by Janine D. in Politics
Posted on May 31, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Last Modified on June 8, 2009 at 9:50 pm
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I have been a democrat my entire voting life. My first election was my vote for Clinton in 1992. I will state that I am not a native Somerville nor MA resident. Since moving to Somerville, where I own my house, I have become very interested in the elected officials and their votes. It comes as no surpirse that I am a little disgusted with how they vote sometimes.
I am not a Progressive Democrat, and could never be. I look at the voting histories of the elected officials who are Progressive Democrats in Somerville and shake my head in amazement. I wonder, do they think out the middle of the road democrats when they vote? Or do they just stick with the clique of PDSers?
I have yet to see anyone else with thoughts like mine post on this website. This website is suppose to be the Somerville Voices. I highly doubt that a town with such a political history as Somerville can only post thoughts of one way of political thinking.
I am not for handouts for everyone, or taxing people through the nose to have programs continue, or getting useless legislation passed (i.e. resolutions to ban the circus in Somerville (the circus comes to Somerville?), making seatbelts a primary offense to be stopped, etc.) If there are cuts, make them. If there is reformed needed, do it. Then, let’s see what we can do after these two things are done and work from there. I am a middle class taxpayer, married, mother of a toddler and another on the way.
Can anyone shed some light on others who may think like me?
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Janine, I can only assume you’re referring to me when you’re talking about “nastiness”: excuse me, but if you’re having trouble repeating something (from a gossip column, at that), I will call people out on it.
You’ve said elsewhere you may undertake a campaign against “the PDSers”; fine with me, but if you’re going to resort to rumor and innuendo, be prepared.
Barry’s simply asking some simple questions trying to get you to elaborate your point of view. Here’s another for you: who are the officials who got elected for personal gain? I suspect to some extent one could say this is true of every elected official.
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Janine,
How does MM have anything to do with PDS being a clique?
I look forward to your future post in which you critique the PDS platform.
I think this discussion has largely been the opposite of “nastiness”. I appreciate the way you’ve challenged me and others on this site and I’d hope you also welcome the opportunity to defend your ideas and not treat it as a punishment. Feel free to continue holding PDS and its endorsed politicians accountable to its platform.
Tricky,
You should not assume Janine was only referring to you. And you are also spreading rumors, such as the ones about the DCC members who alleged switched their party registration. Any substance to that?
Do you have a problem with Shriners driving tractors if it translates into raising money to help provide health care for children?
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Tricky, you should realize what happens when one assumes something. My comment was not directed at one person but at everyone who questions me but does not give straight answers to questions posed themselves.
Tricky, in every walk of life, there are people who do things for their own personal gain. I am not saying there is one or two particular people in elected office who clearly did it for this reason. I see it here where I work- “oh, I will be a federal attorney for a little while because it will help me when I run for political office.” It is everywhere.
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Barry – I indeed believe there is substance to the allegation; is there an easy way to examine changes in voter registration to confirm this without alerting the Tinfoil Helmet Brigade? I’d be happy to point you in the right direction.
I don’t have any problem at all with the Shriners and their dog, pony, and minature motorcycle travelling road show. I was wondering if anyone opposed to people gathering signatures during such a (ahem) solemn occasion felt the same way about livening up the parade.
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Janine, you rail against those who do not answer questions, yet you have avoided many yourself or claimed to be too busy to elaborate on your positions.
Tricky, since you brought up this rumor, the burden is on you to support it. You can go to city hall and pay a small fee for a cd of the voter rolls. Anyway, I’m not sure what relevance this rumor has for the current conversation.
I see your point about the Shriners.
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Ok Barry, instead of paying attention to a change of plea hearing I need to deal with in an hour, I made a list of the things I am against that Pat Jehlen supports so far:
1. changing the seatbelt law
2. bill allowing eligible individual to register the day of voting (common sense should tell you to register prior and in fact are they not signs all over the city stating this)
3. votes against casinos but for adding the Poweball (gambling is gambling)
4. supporting and voting for the Quinn Bill;
5. increase in paid sick leave (how is this not going to cripple small businesses)
6. regulating medical use of marijuana (how is this working in CA?)
I will make a list for Denise, Carl and Rebekah after I attend a change of plea hearing, if that is OK with you. By the way, NONE of the alleged PDSers have supported their position(s) on the issues either. they have only thrown question after question towards me and demanded that I support my position. How about you?
