Massachusetts Has a Chance to Make a Change

Polls have some voters concerned that no matter how hard they have worked their candidates are not going to make it successfully across the finish line. This is the time candidates are working hard on their "get out the vote" movements. They want to make sure that the people who have pledged to come out and vote are not discouraged by the polls. They also need to encourage those who are happy with the poll results to venture out to close the deal. Expect to receive multiple calls from campaigns going on in your area. If you are an unenrolled voter, expect extra calls as both parties see you as a last minute potential convert to their cause.

The last minute mailings are also arriving. The Massachusetts Teacher's Union has continued to send mailings in support of Danielle Gregoire, and Congressman McGovern has had less than professional mailings attacking Marty Lamb. He seems to think that this negative approach will appeal to voters. Time will tell if his methods reach the electorate.

McGovern and Lamb finished their last debate in Northborough sponsored by the local Tea Party. The Worcester Telegram demonstrated Jim McGovern's lack of connection with voter sentiment when they quoted him stating, "We're cleaning up the swamp." This frequently quoted Nancy Pelosi statement is not popular among voters. The people in McGovern's district wanted this broken promise kept. The Congressman could have ignored the issue or found a reason to justify why the swamp is full. However, lying to voters in a year with such voter outrage indicates an amazing arrogance. He believes the district will send him back to Congress regardless of what he says or does. He may be right. If voters do send him back to represent our district, we are admitting we want a Congressman who will lie to us about something we all know is not true and expect us to accept it. It does leave us questioning about what we can trust when we do not know the truth about an issue. Then again, we can always check in with other people's representatives to get the truth about Congressional issues. It all depends on what people expect from a Congressman.

Sean Bielat continues his fight against Barney Frank. Additional donations have allowed him to produce commercials for television and the internet. This has led to Barney Frank producing commercials that discuss his parents and his humble beginnings. I am not sure what Barney Frank's parents or his start in life has to do with his current accomplishments or failures. However, he does seem anxious to change the topics of conversation. This district has a clear choice to make in the election. It will be interesting to see the outcome. They can excuse all that Barney Frank has done and send him back to do more damage to our financial system or they can retire him and allow a new voice to speak for the district.

The current polls show forgiveness among voters towards Deval Patrick. However, voters should not be quick to forget the failures of the Patrick administration. George Bush did not cause the office decoration scandal or the Cadillac label that has haunted Governor Patrick's administration. While he continues to run as the education Governor, voters should read further about how Patrick's acceptance of the Common Core Standards is eroding local control of education. Those who are currently frustrated with government mandates making local education budgets impossible to budget can thank Patrick when they become even more unmanageable as we lose even more control to the federal government. Those who have worked on educational budgets know that unfunded mandates from the federal and state governments are a local school board's worst nightmare. Expect more as the federal government continues with a combined effort of punishments and contests to force compliance. Governor Patrick could have opposed Common Core Standards. Instead, he chose to support the changes. Make sure you hold him responsible for the consequences.

Massachusetts voters have a chance to be heard in this election. Make your vote count.

"Investing in World Class Education" Deval Patrick

Priyanka Dayal, "Big crowd at 3rd District Showdown" Worcester Telegram & Gazette