Massachusetts Democratic Convention- Controversial Party Platform Admendments

On the 6th of June 2009, the Massachusetts Democratic party held it's 2009 convention at the Mass. Mutual
center arena in Springfield, Massachusetts. The party faithful adapted a new party platform.

While the general media in the state of Massachusetts focused on the recent scandals that involved the former speaker of the house, a couple of state senators, and in the executive office of Governor Patrick's corner office, the Democratic party faithful were engaged in a passionate and lively debate about their party platform.

A new party platform was brought forward to the delegates. Many of those who spoke against the new platform
felt that it was too general and that the soul of the Democratic party was lost. They proposed an amendment that
would scrape the new party platform in favor of the old party platform.

Those who favored the new party platform felt that they were being punished by following the party's rules and
process, and all their hard work was for nothing. So a amendment was submitted to either approve the new
party platform as is so long as it was subject to further amendment's, or it was to be voted out and the old party
platform was to be in effect.

As normal there was a voice vote among the delegates. In a razor thin majority the no voters lost the election.
Because the vote was so close second hand count vote was requested. That second vote confirmed the voice
vote results. So the new party platform was adapted with further amendment's to be added during the convention.

Among those amendments included a section that mentioned ethics reform and lobby reform. Governor Patrick highlighted both reforms in his address to the delegates. He is also pushing for transportation reform as well. The language of the ethics reform is a response to the recent scandals within state government.

Health care is address in the new party platform. That focus for the Democrat's is the passage of single payer
health care reform. That reform is to include Medicaid, Medicare, veteran's health care, as well as all citizen's.
The Democrat's platform also focuses on the belief that health care is a fundamental right. Democrat's are
supporting a constitutional amendment that would affirm the right to a universal coverage and that quality care
is for everybody.

Environmental issues are also addressed in the party platform. One approved amendment states that the
carbon dioxide level be set at 350 PPM. That level will be a step to helping stabilize the atmospheric conditions.
Additional environment highlights include the focus of state government on investment in public transportation.
Greater federal and state investment in solid waste and pollution prevention programs.

This report would like to see a focus of a requirement that all utility companies conduct an energy audit for
all their residential customers at least once every two years. We had our electric company replace about 21
old electric light bulbs with the more energy efficient light bulbs. Since that audit our monthly electric bill went
from $130 down to $69 per month. That is a savings of $61. Not to mention the amount of electric usage that
was saved. That simple act will save our citizens thousands in electric bills.

Over 40% of the worlds energy usage stems from the residential and commercial use of electricity. By making
the energy audit mandatory every 2 years for residential customers that would have a dramatic savings effect
upon our energy usage.

Among the guest speakers at the convention were the following, of course Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor
Murray, the Secretary of State Galvin, Attorney General Moakly and President's Obama campaign manager
David Ploufe.

The general theme of the speakers to the convention was the acknowledgement of the tough economic
times that is facing our state and it's citizens. It was mentioned that this economic climate is the roughest
since the depression of the 1930's.

During the governor's speech Duval Patrick highlighted some of the following accomplishments, in the area
of life science, and stem cell research, the clean energy effort, the fact that now 97% of all Massachusetts citizens have health care coverage. Other topics that he covered included, auto insurance reform, ethic and lobby
reform, transportation reform, pension reform and the marriage equality protection act.

Governor Patrick also focused his comments on the importance of the shared democratic values, of equality,
opportunity and fair play.

David Ploufe spoke about thanking the delegates for the results of the prior election. The policy focus at the
national level will be on energy and health care issues, as well as the need to educate the delegates, neighbors,
friends and family. He will be helping Governor Patrick with is reelection campaign in 2010.

Party leadership privately acknowledge concern over the 2010 election results. That concern is focusing on
the current scandals and the current economic conditions in this state. You can expect to see Republican gains
in both the house and senate. The corner office should remain in the hands of the Democrats but the election
results will be to close to call.