Fighting Defeatism
by Brian Maloney, September 5th, 2007 at 03:27pm
Can the defeatist sentiment that now seems nearly universal among Bay State GOP supporters ever be overcome?
While I’m not sure how to answer that difficult question, it would be nice to see local hosts at least cease to contribute to the problem, even if they don’t have the ultimate solution.
In fact, nothing gets my radio dial moving faster than a talker who lectures his listeners on the futility of even bothering to work toward electing common-sense leaders inside America’s nuttiest political climate (Massachusetts). Yes, it’s the mother of all uphill battles, but who says we shouldn’t try anyway?
At the same time, I’m not asking local hosts to suck up to the GOP, here or anywhere else. That would be ridiculous. I know very few conservatives at this point who aren’t completely fed up with the party, especially after the Larry Craig fiasco last week and how it was handled by so-called Republican “leaders”.
But single-party rule isn’t a good bet for any American state, or for Cuba, Venezuela, or North Korea, for that matter. And here’s a chance, however difficult, to send a message that Massachusetts can at least occasionally be open-minded.
That could be accomplished in spades by electing a very reasonable Republican, Jim Ogonowski, in the Fifth Congressional District. Why should voters allow the Democrat machine to hand Niki Tsongas a seat in the House of Representatives simply because of her late husband?
I’ve heard Howie Carr’s views on illegal immigration and Severin’s thoughts on Hillary Clinton plenty of times. I’m tired of it. Why not jump into the middle of the Bay State’s only competitive race of the year?
Think listeners aren’t interested? Guess again: they’re always game for a great local issue.
Entry Filed under: Howie Carr
14 Comments
1. Chris | September 5th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
The way to get the message across is for there to be visible ‘bad things’ that occur as a direct and undeniable result of one-party rule. One episode happened just a couple weeks ago, as a bullet tore through a State House window. I cannot think of a more perfect metaphor for the failure of liberalism than that. Judges that pay lip service to punishment with light sentences (or none at all); a general ‘dumbing-down’ of society that Liberals need in order to maintain a vibrant ‘under-class;’ a welcome-mat for illegal immigrants (which is not to say that all of them are bad, but many of them are); utter failure of public schools and plummeting test scores despite pleas for more money to keep it all going; a ‘Mass. Exodus’ from Boston and Massachusetts that will likely lead to a lost electoral vote or congressional seats.
Just talking about the ills of ‘one-party-rule’ doesn’t have the same effect as seeing the actual by-product of it. That’s why one-party-rule can pay dividends: They have nowhere else to point fingers when things crumble around them (as they are, in spades).
2. Don Hunt | September 5th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Now we’re losing Drudge.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/matt_drudge/2007/09/05/29943.html
3. JazzOrganist | September 5th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
From an article I read I ascertained that Ogonowski supports abortion - and thereby loses my support (even though I’m not in his district, I considered donating to his campaign). I’ve followed the race a little but I’m not convinced that Republicans have a good chance in the race for the 5th seat. Democrats will have it locked-up for at least one more term.
4. NHradiofan | September 5th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Until those citizens who depend on the government of Massachusetts for their daily bread have decided that they want a change in leadership, Massachusetts will continue to be dominated by Democrats.
Why would a person who receives nearly all of the necessities of life from the state government ever vote to change it ?
The only solution to this problem: Anyone who receives welfare payments from the state is not permitted to vote during the period in which they received benefits. Your voting privilege is restored in the next voting period after your name is off of the welfare rolls.
It is difficult to argue that taxpayers’ votes should be negated by those who do not contribute to the pot. Massachusetts cannot hope to improve it’s position if it allows those who feed at the public trough to continue to call the shots.
5. Joe from Brighton | September 5th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Brian you are right, we should fight one-party Democrat rule in Massachusetts. I think what kills us each time we do is that most of our foot soldiers have left us for other states that are less taxing on the wallet as well as the patience.
Might that be why Howie Carr isn’t #1 in his time slot?
6. Jimmy Severino | September 6th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Jimmy Severino carried water for the RNC and for Ogie yesterday. I gave him lots of time on my show!
Of course, I issued the usual bon mots about how I was a Republican wunderkind / hired gun to get them elected “back in the day.” And no one was better than Jimmy Severino (which is why I switched to radio, if you get my drift).
I even admitted knowing nothing (NOTHING!) about local politics here in MA. What a sad sack I am. Do you think I can buy my house back in Sag Harbor (sag — now there’s a sad word for a near-60 year old like me).
7. tangoman | September 6th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I just love it when people use that reason, as to why they will not vote for anyone.
Hey JO, are you happy living in the environment one party rule has created?
Are you happy being kept down under Lib rule?
Are you happy being told what is good or not good for you by the “Beautiful People” who know better?
Are you happy paying high, and will even be higher taxes?
If you are, then you belong here, and will soon get what you deserve!
Pretty soon, all that will be left in this state is wacky lib moonbats, libs, illegal immigrants (who, won’t be illegal after the Candy man gives them licenses and Bank of America gives them credit cards—who do you think will end up paying for that?)–oh yes, and we will continue to be the gay mecca destination for marriage!
