As an Independent, I will vote for Scott Brown if he decides to run. I would not vote for Markey under any circumstance as he is part of the problem in Washington. He has taken a paycheck from taxpayers since he was in his early twenties, never worked a "real job" in his life. Time for all of the career politicians to go home.

This is like voting for Stalin over Hitler. I'd take Stalin (Lynch).

I have seen younger faces on cash! This is a race for the US Senate not a Bruce Hornsby tribute band!!

Lynch

I would vote for Ed Markey, he has a proven record and I feel he is more expierenced

Lynch. Does Markey even still live in Massachusetts ?

Definitely Markey.

A few years ago, a candidate opposing Markey went out with a video camera to Markey's 'home'. The people in the neighborhood couldn't even recognize his picture, and had no clue that a congressman 'lived' in the house. The house, by the way, with mail piling up at the door waiting for someone to come to collect it.

Centerfold Scottie announced today that he isn't running. Thank goodness for small favors.

Bring on Ed Markey! Boy are we lucky

Hey - it's MA! Never a good candidate to vote for... but I'll vote for whomever is running against these losers.

Lynch is not a "Party" voter, he is different than Markey who is a voter for the party as opposed to the constituancy!

Lynch voted with the D 85% of the time
Markey voted with the D 90% of the time

Brown will run for Governor

I love this. Hardly anybody thinks Congress is doing a good job, but many of those same folks will vote for a hack who's been on the public dole for his entire life, and been in Congress for decades! Markey is indeed part of the establishment, and hence part of the problem. Even if he has done some good, enough is enough, don't promote him to Senator! Vote for his retirement next time around, not a promotion!

I'll have to write me in since Scott Brown isn't going to run...wish he would.

Curatone from Somerville

I'll vote for the non Socialist on the ticket if that is the only choice I have. Hopefully an independent will come along that everyone can get behind and win. Unfortunately in this state the sheep will just look for the D and vote for that instead of the person who is on the ballot.

David Keele as a write in! He knows how to break the union strangleholds

Maybe some of the Scotty Brown swooners need to take a look at the background of the person who might have challenged him: look up Gabriel Gomez of Cohasset.

If not this year, Gomez might make a great candidate

Neither is worth the effort to get out and vote. God help us!

Neither. There must be a better choice out there - someone who will take the country's financial woes, unemployment, deficit, etc. serious and not just vote for more taxes.

Which one resigned from his current job to look for this new position? Or are we going to pay for them to "campaign" instead of "represent us"?

I covered New Hampshire for awhile, so I want to apologize in advance to everyone, I know at some point I am going to subconsciously refer to Stephen Lynch as John Lynch.

Warren, Senior Senator! What a joke. She wasn't even qualified to be Junior Senator and now we have Markey and Lynch and Scott isn't running. OMG! What the heck has Markey done in the last twenty years! This state is so stupid. We had the chance to vote Scott in and look what we did. I actually heard people say during the last election "I know Scott is good for this State and the better choice but Massachusetts is a democratic state, so we have to go for her". Time to vote the person and not the party!! I hope that Scott will run for governor.

Markey is a consummate D.C. Beltway Barnicle.

Definitely Markey. He has the skills and the experience to represent us, and I will campaign for him, too.

Markey will win and the whiners who back losing candidates wil continue with negative postings and what sometimes are outright lies. It makes the election season fun.

Markey.

Voting for Markey. He is a great environomentalist and will support meaningful legislation to deal with climate change, which is the most important issue for the U.S. and the planet at this moment in history.

I'll be voting for Markey for the same reasons Susan will.

Keary Healey...She's been busy actually doing relevant stuff. She knows the state as well as foreign issues. I'd love to see her as a Senator. Why not two female senators from Mass? Especially now...Great balance and it would be amazing to see this scenario play out. Markeys mostly faceless and useless. lynch is better, but underwhelming. He is marginal as a Rep and that's about it.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reappointed Healey in 2009. Healey chaired the PPP's Afghan Women Lawyers' Training Conference held in California and Washington, DC, and in 2010, she led the Afghan Defense Lawyer Training Program in Boston and Washington, DC. Healey currently serves as president of the Board of the Friends of the PPP, a 501 non-profit that assists the PPP in achieving its goals in carrying out its work with Afghan judges and lawyers, as well as fundraising.

I would like to see Kerry Healey or Karyn Polito run from the GOP side. It would be an uphill battle (although not impossible) for either to win; however, either would position herself for a prominent position in a Brown administration (assuming he runs and wins), or a national office should the GOP retake the Presidency in 2016.

Ed Markey (D) is our next US Senator. I want someone that has government experience for a government position. A Progressive Democrat is an extra bonus. The Republican Party is dead , anyway. Ever hear of a CEO with no business experience? The Republicans have got nobody. Bring back Jane Swift? The one Romney stepped over. maybe Tesei ( spell it right?)? he is a Liberal , gay , pro-choice Republican. Notice all the regular trash talk here about , hacks, Stalin, Progressive caucus. The typical negative stuff from. even bring in Senator warren , and claim she hasn't done much in a month. Hillarious! But what can you do when you got nothing.
Like I say, i'll be voting for Ed Markey. Ed will have the same coalition that brought Liz a 10 point victory.

The party of patronage is on view for all to see for sure in Mass. I think we all see where it's been and rapidly going. They all seem to end up the super money club. Say what you will about Scott Brown, at least Brown called that corruption BS out that's been going on since the invention of the envelope.
He introduced refined and pushed the most significant bill in years on that hill. "The stock act". If that didn't appeal to everyone I don't know what would.
Neither one of these uninspiring guys, past and probably future have or will bring anything of significance to the table. They lack the "err" talent. I don't Include Warren only because she hasn't a clue at this point. She does know how to make money though. We'll see if she has the talents.
Just check out these glorious Senators. Tell me of the great inspiring deeds they presented or pushed lately. Which Senators left 100x's wealthier than when they went in. Kerry? Disgusting...
Hold on to your EBT candidates...Brown & Rubio will run for president against a withered Hillary and a tax & spent Patrick. They are darlings outside of 495. Young and tested.
By then, and as it looks now, this country should be completely shackled and barley treading water.
I still like Healey as a Senator. She's all about business. And she made money the old way, talent.

