“The big mistake would be because you’re in a state that has the history with this to believe that nothing could happen here,” said Robert Blendon, a Harvard health policy professor and pollster.
Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 121]: Maura Healey, what a doll!
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Our fair Massachusetts Attorney General lady is no wallflower, that’s for sure. Assault weapons, corporate corruption, saving the environment: she continues to have her say on the big topics — and nobody even needs to ask! She’s a firecracker, that Maura Healey. Imagine if you could package all that ambition into a gift for the holidays?
Kanjia: Why Gambia’s president may refuse to leave despite election loss
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Augustine Kanjia, a regular Sun contributor who spent years uncovering corruption as a refugee journalist in Gambia during President Yahya Jammeh’s rule, examines what Jammeh might be thinking as he defies Dec. 1 election results, what’s next for the West African nation, and how America’s electoral issues pale in comparison to those in Gambia.
Mariano: Flag burning is a very emotional issue
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“I hate the idea of someone desecrating our flag. When they show it on the news, I often have to look away. It bothers me that much.” Ray Mariano finds strength — and wisdom — in his father’s words, and Old Glory herself.
Sina-cism: Time for Jill Stein to go back to Town Meeting
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Anyone still on the Jill Stein bandwagon after her tour de force of statesmanship and intellectuality probably needs to read more, and avoid the voting booth.” As usual, Chris Sinacola gets straight to the point.
Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 120]: Let it grow! Let it grow! Let it grow!
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You don’t need Ebenezer Scrooge’s tortured soul to take an enlightening peek into Christmas future.
Just take a downtown Worcester stroll, maybe make your way down to the Canal District, where visions of sugarplumbs and pot brownies may soon be dancing in neighbors’ heads. On the bright side, your holiday shopping will for sure — maybe as soon as next winter — be much more interesting.
Meantime, Hitch pounds the pavement for this year’s perfect gift.
Mariano: Young patriots, raise your voices
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“To those who find student protests un-American, I would remind you that this is precisely what freedom looks like. It is highly likely that the freedoms that you cherish were won, at least in part, by patriotic young Americans who dreamed of making their country better.”
Randell: So, you think Worcester only raises taxes 2.5 percent every year? Think again.
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“For the most part, the average taxpayer believes that the tax levy can only go up 2 ½ percent unless there is an override. But “new growth” caused a 4.4 percent increase for the current fiscal year and could do the same again. City businessman Bill Randell, and several savvy friends, say let’s put new growth in its place.
On Beacon Hill: Baker’s budget ax grinds DeLeo’s gears
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Rather than wait to see what December or January brings, the governor started paring back spending immediately. “Premature,” Robert DeLeo and the Democrats shouted. “Outrageous and immoral,” the more partisan-prone crowed.
Legislative delays, medical safeguards high on legal marijuana to-do list
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“We’ve had discussions about delaying some of the dates to give us more time to fine tune the bill, and in the next few weeks we have to make final decisions on that,” Senate President Stanley Rosenberg said. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Medical Society has shifted its focus from opposing legal pot to pressing for public health safeguards in the regulation of marijuana.
Mariano: Do-nothing Congress should focus on results, not ideological purity
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“Perhaps we should start another political party that focuses on ‘results.’ If you can’t point to a solid record of accomplishments working with other members of Congress, then get the heck out! Who needs you?” Ray Mariano goes to the extreme to find middle ground on Capitol Hill.