I have no idea why, but in recent days web sites for 1st Suffolk candidates Carlo Basile and Jeff Drago have gone down, while Gloribell Mota's has yet to go up. I'm sure the pages will all be working soon with information on those running for the recently vacated House seat representing East Boston, but in the meantime, the other candidate in the race, Mary Berninger, has outlined a little about her positions on some issues at her web site.Glancing over the positions on 10 issues that Berninger discusses there are a few points I disagree with. Berninger says, "Gambling is simply a private choice matter," and that she would work to bring casinos to Massachusetts, but I'd rather not see that happen. One of the more persuasive discussions I've read on the matter was written by Dan Bosley, a Democratic state representative from North Adams, and was posted in May at a political web site called Blue Mass Group. Bosley argues that legalizing casinos is an economic issue and that it would cost the state money. Maybe his reasoning is faulty, but until I see fact-based counter-arguments I will advocate keeping casinos out.
Berninger believes that auto insurance should be deregulated in Massachusetts and that drivers in this state are "held hostage to a select group of companies." From what I've read, the cost of car insurance for drivers in the most urban settings who already pay the highest rates, including East Boston, would rise even higher under deregulation. Those companies that have continued to do business in this state do so despite the regulated prices, and rather than residents being "precluded from purchasing insurance from certain companies," as Berninger writes, the firms that refuse to do business here stay away because the profit margin isn't high enough. They are the ones behind the latest push to deregulate, and I am staunchly against it.
Finally, Berninger writes, "I believe in elected judges," but says that policy is "too lofty an ideal" for Massachusetts. That is ridiculous. One needn't look far to note the foolishness in the way that most elected officials conduct themselves to see that politicizing judges is a terrible idea. Do we really want a referendum on every unpopular decision that each judge makes? Would anyone, guilty or not, want to stand before a judge who has been called "soft on crime" in the midst of a difficult campaign? I know that a number of states elect their judges, but I think it's clearly a misguided policy.
5 comments:
Yea, those are kind of weird positions by the so called "activist" in the campaign.
Casinos, like the lottery, are like a tax on the middle class. Deregulation typically ends up in higher prices (and I really don't trust insurance companies).
And the judge idea is crazy for the reasons you stated. What we should do is make the district attorney position appointed and not elected! When those positions are politicized through elections it encourages these judge and attorney "politicians" to focus on beefing up statistics and publicity instead of actual improvements in crime and public safety.
I thought I like Berninger, but after those positions, I am pretty sure I don't.
While you might disagree with Ms. Berninger on some issues, or maybe all issues, at least she has the courage to put her views out there. People will know exactly where she stands on important issues confronting the voters of East Boston. Sometimes controversial, elected judges, casino gambling, but always with the people of East Boston in mind. I have not heard from Mr. Basile, The Mayor hasn't formulated Mr. Drago's positions yet, and Ms. Mota is still on the side lines. We will have to waite see if there are any original thoughts from among that crew.
And to anonymous, do you really want the district attorney beholden to the governor or the legislature? They should be directly responsible to the voters of Massachusetts. Judgeships shouldn't go to the highest bidder as they do now.
I would agree with putting it in the hands of the voters. When you start to bring politicians into the mix it starts to become a pissing contest(excuse my language). You start to get judges and attorneys who put aside morals and ethical obligations; so they could get a job. I think letting voter decide is the best way to go. That way pol's in this town can butt in but the decision is still left up to the voters. If you think about it by appointing judges and attorney would be more harmful because there decisions will be based on whos going to appoint them rather then there on personal beliefs. There called JUDGES so they can make JUDGEMENTS.
Now on the Gambling side of things, she has a point. Why should we not be bring in needed dollars that other states are getting. In the past few weeks we have already seen an up rise in crime in the city so I dont think it can get much worse by adding a casino. And to say it is a personal choice matter is correct. We all choice to go have a drink once and awhile, we all choice to buy that Mass State Lottery ticket, and we would all choice to go and gamble. If theres was going to be a risk in the well being of the citizens we would have already seen that with the new Lottery tickets coming out left and right. I think a Casino, if successful, would be a great addition to the state. I now have a place to play poker other then my house.
And not to single out the anonymous writer below me but did you read her page. You all disagree with a few of her positions. She has many up on her website and there are a lot of great ideas up there. I cant wait to read the other sites and see where they all stand. Well at least the Basil and Mota sites. If I want to know where Drago stands Ill look to the Mayors site or the Boston City website. I wish that kid would have an independent thought cause it would only help his cause.
The kid in the campaign went to a community meeting last night, signed up to speak and left without saying a word. Could that be because people were critical of the BRA and the city's way of doing business development (who works in business development for the Mayor?) Does anyone know if Jeff Drago took a leave of absence from his city job the way Sal Lamattina did last year? I can't get his website yet to find out information.
No Im pretty sure he said something but the questions he asked had already been answered. I dont see how we should elect someone who cant sit still and pay attention for 30 mins. Its like hes a second grader 5 mins before the bell. Wait I take it back he did sit still the whole time. But he was Im moving to Lynnfield if that kid gets elected. I wonder if the Mayor is giving him public speaking lessons. Next time he wont only mention something twice but we wont know what hes saying
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