Mickey Mouse all the way.

One of Diane's comments directed at me has been deleted -- either by the Patch or Diane herself. I just wanted to make it clear to everyone that I did not report her comment nor ask that it be deleted.

It's definitely Markey for me. Those of you who are commenting that he doesn't come around enough are ignorant. Falling in to line, repeating GOP smear tactics. It's a funny critique for me, because except for Jim Miceli and Tom Menino - Ed Markey has been the politician I've seen the most at events, etc. He he has been a strong proponent of environmental protection for years. Most recently, he is leading the charge on creating stricter regulation of compounding pharmacies - like the one in Framingham with tainted steroids.

Lynch for sure,,,,,

You have to ask if these two bozo's are the best that this state can come up with.
No wonder so many are disgusted enough to not vote at all

People get the government they deserve. You would think that when a particular party has demonstrated so much outright corruption and ineptitude, people would get fed up and vote the bums out, and when those they elected to throw the bums out would eventually become corrupted themselves they would get thrown out and around we go, but at least there would be turnover! But, "no," not here in MA, or CA, or IL, or DC or a half a dozen places where one party continues to dominate despite bankrupted municipalities and programs, multiple felonious Speaker's of the House, EBT scandals, various officials on the take on every level, and rising taxes/fees as the only solution to solve a fiscal imbalance. Good luck with Warrkylynch-a-Frankentigua. Change the nomination rules so that Libertarian candidates can get on the ballot fairly and maybe you'll see real change.

Stevie Sads, please don't start in on that 'Democrats and Republicans are the same!!!!11!1' malarkey. Just because you're foolish enough to vote third party doesn't mean we're all quite that stupid.

I could get behind Gabriel Gomez or Kerry Healey. Why not..?
Their resumes speak uncorrectable. What's better than balance and trust in a U>S> Senator?
Undeniably a better choice than Markey mouse or get in line Lychie.
Their resumes are at the least, unassuming.

Comments have been deleted due to violations of the terms of use.

I heard, due to his lingering ineffectiveness during Katrina that it was actually Bush's fault that the lights went out during the Super Bowl, who knew?!?

Don't have an ounce of faith in either of these two slackers, am very disappointed to learn of Brown's decision, then of Tiesel's(sp) opting out, so who's left. Healey, but she's out too now. Gomez? Don't know much about him but willing to learn. Anyone but these two clowns! And Tyler, answer Ron's question, please, about whether you ever have or will even consider voting for anyone who is not a Dem ... be interested to know, tho I think I already do. Anyway ... !

Sam: tell us what you did in January to better the plight of us Americans, since you raised the question.

You know, Tip O'Neil would wouldn't recognize any of these Lib lemmings...No soul, no backbone no truths...It use to be about the working slob around here getting a fair shake, and we worked very hard. Now its about what can the working suckers do more so I can sit on my arrss and collect. The Libs couldn't make it as a party, so they grabbed a once stand up party...Contributing 590 % nadaa to the cause is the short term death rattle and what's wrong for the future of the Republic in every possible way. It will eventually doom the Democratic socialist party. And that's a shame to the word Democrat.
You will hear the true 99% pushing around the snow this weekend so the barley 50% can get to work Monday so everyone can pay their bills Tuesday. The rest who support this collect nonsense can kiss my a>>. I am still looking for true leadership in this state. Ed King Bill Weld Paul Tsongas Ray Flynn Ed Brooks.Mitt Romney.
Markey was a below average creep in High school and a sneaky cheat. What makes any of you who support him think he has changed all these obscured years since then?

Tyler, I'm independent for sure and I do vote on the merits of the individual and I sadly, ashamedly admit that I stupidly voted for Al Gore once. I still can't believe I did but we all make mistakes. I knew what your answer would be and I admire your allegiance and loyalty but I think that Wind Dummy made some good points above. The Dems are not what they once were and I wonder if there's any going back. I strongly doubt it and I cannot agree with most of what they do or say and Markey running for senator is a joke. I might accept Lynch, I do think he's more of a worker but even he makes me cringe. Not because I particularly don't like him, I just strongly believe that MA needs newer blood and 2 parties. We don't have an iota of differing opinions as it stands now; I know you are happy in your DEM world, but I honestly think it's best for us to have diverging opinions on issues and leaders who honestly take their constituency's interests at heart when making decisions, not bowing and cow-towing to any party's desires. Just a simple matter of principle for me. If a person is elected to do a job for the people, that is what he/she should do, not align themselves with a party for the sake of the party. Does that make sense to you?

apparently "Mike" has superior intelligence and is not too slow in preaching that to everyone. He must have a ring that everyone else should kiss. What a boor.

Thanks, Jon. I try to counter silly posts with fact-based ones, especially since it takes all of two or three minutes to actually find those facts. And with flu and cold season raging, ring kissing is extremely unsanitary; please allow me to suggest an alternate location for you to kiss.

Tierney should just go "All In"

Why not....he is a gambling man.

At least we know he will not propose any new laws.

E

Anna great great points...I have been an Independent voter myself and have been for a quite awhile. Happily it's by far the largest of all the parties in the state and steadily growing, we just need candidates of quality to actually step up...Sadly there is probably no going back to true Democrat values so sorely needed, in this state anyway.
It is good in a dark way, that the progressive ways are now almost fully exposed. I thought we learned this BS back in the old dazes of stagflation and misery indexes. Oh well history is lost on peoples that don't value lessons learned. It will take a lot of time & efforts now to climb out of this malaise of one party representation with it's choking repeated corruptions.

Vincent DiRico ... wherever have you been? Have missed your wry humor >:).

