The scope of the far right’s project to abolish our freedoms to inquire and learn is breathtaking.
Maurice Cunningham
Posted inOpinion
Koch behind the challenge to Baker’s powers
ON JUNE 1 the Fiscal Alliance Foundation announced that a lawsuit to overturn Gov. Charlie Baker’s coronavirus public safety orders would be brought on behalf of a few Massachusetts businesses […]
Posted inPolitics
Mass. Fiscal social justice claims ring hollow
BACK IN 1932 James Michael Curley arrived at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago without a seat in the Massachusetts delegation. Curley dexterously engineered himself into becoming the chairman of […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. Fiscal Alliance’s hollow defense of dark money
THE DARK MONEY political operation Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has been mounting a campaign against regulatory changes proposed by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to enhance disclosure of money […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
The crimes and punishment of Michael McLaughlin
IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE the sort of rebel who commits multiple felonies, be a rebel with a pol to trade. That’s the lesson of the deal Michael McLaughlin cut […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Debating the American Dream
Massachusetts and the nation are no longer teetering on the abyss as we were in 2008, but a deep sense of discomfort has settled in among us. Again and again […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
The dangerous (and dumb) Scott Brown
Scott Brown is a dangerous man: dangerous to the world view of Massachusetts Democrats. The way things are supposed to work around here is we have a Democratic Party primary […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
The Real Romney
The Boston Globe reporters Michael Kranish and Scott Helman have provided a genuine service with the publication of The Real Romney. After reading through the book I have only one […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Checking the elephant for a pulse
Here in Massachusetts we have a sort-of democracy in which the Democratic Party wins most of the elections and the Republican Party contends only for the governorship or the rare […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
It’s cozy inside
In this world of harsh economic conditions and political divisiveness we all need some coziness. Fortunately, the worlds of politics and business provide us with many suitable examples of how, […]
Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized
The William Bulger I know
The recent capture of James “Whitey” Bulger has brought forth a torrent of commentary, much of it involving former state Senate president and University of Massachusetts president William Bulger. A […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
The real “culture of corruption”
There has been plenty of talk in the wake of the Sal DiMasi verdict about whether or not Massachusetts has a “culture of corruption.” The DiMasi situation is the standard […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Mitt’s “birth certificate” challenges
Could Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have been separated at birth? I ask because they each face serious questions about their legitimate membership in American society – and from some […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion, State House News Service
Labor pains
It’s always sad to witness the estrangement of a long time committed couple who have been good for each other over so many years. Could we be seeing this today […]
Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized
Hugs for Democrats
When I see the politically humbled I offer comfort. When I see the politically downtrodden I rush to bring hope. When I see the politically bullied I want to envelope […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Money for nothing
Face facts: Massachusetts doesn’t measure up for really mind boggling corruption. Illinois had its governor trying to auction off the senate seat of then-president-elect Obama. New Jersey had mayors, selectmen […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Set aside childish things?
Our nation’s leaders were on their best behavior during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address by President Obama: no congressman shouting, “You lie” at the president, no Supreme Court […]
Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized
Welfare, booze, and slots
On Nov. 7 the Globe ran a story describing Gov. Deval Patrick as angry that during the campaign Republicans had tried to blame him for a long-established system that provides […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
A strategy to believe in
Baseball fans flocked to Moneyball: The Art of an Unfair Game for its insights into how an undercapitalized franchise like the Oakland A’s managed to compete with financial giants like […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Identity politics
to understand the forces shaping the 2010 election for governor, head back to 1965, specifically, to Edgar Litt’s book The Political Cultures of Massachusetts.What Litt put forth is an enduring […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
In defense of elites
Charlie and Deval, wear your school tie – the crimson model emblazoned with “Veritas.” Treasurer Tim, show us your street cred – your Wall Street cred. It is time to […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion, Politics
Tea partying for fun and profit
Even a grass-roots movement of The People needs leaders, and the recent Tea Party festival on the Boston Common reveals the group’s vanguard: commercial hucksters, both small-time and big-name, in […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
No holy alliance
The Democratic Party and Catholics enjoyed a long and fruitful marriage in Massachusetts. These days the commitment is more frayed than any political union this side of John and Elizabeth […]