Mass. Statehouse 2nd Amendment Rally

Even in Massachusetts we believe in the Second Amendment. Here's an album from today's rally at the Mass. Statehouse:

Michael Isenberg is the author of Full Asylum, a novel about politics, freedom, and cool-looking guns. Check it out on Amazon.com.

Gerry Dembrowski for State Senate

State legislators spend our taxes, determine our business climates, and make our marriage laws. Amid the hype over the race for the Oval Office, it’s worthwhile getting to know candidates for offices closer to home. I’ve been doing that here in Massachusetts, most recently by attending the campaign kickoff of Republican Dr. Gerry Dembrowski. Gerry is running for State Senator from the 4th Middlesex District, which includes Woburn, Lexington, Arlington, Burlington and Billerica. He grew up in the district, playing varsity hockey at Woburn High, before getting degrees from Salem State College and Palmer College in California. Today he is a chiropractor, and therefore a businessman.

AM1200 morning show host Jeff Katz headlined the kickoff with stories about something his father and father-in-law have in common: they’re both afraid to tell their wives they’re Republicans. Mr. Katz was followed by Jim Knott, founder of Riverdale Mills, whose epic battle against trumped up charges by the EPA was the subject of this 60 Minutes segment:

It’s exactly this sort of harassment of businesses by government that Gerry seeks to prevent. According to his website, he “believes his experience as a small business owner is critical to understanding the impact legislation will have on the life blood of our economy – small and medium sized businesses. He is a strong, fiscal conservative and believes that the free market, including businesses and individuals, will fuel our economic recovery – and that government's job is to facilitate and foster a business friendly environment, not to hinder prosperity with burdensome taxes and regulations.”

When it was his turn to talk, Gerry noted the historic nature of his district – the American Revolution began there. He believes the make-up of the district is favorable to the GOP. In the 2010 special Senate election, Scott Brown won Woburn, Billerica, and Burlington by greater than 60% – sufficient margin to offset the liberals in Arlington and Lexington. “This is a winnable race,” Gerry said. “We can take back our state. We can take back our country. We can take back the White House.”

You can learn more about Gerry at www.gerrydembrowski.com. As always, if you like what you see, I encourage you to be generous with your time and financial support.

Jon Fetherston for State Rep

As I’ve written previously, we shouldn’t lose sight of our State Legislatures amid the turmoil of Presidential politics. In addition to their impact on the quality of life in our states, our Legislatures draw Congressional districts and ratify Constitutional amendments.

Recently I attended a Meet & Greet with Jon Fetherston, who is stepping down as chairman of the Ashland Board of Selectmen to run for State Representative in the Massachusetts 7th Middlesex District (Ashland & Framingham).



The author with State Rep candidate Jon Fetherston (left) and former Congressman Peter Blute (right). I should have dressed nicer.

Former Congressman Peter Blute kicked things off with a story about his own days in the State Legislature. After his initial excitement at being on Beacon Hill, checking out the House chamber and so on, he got his first phone call from an actual constituent. A ruptured municipal pipe was pouring sewage into the caller’s yard. Rep. Blute said he would be glad to help, but asked how come the caller had not called his local sewer commissioner instead. “Well,” the caller replied, “I didn’t want to start that high up.”

Jon spoke next. Between his speech and the discussion I had with him afterwards, I got a pretty clear idea of what he would be like as State Rep. It would be a full time gig for him, so he could give the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the same tireless effort he has been giving the Town of Ashland (among his other accomplishments, Jon says he was responsible for getting the potholes filled in front of the Market Basket. Since I drive by there every day, I’m grateful for that!) Cleaning up corruption on Beacon Hill is a priority for Jon. Last year the third House Speaker in a row was convicted of a crime; clearly corruption is a problem in the Bay State. Jon believes that just getting more Republicans into the House would help. Not that Republicans are necessarily better people, but they are only 20% of the legislature. One-party rule offers temptation to any political party.

You can find out more about Jon at www.jonfetherston.net. If you like what you see, please be generous with your time and financial support.