/inconsolable

She's a witch!

Non-November elections always have ridiculously low turnout and almost always lead to wacky, close races like this.

She made Gravel grovel! Dunne got done!  That's one Cole-hearted State Rep.

Maybe this will convince Democrats to support instant runoff voting/ranked choice voting.

Good for her! A lot of 24-year-olds would be happy to have a job that pays $60-odd K a year. Hell, I'm gonna suggest to my 23-year-old that she keep her eyes open for another state rep opening.

AND she's going to crack down on those poor people.  That's a win-win-win-win-win.

Yaaay, ThreeWaaay!!

FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

Are Salem Republicans obsessed with witchcraft?

MFK: FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

I live in this district..... We are 60-70% democrat usually. Basically two democrats ran (one as independent). So she won the election by winning 70 more votes than one of the democrats. Combined the dems got twice as many. I wish only one ran. This chick is an idiot. Her performance in debating is awe inspiring awful. She parrots the talking points she hears on the howie carr show... which is where the EBT card thing comes into play. I am so ashamed by this....

Into the blue again: MFK: FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

I live in this district..... We are 60-70% democrat usually. Basically two democrats ran (one as independent). So she won the election by winning 70 more votes than one of the democrats. Combined the dems got twice as many. I wish only one ran. This chick is an idiot. Her performance in debating is awe inspiring awful. She parrots the talking points she hears on the howie carr show... which is where the EBT card thing comes into play. I am so ashamed by this....

Well then the Dems only have themselves to blame for this. Why didn't one drop out when the polling showed everyone so close?

MFK: Into the blue again: MFK: FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

I live in this district..... We are 60-70% democrat usually. Basically two democrats ran (one as independent). So she won the election by winning 70 more votes than one of the democrats. Combined the dems got twice as many. I wish only one ran. This chick is an idiot. Her performance in debating is awe inspiring awful. She parrots the talking points she hears on the howie carr show... which is where the EBT card thing comes into play. I am so ashamed by this....

Well then the Dems only have themselves to blame for this. Why didn't one drop out when the polling showed everyone so close?

I haven't a freaking clue....

Into the blue again: MFK: FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

I live in this district..... We are 60-70% democrat usually. Basically two democrats ran (one as independent). So she won the election by winning 70 more votes than one of the democrats. Combined the dems got twice as many. I wish only one ran. This chick is an idiot. Her performance in debating is awe inspiring awful. She parrots the talking points she hears on the howie carr show... which is where the EBT card thing comes into play. I am so ashamed by this....

Sorry, I lied... we are usually 55-60 blue...

I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.

A 24 year old Republican? How sad.

"Usually you pay extra for that, Cotton."

Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.


The derp is reaching us somehow... It's only the occasional whiff of the derp but it still wafts through the state. Massachusetts is a great place to live and work. We have a great state educational system and tons of the top universities in the US. Companies are here for a reason, despite the 'high taxes'. The taxes across the board burden is a least lessened for those in the lower income scale by reducing the sales tax by almost 2 percent. The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

coco ebert: A 24 year old Republican? How sad.

And a traitor to her entire generation.

24? Guess the camera adds ten years.

Into the blue again: The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

I totally agree, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was saying that, from what I'm hearing, the proposal is going to get hacked apart in the state legislature. They had something about it on WBUR this morning, but I was still half asleep so it's entirely possible I misheard.

And that sucks because it's seems to have a lot of popular support. Nobody likes paying more taxes, but these are going directly to schools and roads which (other than Dunkin Donuts coffee) are probably the two things we use the most here.

Jim.Casy: Into the blue again: The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

I totally agree, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was saying that, from what I'm hearing, the proposal is going to get hacked apart in the state legislature. They had something about it on WBUR this morning, but I was still half asleep so it's entirely possible I misheard.

And that sucks because it's seems to have a lot of popular support. Nobody likes paying more taxes, but these are going directly to schools and roads which (other than Dunkin Donuts coffee) are probably the two things we use the most here.

My apologies good sir. I misread your post. We are in agreeance (Is that even a word?). Huzzah!

Into the blue again: Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.


