Posted in Nelson Benton, Pension Tidal Wave, The Soap Box on Apr 15th, 2008 Comments Off
Massachusetts is not the only state where the benefits that come with public pensions are such that people will go to any lengths in order to make themselves eligible for one or, if already eligible, increase their length of service. The Washington Tim…
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There was an upset of sorts in Saturday’s caucus for the election of delegates pledged to Hillary Clinton at this summer Democratic National Convention in Denver. Female delegates are Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and veteran party activist Agnes Rick…
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Posted in 6th District, Nelson Benton, The Soap Box on Apr 7th, 2008 Comments Off
Word is that Manchester’s Rick Barton, who took on incumbent John Tierney in the 6th District congressional race two years ago, will not be running this year after all. According to one Barton supporter who took part in a conference call over the…
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Posted in Municipal meltdown, Nelson Benton, The Soap Box on Mar 30th, 2008 Comments Off
It was desperation, more than the advertised benefits of casino gambling, that prompted many mayors to get behind Gov. Deval Patrick’s failed effort to bring legalized gaming to Massachusetts. The cost of public-sector wages and benefits are beco…
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Opinions are decidedly mixed over whether Massachusetts should allow casino gambling. But a new program put forward by the Massachusetts Lottery Commission could turn every pharmacy and convenience store into a gaming outlet. It’s called “K…
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Posted in Nelson Benton, Presidential race, The Soap Box on Mar 24th, 2008 Comments Off
George W. Bush won’t go down as one of the great American presidents, and he wasn’t exactly a formidable candidate either. So how did he win in 2000 and 2004? Well, he had a little help from the Supreme Court the first time around, but in b…
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Those annual St. Patrick’s Day roasts can be dangerous affairs for Bay State politicians who, nevertheless, seem to relish the opportunity they provide to tell bad jokes and sing off key. For years legislative leaders used to poke fun at the taxp…
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A vote on Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts could be taken by the House of Representatives early next month. A hearing on the proposal has been scheduled for March 18 at which there will be a full airi…
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Posted in Nelson Benton, Presidential race, The Soap Box on Mar 5th, 2008 Comments Off
The Barack Obama camp is spinning like mad today trying to put a happy face on Tuesday’s disappointing results. Here’s the e-mail that went out to supporters this morning, courtesy of a reader in Peabody: We may not know the final outcome o…
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Posted in Nelson Benton, Presidential race, The Soap Box on Mar 5th, 2008 Comments Off
With her victories in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island last night, it appears Hillary Clinton has kept her campaign alive at least through the start of spring. The primary in Pennsylvania, the next big state with a large number of delegates at stake, isn&#…
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