Has our Commonwealth Proven Itself Ultimately Corrupt?

by Bob Hiss.
I read of corruption occurring in third world countries or in the Tammany Hall era of old.  Imagine the toll such an environment would take on people who had to live in such culture.  Imagine the sense of defeat and hopelessness that could pervade the minds of just people when faced with the triumph of access over ability; of institutional power over individual performance.  Imagine a place where the well qualified were denied positions in favor of the well connected.

Until recently, I  counted my blessings that I live far from those places and time.  Actually until the evening of Tuesday November 2, 2010, I counted those blessings.  Then I realized that it had become quite possible that I actually lived in one of those places.  That the home of the first constitution in the United States, the green of the shot heard 'round the world and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment had been quietly but most definitely corrupted.


Some evidence:
1) Parents in our little of town of Milton recently petitioned the School Committee for the restoration of art classes.  A little further back, similar parents petitioned the School Committee for the restoration of full music programs in the elementary schools.  Students who play in our school sports programs face annual fees approaching $500.  These parents believe that their school budget has been 'cut.'  And they are right to believe such a thing when only presented with the facts of reduced services for their children.

2) I stood out at polling places this past Tuesday and noticed things.  There were visitors sitting in our polling places who were unaffiliated with the town's administration of the election.  They sat there near the desk where voters provide their address and name and receive their ballot.  These mysterious visitors had books with similar names of people and were crossing off each voter's name as it was spoken to the election official.  Periodically (every 2 hours or so), the lists were collected and a new visitor arrived to staff their shift at the poll.  After a little math, I figured that there were probably 75 people performing this function in Milton alone. (13 hour polling day divided by 2 hr shift times 11 polls).  Who were these people?  Were they volunteers?  Were they paid to keep track of voters?  Were they taking time off from work?  Were they told to staff the polls as part of their work?

3) While standing out with candidate signs and banners, I noticed that there were always, always at least half a dozen people holding signs for one or more Democrat candidates.  After a while, you strike up a conversation with your fellow sign holders and find that they belong to a union; that they were told to man that post by their union leadership; that were in fact paid to hold that sign; and in the ultimate irony with a wink they let you know that they were actually voting for your candidate, not theirs.

What does all this have to do with my impending feeling of corruption?  I'll let you know in my next post.

Celebrate Milton's diversity...or uniformity? by Bob Hiss

October 4, 2010

Yesterday, our MRTC sponsored a table at the 2010 Celebrate Milton event, held at the high school. Many thanks to Pat Gannon for leading the planning for this event and to our many members who staffed the table to help out. We had a visit from State Senate Candidate, Bub Burr, who we are very hopeful will defeat Brian Joyce in the November Election.

We also watched a little partisanship on display from the Celebrate Milton podium yesterday as one of the speakers helped to remind all of us where our current governor resides and of our obligation to support his candidacy. Obviously at an event that supports our town's diversity, we were a little surprised as this call for uniformity. But that's OK, this kind of stuff rolls off our backs like water off a duck.

Now we are in campaign season and you will see our members actively working on campaigns for GOP candidates. We will be making calls for the Baker campaign, holding signs, putting up yard signs and doing all we can to get some good folks elected in order to restore some balance on Beacon Hill.

See you around town.

A quick update:

Last night, we held our new members party which was a terrific success. Over 25 people attended including 10 current MRTC members and 15 of our neighbors who came to learn more about us. If the party's duration was any indication, our 7-9 party lasted until 10! (My apologies to the neighbors). Yesterday we invited neighbors from 4 of our town's 10 precincts. We think we should have another event around October and invite future friends from some of the remaining precincts.

We had visits from two local Republicans who are running for our State Senate seat; Bob Burr of Canton and Richard Livingston of Milton. I'm glad they were able to stop by and meet some voters.

My thanks go to Janet Christensen, Ted Daiber, Bob Reetz and Tom Stanton for taking the time to drop off the invitations to their neighbors. Their efforts are noticed and much appreciated.

Also, my sincere thanks to my wife Mary and children Griffith, Elizabeth and Eliot for their help with party prep and management. They were all great sports.

See you around town.
Bob.