The choices we make matter

Congratulations to the new leadership team

Pictured: Tony Damigella, Vice-Chair; Beth Greely, Chair; Lee DeSorgher, Treasurer and Linda Vincent, Secretary

"what each of us must do ...who each of us must be"

Governor Patrick concluded his recent State of the Commonwealth Address with a story about young people in Brockton coming together in their schools, with compassion and invention, to meet the basic human needs of their fellow students —students with special needs. What the Governor recognized in those young people was a model for behavior we all might follow in our communities.

"The point is this. In a city as hard hit as any by the economic crisis, these young people did not sit around wondering and worrying what to do and who was going to do it. They didn’t accept that they were powerless. They saw a need and met it, and found power in service itself. And through that not only have they inspired me and many others, but they have built a better, stronger Commonwealth.

Brick by brick. Block by block. Neighborhood by neighborhood. Town by town. That is what each of us must do. That is who each of us must be."

You can read the Governor's speech here, or watch it through the video above. But most importantly you can take the message to heart. That better community we can build and become... it's built brick by brick —by us.

Get involved. Get informed on the issues, talk (and listen) to your neighbors and friends.

Here in our own community, just like all around the country

—us, Democrats... "we don't quit."

"But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit."

That pretty much says it... "We don't quit"

Caucus Feb 13th 10 AM at Holliston Town Hall Selectman's Meeting Room

...and our work goes on

"Although our campaign ends tonight, we know that our mission continues and our work goes on.

I am heartbroken at the result. And I know that you are also, but I know that we will get up together tomorrow and continue this fight, even with this result tonight, because there will be plenty of Wednesday-morning quarterbacking about what happened and what went right, what went wrong.

And I know that everyone, including me — I am brutally honest on my own performances— we will be honest about the assessment of this race. And, although I am very disappointed, I always respect the voters' choice. And that's what I told to Scott Brown tonight. And, again, we wish him luck in his public service.

Anyone who's been out on the campaign trail, particularly in this race, has seen the anger of folks who are frustrated, concerned. They are angry about health care issues, and they're angry about our two wars, our inability to properly care for those who return home after fighting.

I had hoped, in the best interests of our state and the country, to go to Washington to address these issues. I hope that, as a nation and as a commonwealth, we can do better in the future."

~Martha Coakley

About today and tomorrow

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What with the day being what it is, the national holiday observing Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior's birthday —and tomorrow being what it is, Massachusetts' Special Senate Election Day—I thought the picture might be a nice reminder.

One common theme I've heard from Republican candidates and supporters of late, in this election and others, is that —no matter the flaws of the candidate with the 'R' following his name —a vote for said candidate is a worthy step against the supposedly dreadful prospect of a Democratic Congress. We are told there are dangers involved in a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress —especially with a Democratic President.

It just occurs to me that The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Voting Rights Act of 1965 were both the products of just such a dangerous setting. So was The GI Bill and Social Security, the formation of Medicare and Medicaid and The Fair Housing Act. So was the vote to create a federal minimum wage, guarantee overtime compensation and ban child labor. Each of these pieces of legislation, so important to how we define our nation —as a society and as a citizenry—each and every one of them were signed into law by Democratic Presidents working with Democratic majorities in Congress.

Are these are the sort of dire prospects we face?

Pardon the sarcasm, but the bottom line really does come down to something more than the letter after a candidate's name. It does come down to the substance of positions. I'm not arguing in favor of a vote for Martha Coakley just because of the 'D' following her name on the ballot...

But I don't think it necessarily hurts either.

It's her policies and those of her opponent that matter in the end. An empty pose or two and some arbitrary mix of party affiliations won't stir together the makings of a constructive consensus —not in this state's politics, not in Congress and not around the country.

A little more than that is required.

Anyway, enjoy the day today —actually make the best of both of them, today and tomorrow.

VOTE MARTHA COAKLEY THIS TUESDAY

And between now and then call someone you know to tell them why they should vote Martha Coakley as well.

Mike Dukakis says, get your carcass down to the Democratic caucus! Feb 13th at Holliston Town Hall

The year in Massachusetts politics ahead promises to be an interesting one. Governor Deval Patrick faces re-election challengers, Treasurer and Auditor seats are open —and we're all hoping we'll be faced with having to fill a vacancy in the Attorney General's office!

So this year's Massachusetts State Democratic Convention,June 4th and 5th at Worcester's DCU Center, will no doubt be an exciting one, deciding upon our candidates and rallying their support —and most importantly calling on all Democrats to advocate for the agenda and the issues that matter so much to our state, to our country —and to our own local communities.

The first important step in that process comes soon with us calling on all local Democrats to attend The Holliston Democratic Caucus, where we will elect our community's delegates to the convention. There are a total of eight delegate slots to be filled, as well as alternate seats and information about special at large delegate participation we will be sharing. The date and time for the Caucus is 10 AM, Saturday, February 13th at Holliston Town Hall's Selectmen's Meeting Room.

Be sure to show up on time, as admission to participate in the caucus must close promptly at 10:15! The event is handicapped accessible and parking (for most vehicles anyway) is conveniently located.

Be there for your community.