The derp is reaching us somehow... It's only the occasional whiff of the derp but it still wafts through the state. Massachusetts is a great place to live and work. We have a great state educational system and tons of the top universities in the US. Companies are here for a reason, despite the 'high taxes'. The taxes across the board burden is a least lessened for those in the lower income scale by reducing the sales tax by almost 2 percent. The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

It's totally maddening. There are just enough people who only listen to farking Howie Carr and only read the farking Herald that it makes it so difficult for the rest of us. That is not to say that Massachusetts Democrats are a shining beacon of all that is right and good - you would be hard pressed to find another legislative body as corrupt - but the state Republicans are even worse. At least the Dems understand that their constituents matter. The state GOP seriously only caters to high donors and relies on talk radio and the Herald to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to getting voters in the booths.

It ain't no use, we're headed for disaster.

Harvey Manfrenjensenjen: It ain't no use, we're headed for disaster.

NICE.

MFK: Into the blue again: Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.


The derp is reaching us somehow... It's only the occasional whiff of the derp but it still wafts through the state. Massachusetts is a great place to live and work. We have a great state educational system and tons of the top universities in the US. Companies are here for a reason, despite the 'high taxes'. The taxes across the board burden is a least lessened for those in the lower income scale by reducing the sales tax by almost 2 percent. The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

It's totally maddening. There are just enough people who only listen to farking Howie Carr and only read the farking Herald that it makes it so difficult for the rest of us. That is not to say that Massachusetts Democrats are a shining beacon of all that is right and good - you would be hard pressed to find another legislative body as corrupt - but the state Republicans are even worse. At least the Dems understand that their constituents matter. The state GOP seriously only caters to high donors and relies on talk radio and the Herald to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to getting voters in the booths.

I don't want to sound like I'm whinging (cue fark!), but it scares me that a Howie Carr parrot can get elected in my neck of the woods. We aren't the racist elitist group on the north shore. That is Howie's audience (even if they don't have enough money to be 'elite', they are still elitists). I am really upset by this, she is representin' me in the Mass house. And she is going to embarass me.

And I agree on the corrupt part. Even though we have had a lot of corrupt politicians, somehow this state is still most of what I want the US to be. If I could only exchange Romney/Obamacare for Vermont's future single payer.

Into the blue again: And she is going to embarass me.

Nothing to do but head to the Old Spot or GuluGulu and drink away your cares.

Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.

Um, have you looked at the proposed 2014 budget?   Some highlights of the 2014 budget compared to the 2001 budget (adjusted for inflation), total change over 13 years:

 - Education: up 3% (that's in total, not per year)
 - Environment and recreation down 33%
 - Healthcare up 59% (state employee healthcare specifically up 54%) ***
 - Human services (children, disabled, elderly) up 1%
 - Infrastructure, housing and economic development down 2%
 - Law and public safety, down 1%
 - Local aid down 44%
 - Debt service up 22% **
 - State Pensions up 17% **
 - Libraries down 53%
 - Total budget up 17%

So, higher taxes and more government spending and we barely hold even on education and social services and lose major ground on everything else except state employee pensions/healthcare, overall healthcare (Medicaid), and debt/interest payments?   That sucks. That's the problem. Oh, and by the way, those two lines, healthcare and pensions? They're just starting to grow, wait until you see them in 5 years' time. They'll probably be 40% or more of the total budget.

So yeah, just keep telling yourselves the tax increases are all about education and infrastructure.  Sure.

http://www.massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=budget_monitor_govern o r_fy14.html

Priapetic: Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.

Um, have you looked at the proposed 2014 budget?   Some highlights of the 2014 budget compared to the 2001 budget (adjusted for inflation), total change over 13 years:

 - Education: up 3% (that's in total, not per year)
 - Environment and recreation down 33%
 - Healthcare up 59% (state employee healthcare specifically up 54%) ***
 - Human services (children, disabled, elderly) up 1%
 - Infrastructure, housing and economic development down 2%
 - Law and public safety, down 1%
 - Local aid down 44%
 - Debt service up 22% **
 - State Pensions up 17% **
 - Libraries down 53%
 - Total budget up 17%

So, higher taxes and more government spending and we barely hold even on education and social services and lose major ground on everything else except state employee pensions/healthcare, overall healthcare (Medicaid), and debt/interest payments?   That sucks. That's the problem. Oh, and by the way, those two lines, healthcare and pensions? They're just starting to grow, wait until you see them in 5 years' time. They'll probably be 40% or more of the total budget.

So yeah, just keep telling yourselves the tax increases are all about education and infrastructure.  Sure.

http://www.massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=budget_monitor_govern o r_fy14.html

State pensions up 17% over 13 years.... WOW that is so amazing. 1.3% increase per year. So glad you pointed that out. Now I can worry.

