Scott Brown Wins Massachusetts Senate Election

TEMPLETON, MA - Ignoring the falling snow and slick roads, voters here in central Massachusetts headed to the polls early yesterday morning despite bad weather. Clearly, even in my small town, the importance of Tuesday's vote in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown was evident and urgent. By 9:30 p.m., last night local Boston news channels proclaimed Brown the winner in this heated race.

A long-time election worker at my local polling place noted Tuesday that well over 100 people an hour showed up to cast their votes between 7 and 10 a.m., which is not the norm in any election in this part of the state. A sense of change was in the air.

A third candidate, Independent Joseph Kennedy (not related to the late Ted Kennedy) was also on the ballot. The last time a Republican represented Massachusetts in the Senate was in the 70's and now in 2010. According to CNN, there are more Independent voters in the Bay State than Democrats and Republicans combined.

No Coakley Supporters & Worried Elderly Voter

My husband and I arrived at the local high school to cast our vote for Scott Brown expecting the usual greetings by both candidates' crusaders. We were not surprised to see Brown supporters, but were extremely surprised not to see one Coakley follower. It was just 10 a.m. and snowing, but that means nothing because Massachusetts residents are quite accustomed to campaigning in even the most brutal weather.

Behind us, an elderly man on crutches was making his way to the entrance. We cautioned him about the slippery walkway and waited to help him through the two doors. As the three of us made our way to the gym to vote, he openly chatted about the fact that he was against health care reform as it stands now and was voting for Scott Brown. He said he recently underwent a hip replacement and worried he was not going to get the medical coverage he needed.

He cited that as of this month, his insurance already removed three important aspects from his coverage and fears universal health care will leave him with nothing because of his age. I want to note here; in January 2009, a new law went into effect forcing every resident of Massachusetts to have health care.

As a resident of this Commonwealth, you get an insurance plan on your own or the state will find one they feel you can afford. If you do not have one in place, prepare to be busted, when you try to file your annual tax forms. The state also hits the offender with a hefty fine for breaking this new law.

The state will happily arrange a payment plan on the fine amount, however. This makes no sense; if you cannot afford a health plan, the state thinks it is acceptable to fine you!

Why are Voters Favoring Scott Brown

The people of Massachusetts, as I just pointed out, are now living under a mode of universal health care, which by the way, is certainly not free; please do not be fooled. With this in mind, I believe many voters here could not focus on Martha Coakley's constant campaign reference to Ted Kennedy's "dream" of universal health care.

Because of the new forced health insurance, this state has something like 98 percent of its residents covered (be it by law), so health care was not the raging issue here for voters. They were looking for things we do need here that we do not already have...like jobs! We were voting for the person who would best help "our" state.

Danielle Higgins, when asked whom she voted for said, "I am a Republican that voted for Obama, but I voted for Scott Brown today because he is down to earth and I think he will represent Massachusetts in the most positive manner." She added, "Martha Coakley's campaign turned so nasty in the last couple weeks...it was just a turn off." "Martha Coakley appeared so rude every time I saw her on TV and all the flyers I got in the mail putting Scott Brown down were just awful."

Martha Coakley's answer to how the cost of the health care bill was going to be paid for was the simple deciding factor in Dave Higgins' vote for Scott Brown. Someone who also voted for Obama, Higgins said he lost faith in Martha Coakley when he heard her comment to the effect that, "we" did not have to "worry" about the cost. He said that was it for him! Martha Coakley may not be worried about the health care cost, but "the people" are certainly concerned.

What I See in Scott Brown

For me, Scott Brown is like a breath of spring in a state overwhelmed with the stagnant air of blinding politics. The good people of Massachusetts listened and watched the candidates attentively, and quietly discussed among themselves what they all brought to the table.

Scott Brown in the U.S. Senate, representing Massachusetts, makes perfect sense from a lifelong resident's viewpoint. Scott Brown will be a strong and fair leader for "the people" and in the end; that is what any Senate seat is all about...the people! He is indeed the "Scott heard round the world!"

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/19/massachusetts.senate/index.html?hpt=T2

WHDH-TV Boston

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/politics/BO133702/