John Kerry – Sailing Into Retirement

Massachusetts’ Senior Senator John Kerry won’t be up for reelection until 2014, and although in the past, those living in the Baystate have been chided for choosing a wide array of newsworthy politicians, recently, the straws have been weighing heavy on the taxpaying camels backs.

Massachusetts politicians, from those sent to Beacon Hill, where felonious behavior is nothing new, to those elected to hold Federal Posts almost, but not quite as brazen – appear to behave as if they are truly above the laws they write, and/or the laws of the land. Back in February, one state representative who had been caught making a run to nearby New Hampshire to avoid a sales tax on alcohol that he had voted on See Boston Herald Booze Run article on Rep. Michael J. Rodriguez) turn around when the kitchen gets a little warm and run for the State Senate (First Bristol and Plymouth District). After all, Representative Rodriguez has the “right experience for the job”. The Democrat Representative faces a primary in September, after which he will face Republican Derek Maksy in the General Election this November. Understanding that the way elections have gone in the past in Massachusetts, one would think that Mr. Rodriguez would be a shoe-in, however, lately, one can’t bet on the old Massachusetts only elects Democrats.

That theory started to break apart in the Summer of 2009, when candidates, including the newly elected Jr. Senator from Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown, began to make forays into the world of back yard barbeque's across the state. These were men and women who had decided that finally, there has been a shift in the political wind in Massachusetts and the people had had enough. The Republican Convention held in April of 2010, was nothing short of miraculous, from the attendance to air of hope and enthusiasm for a political party that has, for decades been but a minor player in the state. Obviously, Brown's victory was not brought about by the massive Republican voting bloc, nor the sizeable Independent bloc alone, Democrats voted for Brown. The numbers ads up.

Moving forward, those that take the people for granted (sic. Massachusetts Democrats) should understand that perhaps they are not as loyal to the party as they are to their pocketbooks, and that they are capable of having longer memories as of late. Must be all those antioxidants in the Cranberry Juice.

Case in point - John Kerry’s new boat – and the fact that not only has he berthed the pricey “yacht” in neighboring Rhode Island he commissioned a New Zealand boat builder, rather than one in his home state of Massachusetts to manufacture the "yacht".

When asked pointed questions by local press regarding where he berths his boat, and thus avoids paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes to Massachusetts, specifically if it were berthed in Massachusetts – the answer from Kerry: “That depends on who owns it”. (Video from my fox Boston below - He seriously said that - one must look to the expressions on these reporters faces - priceless)

The Wall Street Journal has dubbed Senator Kerry “A one Man Benedict Arnold Corporation historically ironic, as Mr. Kerry has chosen to berth his boat in Newport, Rhode Island, where "The" Benedict Arnold was born and raised. The comparison made as Mr. Kerry had thrown the Massachusetts boat builders under the Democrat Bus, in favor of a company overseas, which may or may not have had anything to do with tax evasion.

Kerry handily won reelection in 2008 – the year of the Democrat – it was not that the candidate running against him, Republican Jeff Beatty wasn’t worthy of the seat, it was the broad brush that painted all Republicans, so much so that, even clowns with a Democrat in front of their name were elected to the Senate, or so we thought (See Felons for Franken, or those not allowed to vote in the first place electing a U.S. Senator). At least Massachusetts does not have to carry that shame.

What to expect – Damage control: The AP and the Boston Globe have articles out today stating that Kerry’s done nothing inappropriate - The Globe “If Mass Taxes Kerry’s yacht, He’ll Pay, Aide Says” and the AP Yacht in RI for Work, will Come to Massachusetts” - now that he’s been caught .

It remains to be seen what will come of the 2010 elections, on both a state and national level, as Beltway Pundits have, once again, pushed Massachusetts over to the Blue side of the board, and painting all races with the “Safe Democrat” Brush. Of course, this was the same bunch that was “shocked” that Scott Brown was elected in a special election a few short months ago. What happens, one wonders, should one, two, three or more Congressional Seats go to a Republican, and a few State Races as well?

Here’s a rumor with legs, calling it that as it came from a close associate who had been approached to run for public office (State Representative) – while declining do to so due to a realistically heavy workload, the response was: you need to do nothing but put your name on the ballot – after all – anti-incumbent sentiment is running high in the Bay State.

This leads one to think, that Kerry, who is not always credited with being overly bright, must be thinking that it’s time to build a new boat and get off the proverbial sinking ship – like Bill Delahunt’s abandonment of the 10th Congressional, Kerry must understand that the party that has ruled the Bay State for eons, is slowly but surely falling out of favor with the voters.

Shock and Awe - Reporters dumbfounded by Kerry's answers