And where are you, Paul ... your observations would be welcomed by me if no one else.

I will vote for whoever puts the big banks and cohorts on Wall Street out of business for creating the economic collapse which has put millions of families out of work, their homes and into bankruptcy for the last 10 years and counting.

If Warren doesn't hammer them out of their game--it won't matter who the best candidate is--it will be whoever can be bought by the evil brood who belong behind bars. I hope she can at the very least freeze their assets and put it all back into the U.S. Treasury where it belongs.

Brown and Markey--no chance they will do the right thing for the working middle class. Lynch I believe can do it and if Capuano runs for Governor, the two may have a good chance of keeping our state from sinking into the corporate/banking cesspool which is solely responsible for ruining millions of innocent lives.

You'd have to start with Frank /Todd, actually Clinton & Jimmah Carter way back to the Community Reinvestment Act...Remember banks are not in the business of lending mortgage money to folks that have no $$'s or abilities to pay it back. But if you command them to make it happen, well thus was born The Trillion-Dollar Bank Shakedown That Bodes Ill for Cities. You may get the picture that they did their best with a crap bill and bad press to do what they do to stay profitable.
Liz Warren the meek, doesn't have a chance...It would be like trying to explain Obama care to a 105 year old hermit. Most know that Real Estate is valuable, more valuable to middle class then these dopes realized till lately, but don't why?
Politicians are way out of the loop when it comes to banking. And banking is retail, money is retail. They mean well but they are not skilled in banking or retail...
No offense Girl but>>>
Your looking under the wrong rock...It was a vast extortion scheme against the nation's banks. It's a long boring read like Obama care but it's important to understanding why we're stuck now.
http://www.city-journal.org/html/10_1_the_trillion_dollar.html

A local pol testified at the statehouse a few years ago told me that people from Belmont were salivating over E. Somerville real estate which was slated as foreclosure. Signs were posted with a circle and line drawn through which means, "don't save it if it burns to the ground", homes with families still living inside.

Don't tell me this was not a deliberate plot to wipe out the low to moderate income families to make way for the enterprising gangsters who are hell bent on turning our cities into condo-hell. Some of our families worked very hard to keep our HOMES because we love the place we live and don't subscribe to the house flipping of out-of-towners because they have no respect for others unless they are part of the same club and only care about how fat their bank account is, the car they drive, the college they can boast about--it all means nothing, unless you are a person of good character. Thieves and Villains come in all colors and collars, but some are able to pay their way out of a tough spot so please save your BS for someone who has no idea about such matters, like probably your friends. When the chips are down, the people of worth will survive whatever life tosses their way, the others will go crying to mom and dad for the trust fund and family lawyer.

Bernie Sanders-Corp tax evaders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sknt-UBRhxo

http://www.counterpunch.org/2009/10/21/the-next-financial-crisis-hits-wall-street-as-judges-start-nixing-foreclosures/

Capuano demanding answers about CDO's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Im9W4gwNc

Alan Grayson audit the fed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE3oiKuU8UI

Grayson and Kohn--where is the money?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj0JAfq4esk

"Government has coddled, accepted, and ignored white-collar crime for too long," he testified. "It is time the nation woke up and realized that it's not the armed robbers or drug dealers who cause the most economic harm, it's the white collar criminals living in the most expensive homes who have the most impressive resumes who harm us the most. They steal our pensions, bankrupt our companies, and destroy thousands of jobs, ruining countless lives." He testified to Rep. Gary Ackerman-D-NY that he has never been compensated for his efforts. "I did it for our flag, for patriotism."[29] Markopolos presented recommendations to improve the SEC's operations, which included mandatory department standards: good ethics, full transparency, full disclosure, and fair dealing for all. [30] The SEC must establish a unit to accept "whistleblower" tips, and move its activity closer to financial centers away from Washington, D.C.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Markopolos

Dummy--
Savings & Loan scam happened under Reagan's clock, Bush was ENRON. We have hundreds of wealthy elitists who refuse to pay taxes and have been running outsourced companies in other countries for years, while committing tax evasion and hiding our tax money in the Cayman's and USB. How do explain the hundreds who got scammed on hedge funds or fraudulent triple A investments? I guess we don't want to air the dirty laundry of those who are educated and should have known better, but it's okay to trash the unsuspecting low income and working class who didn't get the memo, "don't buy that junk, it's a scam". So far, the Republican party has done everything to shrink the working class into oblivion, and luckily we still have a few good Democrats who actually give a damn about people of their constituency, unlike those who only believe in how much they love their sacred golden COWS $$$.

Some of us who are actually paying attention have learned some things about how the "corporate owned" media puts a spin on things so the masses will remain confused about who the good guys are who haven't stopped working for the working class. Those of you who keep believing your real estate is actually worth something--think again. As long as Wall Street and their co-horts in banking have anything to do with it, it will always be a fairy tale and you are being played, as the 50 million homeowners who got ROBBED. Have enough for retirement in your 401k-that other fairy tale?

I don't hear anything about those shrewd developers and construction owners who flip homes at warp speed only to raise the bar and keep home prices through the roof--literally!

I guess it's okay for only those who knew exactly what they were doing--intentionally stealing to profit as Romney did with hundreds of companies--cashed out and left the investment to ruin and decay, thousands lost their jobs. Many cheated, robbed and cashed out on real estate, they too could not afford, but they were big business owners so it didn't matter and hey, it's called a new twisted form of capitalism at it's best, right? "All for me and who cares about anybody else". Is this what they are teaching in the so called BEST SCHOOLS?

The memo you didn't get is the working class people of this country are fed up and those who learned the hard way never got any bailouts--they are still on the hook for hundreds of thousands or have ruined their credit for life. Tell that to the CEO and executives who got their CORPORATE WELFARE CHECKS paid by the AMERICAN TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY.

