What might have been

[whometense]

Editorial from today's North Adams Transcript I'd like to see it reprinted far and wide:

North County got a glimpse on Thursday of what might have been for Berkshire County, the state of Massachusetts, and the United States of America. That was during the visit of Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat, a blue stater, and someone who inarguably is not George W. Bush.

We haven't had time to ponder the differences of late -- and perhaps we were too disappointed after Sen. Kerry's loss in November to do anything but shove the whole mess out of mind. But seeing Sen. Kerry, and listening to him, we are once again amazed at the choice of the American people.

Sen. Kerry might have been the answer to a host of dangerous -- we might say insane -- trends that continue under the Bush administration. That would include the runaway federal budget deficits, a mounting national debt that imperils Social Security and every other necessary program; a military that is stretched to the limit in a war that could have been avoided; constant assaults on environmental regulation of any kind; tax cuts for people who don't need them, and, generally, support of Neanderthal thinking on every social issue.

We, as a nation, can certainly do much better. When we see John Kerry and hear him speak, and note the issues that concern him -- as expressed on today's editorial page -- we know the nation could have done much better on Nov. 2.

[karynnj]

1. Wow, this is such a nice editorial

He's gotten amazing press on this trip around MA.

[whometense]

2. Yeah. It goes to show you

how much TayTay is right. People from here can be grumpy and nitpicky, but when it comes down to it we really do love our senators, and are proud of them.

I love the honest tone of the editorial - love the way the writer admits he'd forgotten how wonderful Kerry is.

[TayTay]

3. Then and now

Then: Berkshire Eagle May 10, 2005

Berkshire residents certainly recognize Senator Kerry from seeing him on television so often, but it has been some time since they saw him in person. Voters here have consistently supported the senator, and it is not too much to ask of him to be an advocate for their interests. Instead of Baton Rouge, Miami and Seattle, perhaps Senator Kerry could put North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington on his next travel agenda.


Edited on Tue May-10-05 10:56 AM by TayTay
The Berkshire Eagle is funnier than the Globe though


I liked the writing in their article. It was punchy and funny. The good people of Western MA have a right to ask their Senator to come and visit them. (Come on, Whome, they do.) It's just the wrapping logic around it that is silly. Of course Kerry needs to go around the country and stump for support for Democratic measures. Duh! The same paper woudld be applauding this if the words "Social Security" were there in place of "KidsFirst."

Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Sen. Kerry arranges in early June to go to Western MA and holds a few gripe sessions in Pittsfield, Great Barrington and Springfield. The people can bitch, complain and also put in praise (which they will do as well.) There, all better now.

(Honestly, I feel like he should come with lollipops and cookies. Now, now, WOW (West of Worcester), calm down. I told you I had important stuff to do and would have to miss some of your softball games and church picnics. It's not that I don't care, I'm just very busy. I promise to send you out more press releases and a video from time to time if you promise to be good. Now, have a lolly and go back to bed.) Well, WOW does have a right to see their Senator. They really do.

Jun 4, 2005
I am prescient. No, I'm not. Massachusetts loves Kerry. We just want him to sweat for it. (Seriously, have you seen the guy? OMG, he is a wonderful Senator. How could we stay mad at him. He's not the problem. But he was neglecting WOW and we felt like he was falling in love with Los Angeles and Seattle and Texas and that brings out our inate inferiority complex. How can WOW compete with that?)

But he loves us again! He really, really loves us! Oh, how could we ever have doubted such an intelligent, compassionate, sweet and thoughtful man. We are so sorry. Here, let us run fawning editorials that call you the greatest thing since sliced bread (or Teddy Kennedy, yeah, I know that kinda bites, but we just couldn't resist.) Now, go out and think great thoughts, smite the bastard Rethug morans and do great things. We got your back Senator. (Oh, and don't be a stranger. We luvs you! Come back often, I'll put on some coffee.)

[karynnj]

5. You even got the timing right!

The editorial was really sweet though and must be nice for Kerry after the awful week before break and the likely fireworks this coming week. It has to ground him that his state mostly cheers him on.

Bush probably can't go anywhere (except Crawford) and see a crowd that is not pre- screened. Kerry seems to have been met with affection from babies to seniors all over MA.

[ginnyinWI]

4. yes, we need to see a lot of this

Dems need to remember why they voted for him, and the Repubs need to have a huge case of buyer's remorse!


edit: a strange persective to see, really, for us on this board who have never stopped paying attention to JK. To others he's like ancient history already.

[whometense]

6. A commenter on my blog

recommended an article that Kerry wrote for the same paper today, which I totally missed, titled On the president's budgetary values. The blog is a very pro-Kerry one, so please stop by Freedom's Fire, Brightly Burning.

A clip:

Responsibility also means keeping our nation on sound financial footing for the long run, but the Congressional Budget Office estimates we'll be facing over $5 trillion in new debt because of this President. These debts not only hurt your children in the future -- they hurt you and every family today. Almost eight cents of every tax dollar goes just toward paying interest on the debt.

By contrast, you only pay about two cents on the dollar for education. $160 billion goes to interest on the debt, not to giving healthcare to every child, fully funding No Child Left Behind, securing our energy independence or funding a Military Family's Bill of Rights. Eight cents on the dollar is a lot of money, and it's not buying you more security and it's not buying your kids a better education. On the other hand, bankers in Japan and Korea and Taiwan are benefiting, and you should be worried about it. Responsible leaders wouldn't turn our economic future over to the whims of foreign bankers, they would fight to keep it in responsible hands here at home.

The American people also deserve a budget that keeps faith with the promise of opportunity for all, special privileges for none. This budget doesn't do it. The budget gives a huge tax cut to people making over $1 million a year, but cuts heating aid and vocational education in Massachusetts by over $20 million. Almost 28,000 students across the state could be kicked out of after-school programs. The budget wastes billions more in offshore tax shelters, but cuts Even Start literacy programs in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Greenfield, Pittsfield, Orange and across the commonwealth. The Safe and Drug Free School Program is completely eliminated.

There is not one smart choice in the list above, and there can be no excuse. The people deserve better, and that starts by demanding our leadership do a better job budgeting our cherished values of honesty, responsibility, and opportunity.