But again, this is what the libs wanted–socialism, and like Chris posted, it ain’t going to change, until bad things happen. and it is starting within the third world communities known as chelsea and framingham, and is spreading. I’ll be moving in about a month as my house has sold, and going to NH—maybe better, maybe not, but I am tired of living in this state, and with the election of George jefferson, aka Dukakis wannabe–that pretty much sealed it for me.
Ogonowski seems like an excellent choice, and he’s not for my district, but I would contribute. Abortion doesn’t matter to me, its a womans right, period. She’s the one that suffers the consequences of her actions, not you people that harass them at the clinics!
Get over it! I’d much rather have someone with scruples, and understanding that politics is to SERVE—not be served! Niki Tsongas is a Meehans lap dog, and her only claim to fame is her dead husband, who at best, perhaps maybe was one point ahead in pols of dukaka
8. Voice of The Majority | September 6th, 2007 at 9:42 am
1) The only solution to this problem: Anyone who receives welfare payments from the state is not permitted to vote during the period in which they received benefits.
-Isn’t that unconstitutional? I know the Constitution doesn’t matter to the current Executive Branch, but still…
2) Might that be why Howie Carr isn’t #1 in his time slot?
-He’s #1 in older demos and probably among conservative malcontents too. While he is a talented entertainer, he is far from top dog, and he will be even farther from the top if he ends up in the morning.
3) are you happy living in the environment one party rule has created? - Yes, so far. Incredibly proud of the state’s position on gay marriage and our health care efforts.
Are you happy being kept down under Lib rule? - I don’t feel “kept down”. Nobody is keeping me from earning a good living, maintaining a satisfying life balance and living in a generally tolerant environment. And the sports teams are pretty good too! I don’t think I can blame the cold winters on the Dems.
Are you happy being told what is good or not good for you by the “Beautiful People” who know better? - Maybe they do know better than most - that’s why they were elected. Not to conduct referendums on everything, but to vote along the lines their constituency would approve of and agree with. If that isn’t going on, they should get voted out. If they keep acting against the interests of the electorate and the electorate keeps voting them in, maybe some people DO need better direction. I’m not saying that any of the opinions here are not valid, but many do not reflect the majority.
4) George Jefferson - If this isn’t a racial slur, I don’t get the insult. George worked his way up from a small cleaning store to a Dee-luxe apartment in the sky!
5) its a womans right, period - A point of agreement! Goes to show that everyone has some common ground. Best of luck in NH, sincerely - everyone has the right to find a place where they can live comfortably and their opinion is better reflected in the majority.
9. tangoman | September 6th, 2007 at 10:35 am
oh goody–I p’od a moonbat off today!
My day is complete!
voice, you either have to be a Mass pike toll taker on another “break” or one of the “entitled” elitists
either way, you made my day, knowing I ticked you off, LOL
and if you read these posts, you know our “Gov’nor” is referred to by that name, and other equally amusing names—–and not racist at all.
You may now go back to barking at the moon! LOL
10. JazzOrganist | September 6th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Tangoman: You said the following,
“She’s the one that suffers the consequences of her actions, not you people that harass them at the clinics!”
I resent the label of “you people that harass them at the clinics.” I have never participated in such activity. Judging from the tone of your posts you seem interested only in diatribe, so I won’t debate further with you.
11. Voice of The Majority | September 6th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Did I come across as PO’d? Didn’t mean to - I just wanted to throw my two cents into the discussion. Yep, it’s amazing I still have two cents in this crazy, bass ackwards state, but somehow I’ve managed.
I am neither a toll taker nor a member of the elite - that was my point actually, that for better or for worse (clearly debatable) the will of the majority is generally reflected by our elected officials.
I don’t bark at the moon - I try to be productive and enjoy my life. I found this discussion interesting and I participated, that’s it - and I really DO wish you the best in NH!
12. Voice of The Majority | September 6th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Oh, and one more thing:
who I choose to marry (whether man, woman, or beast) is none of anyone’s business. The government should just get off our collective backs, and allow us to marry whomever we wish (and in whatever quantities we wish). Polyamory is next in the evolving marriage paradigm — my king-sized bed is big enough for 3.
13. tangoman | September 6th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
No worries, Voice, just joking–and thankyou.
and to Jazz–I wasn’t referring to YOU personally, just a generalization.
And, yes, I have participated in a rally, that was FOR womens’ right to choose. Maybe you should particpate in what you believe in as well. and I am not only interested in only the “diatribe” (gee I almost had to look that up in the dictionary, LOL)
just a dry sense of humor, in a humorless society
have a great day in the land of the free
14. The Real Vof the M | September 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Thanks to you as well Tango - the fact that your opinions cross red/blue lines is a sign of your intelligence and willingness to think for yourself - we need more of you, even if you disagree with me.
Also, big peeve on this site is the tendency of posters to co-opt the handles of others. (Hopefully) Obviously, it was not me who made the man, woman or beast post. Perhaps it was Gerry Callahan, who I once heard compare gay marriage to bestiality. While many here may not be in favor of gay marriage, I’m guessing that most don’t need me to draw the distinction between humans and animals.
I’d love to do some Severin-esque macho posturing here, but I’ll spare you all that - just suffice it to say that there is a reason for my sunny disposition!
Good day all.