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Okay,
1. I’d just as soon that if a cop stops some teenager, he will have the authority to tell the kid to buckle up. This doesn’t mean that the police are going to be stopping people without cause to check on their seat belts. If you want to keep health insurance premiums down, you want people wearing their seat belts.
2. I don’t see any harm in same-day registration. It removes one excuse that people have for not voting.
3. State-run gambling is not a corrupting influence for public officials the way licensed private casinos(and their lobbyists)would be. That said, I would happily see the lotteries disappear, too.
4. I wasn’t up on this issue, so thanks for bringing it up. I don’t have a problem, in theory, with policemen getting some continuing education. On the other hand, I pay for my own continuing ed and it isn’t cheap, so I think I may agree with you on this one.
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Jonathan:
Thank you. See, the issue I have with same day registration is that to me it is based on pure laziness. Although it does allow people to vote, it is common sense that one would need to register beforehand and one should be mature and responsible about it.
I am paying my law school loans back. I knew I wanted to be an attorney and that no employer of mine was going to pay for my loans. I had the pleasure of attending classes with police officers (state and local) who raved about the fact that their pensions would increase thanks to getting a degree. To me, that is greediness pure and simple.
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Barry:
Here on my issues with Carl Sciortino:
1. Continuing to support the MBTA without trying to reform the systemprior to dumping more money into it
2. Voting no for “one nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance
3. Election day voter registration
4. Against casinos and racetrack slot machines
5. Bill extending benefits to gay veterans and their same-sex spouses (this bill is tied into the federal system and could possibly risk what money the federal government gives MA. I am not necessarily against what it is for but is runs afoul of federal law.)
6. Banning recruitment of high school students into the armed forces. There are many 18 year olds who are graduating and are adults and can make the decision of whether to join the armed forces or not.
Besides these issues, as a practicing Catholic and supporter of gay marriage, I took offense at his protest inside a church during mass in support of gay marriage. While I support equal rights to marriage and civil rights, I believe Carl goes too far to support these issues, almost to a radical level. Would he support the right of those who are against gay marriage from entering a gay bar and protesting inside?
Before putting some of the civil rights bills before those on Beacon Hill, he should look and see what federal laws state (i.e. extending benefits) might actually be in opposition to his agenda. These are issues that come from the federal government and not dictated by the state.
And do not even get me started about the election against Bob Trane. The fact he could not find the papers is laughable at best.
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Heh heh heh. Not nearly as laughable as Bob’s campaign.
“as a practicing Catholic and supporter of gay marriage” – are you sure this is possible?
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Tricky, in that election, neither candidate was worthy of holding office.
Regarding Catholicism, you might want to ask a Catholic what they believe in. Not every one follows the “anti-abortion/gay marriage is bad” platform the church puts out there. As my father calls it, I practice “cafeteria Catholicism” and I am happy with that.
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Janine,
Thanks for elaborating on your legislative opinions.
Have there been any votes by the PDS-endorsed candidates that you agreed with? If so, which ones? Surely there must be some common ground. After all, you and they are all Democrats.
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Janine, again… applause… standing…. more applause. Though you do realize the line on this website about “independence” is complete and utter nonsense. This place is so far left — by mis-guided, well-meaning socialists — our only hope is they stop when they get to 180 deg from where they are now. The shocking this is these are a very small minority of folks who live in Somerville, but have somehow managed to hijack out city’s power levers.
Also, you forgot to mention Pat’s bright idea to raise the gas tax by .51 cents. Pat forgets what that would do to the economy… to her and the PDS the city should be car free and everyone should only walk or bike everywhere. I’ve often wondered how — in their little Obama koolaid-ingested, kumbaya-singing utopia — folks would ever be able to their take kids to little league games, go grocery shopping for a family of 5 or shoot down the cape for the weekend. I’ve always just assumed they don’t really care about anyone else (it’s that whole elitist attitude of theirs) as they know what is best for the rest of us.
As a moderate democrat who voted for Bill Clinton – I can tell you that these “democrats” aren’t our daddy’s democrats. These people want nothing less than socialism (and some want communism). Oh and I agree with you on all of the above…
PDS issues that Carl, Rebekkah and Pat have wrong:
1.Seat Belt law — allows “Big Brother” to be ever more watching us. The PDS loves Big Brother and making sure we’re all doing exactly like they want us to do – no smoking, no eating red meat, mandatory yoga classes, no gambling, etc.. Soon we’ll all be given drab uniforms to wear. Remember they’re the elitists who know what is best for the rest of us dummies who just happen to live in their utopia.
