Massachusetts Governor's Race

[boomhauer]

I just wanted to see where some of the fellow Mass. Disers stood on this upcoming vote. Not so much to see who you plan on voting for, but more so what you think of the campaign.

Back in 2000, I decided I would not vote again. The man I voted for won the popular vote and still did not win the Presidency. I couldn't answer the question, "What is my vote worth?" any longer. I decided to give the voting system another try this year.

However, this year, it's not as much about the system as it is the candidates. On a personal level, I like Deval Patrick muchmore than Kerry Healey. He's run a better, cleaner campaign. However, I myself have to wonder, is what Kerry Healey is saying is true? Is Patrick going to raise taxes on everyone? Is he going to be soft on crime? Patrick continues to ignore her negative remarks. So, either he simply refuses to mudsling with her, or what she's saying is true.

On the other hand, Kerry Healey is too much like Mitt Romney. Promises, prmoises, prmoises - No results. They've been in office together for the past 4 years - What have the accomplished for the state? I see myself being worse off financially now than I was 4 years ago. I pay more in taxes, insurance, utilities. And most importantly, why doesn't Kerry Healey come out and say what good she plans to do as opposed to only bashing Patrick? In my mind, if you're running for RE-election, and all you do is run a negative campaign against your opponent, you simply are trying to cover up the fact that you haven't accomplished anything in 4 years.

So, can anyone help me decide why or maybe even who I should vote for?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I'm not voting for him. I may leave the state if he is elected.

I started a thread about him. Kerry Healey is not making things up. What she says is true.

 

[Kteacher]

politics of fear is no replacement for politics of hope

 

[bicker]

This election epitomizes the rule-of-thumb that anyone willing to subject themselves to the idiocy required to run for elected office is not worthy of holding such office.

 

[boomhauer]

This election epitomizes the rule-of-thumb that anyone willing to subject themselves to the idiocy required to run for elected office is not worthy of holding such office.

Wouldn't that mean that none of our elected officials are worthy of holding their office?

 

[boomhauer]

I started a thread about him. Kerry Healey is not making things up. What she says is true.

I'm not poltical in any sense. And shame on me, I don't pay nearly enough attention the issues at hand.

Can you tell me what good Kerry Healey has done as opposed to what bad Deval Patrick has done? I don't mean that in a condescending way. I'm totally serious. I just don't know what she's done since all of her ads are simply negative remarks about Patrick.

 

[AllyandJack]

Kerry Healey fought for Melanie's Law to strengthen the punishment for drunk driving. She was a driving force behind Ally Zapp's Law - the woman who was killed by a convicted sex offender in the rest stop bathroom.

Deval Patrick wants to limit access to CORI checks....so employers won't know if the person they're hiring is a violent offender. He'll be able to appoint judges. He'll be able to issue pardons.

Deval Patrick loves big spending and big taxes. A group is proposing to increase the gas tax .10. He has yet to say he's against that. It's an option to him. Not to Healey. She's already said she's against that plan (so has Mihos).

I don't think Patrick is "bad" - it just depends on what your issues are. Some people think giving criminals a 2nd chance is a good idea. Some people think increasing taxes for more spending is a good idea.

I think the fiasco with the rapist is disgusting and the fact that he tried to lie about it is insulting, but some people are willing to let it go.

It all depends on your view of the important issues.

They're both pro-choice. They're both supporing stem cell research.

Deval Patrick wants illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition and driver's licenses. Keep in mind that there are only a certain amount of slots for in-staters (they accept X amount of out-of-staters to balance out the cost)....it could be your kid turned down in favor of an illegal immigrant. Think of all of the people who live in RI, CT, NH who pay taxes to MA. Their kids don't get in-state tuition.

The State Police are endorsing her. That's a real accomplishment for a Republican.

Again, nothing wrong with Deval's views if they mesh with yours. If so, then you should vote for him. But, Kerry Healey's site is really very good. If you read the Issues she's laid out, it's impressive. I doubt she'll accomplish all of them, but even if she accomplished half it would be a great start - especially the part about reviewing the judges periodically.

 

[bicker]

Wouldn't that mean that none of our elected officials are worthy of holding their office?

I would accept that as an axiom.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Boomhauer-

Here's a link to a recent Boston Globe article outlining the candidates positions on major issues.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/issues/

It was written before the primaries, so you have Gabrielli and Reilly in there as well, but the issues remain the same.

I'd also advise you to check out the debates whenever possible. At the state level, there's more interaction than you get in a presidential debate, and a little more of the candidates actual personalities shine through.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mugg Mann]

Kerry Healey fought for Melanie's Law to strengthen the punishment for drunk driving. She was a driving force behind Ally Zapp's Law - the woman who was killed by a convicted sex offender in the rest stop bathroom.

