Top Slots Open in January Obama Administration – Massachusetts two Candidates – Deval Patrick and John F. Kerry - Open’s Speculation as to Special Elections

Senator John Kerry & Governor Deval Patrick - Potential spots open in Obama Administration Photo: democratic underground.

Immediately following the election several key officials in the Obama administration have decided to call it quits. This is not unusual in the grander scheme of things, as administrations go into a second term, there are usually those who give one term and go back to the private sector or, head to Iowa. In this case there are several openings that suggest certain Massachusetts Politico’s may be ripe for the positions. The number one slot leaving is Hillary Clinton, the Sectary of State - this was first announced through the Weekly Standard, and the suggestion is that MA. Senator John F. Kerry would be a candidate for the slot. It is no secret in Massachusetts that Kerry has wanted the slot since 2008 –and, as a surrogate for the President throughout the reelection process, he may have an in (if they can forgive the performance in Denver, with Kerry as coach). On Clinton herself, the New York Times is now setting the stage for a 2016 run in what can only be called a fluff piece. Clinton would make a fine choice, all the way around, however, one speculates that she may be too tired at that point. In addition she would have to run against a yet again, energized Conservative base, and depending upon the candidate (say a Marco Rubio – who has already set foot in Iowa), it may be a tough road.

Another leaving the administration is Eric Holder, and although Janet Napolitano’s “name” is being floated, it may be the Governor of the State of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, who get’s that job. Patrick who is a long-time associate of the President and was mentored by chief strategist, David Axelrod, would be a find fit for the position.

Others that are leaving, so far, according to the Washington Post, Defense, Secretary Leon Panetta and White House Senor Advisor David Plouffe

The first two mentioned are of great interest for several reassign. John Kerry has wanted the job, and is just as qualified as anyone else in the Obama administration. This would leave a seat open in the Senate for a multitude of individuals in the Bay State that may aptly fill the bill (more on that).

The second is the office of Attorney General, again, the nations “top cop” would be a great fit for the Governor of Massachusetts. He’s weighed in on many a case and has a mind-set similar to the President. This would set up a second special election in MA to fill the Governors seat.

There are several names being floated as replacements in Massachusetts should this occur, the first that comes to mind is former Senator Scott Brown who was narrowly defeated by Elizabeth Warren – Brown, the most bipartisan senator of the past two years (given his short term) would counteract that very partisan Warren, and at least bring some sense of sanity to the process. As to the Governor’s office: Bill Weld has reportedly moved back to the state, and Charles Baker who had run a tight campaign against the Patrick, who won by one point, with the help of Democrat turned conveniently independent, Tim Cahill , would also fit that bill.

Of course, if the above mentioned are seriously considering running for either of these “projected” vacant seats”, then one might also anticipate, especially in Weld and Brown’s case, sudden invitations by the White house to be Ambassadors of Name a Country out of the way. Of course, that job has a short life expectancy these days. It’s always fun to speculate, but the thoughts that Massachusetts would find some of its key politico’s either in an administration or back in the saddle campaigning for a top slot representing the Bay State, does bring out what all political judies relish: another election!

Why Is Staten Island and New York in general – forgotten? The Shame of the New York City and State Administration – The grief, the neglect and the Looting continues.

Fox News Staten Island Fends for Itself - November 8th, 2012

New Yorkers, especially those in Staten Island, continue to try and survive a hurricane that struck the east coast on October 29 – life and property were destroyed, and the largest City in our nation had been disabled. The problem is that many Burroughs are still without adequate resources, and although the “establishment news” suggests that all is going along swimmingly – the simple fact is there is much to be done. Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg imposed Gasoline rationing: His rational:

New York City and Long Island will institute gas rationing starting tomorrow, officials announced, to help ease long gas-station lines, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The new rules will allow cars to fuel up, only if the last number of the license plate matches the day's date.

"This is designed to let everybody have a fair a chance [to buy gas so] lines [are not] too oppressive," Mayor Bloomberg said

"But we have to do something and this is something that is practical and enforceable and understandable."

He added: "Doing something is a lot better than doing nothing."

(New York Post)

The question is this, with streets clear and power on, 250,000 fewer cars (destroy), and interstate access to the City – why isn’t there sufficient gasoline for New Yorkers? Nearby States such as Massachusetts, which has little to no impact from Sandy (comparably), sees plenty of gasoline and prices dropping. Less than a 2 and a half hour drive south, New York City must ration gas?

The incompetence of the entire government in New York – from the Mayor’s office to the Governor’s mansion in not directly dealing with the situation, is evident in some news reports.

As residents are homeless and some are being evicted from homes deemed unsafe by FEMA, as the Nor’easter approached - FEMA shut its doors and went home for the night. (NY Post)

Looting remains rampant in some Burroughs, as those who have not, and the mentality that they are owed by everyone –are being met by resident who are defending themselves as of yesterday – there is chaos in the City (CBS Local)

The Governor, sitting in Albany, has at least fired his chief of NY Emergency Management for having crews remove trees from his yard first during the height of the storm, but those inside affected Burroughs have heard nothing from their state government and with FEMA in place are not overly trusting of their federal government.