You think that is fair? Not enough to make $700k working for AIG, the other Fat Loser Albatross which housed congressional pensions--nice sort of blackmail, ey?
"If they don't bail us out, they risk their own retirements", way to go! They also got double-digit million dollar bonuses they did not deserve, all while the rest of us sit back and wait to be taxed for the next three decades for their GREED.

Hey Girl your preaching to the choir...I grew up on Bromfield Rd on the 2nd floor row.
I have my own business and do what I do to keep up...No trust funds or that BS...
I trust neither party and align with neither. I loath the stout wallet as well as the BS artist that claim they will lighten it for the lean.
Your job as well as mine is to keep pace or we will be over run by both. Expose both and hand it off to the next.
Your hoping that the the latest elected champion will actually keep her promise? Continue to hold your breath...I'm sorry to say she is just like the rest. She made her cake the old fashion way...Exploiting poor slobs in Real estate. Set up by the same folks who talked the talk but etc. The only way you'll see action is to get smahhtah peeps who are already 10 steps ahead of these phonies. You know been there done that Some one with yours and my values.
Elizabeth and Bruce weren’t so much lending money to family members, as going into business with them for profit. This is completely understandable– unless you have partially built a campaign around the evils of “predatory” banks and the individuals who exploit foreclosures.
You buy your property, guard it, keep it up, invest wisely in it, work hard and sell it when you retire. Just like our folks did. Simple plan and hopefully your neighbors do also. You may get lucky and find several properties that work. And then you vote for people that do the same. Beware of the politician who has a better idea.

Okay, Wind--
You've made your point, as I said before, whoever puts the bums behind prison, takes away their stolen assets has my vote regardless of what they have done in the past. What I am concerned about is what is done in the present and future. If you look hard enough, you will find ugly skeletons in every politicians closet. How do think they get there? By being honest, perfect without flaws? Not likely, when they are forced to lie down with dirty-dogs who help them get to where they want to be. I know people who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in what would have been their pension, some firefighters who know they can't ever get it back and don't have some quick way of making fast cash like those scumbags on Wall Street and their bankster pals in crime. The housing scam is a complex story and we don't even know the half of it and they like to keep it that way. They lured in just about everyone they could convince and anyone who dared to stop them would end up with a 17 year old hooker in the back seat of his limo--remember that story? Eliot tried to stop them and look how far he got. I suspect the stolen money is now wrapped up in real estate development and that's why there is a big push to build condos, but not many people know about the shoddy work that goes on, over-priced junk, then again, some have money to burn, so they will just go buy another one. I was under the impression, you were defending the ilk who are steamrolling locals out of town.

Bush allowed huge tax cuts to his wealthy friends, then he allowed outsourcing which cost us millions of jobs, then they brought the ATM home equity bonanza cash outs and told everyone their homes would be worth millions of dollars and not to worry about Greenspan's rates because they would not change. I was also there at the statehouse several years ago to tell my own story, that was after my layoff and was out of work for two long years without healthcare or enough money to pay for a broken burner to heat my tenants apartment. I was forced to take out retirement and now paying back to loan sharks. All of this, and caring for an elderly parent, who was being exploited by the medical profession and drug companies who are treating our elderly worse than cattle. When you take a good look at how nursing homes operate, you can see how corporate greed has gone too far. How would you like to be called at 3 a.m. to be told your mother has just passed away and you need to come immediately because the bed is needed for another patient. Cha-ching. I guess losing that one day revenue must be some tough break. There is no respect, consideration or compassion. It's only about wealth, status, ruthlessness. I've also raised two kids mostly on my own and have worked since I was a teenager. Unless you experienced some hard times by the Wall Street brood, you really don't understand the issues. The working class is under attack, but everyone pretends like things are so grand--far from it.

My neighborhood has changed for the worst. I still have some local neighbors left, but most are disgusted with what has become obvious. The newcomers pretend the locals don't exist and go out of their way to make us feel inferior. I have one particular neighbor who is worst of all--their attitudes of entitlement are unbelievable, bordering pathological neurosis. Everything they do is laced with "how do I increase my home value", but one would think it stops at their property line--it does not. They actually try to get us all to go along with their sick game. I've been approached about what color I am painting my house, color of my mulch, how much I am trimming my tree, to siding with them over re-planting sidewalk trees after a storm, when concrete was used so no one would get hurt. Then it was the snowplow dropping snow in their driveway, when they have enough money to pay someone to plow them out. They verbally attack the neighbor's landscaper if he uses the leaf blower. WTF--I'm not living in STEPFORD and neither are they--Wellesley is not Somerville, time to move back. I've known some of my local neighbors since I was a young girl. There are many in this town who have had really hard lives. Those are the real heros, not these self-absorbed, annoying idiots with too much time on their hands to bother and insult those of us who just want a peaceful home to live in. I had a long talk with a local neighbor yesterday who shared the same views. They have never experienced HOME.

At least a working class person has the guts to tell it like it is--you only get smiling faces from the other side who will talk about you behind your back and pretend that they want to be your neighbor. I'm planning to build a 6 foot shadow-box fence this summer so I can keep my privacy and block out the nasty snobs. I'm betting they just might fight me on it at city hall because it may be of great concern regarding their property value. I use to be more patient than I am now with people of ignorance, but lets hope they don't ask me anything this summer. They won't like my response. Well, you know what they say, what goes around--let's hope it happens swiftly and to the right people this time. It's long overdue. Money can't buy happiness and it can't buy principles or respect either, somethings need to be earned. I found a great quote today listed by a friend--tells it all: "THE ILLITERATE OF THE 21st CENTURY WILL NOT BE THOSE WHO CANNOT READ AND WRITE BUT THOSE WHO CANNOT LEARN, UNLEARN AND RELEARN". Alvin Toffler

Nahh Hell now...Actually I am an Inspector and find flipped sh@t all the time. Some I see do very VERY good work with junk. I also see flippers that out do junk WITH junk. I protect clients privately, there is nothing I can do except advise my clients. I do report unsafe conditions to the relevant authorities as I'm bound to, which is suppose to trigger the locals. Now what they do after that is some cases -your dead on...Political? Maybe, I can tell you this, some town / cities are better than others in that regard. Some not so much and if I follow up by chance because there is so much of it, I find it fades to gray many times.
You can't run these people to jail. I would if it were up to me. But, BUT! as everyone finds out eventually, the cost$$ are in the efing lawyers. Literally a money fight. Who can outlast the other. I don't care what level, it is the cost. Good intentions are more often out spent. Like If my champion I have my trust in gets even spotlighted in an embarrassing situation, ( like that guy in Jersey comes to mind as the latest) that's when my eyebrow goes up. Disappointing, yet we get these people cyclically all the time? There out of place first of all, and excuse me but everyone is approached immediately once they get in these slots that effect us all. It IS where the buck begins...The interesting buck? Well... Some how that trails ends abruptly. Where it ends up is is even more muddled.

