For enthusiastic coverage of the Chicago Tea Party Event visit; Hillbuzz.org, a moderate Democrat blog.

Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick (D) 2010 - Dukakis Revisited

Embattled Massachusetts Governor, Duval Patrick, recently announced his intentions to run for a second term as Governor. Patrick, who poll numbers are, to say the least, dismal, recently unveiled additional tax increases for state residents – from vehicle registration fees to an increase in the state’s Hotel taxes (Massachusetts tourism), on top of his already hotly contested request to raise the State’s gas tax to .19 cents per gallon. All this to cover a burgeoning state budget deficit, as Patrick axes state aid to municipalities while filling non-essential positions at salaries in excess of $175,000.

Several names have been bandied about as possible replacements for the Governor who exported his “Yes We Can” mantra nationwide, including Democrat Tim Cahill and of special interest, Charles D. Baker , Republican and head of former aid to Governor William Weld, and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. Although still early in the scheme of things vis a vis the 2010 elections, reaction to Duval Patrick has lent to early speculation by Bay Stater’s as to a replacement. Patrick appears destined to go the way of Michael Dukakis, former presidential candidate and one-term Governor of the Bay State.

Of Note: Jennifer Nassour, Mass. GOP Chair, has chosen the City of Worcester as the site for the 2010 GOP State Convention. Nearby Shrewsbury is home of State Rep., Karen Politio, whose name has also been mentioned as a possible 2010 Gubernatorial candidate.