2.Voting no for “one nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance – disgusting that the PDS has no problem discriminating against who believe in Him and they forget this nation was built with by God fearing people. They also seem to not get that atheism is a religion just like Christianity, Judaism or Islam, but they have no problem cramming their Godless, moral-less “religion” down our throats and our children’s throats.
3. Against casinos and racetrack slot machines – I love Vegas! And Foxwoods and Mohegan! I make good money, so why can’t I be given the right to spend my leisure dollars in my own state on the activity of my own choosing? If I lose some money at the craps table (love craps), then at least I benefit my own state (via the taxes and jobs generated). Again; this issue is Pat and the PDS and their big brother mentality (they want to dictate how we should all behave).
4.Bill extending benefits to gay veterans and their same-sex spouses (this bill is tied into the federal system and could possibly risk what money the federal government gives MA. I am not necessarily against what it is for but it runs afoul of federal law.) – Exactly, but this is Carl’s “pet” issue. He is a single issue candidate. As a business owner and longtime resident; he has never felt the need to meet with me and hear my concerns on ANY issue. Somehow I feel if I was a member of the GLT community – you bet he’d meet with me.
5.Banning recruitment of high school students into the armed forces. There are many 18 year olds who are graduating and are adults and can make the decision of whether to join the armed forces or not. Half our kids are on H and other drugs and these PDS do-gooders don’t want to open up avenues for some discipline and a wonderfull career opportunity. And let’s forget the lack of patriotism – we’ve seen how they (dis)honor veterans already with the memorial day parade. Disgusting.
Hi Tricky. You still here? Who is this Imux?
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Barry, short of voting for the pension reform, I am hardoressed to find something which the PDS candidates and I agree on. And my opinion is that everyone voted for the pension reform because no one wanted to be the odd man out.
I am working on my list of Rebekah’s issues I am against too.
By the way, I am completely against the fact that Provost voted to not abolish the two Suffolk County holidays too. When I called her office, I was told she basically did not have an opinion either way since is only affected Suffolk County. Not having an opinion either way is not a good way to explain a “no” vote to a constituent.
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Xumi – I’m still here. I love the new handle, by the way, sounds like some sort of androgynous alcoholic beverage teenagers drink when they’ve graduated from wine coolers.
Couple of points: the phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance during the Red Scare back in the 50s. Removing this was actually part of the Democratic platform a couple of years ago, so I don’t know why you’re singling out the PDS on their position here; they’re in line with the party.
As far as seat belts; if some uninsured driver ejects himself from his automobile while driving around like a chowderhead and messes his brain further, who’s going to pay for this? Your insurance company, or your tax dollars. Take your pick, it’s coming out of your pocket one way or another.
I’d argue against it on more nefarious grounds; this is just going to give police in allegedly upscale suburbs an easier way to pull people over for “driving while black”, or whatever you want to call it.
I love your misperception of Carl Sciortino as a “one issue” representative, kind of fits in with your Hillary’s-going-to-beat-Obama, McCain’s-going-to-beat-Obama, Bob-Trane’s-going-to-beat-Carl drumbeats you had working in 2008. Even a stopped clock’s right twice a day, Xumi – I’m not sure I can say that about you.
Janine – I’ll be happy to discuss theology with you later on. (I wish someone would have slid me Dorothy Day’s “The Long Loneliness” back when I was in high school.) I’m a little skeptical of your views because the people on line who were opposed to Sciortino’s protest seem to be among the most virulent opponents to same-sex marriage I’ve ever seen.
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Janine, just an FYI – I just recently became aware of this site, but in that short time I have noticed that once confronted with facts the progressives on this site seem to disappear. I wonder why? You have done a wonderful job trying to educate/discuss with these folks, but they never let facts get in the way of their misguided agenda.
Trickster, “one nation uder God”… we were founded by God-fearing people. You really need to grasp that as most middle-of-the-road democrats (like Bill Clinton) have. I can’t help it if the democratic party has been hijacked by socialists who call themselves “progressives”.
If we follow your “uninsured motorist sans seatbelt” scenario through then we should just wrap everyone in bubblewrap. At some point; people ought to be responsible for their own actions / decisions. You know… personal responsibility and not counting on Big Brother (gubernaut) for your well-being… you progressives ought to try it sometime. You may like it.
“Driving while black” — My point exactly in that it just gives Five-O another reason to pull people over without just cause. I actually wear my seatbelt, but I do it because I personally don’t want to go flying through the windsheild. I drive like a nut, but I have insurance on my car and boat.