I still like Kerry Healey or Gabriel Gomez, why?? Well one is a successful business person and with passionate values which I admire, also I would really love to see 2 women in those slots. That would be so incredibly cool. Talk about balance, so cool.
Gomez is very interesting and young. Love young blood in politics ...That's why Obama was interesting to me. As well as JFK & Brown. Gomez a Navy Seal and a crafty survivor who takes oaths seriously. Also someone I identify with completely, different branch, but brother in similar service, hence the handle "wind dummy" that kind of thing.
So far so good with them, we'll see. The other guys, I went to the same High School with Markey>>>Old time crook, what can I say I would never vote for him...Lynch some things I like. He is definitely more passionate than Fed Ed. I will watch him closely.
How was your storm? I was with MEMA this stormy weekend...HHmmmm, again what can I say different discussion...I'm a Guard guy also.

Wind,
In your line of work, I'm sure you have seen just about everything in housing. I heard from a reliable source that one of the condo-complex's was shoddy construction and headed to court, pending lawsuits by owners and city got involved as well. I don't know what came of that debacle, but I wondered who the company was that did the work and why it was allowed to come to such a disastrous outcome. This type of situation gives our town a bad name. As much as I can't stand many of the newcomers, all for good reasons, I don't like to see anyone get ripped off.

As far as GOP candidates, I would consider switching to independent if there was a chance of getting a moderate republican. I am convinced there are none to be had. From what I hear, they are never willing to negotiate terms in the house over anything for the working class and most are for the decades of wealthy tax breaks which I am opposed, especially since they lied to the administration about job creation which is nowhere in sight. Now they escape to Europe and beyond like the cowards they are, in the name of "we want a free ride", but really, they are afraid of the angry mob which may eventually hunt them down for the animals they are--I have zero sympathy for that scum. Dad always said "wars are only to make money for the capitalists" and he was right, history hasn't changed much. There was a time when the rich gave back to society--no more. The internet allows them to run a company anywhere on the planet.

Muffin-head married money, the other dude I have no clue about--being a Navy Seal is admirable, but does not make a well-rounded politician. They need more than military smarts to handle that crowd in DC. Maybe that is why JFK was so successful. My own dad ran with his dad and that crowd back in the day. I came along much later in his life and was told it was the first time he actually had time to raise a family. As much as people believed them to be criminals, the bootlegging days were times of survival of the fittest and James Michael Curley was one politician who knew how to take care of his constituency. The most frequented bar patrons were politicians, cops and judges. Wouldn't you love to hear what they had to say. When I asked my mother who dad had to deal with to rum run, she said he went to see a judge every Friday. How interesting--so who are the real crooks? "The Last Hurrah", was one of my favorite movies, because it showed just how far a good politician would go to fight for the working people--he made enemies with the bankers and elite who eventually brought him down due to his overwhelming popularity with his constituency.

The storm was a challenge, but I went sledding and shoveled at the peak of high winds--great fun. MEMA came up during a conversation at work--tell them thanks, I got a day off! We have had a few military men in our family, CIA, NSA, politician, teamsters and constructor owners. I've only learned about dad's line of work and the intricate details of some of his alliances about 7 years ago. Interesting stuff and helps to understand the complexity of relationships and how sometimes innocent people can get hurt. GN..thanks for the spirited discourse.

So many excellent points Girl...My Dad and your Dad probably hung out.
Absolutely there is and always has been as you know, a murky world of low light with panky and blatant corruption in that world...But traceable, sometimes these slobs are exposed here & there...That's fairly satisfying to me but like anything not enough and we have poor attention spans.Tax breaks make the world spin in the name of compromise.
Independent is not that bad a world you'd like it...It scares the crap out of them and forces them out into the open for unwanted scrutiny.
They really are not the brightest people and will say anything unscripted if pressed. We need neutral and relentless scoop hungry media again. In our busy worlds we could & need to make better decisions. We are so caught up in party ID. To many of us tune out the needed personal debate before deciding. This division sh@t is what politics thrives on and encourages. Almost sports like...I would love to see little black ink tapes or voice suppressors over party affiliations before their names. Candidate tango vs candidate delta vs candidate bravo as they debate then see where we line up. There would be some snappy politicking I bet you 8 bucks...I'd like a better debate model also. Again media darlings...
Remember the reward for winning is to get into that club. Ask John Kerry, or that other grub from Illinois with the hair...Who got that liar pirate and why isn't that capable hero person US Attorney General
Good chat!

Somerville you sound like one disappointed girl and I certainly can understand why. One question, tho, referring to those who were caught up in foreclosures due to inability to pay their mortgages on houses they could ill afford to begin with ... how in Heavens name did they get sucked into the deals they made? Are they not at least partially to blame themselves for getting sucked into buying what they never could afford in the first place? I may be wrong but it seems to me that a clear-headed, thinking individual could never get so sucked in. We all have dreams and most of us work toward those dreams, not expecting an easy ride. Just a point for discussion here, not a challenge.

