Last week I wrote about the so-called Fiscal Cliff. Here it is a week later and our leaders in Washington, D.C. are no closer to tackling the massive problem. It demonstrates to me a profound lack of common sense. Government spending almost always goes in one direction… up. It rarely ever goes down.
So I can’t understand why the president is so hell-bent on raising taxes, from anyone, as his way of dealing with the issue. We don’t have a revenue problem, ladies and gentlemen, we have a spending problem.
My tenure in state government has shown me plainly that as long as there is a revenue source, the taxpayer, then government will continue to spend right up to and most of the time beyond what it takes in. Politicians hate to be the grown up. They don’t want to be the responsible one. It’s too hard to say “no!” So they keep saying “yes.” And our country keeps getting deeper in debt.
Now, as the father of a young son, I am especially cognizant that what goes up must come down. And I am afraid that it will come crashing down around the heads and feet of the next generation that we left to hold the bag and pay our tab.
It was an interesting week in Boston. The trial of former State Treasurer and former gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill ended with an acquittal for one defendant and a hung jury for Cahill. Apparently the jury didn’t think that Attorney General Martha Coakley sufficiently made the argument that they were guilty of using taxpayer dollars to promote the state lottery and benefit Cahill’s foundering campaign for governor.
The other thing that happened was that four members of Governor Deval Patrick’s cabinet resigned on Thursday. With only two years remaining in his second term, some members of the governor’s executive branch agencies are beginning to leave to pursue other opportunities. Patrick appointed four new individuals to take over those secretariats. Fortunately for us, Energy and Environmental Secretary Rick Sullivan remains in his cabinet position.
A reminder that Maura Cassin and I will hold public office hours at Miss Sweets at 4 Russell Road next Wednesday, December 19, from 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. All are welcome to come meet with me and share their thoughts or concerns on state matters, and then do some Christmas shopping at Miss Sweets.
Also, Janice, Quinn, and I are hosting my annual FREE ICE SKATING PARTY at Amelia Park Ice Arena on Sunday, December 23, from 4-5 p.m. All are welcome. Cookies made by the students at the Westfield Vocational Technical High School will be served. I am asking everyone who comes to bring one non-perishable food item for the Greater Westfield Food Pantry.
Something remarkable happened in Westfield this week that those of us who were able to witness firsthand will never forget. If you read the Westfield News you will have seen the articles about the Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington National Cemetery 2012 convoy that travelled through our city Tuesday before stopping at Stanley Park for a moving homegrown ceremony of honor, tribute, and remembrance.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of our city and the turnout by city residents to support the Worcester family of Maine and their escorts who were on their way to our nation’s capital to lay decorated Christmas wreaths on the graves at Arlington.
I listened intently as Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage followed by Mrs. Karen Worcester and then Mary Beyers, representing Gold Star Mothers who have lost their sons or daughters in battle, recounted their journey and complimented the people of the city of Westfield for their patriotism and overwhelming show of support.
They mentioned specifically the sight of the many schoolchildren and townspeople lining the route with flags and signs of appreciation. They applauded Bob McKean, Managing Director of Stanley Park, and his staff at the park for organizing such a moving tribute to the veterans they sought to honor. They marveled at the civic leaders who were there, and the essays of the school children who spoke, and the participation of the veterans units who were involved. It was more than just generic platitudes of gratitude. They were enthusiastic and sincere.
Afterwards, as Mayor Dan Knapik and I spoke with them they repeated again how thrilled and amazed they were that so many would brave the cold, windy, Tuesday morning, a school day and work day, to greet their convoy. They couldn’t say enough about Westfield and the welcome they received.
Later, my father told me he had spoken with one of the truck drivers driving one of the many big rigs carrying the wreaths and the truck driver told him that of all the communities they had ever visited, ours was one of the most enthusiastic and welcoming he had ever seen.
I couldn’t be more proud of our city and Westfield’s people. I know even more would have been there along the parade route or at the memorial at Stanley Park if they had been free that morning. On Saturday when the convoy and their honor parade pull into Arlington to begin placing the wreaths on the 5,000 graves in the older section of Arlington National Cemetery, they will do so with the memory of the city of Westfield, Massachusetts and the people of the Whip City who showed them such honor and support along the way. Well done, Westfield!
Have a great week.
Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Maura Cassin may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.DonHumason.org
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
