Joe Kennedy takes measured approach to government

On By aronsbarronIn Politics2 Comments

The scion of a multi-generational political dynasty, Massachusetts' new fourth district congressman is youthful, charming, and unpretentious. He reflects an honest humility appropriate to someone who has been in Congress for just three weeks.  Speaking to this morning's meeting of The New England    Council, Joe Kennedy also avoided liberal generalizations, emphasized the importance of public/private partnerships and showed a tendency to be …

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Coakley top executive material

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Attorney General Martha Coakley told a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast Wednesday that government's role is not to pick business winners and losers but to create a competitive environment conducive to the development of new ideas and technological innovation.  How to do that will be one of several topics explored at an energy summit …

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Transportation, teaching and taxes the focus of Governor’s large proposal

On By aronsbarronIn Politics2 Comments

For four decades, the Commonwealth has been trying to figure out how to have a comprehensive transportation system. Comprehensive, well maintained but affordable. The issues don't change: what to provide,who should pay, where the money should come from. For the most part, it's been patch, patch, patch. We love our cars but for 22 years haven't …

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Murray opts out: whew!

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Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray has announced he won't be a candidate for governor or any other statewide office in 2014. We're thus spared the media obsession with his peculiar early morning driving accident in 2011, never explained to the satisfaction of many in the Commonwealth.  And we can leave it to the court system, rather …

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Obama takes first step toward gun safety

On By aronsbarronIn Politics3 Comments

How effective the President will be on gun safety remains to be seen, but today he took a first step in the right direction by laying out an agenda to minimize future gun violence. He sounded like a leader.  We eagerly await his action. To many, the recommended measures are a no-brainer: universal background checks wherever guns …

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Facing up to 2 1/2 override

On By aronsbarronIn Politics, Uncategorized2 Comments

Newton is one of many communities in which the Prop 2 1/2 chickens are coming home to roost.  For the last 30 years, that 1980 tax limit referendum has held a community's total tax levy to two and a half percent annual increases, not counting growth through expansion of the tax base.  Having the cap on the …

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WGBH ignores local classical music lovers

On By aronsbarronIn Culture, Media6 Comments

A Boston Business Journal headline last week piqued my interest:  "WGBH sending out strong signals."  This was very exciting.  Was the station finally heeding the complaints of classical music lovers deprived of classical music when WCRB FM, which WGBH owns, moved from 102.5 to 99.5 on the dial? WCRB, of course, stands for Classical Radio Boston, …

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Frankly, Barney’s best for interim senator

On By aronsbarronIn Politics, Uncategorized2 Comments

Wanted: Smart, courageous,  savvy individual for temporary posting. Location: United States Senate. Experience: track record of experience in complicated political settings with record of success in achieving goals.  Education: longtime immersion in complicated policy challenges with particular expertise in military budgeting and entitlements. Skill sets must include ability to work collaboratively with people across the …

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Fiscal cliff deal a puny effort

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That clanking sound you hear is that of the proverbial can getting kicked down the road.  That can is the much-needed solution to the federal debt.  This week's "solution" was not a solution at all. At least initially, the financial markets responded with enthusiasm to the idea that Bush era tax rates would become permanent for 98 …

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Hope for the future

On By aronsbarronIn Culture, Politics, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Watching dysfunctional Washington is profoundly, naggingly depressing, leaving one having to work hard to count our blessings, of which there are assuredly many. Typically, those blessings are related to home, hearth and health, family and friends. Against the backdrop of consistently gloomy national news, an occasional story comes along that does lift the spirits and is important …

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