Staten Island has been left to fend for itself – the reporting from Fox News (Here), is astounding - these reports (as those who feel Fox is the equivalent of the Anti-Christ in News) are video’s shot and reports by those living the nightmare that is Sandy. They are calling Fox because they are getting “no attention” from the State Media.

The New Yorkers, fed up with the State and Federal response, therefore, are trying to help themselves – see this article here in Jewish Weekly

What are we hearing about New York and Staten Island from the “press”? - Obama Wins, in photo finish on Staten Island.

That’s what apparently is important to the news organizations. Which makes one wonder why, with a disaster that is economically and humanly worse than that of Katrina (give both those affected, and the dollar amount placed on the recovery in several states), where is the outrage, the daily call from all news networks for assistance for those on Staten Island and other Burroughs that are freezing, hungry and now homeless – two full weeks after the event. With the criticism over the Bush Administration’s handling of Katrina, one might assume those who’s fingers were pointed at then President Bush for failures that did not exist, (given the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans were incompetent and blocked the Federal Government in a power struggle for days.) that those same ivory tower incompetents would have found out a way to deliver aid faster, move mountains quicker to get, at the least, basics to those affected – blankets, food, temporary shelters.

Of course, there was a campaign to run and to win, and one photo opp in the State of New Jersey, was all it took to start singing Khum-bay-yah while New Yorkers froze, went hungry and had the need to protect what was left of their homes – alone.

No outrage? Yes, there is outrage, and it’s in New York, and it is Growing in leaps and bounds.

Massachusetts – Commonwealth May Cut Services as Tax Revenues Fall Short for the 4th Straight Month - Harry Reid promises the nation higher taxes - to compensate for National Debt

Tax Increeases Likelyy? - John Boehner, all partisanship aside with President Obama, in like mind - Boehner announces will work with President on tax increases and budget cuts. - Image CBS News

One may have missed the monthly report from the State of Massachusetts Budget office with the hoopla surrounding the general election the day before the monthly report was released, however, The Boston Globe, has reported that the that tax collections for October, were off by $48 Million dollars.

Apparently the glowing reports that Massachusetts was in full recovery, were a bit inflated, considering that the State Budget has lost, this year, $250 million in tax revenue according to Governor Deval Patrick’s administration. Secretary of Finance and Administration, Jay Gonzales, noted that there would have to be cuts made in order to meet budget expectations. Currently there is a hiring freeze at the State Level, and Gonzales suggested that due to the economy , “ businesses are “in a holding pattern right now and not making the types of investment in their businesses they might otherwise make” due to the uncertainly over how and where Congress might make budget cuts. (Wicked Local – Wareham)

Those businesses were not hiring because of the weight of regulations and the cost to comply with regulations that were pending, the tax increases that are pending as a result of the expiring Bush Tax Cuts, and that was prior to the re-election of President Obama. What is most disconcerting is that for the past 8 years, everything that is Massachusetts politics has been exported nationwide – and if Massachusetts is in trouble, then one can imagine what is happening elsewhere. That said, it remains to be seen how many more businesses will either pack up and head for states that are more “tax-friendly” now that government taxes are a certainty (See Speaker of the House John Boehnerwho has promised to work with the President to make the cuts and raise the taxes necessary to bring the spending under control. Boehner has suggested these cuts will be across the board, so that every single household will be impacted Should the President and Congress not extend the Bush Tax Cuts, but rather load taxpayers, both corporate and individual with additional taxes, those who are working will be tightening belts that are already stretched to the breaking point. In addition, the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (NV) has stated that the President’s reelection is a mandate to raise taxes. With the Senate in full control of the Democrats, and the House Republican's ready to play ball with the administration – the promise of higher taxes, and according to Reuter’s news, the President will be able to expand the reach of government, one can expect to be living in a rather larger version of the Bay State.

What happens with higher taxes and regulations that are stifling businesses is an example of Massachusetts' year long, month after month, increasing revenue shortages. Therefore, businesses in general will be less likely to hire, there will be higher unemployment and as a result of less tax revenue as businesses close and individuals are out of work or underemployed, then those that depend on everyone from food, to transportation and communications (cell phones) will be in for a rude awakening. Those whose jobs are dependent upon the government will also be subject to cuts, eventually.

Of course, this scenario could be avoided should the President take a sharp turn to the center right and extend the Bush Tax Cuts, go further and cut the corporate tax rate, and give incentives to those companies coming back to the U.S. in cutting their regulatory dilemma. For example he might exempt certain business from the mandated health care reform law, as he did for several unions and states.

One has to sift through the partisan rhetoric, to get to the simple math, when one has no income of their own (any Government) and spends like crazy (the Government) then one is going to run out of money and be unable to continue to be as generous to those who depend on the them (the government).