Richard Neal (D-MA) Against Term Limits – For Debates – Against Meeting with Constituents.

Note: Election 2010, Massachusetts 2nd District: Richard Neal and Tom Wesley Debate Scheduled 10/15/2010 WGBH Springfield

In an interview this year on a Northampton, MA talk radio program, Congressman Richard Neal, expressed his sentiment on term limits – as being in place already as he faces re-election every two years. He also expressed that should he have as serious challenger, he would meet that challenge in a debate. Neal will debate Republican, Tom Wesley, a veteran and businessman this Friday on WGBH Springfield Both Wesley and Neal are expected to draw supporters outside the Springfield Public Television station from 11:00 AM onward. The debate will air later in the day. Apparently, Neal feels that Wesley is a serious contender for the Hampden 2nd Congressional Debate, according to the Northampton interview. (Show below via You Tube).

In meeting with certain constituents, Neal may decline. A recent Channel 22, WWLP story, (video also below), shows Move on.org and Progressives protesting outside of Richard Neal’s office (the Federal Building in Springfield). The protesters noted that they had requested to meet with Neal on several occasions however, he has not responded – so they leave a letter. Although one might not agree, politically with these constituents, the fact that they have repeatedly requested an audience with the Congressman, is somewhat telling. If Neal will not meet with Constituents which are members of his own party (See Progressive Democrats), then who will he meet with?

Richard Neal on Term Limits



Richard Neal on Meeting with Constituents

White House Spokesman Gibbs – Dismisses Tea Party Protests - Estimates 800 Held Nationwide Equals a Massive Demonstration

From Meet-up.com - Tax Day Tea Party Locations

Boston Tax Day Tea Party - NECN Photo

Yesterday, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, dismissed the Tea Party Participants nothing the either had already received a tax cut from Obama (that $8.00 to $13.00 extra in one’s paycheck that will be wiped out by the upcoming Federal gas tax increase), or that the participants were smokers (referring to the new tax on tobacco products). The majority of the headlines from major daily papers read: ”Republicans Stage ‘tea party’ protests against Obama”, in an effort to marginalize the scope of the protests that we’re held on the 15th of April in an estimated 800 cities nationwide. That figure is somewhat difficult to pin down, as the group Tax Day Tea Party alone had 800 planned, and there were many nationwide which were not affiliated with the group.

Tea Party San Francisco - image CBS

Should one take the time to query Google News, they will be faced with a daunting 2,223 articles regarding Tea Party’s held across the nation; larger venues such as Atlanta drew a conservative 10,000 protesters, and should one estimate only 1,000 attendees per tea party, that would mean 800,000 citizens protested yesterday on a variety of issues that are based on taxation. From Obama’s budget to the IRS, signs were held high from Lansing Michigan to San Francisco; where the local news, in most cases reported a mix of attendees; Republican’s, Independents and yes, Democrats who are sick and tired of bloated budget and out-of-touch politician’s, including Obama. Although the concept was brought about by a Conservative Group (not Republican), the attendees were a mixed bag of political ideology with a common complaint.

What ABC, NBC and CBS (CNN, MSNBC), fail to understand is that; although they do have a certain viewership, they will further lose credibility simply because people also watch their local news, which, reports contradict the national media. This will also apply to the White House – should the President (or Gibbs) downplay the events or tag them as “Republican”, they too will be in the same league as the other “talking heads”. What is it that the people want? The citizens of this country want an end to limitless returns to Congress, which enables these legislators to continue to plug pork and ridiculous spending measures into each budget and bill they lay their hands on. Additionally, the current budget is unacceptable to many who know that the tax burden being placed on future generations is untenable. The reason for tagging Republican to the events is simple; and transparent – the White House and the Media understand that the people are angry across the board, and will tag the Democrat Party, with Obama at its helm, as the culprits. This will lead to a strong showing to the GOP in 2010 - however, should they tag this nationally as a GOP idea, then they are doing a disservice to those who attended the protests (who were bi-partisan) and a service to the Republican Party. The Party will benefit, and be branded anti-tax, anti-budget, which, in an ever deepening economic mess, will be remembered by those heading to the polls in 2010 and 2012.