John Kerry (D-MA) – To be Secretary of State – Safe Senate Replacement - Dem’s to Possibly Choose Dukakis

John Kerry pictured with Michael Dukakis - from the blog beldar.blogs.com

The replacement for Hillary Clinton, who will be leaving her post as Secretary of State has boiled down to the man who brought Barack Obama to the forefront the Senator from Massachusetts, John Forbes Kerry(Boston Herald) Kerry, who has served as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will be an easy nomination for the President. Kerry and Republican Senator, John McCain, both having run for the office Of the President, have worked together over the years; in the “club” that is the Senate. For all the bluff and bluster that comes with general elections, (the media recounts of what was said, so viciously, the name calling that takes place, when partisanship trumps the congenial worth done in that august body over an election), it appears that Kerry would sail through a nomination with ease.

Massachusetts will need to replace Kerry, that task falls to the Governor, Duval Patrick – who is required to name a replacement until a special election can be held. The Hill is reporting that the most likely possibility for Kerry’s replacement is the 79 year old, Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts and also a Presidential candidate” Dukakis would be a reliable Democrat vote in the Senate, and had recently helped in the campaign for Senator Elect, Elizabeth Warren. Also said to be lobbying for the seat are several of the Congressional Democrats from the state, Capuano, Lynch and Markey. Republican’s who might run for the open seat are Weld, Baker and Brown. (The Hill) The later three are considered “Moderate Republicans” by most standards – with experience with Brown showing a more Independent streak from the party in his voting pattern in the Senate. That said a moderate Republican from Massachusetts is more likely to focus on the vote on hand than be more like a rubber stamp as the case with Dukakis.

Duval Patrick has also noted he will not run for reelection – several of the above referenced on both sides have indicated an interest in running for Govenor. Republican’s, although in short supply, have historically had success at running and winning the Governor’s office in the Bay State. Brown made history in 2009 when he won the special election to the U.S. Senate replacing Ted Kennedy. There are few Republicans that have managed to obtain a Congressional or Senate seat in the “Bluest State”, which begs the question: If a Republican can be handily elected to the Governor’s office, why the difficulty in procuring a Senate or Congressional Seat? – One would think, that with 51% of the States electorate opting for non-party status as “unenrolled”, the option for choosing an alternative to the “status quo’ would be welcome - that said, ground troops, something that is necessary in winning the City Council seat, is lacking on the Republican side in Massachusetts. How then, did the Republican’s ascend to the Governor’s office, or Brown the Senate – general disgust by the people of policies in place that directly affected them at that given time. With Patrick, pro-tax, that may be an easier route for the aforementioned Republican’s to take. That said, in Massachusetts, nothing is impossible, if the ground game, and grassroots are in place for whoever the GOP candidate may be.

Massachusetts Sales, Satellite TV and Tax on Unemployement Benefits on 8-1-09 – Battle of the Blue States- NH Readies for Influx of Mass. Tax Refugees

A Sign of the Times - Leaving Massachsuetts

Massachusetts’ newest taxes go into effect on August 1, 2009, the one tax getting all the headlines in the 25% increase in the State Sales Tax, however, there are multiple taxes that will impact consumers across the Bay State, including a 5% tax on satellite TV provider subscriptions, and provision that allows the Commonwealth to by-pass the Stimulus on Corporate Tax Rates as well as personal income taxes on 9 month subsidies for Cobra Benefit Extensions (Health Care). In 2010, a tax on all polls and wires on public ways will take effect, all taxes on corporations, and communications will end up in the lap of the consumer, either by way of corporations existing stage North or South (New Hampshire or Rhode Island), and increases in telephone and cable invoices to consumers. (For details on all new taxes visit: The Massachustts Department of Revenue)

The State of New Hampshire is welcoming the Commonwealth Residents who are crossing the border to shop. Last week, New Hampshire Governor’s John Lynch, signed signed NH Senate Bill 5 into law. This bill prohibits New Hampshire Retailers from disclosing consumer information to any “foreign” entity (i.e. the Commonwealth). Last May, the Commonwealth lost a battle with the Granite State over collection of taxes on Massachusetts residents who purchased tires in the Granite State from a chain store that had locations in several states, - this new bill is the latest in the Battle of Blues State Democrat Governors who tax and spend themselves out of office. Lynch, recently passed a hefty 38% tax increase onto New Hampshire residents and corporations (The NH Department of Revenue, however, there is little incentive for those consumers in New Hampshire to take a trip south to the Bluest State as the taxes apply to cigarettes, hotels and restaurants, and corporations.

Of InterestMassahcustts Gubernatorial candidate, Christy Mihos, has set up a webcam on the New Hampshire side of the border on route 28, , the intent of which is to prove the sales tax increase will drive the current number (18,000) of Massachusetts daily border crossers through the roof on August 1st. Mihos, a businessman who understands the impact of tax increases on both business and consumer, has the cam fed through his website here. Mihos, an independent, populist Republican, will face Charles Baker, former Health Care CEO, in the Massachusetts Primary. Both candidates are polling above Democrat Govenor Duval Patrick in a recent Boston Globe poll

The bottom line for Massachusetts, regardless of any signs of Federal Stimulus Monies, is someone has to pay for the out-of-control, budget busting, Commonwealth Care (Massachusetts State Government Run Health Care), that leaves the declining number of working Massachusetts Residents and what’s left of the employers in the State. It is no mere coincidence that when Massachusetts increases corporate and personal taxes, there is a loss of businesses first, then residents – eroding the tax base. The solution: dismantle the government run health program, turn it over to the private sector and reduce the ridiculous number of pricey mandated health benefits changing the focus on mandates to preventive care and necessary treatment of life-threatening illnesses. This would result in a) immediate increased revenue for the Commonwealth, and a reduction of costs in private health insurance premiums – or a “tax cut” for the middle class – which would allow Govenor Duval Patrick to keep the “Yes, We Can” promise of lowering middle class taxes, before he is out of a job. Meanwhile, expect Massachusetts residents who live within driving range of any state (and what’s a 2 hour drive to save $500 or more on a big-ticket item?), to take advantage of shopping North and South of the Massachusetts border.

Video from NECN – Christy Mihos “Mass Backwards” Cam