On His Coattails

When Duval Patrick was elected the Governor of Massachusetts, I believe it was due to the efforts of now President Barack Obama, campaigning for him. More so, than the belief, Mr. Patrick was actually qualified. I believe the people, who wanted to be known to the future President, supported Duval Patrick the candidate, to catch the favor of the now elected Chief Executive. There could also have been the belief that the magic of Obama would rub off on the first time Governor, in Duval Patrick. This has turned out to be the farthest from the truth. From the first day of governance, Duval Patrick showed he could not even decorate the Governor’s Office nor select the official Governor’s vehicle without causing controversy of excess and financial abuse.

Recent Polls are showing his popularity sinking thru the floor. In every contest, which places him against any competitor, regardless of political party, he would lose the election if held today. The following is a letter posted by Governor Patrick in response to his sinking Poll numbers; http://devalpatrick.com/
A letter from the Governor:
Dear Friends,
Right now, we have nothing but tough decisions in front of us, so for those of us dealing with these decisions every day, poll numbers are bound to reflect that. Every cut and every reform affects somebody. Our economy is in crisis, people in Massachusetts and across the country are hurting, and they expect and deserve help from their government. I don't need a poll to understand people are not satisfied with where we stand. Neither am I.
We will get through this crisis. To see us through, there will be more tough decisions ahead. We in state government have worked hard to bring jobs to the Commonwealth, strengthen our public schools, provide affordable health care and housing, and reform some of the practices that have undermined public trust for decades. Still, we need to do more. All of us in state government, including me, need to step up our game, and not shrink from confronting those tough decisions, however unpopular. If we continue to do so, I am confident our great Commonwealth will come out stronger tomorrow on the other side of the unprecedented challenges we face.
Sincerely,Deval Patrick

Personally, I have not been moved by the Governor’s website letter. I believe, more now than ever, that Duval Patrick was victorious in his electoral bid because he rode the Coattails of then Presidential Candidate Barack Obama’s popularity. These two politicians even shared speeches as they each used the “Yes We Can” motto in both their electoral bids. The following article appears on the WCVB Channel 5 website. I find this writing best describes how I feel about Governor Patrick’s performance;
http://ulocal.thebostonchannel.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?as=61862&w=174686&d=261358
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON DUVAL PATRICK AND HIS PROPOSED TOLL AND TAX INCREASES?
i don't know how you feel about our Governor, but it is my opinion that he is a poor manager and the worst Governor we've ever had.
All this guy wants to do is raise taxes, tolls and add fees or surcharges on anything and everything he can think of. He doesn't seem to comprehend or take into consideration how these increases will adversely affect us in many different ways.
Right now we probably have the highest sales tax in the country. No one will want to purchase anything in this state anymore and will go out of state where they can get it cheaper. A lot of stores will close as a result and put more people out of work.
His proposed increases for tolls and gas taxes were the worst ideas he's had to date. A significant rise in tolls would hurt people trying to commute to and from work. And with the rising price of gasoline, just imagine how much worse it would be for us now if there was an additional 20 or 30 cents added on to each gallon.
A gas tax increase would also create a huge rise in prices for food and other goods that we depend upon for everyday life The trucks that bring grocery items and other goods to the stores would have to add the increase into the price. And I wonder how many people would not be able to heat their homes during cold Winter months with the tax increase added onto cost of heating oil.
The Governor has raised the cigarette tax at least 4 times, so the price is twice what it was before he was in office. Now he wants to tax alcohol. He also talked about adding fees to candy bars and non-returnable soft drinks at one point. He doesn't like consumers to go to other states where they don't have to pay such high prices and as much tax, so he has talked about putting a toll booth on the New Hampshire border to impose another fee on us...another toll. I am willing to bet that Massachusetts Income Tax will be next.
Through it all, he took a trip to Jamaica, on the taxpayers dime, and has hired new people, with political connections to him, who are paid hefty salaries. He also approved salary increases for others. while many are being laid off or are in jeopardy of loosing their jobs.
And let us not forget Duvall's preposterous attempt to file suit against a company in New Hampshire where people purchase tires for their vehicles. He actually was trying to get them to charge Massachusetts sales tax to residents of our state who went over the border! It was thrown out of court and denied. it is afterall, another state, and out of Massachusetts jurisdiction.
He wants to run for re-election, but he doesn't have a snow ball chance in hell. He has made himself very much disliked and he knows it, so he says he wants to improve his image. A day late and a dollar short, I would say. Still, when you see him on the news, he always has that slight sneaky smile on his face and you know he has more taxes, tolls and fees up his sleeve.
Since he has been in office, the state of Taxachusetts has gone to hell in a hand basket. Is it any wonder why people want to move out of state?
How do you feel about our Governor? Let's talk about it.

Former Governor Jane Swift must be in her glory right now. She was a Republican Governor who was chastised as being a lame duck, unable to govern after replacing, another former Governor Paul Cellucci, who resigned for an Ambassador’s Post to Canada. No longer, does Governor Swift, wear the crown of uselessness. She must now relinquish this title to a man who may promote “Yes We Can” but in reality must admit, “No He Can’t”

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://degreesofmoderation.blogspot.com/2009/04/duval-patrick-tax-hikes-massachusetts.html
http://ulocal.thebostonchannel.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?as=61862&w=174686&d=261358
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3homepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15611829/
http://newshare.typepad.com/greylocknews/files/05-21-05-MA-duval_patrick.htm
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/gov_deval_patrick_lobbies_west.html
http://blogs.bu.edu/bunow/tag/duval-patrick/
http://devalpatrick.com/