Carl won by bringing in progrssives from all over the country. He leveraged the network of socialists (PDS, PDC, etc..), gay activists and others — that was how he won. Plus, Bob didn’t run well in the Tufts area or Medford. Carl does NOT represent the majority of folks in his district. He can’t possibly as he never reaches out to any resident or business owner that I know.
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Thanks Xumi. There are still a few more elected officals I am making an opposition list for. I honestly thought I was the only one out there in Somerville like this.
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Janine – have you ever come to the realization that the people of Ward Six are actually quite happy with Rebekah Gewirtz as their alderman?
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“Bob didn’t run well in the Tufts area or Medford”? LOL, that’s more or less the entire district. Trane couldn’t even win his own ward, even though he was running opposed.
Maybe he was confused as to where his district was: I remember the Ward One Demoratic Committee endorsing Trane, even though Ward One is entirely in Tim Toomey’s district. This was a colossal waste of effort by Bob’s Campaign Director, and I’m not sure what the Committee Chair was thinking in doing this (is it actually the same guy? – perhaps you should introduce yourself to him, heh heh).
Don’t get me started on finances: if you discount Trane’s loan to himself, he took in about the same percentage of money from outside the district as Representative Sciortino, including several thousand dollars from people with ties to his brother’s telecommunications firm. I don’t even want to know what kind of quid pro quo would have come out of that.
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Well, not everyone. I have many friends there who are not happy with her representation and are happy someone is running against her. I guess I will stay safely here in ward 3 until I move across Route 16.
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Xumi,
For the record:
Your incorrect statement that I proposed a 51 cent gas tax was based on Howie Carr, quoting Sen. Knapik in a floor debate calling me “51 cent Jehlen.” Sen. Knapik misread my amendment: 51 was the number the Senate clerk assigned to my amendment. Gentleman that he is, Sen. Knapik contacted Howie Carr to inform him of the error. You probably missed the retraction. So did I.
My actual amendment (number 51) would have removed the sales tax exemption on gasoline, making it subject to the same tax as most other goods. That is currently 5%. If the new sales tax rate is adopted, it will be 6.25%. Under the constitution, the funds raised could only be used for transportation. I believe, and most of the people who have contacted me believe, that a gas tax is fairer and better for the environment than higher fares and tolls. I also preferred the gas tax to funding transportation through the sales tax. But all alternative proposals to the sales tax were unsuccessful.
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Greetings All – There’s nothing in the world like taking 15 minutes for myself and reading every blog about Somerville that I can find. As some of you know, but most of you don’t care, I’ve taken a few weeks off from “Greater Somerville”(Tuesday’s on SCAT channel 3, 7:30-8:00 – shameless plug, shameless plug)and have just finished reading the latest chapter of “Us Against Them” on this site.
And I’ve found a gold mine of new talent I would like to invite onto the show in the coming months. Full disclosure: the following individuals have appeared with me in the past or committed to appear with me in the future on local SCAT programs.
Jamie Norton of the Somerville News, Kat Powers of the Somerville Journal, Sen. Jehlen, Rep. Sciortino, Rep. Provost, Rep. Toomey, Mayor Curtatone, Aldermen Sullivan, Pero, Taylor, Roche, Gewirtz, Trane, White, Barry Rafkin, several members of the Somerville School Committee, as well as a telephonic guest appearance by Tricky himself.
So it’s time for some other fine Somerville folks to show their faces and voice their opinions on the show.
Janine and Xumi – any interest? Let me know here or on the “Greater Somerville blogspot.
Would love to hear from you.
Joe Lynch
Producer/Host
Greater Somerville with Joe Lynch
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Joe, how does one reach you via email? I have had no luck finding the Greater Somerville blogspot.
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Janine,
Here you go……….http://greatersomerville.blogspot.com/
Joe Lynch
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Janine, there are many of us middle-of-the-road democrats left. It’s just that we’re the silent majority — we’re too busy working and paying taxes to be seen or heard from much.
Pat, thank you for the clarification. I must say though that at the state level — I think — a lot more cutting should have been done before any talk of raising the sales OR gas tax was started. If the taxes/fees keep increasing then this area will see a drain of the best & brightest. And then we all lose.
Joe, thanks for the offer. I chance to go mano-a-trickster may be just too tempting for me to pass up. I’ll get back to you on this.
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Xumi: we should do the show together!
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Joe – I emailed you at the address on the Greater Somerville blog but no response!!!
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