Deval Patrick wants to limit access to CORI checks....so employers won't know if the person they're hiring is a violent offender. He'll be able to appoint judges. He'll be able to issue pardons.

Deval Patrick loves big spending and big taxes. A group is proposing to increase the gas tax .10. He has yet to say he's against that. It's an option to him. Not to Healey. She's already said she's against that plan (so has Mihos).

I don't think Patrick is "bad" - it just depends on what your issues are. Some people think giving criminals a 2nd chance is a good idea. Some people think increasing taxes for more spending is a good idea.

I think the fiasco with the rapist is disgusting and the fact that he tried to lie about it is insulting, but some people are willing to let it go.

It all depends on your view of the important issues.

They're both pro-choice. They're both supporing stem cell research.

Deval Patrick wants illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition and driver's licenses. Keep in mind that there are only a certain amount of slots for in-staters (they accept X amount of out-of-staters to balance out the cost)....it could be your kid turned down in favor of an illegal immigrant. Think of all of the people who live in RI, CT, NH who pay taxes to MA. Their kids don't get in-state tuition.

The State Police are endorsing her. That's a real accomplishment for a Republican.

Again, nothing wrong with Deval's views if they mesh with yours. If so, then you should vote for him. But, Kerry Healey's site is really very good. If you read the Issues she's laid out, it's impressive. I doubt she'll accomplish all of them, but even if she accomplished half it would be a great start - especially the part about reviewing the judges periodically.

According to your signature, you don't live in Massachusetts but instead live in New Hampshire. May I ask why this race seems to be so crucial to you?

 

[AllyandJack]

I pay 5.3% of my income to MA. So, the governor impacts me.

I work in Boston. I get here at 5:30am when it's still dark. Crime in MA impacts me.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Fair enough. I also assume that the collapsed Harbor tunnel that Healey's administration had control of also concerns you as well as someone who works in Boston, correct?

 

[boomhauer]

From what I've read, it seems my point of view hasn't changed. Patrick will probably cost me more money. However, I can't trust Healey either as I'm much worse off financially than I was 4 years ago.

 

[Mugg Mann]

From what I've read, it seems my point of view hasn't changed. Patrick will probably cost me more money. However, I can't trust Healey either as I'm much worse off financially than I was 4 years ago.

I think that's a fair predictor of both candidates.

 

[Bending Branch]

The past two elections the Republican candidates (Bill Weld & Mitt Romney) were 10 points or more back in the polls on Columbus Day and both won. We must hope this happens again because if Deval Patrick gets elected then Taxachusetts will take on a whole new meaning.

Democratic Governor + Democratice Senate + Democratic House = $$$$$$ Taxes.

 

[L107ANGEL]

The past two elections the Republican candidates (Bill Weld & Mitt Romney) were 10 points or more back in the polls on Columbus Day and both won. We must hope this happens again because if Deval Patrick gets elected then Taxachusetts will take on a whole new meaning.

Democratic Governor + Democratice Senate + Democratic House = $$$$$$ Taxes.

So glad you found your way to the CB

 

[Bending Branch]

So glad you found your way to the CB

Could you please stop this.

 

[boomhauer]

Interesting points made for Kelly Healey.

I guess I would just feel better if things had been a bit better for me in recent years financially. I mean, my wife and I do OK, but as is, we lose 30% of our paychecks to taxes, pay over $4,000 in car insurance a year (we both have perfect driving records). I lost my job and the unemployment assistance I got was barely enough to pay the rent - Barely.

I know this may be more of a city issue, but I'd like an answer as to why I paid $400 in excise tax last year and I've had a pothole in front of my driveway for the past 6 months.

I think the reason I've lost interest in voting is really defined by these 2 candidates. Deval Patrick's answers seem to come down to making things more expensive for us. Meanwhile, Kerry Healey's ideas sure as heck haven't been the answer as the state is in an utter fiscal mess.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i was considering voting for healy but her ads go to far
they both some ideas but that doesnt mean they will happen
she been in office now awhile and besides melanies law i never hear anything on her
The taxes were sup to be lowered years ago so shes had some say in the fact that they werent
i will watch the debates and go from there

 

[Teejay32]

I guess I would just feel better if things had been a bit better for me in recent years financially. I mean, my wife and I do OK, but as is, we lose 30% of our paychecks to taxes, pay over $4,000 in car insurance a year (we both have perfect driving records).

I lived in Lynn for 9 years, tell me about it.

To be fair, Healey is just Lt. Governor, and having any Republican in the corner office serves only one purpose anyway: to try to balance out the overwhelming Democratic majority in the state legislature. The term conservative in Mass. is a generous term, meaning all peoples united in thinking the state legislature should stop spending so much #$%^ money. Also, to be fair, it's not easy to suddenly spend less money and/or decrease revenues - someone's going to suffer, somehow, it's just a matter of deciding who.