Vincent DiRico ... devoured the utube post you recommended ... me too, I'm takin' the hi road (at least I will try):)

Anna,
In order to understand the housing scam perpetrated by Wall St you have to keep an open mind--if you are retired, still earning a great income, have a healthy savings, healthcare, maybe a second home in Florida, kids are grown, married, gainfully employed, you have paid off their student loans--then it's easy for you to buy that story the corporate owned media has been telling everyone "the home owners did this to themselves".

The reasons vary and each story is individual, but mostly these loans were taken because their 401k's were not making enough since the inside trading morphed and SEC oversight was lacking better scrutiny, college loans had to be paid even though companies were closing and millions lost their jobs to outsourcing created by Wall Street and Master's of the Universe, aka MBA's from Harvard and other Ivy League Schools. Bain Capital and Mitt Romney's blueprints--same plan.

Some abused the system, but lawyers and mortgage companies were breaking the laws according to judges who were trying to come forward to expose their crimes. The judges knew that MERS, the electronic filing was invalid since legal documents, NOTES on mortgages must be dated, stamped, SIGNED & recorded properly. Millions were not & foreclosed homes were done illegally, this was FRAUD, but by the time they realized it, millions of homes were stolen by the criminal lenders, "robo-signers", (innocent workers) were told to process these foreclosures, lawsuits were filed.

So Anna,
How do you feel about the bundled mortgages that were sold to investors around the globe and labled, "AAA" rating investments? Some lost millions. I guess we should say, "they should have known better not to invest in something they couldn't afford".

Does this work for the rich investor or just for the financially challenged middle class worker who believed the loan was legal, the advice given by the LICENSED mortgage broker and lawyer who took an OATH on ETHICS was HONEST and not scamming for $10k on commissions and thousands of dollars for 5 minute legal fees to sign bogus papers. Many of these loans are housed in overseas banks, not U.S. by thousands of investors who expected to be paid, but the bailouts went to the very same people who perpetuated the crime of the century.

If you don't know how this happened, you shouldn't judge the millions of homeowners. If anyone should have known better it was Madoff's investors who were gaining 400% on their returns and broke out the crying towels when the SEC finally stepped up. I guess if your son-in-law is working for the SEC, then who will bother to check on the Ponzie scheme? Just keeping in it all in the family. But the town mob couldn't wait to put a noose around Bernie's neck and his partner in crime was met by the midnight pool man and died of a heart attack waiting to face a judge about the billions he stole from his victims. Hey, when they make multi-million donations for decades--all is forgiven.

Wind,

Why do people not do the research? I've studied these issues since 911 and it's all clear to me. How else did they finance their homegrown war?

In 20 years, what will people say about the events of the past 10 years beginning with 911?

Remembering how people viewed the war in Vietnam--those opposed, many were "hippies", labeled as "freaks", "deadbeats", "draft-dodgers". At the time, conservatives believed the labels and also believed our country would be taken over by communism, years before they also believed Russia would over-rule our country. None of that came true. Pro-war propaganda, for what? What did we gain by the war in Vietnam? How many of our soldiers were sacrificed?

We look at this war now as one of the greatest mistakes of the last century and hippies were people who spoke out against those who promoted war, purely for the sake of making money. Some of us look upon the hippies of the 70's as hero's because they took to the streets to expose a tragedy.

Wind--

Small world indeed, our dad's running in the same circles, no doubt. I've learned a great deal about people and myself over the past 10 years.

One of the best lesson's of all--never judge anyone. You never know when life will throw you a curve ball.

People I can't tolerate--the ignorant, the self-centered and those who believe that playing it safe and having lots of money is going to keep them from destiny.

All that matters in this life is true friends who you can count on, a loving family and your own courage, perseverance and determination to survive what comes next. Everything else is just an illusion.

Antoine,

First, let me say I am sorry for the hardship and pain this reminder may have caused. I was using the war in Vietnam as an analogy of the war in Iraq. Like you, I am first generation American. Both my parents experienced the horrors of Nazi occupation in N. Italy and both were emotionally scared due to the devastation it caused. I wrote a blog about it on this site because it's important for me to learn what happened during that time period which shaped my parents in ways separate from the people they once were.

We are very fortunate unlike other countries to not be faced with invasions and outcomes of war. The wars on our land were fought centuries ago. I believe many of these wars are purely political in nature and not due to other reasons. I was a young girl when the war in Vietnam began, but I never understood why it went on for so many years, and why our president was later assassinated. There are too many questions which remain unanswered for me to feel comfortable with what has been stated in the press. Why do we hire assassins who later become our enemies? Why do we put evil dictators in power, only to take them out when they no longer serve our purpose?

I understand wars are complicated and if we are sending our troops to foreign nations to fight for their freedoms, why are millions of innocent lives lost in the battle? We should be spending money to save lives not destroy them.

I'm sorry if I offended you, it was not my intention.

Lynch all the way! We need a change, Markey has been part of the establishment and like most who have been in Washington have forgotten what it is like to have to work everyday.

Patricia ... you made excellent points, inspiteof Olive's remark that you didn't. I have to tell you that I really had to tame my own anger about the VN remarks since my husband served in that war and we lost a few very close friends, so I fully understand your upset. I work hard to keep a lid on my thoughts because I can get very carried away and I prefer to take the high ground and avoid confrontation, try not to insult, but I absolutely appreciate your sentiments. One point you made that caught my attention, aside from VN, because I had the same one ... how bad can life be if you have a tenant? The thing, as I see it, is that this country offers us all so much and if we don't like things, we can work for change. It's not enough to gripe and moan as it gets us nowhere and things slide down the tubes if we don't become active. If S-Girl is so disgruntled as she appears to be, she could genuinely work for change ... she seems to have a lot of information, some eroneous,(SP?) and I agree with some of her comments but most is blustering and she sounds downright angry directing it to all who have worked to better themselves and are financially stable. That's what I read in all of her comments. She says not to judge, but that is exactly what she does. So, dear heart, you spoke well and for me too.