So what are you trying to scare us into? Looks like you want more money spent everywhere else. I'm in. I guess we are going to have to increase the income tax by a few more percent. Thanks for talking me into it!

WinoRhino: Into the blue again: And she is going to embarass me.

Nothing to do but head to the Old Spot or GuluGulu and drink away your cares.

Yes The Old Spot, a nice place. I do like O'neills as well. Mostly I end up in Lynn with my buddies at Rolly's tavern. Don't ask me why, I know Lynn sucks.

Ahh the mouth breathing Boston Herald readers finally find their way to the voting booth I see.....I thought they spent most of their time hunting "moonbats" and "hacks"


/check the comments on any Howie Carr article for maximum derp

HellRaisingHoosier: One of the first Millennials in Congress and she is a farking moron Republican. Christ. *shakes head*

Don't worry, it's just a State Representative seat, and the Democrats will rule that chamber for the foreseeable future. She'll be out on her ass in 2014 crying about how the "blacks" and the unions and the atheists were all oppressin' her day in, day out and stole the election from her.

Into the blue again: State pensions up 17% over 13 years.... WOW that is so amazing. 1.3% increase per year. So glad you pointed that out. Now I can worry.

All numbers are adjusted for inflation, so actually the gross increase is significantly higher.  But more importantly, note the line items that are going up.  Then note the line items that are level or going down. Then ask yourself what's really driving the tax increases?

So the Dems split their ticket of 4000 votes and she won by default with 2000.  In Massachusetts.  So, her first words to her new constituents, 60%+ of which didn't vote for her:

"That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending."  "

FAIL.

TyrantII: So the Dems split their ticket of 4000 votes and she won by default with 2000.  In Massachusetts.  So, her first words to her new constituents, 60%+ of which didn't vote for her:

"That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending."  "

FAIL.

She isn't too bright, but I guess my neighborhood dems are dumber for allowing this to happen. "Plus the wasteful spending" That part makes me sad. Does she have  clue?

My question is... How does the Republican party still have female members?

MFK: Into the blue again: Jim.Casy: I really hate the way things are looking for Gov. Patrick's proposed spending increases. The people of Massachusetts have basically said "Education is our strong point, so lets focus on that. Also, we'd like our ancient and crumbling infrastructure updated." So Patrick said ok, but it's going to cost money, lets raise taxes across the board. And all I hear from local government reps is "NO taxes r bad durrrr." Thanks guys.

/please just make the T run on time and not smell like urine. That's all I ask.


The derp is reaching us somehow... It's only the occasional whiff of the derp but it still wafts through the state. Massachusetts is a great place to live and work. We have a great state educational system and tons of the top universities in the US. Companies are here for a reason, despite the 'high taxes'. The taxes across the board burden is a least lessened for those in the lower income scale by reducing the sales tax by almost 2 percent. The proposal is the right way to do it. To make sure Massachusetts can stay at the top.

It's totally maddening. There are just enough people who only listen to farking Howie Carr and only read the farking Herald that it makes it so difficult for the rest of us. That is not to say that Massachusetts Democrats are a shining beacon of all that is right and good - you would be hard pressed to find another legislative body as corrupt - but the state Republicans are even worse. At least the Dems understand that their constituents matter. The state GOP seriously only caters to high donors and relies on talk radio and the Herald to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to getting voters in the booths.

Into the blue again: MFK: FTFA: "That message, she declared, was first and foremost opposition to taxes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. "Plus the wasteful spending." She cited news articles about the misuse of welfare benefit cards. "People are just getting tired of it." Curbing the abuse of those EBT cards will be a prime concern as she takes her seat."

Wow. It takes a special kind of shiathead to get elected to office and say "the first thing i'm gonna do is make it even harder on the poor!"

I live in this district..... We are 60-70% democrat usually. Basically two democrats ran (one as independent). So she won the election by winning 70 more votes than one of the democrats. Combined the dems got twice as many. I wish only one ran. This chick is an idiot. Her performance in debating is awe inspiring awful. She parrots the talking points she hears on the howie carr show... which is where the EBT card thing comes into play. I am so ashamed by this....

Peabody's primarily Democratic, but I've found that there are a lot of Howie Carr fan types that live there. And Scott Brown carried Peabody in the last election. I'm only mildly surprised at the result knowing that there was a good chance that the other two candidates would split the low number of Democratic voters in the special election, but I'd be surprised if be re-elected.