Gambling with the People's Money

I find it remarkable that my 2012 opponent, Jamie Eldridge can be shocked at the idea of negative repercussions related to MA casinos, yet was perfectly willing to 'gamble' with the People's Money (-58 million) on special tax giveaways to the now bankrupt Evergreen Solar.

Yet, we have a so-called revenue problem in state government, Jamie?

It clear what the coordinated, talking point is going to be for ultra-liberal candidates this election year.  Actually, the young Joe Kennedy the III used the word so much in his recent announcement for Congress, I actually thought my DVR replay button on the remote was broken.  But really, what is "fair" Massachusetts fiscal and economic policy for the one party dominating Beacon Hill?  What is "fair" treatment for taxpayers still struggling to put the Great Recession behind them?

Before we answer those questions, I have a few questions for my opponent:

• Is it "fair" that less than 1% of the available 800 Billion in 2008 TARP funds under this Administration has actually been spent on Mass. homeowner loan modifications?

• Is it "fair" for every 1 dollar in state/local taxes that goes to Boston, many if not all of your Middlesex and Worcester communities receive (approximately) 64 cents back? Is that "fair to local students or municipal workers?  

(In fact, since 2008, our hometown of Acton has experienced a 36% reduction in Local Aid from this Legislature and Governor).

• Is it "fair" Senator Eldridge for you to propose state tax increases on: gasoline, income, capital gains, dividends and local fees to the General Fund all while the federal and state government have wasted millions on failed stimulus or subsidies to connected industries? 

How is that any less "fair" than corporate welfare policies so chastised by the Left as being unjust? Both are equally corrosive to our Economic Recovery.

• Is it "fair" to impose the * highest Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax rate (15.4%) on MA job creators even though small businesses and individual S Corporations already pay such an exorbitant high cost burden?

Note: Forbes Magazine recently ranks MA #1 on its * Cost of Doing Business Index.

Clearly, times must change. Sen. Eldridge: Our goal in public office should be to create more MA taxpayers not create higher tax rates under the guise of so-called "fairness" no matter how many times Joe Kennedy III's political consultant has him repeat the word.    Income redistribution, class warfare, and artificially imposing 'equality of outcomes' (instead of equality of opportunity) on Massachusetts residents and small businesses doesn't work. It goes against our Constitution. But, that lowest common denominator proposal is what voters unfortunately receive in the absence of true competition and balance under the Golden Dome.

As a former teacher and MA transportation official, I am running because the Legislature needs to protect taxpayer funds, accelerate infrastructure projects and make Education Reform local. Especially now, when home values and Local Aid both continue to fall, causing even more strain on local budgets and our vanishing commercial tax base.  Unlike my opponent, I do not support Canadian-style health care in MA, state tax increases in a recession, amnesty or in-state tuition for illegals, special tax giveaways to bundlers of either political party, and lowering the drug-free zone around MA public schools.

What is truly "fair" in 2012 is the election of new faces who won't simply raid the taxpayers' wallets every time policies fail and massive amounts of borrowed money doesn't put people to work.