Lynch over Markey, but i'm not nut about him either ... still want a diverse MA Gov., would be good for everyone.

Yes girl, small world indeed.
I think you stubbed a few ingrown toes with the Nam thing...Esshh.My dimes worth.
Nam taught us many things about ourselves. All of us who know the pain of that war realize that the U>S> became fallible. But the cause was just, as it is today. Anyone who thinks not is unbalanced. Would we go in again if it was the same scenario? They'd need a better excuse than Tonkin. Would it be worth our blood? Is Syria? What about Iran... Israel? South Korea, California, how about Europe... When and where do we put up the wall.
We are capitalists and we need global free trade partners. There is no trade without free exchange. Try trading with someone with no money...We fight, bleed and die for a way of life chose long ago. A chance for a way better life. For instance our poorest American would live as a King in any sh@t hole country. American blood is precious, but not to enemies. We may have learned to much since Nam. I feel our enemies have.
The fact that we do sacrifice our own in conflict to keep commerce moving keeps hope alive in desperate places. Some insist there is a better way, but see I none that transforms into the lack of threats. This earth would be a dark place without the U>S> and commitment. Playing nice nice is not a strategy. Ask someone who has to deal with it.

Gomez has committed, I will sign his papers. He will do the job in plain sight with proven dignity/honor. What's better than that?
Markey shows up when it benefits him.

Watch "Inside Job", NETFLIX.
Details those responsible who stole billions from victims forced to take loans as a matter of survival--extended layoffs, medical bills, college loans, etc. If you still don't believe this was intentionally done to wipe out the middle class & keep millions in poverty without any opportunity for financial sustainability--you must have never experienced any of the hardships I have outlined & don't care to understand the real issues. When people are out of work & their moderate cost of living exceeds the $8 hr. job at CVS, that is unacceptable. I was laid off for 2 yrs., could not find a job, through no fault of my own, now back to work. It was due to the swindling by investments firms which tanked the market. Large companies saw an opportunity to save even more, layoff middle aged replaced w/ younger workers. Those who filed for bankruptcy due to excessive loss is acceptable--not the rest. It was used as an excuse to increase their already too big to fail bottom line. When the investment firms lost billions, they went crying to the govt. for taxpayer funded bailouts. Do you actually condone that decision? You would prefer to side with a sleezy firm who knew they were cheating millions of homeowners & investors, over a family that became homeless! When homes sat vacant, the mortgage co's let the town budgets go bust-RE tax losses, damages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_Job_%28film%29

http://www.theotherschoolofeconomics.org/?p=2499

You are missing the point. I am happy for people who are financially stable. Let's see if they can stay there without the corrupt entities finding more ways to take it away from those who have it. Why do you think the rich don't want to pay their share in taxes and have jumped ship to go embrace the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben!
Some have even renounced their US citizenship because the free market overseas let's them do whatever they please.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-505143_162-57469075/5-citizens-who-left-the-u.s-to-avoid-paying-tax/

Google search is great, you should try it sometime.

As far as the Vietnam War or any other War is concerned--I have said nothing about the brave soldiers who put their life on the line to serve. I have three veterans in my own family who served in Korea, WWI & WWII. Also a nephew who was on the grassy knoll and worked for the govt, at the American Embassy in Mexico. They all gave their lives for this country and were proud to serve.

What I am pointing out is the callous behavior by those who wage war in the name of freedom--they rob innocent people of their lives, their natural resources (IRAQ's oil & Afghanistan gas pipe line) and their dignity. They put millions of young men in harms way all in the name of greed. By what my family members have shared with me and my father, war is another complicated matter--but the bottom line is war never solved the world's problems. JFK wanted world peace, but he too died in violence.

Wind, Sand & Olive--
I think they should change the title of this blog to LYNCH MOB....M--E--O--W....!!!!
And I thought some of the women at work were a rough crowd...YIKES..

Can't we all just get along? Maybe someone should start a knitting circle--just be sure to leave the spears at home...

I'm entitled to my own opinions as anyone else......did I mention I was captain of a debate team?

Wind,

I respect your comments and know you speak the truth, yet I am a free spirit who prays for world peace. Call me a hopeless idealist, a naive independent thinker, an outspoken woman who will challenge anyone worthy to a verbal dual. Trust me--I like to be proven wrong because I crave knowledge every minute of each day. No moss here.

I'm sorry if my bringing up Nam hit a sore spot. What's important to healthy dialogue is to be able to debate without insult--your constructive thoughts are much appreciated.

I believe it's important to be proud of one's own country--but when the leaders refuse to lead and industry abandons its people who have worked so hard just to attain a simple life, when children cannot receive an education worthy of sustaining their life as an adult--I ask you, when do the people rise up and demand long-overdue change?

Girl your passion is blurring my screen.
I'm a 25+ year Infantry soldier, hash marks down to the floor. More deployments than Custer had Indians...Now hiding in the Guard. No one loathes war & all it's disruptions / horrors more than people like me or people I know or have known. Spirits are not free. Not in the US. Be determined and keep your self planted in what's important & in your control. Once you have that you can act. Choose one fight, contribute and follow up.
We would love to trust our leaders. I do but only in immediate theaters. The politics of war are extremely untrustworthy. I, or we never stuck necks out for any president or politician or band music. Presidents etc know this! I trust in todays intell.
We do what we do for ourselves, family and the American people a better way of life. We trusted leaders to hand us a sane plan that mattered only in the moment.Think about that.
As times change and the promise to do better, the more punishing we get towards each other. This is repetitive BS.
The American people need to understand that and take a lesson from people that put it on the line. Demand better not idiologies, don't look at each other as some minion of some party or less knowledgeable. There is simple life in America, if your detached and don't read up on history.
Industry is key, it is the engine. When you ef with it all is cooked.
I urge you to keep looking and stay in the game demand accountability,
this present situation is a disappointment.

Wind,

A wise friend worked on WS, brought me up to speed on the matters of global politics - $ issues, wrought w/ complexities beyond comprehension. We bantered about the parties at first, 4years later, we agreed on most topics. Although a man of some privilege, a heart of gold and mind to envy. He convinced me of two important truths--"There is only one deeply flawed party, not two, who really work together". And, "The rich once created jobs and kept our economy vibrant--this is no more. Now we deal with the nouveau riche' crowd who give back NOTHING and expect everything". Back in 2006 when we had our deepest financial cliff hanger as wide as the Grand-C, I would ask, "How bad is it", his response, "It's only going to get worse". He was spot on every time. This exchange went on for 4 years until finally the double-digit, trillion dollar toxic mortgage floodgates burst. By the time we parted ways, we were disappointed in both parties, financial sectors, local politicians and people who continued to blame those not responsible. To this day, I consider him a great friend. He opened my eyes to the world I refused to see--a reality many people cannot understand because it's just to hard to accept. I use to be there once, now I know I can no longer live in that illusion. We only have the power to change ourselves and the opinions of those we admire should be paramount.

Just so you know, S-Girl, the fact is that the so-called "rich" do pay taxes according to tax laws, which I believe need major repair, so they're only taking advantage of what's offered them as would anyone. Here's the thing, I don't find fault with all you say and I recognize your passion and can well appreciate it. I just think you need to calm down. I really try very hard to keep my words soft and sweet just in case I need to eat them later.

Sand man, we've all been around the block, some of us many times. I am not ridiculing S-girl, just making my own observations from her words. I believe it's best to be vague rather than unkind and not hurt the feelings of passionate folks. I hope I've achieved that here.

We are so off topic ... I'm out of here (for now, anyway).

My good friend who writes in the Malden Observer listed some of Markey's "accomplishments". The last seems to have occurred in 1997. I pointed out that that was 16 years ago. Markey should run on TeleCom City again.

Patricia ... referring to your comment to Tyler today, don't waste your time trying to tame his opinion of EW ... or any other Dem ... you must know he is a Dem worshiper and never even considers looking for another view of how things can be. He'll never budge an inch and loves nothing more than to portray all Republicans as devils incarnate. Well, to each his own I guess.

Fed Ed was very busy with "Cap & Trade" for the last few years anyway...
Voting Record
From Jan 1977 to Feb 2013, Markey missed 887 of 21,651 roll call votes, which is 4.1%. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. Some voting stats...
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000133/

Gomez is coming on already, young fresh and a business guy. It will be interesting and with a short time on this election to see how fast the personal pounding from the hypocrites begins. Uh Oh a Latino American Republican from Mass? Who knew?
A man with a backbone and proven leadership? The effete left will fear him, and fear will take shape as hate.
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/02/12/gabriel-gomezs-words-senate-candidate-spanish/

Tyler ...just caught your comment of 2/16 @ 4:48 pm ... How'd I miss that one? Thought you were done with me but you love tweaking me as much as I do you it seems. Fact of the matter is that I am beholden to NO party and I pride myself on studying and standing for issues, not parties. Sorry, Tyler, you can accuse me of swinging to the right but you cannot prove it of me or anyone as much as you admit how far to the left you are. And that's just fine for you, I applaud you for your firm convictions, I just do not understand how you are always so sure. Nothing and no one is ever certain for me until I really need to get down to choice. There is no question in my mind that divergence of opinions is essential in arriving at meaningful legislation for the benefit of everyone, thus I believe we need more than a one-party commonwealth, where we can at least hope for clear-headed and thoughtful discussion of issues to come to good legislation. I know we don't see that in WA now and I am as disappointed as anyone but this country has been thru hard times in the past and we've come thru so I am ever hopeful for our future, for Gov't. to resolve all of their differences for all of our benefit. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but what else can we hang on to except a glass that is half full? In the end, both parties have their puts & takes, you must agree to that at least? (Lynch is a much nicer (& better) guy than Markey, in my opinion.)

LOL. Stereotypically democrats want your money but want to give you the freedom to live as you wish and republicans want you to keep your money but want to tell you who can marry and how to live your life, but now with the democrats coming after our 2nd amendment, banning water bottles and large sodas and the republicans spending like drunken sailors (with an apology to drunken sailors) the two parties are morphing into one party of spending, confiscating, unconstitutional, big government apparatchiks. I laugh when liberals and conservatives fight. To think you actually believe you are not the same. Bush was hated by the left but how has Obama governed any differently? And Bush was lauded as a conservative but what's conservative about NCLB, TARP and unconstitutional wars? What a joke. Time for a 3rd party.

Not certain yet, Tyler.Still examining my options, unlike some who simply vote parties. Do not EVER infer that I am racist for you do not know a thing about me except what I place in these comments and I take my vote far too seriously to even consider ethnicity or race.I do not like Warren, does that make me racist?I am not crazy about Obama because I think he is far too full of himself and concerned with things that I consider to be an infringement on rights as written in our Constitution, and because he is one-sided in his conviction that only the poor and underprivileged, many of whom I don't believe are ill equipped to fend for themselves as we all do, are to be served as evidenced by his unending favoritism for them to the exclusion of the middle class he boasts he cares about. I don't believe him and I think he surrounds himself with folks who have like beliefs, which is his option as President and I don't begrudge him that but I don't agree and guess what? I don't have to, this is the United States of America and I am free to make other choices and to speak my mind. For me it is ideology, I am more than willing to support and help those in need and I do in many of my own ways, but I will not be taken advantage of.Yes, he will be remembered but at what cost to all of us? I am not aware of flavoring, simply stating my opinions.I do recognize him as President, but I am disheartened by his performance.He is not alone,I am disappointed in many of our appointed officials

O what's his name was in bed during Benghazi gate, no clue...The clown car was already full so they blamed a burnt out old Hillery...
Bush was also in bed and unavailable for blaming s.The only thing they got correct.
Bubba owns their empty souls big time.

Something about washing machines that (don't get the clothes as clean) run more efficiently.