Tom Finneran: I’m Joe Citizen and I Disapprove These Messages

Friday, October 24, 2014

Tom Finneran, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

We’re less than two weeks away from Election Day and I’m desperate for some fresh air. It feels as if I’ve been caught in the middle of several really muddy paint-ball fights simultaneously.

SHAHEEN vs. BROWN

COAKLEY vs. BAKER

MOULTON vs. TISEI

Given the charges and counter-charges flying back and forth in these fights I’m in need of some industrial detergent. Is there a shower nearby? Politics may not be for the faint-of-heart but when did it become so vicious? Does the voting public really buy into this nonsense about the various candidates? The fate of the Republic is not at stake here.

Rather, looking at the six names above, I think that they all have interesting credentials and experience. None of them is less than patriotic. All of them are familiar with the anxieties of the middle class. Some might be better than others at balanced budgets, economic development, and education, which are my three big issues. But we remain a government of checks and balances, where persuasion and reasonable compromise are the tools of success. And should “gridlock”---i.e.---differences of opinion--- continue down in Washington D.C..., that’s not the end of the world you know. Check the Federal Register and the U.S. Code and ask yourself what aspect of American life remains dangerously free from the fetters of the federal government.

A visitor from Mars, upon seeing the barrage of negative ads about these candidates, might reasonably conclude that they were the worst citizens on our planet. Full disclosure---I know four of them reasonably well and I can tell you that they are honest, intelligent, hard-working folks. Allow me to give the benefit of the doubt to the two I do not know as well……………………

The real problem in our politics is the scorched earth, take-no-prisoner model of campaign consultants whose advice is invariably made up of three words---“destroy the other”. Said advice not only poisons the civic well, preventing across-the aisle problem solving. It also conveniently enriches the consultants whose wallets are grotesquely fattened by mega media buys. After all, it takes many many millions of dollars to paint either Scott Brown or Jeanne Shaheen as traitors of America. They’re actually two reasonable people who probably agree on many matters and who might settle their political differences between the forty-yard lines of ideology.

Yet even the campaign consultants cannot be totally faulted for their tunnel vision after all they are only interested in winning and getting paid. Thus they use a proven recipe, one which exploits the distractions and ignorance of the general public.

A reasonably attentive and informed general public would scoff at these ads which depict candidates as Hitler-in-waiting. That same informed public would also scoff at the notion that all Democrats are nuts or that all Republicans are nasty.

It’s a sad state of affairs to be sure. We have a Commonwealth and a Republic which depend upon an engaged and informed public yet the polity prefers entertainment---Jerry Springer-like entertainment ---rather than thinking seriously about America’s worrisome issues. Does today’s American public dislike America’s children? How else to explain our disdain for “issues." When America’s obituary is written it must contain a word or two about the tragic demise of American education. When America’s obituary is written it must contain a word or two about selfish and self-destructive deficits. Perhaps that obituary might reference Springer and his many imitators, his audience of idiots, and their shared celebration of the lowest common denominators of human behavior.

A debased currency, a full-blown credit card mentality, and a woeful ignorance of history, civics, and individual responsibility have put America on a flight path to oblivion. Yet it need not happen, making it all the sadder when it does. Turn off the television. Tune out the ads. Those ads are cut and paste fictions, selective, manipulative and distorted. Rather, sit down and figure out what’s important to your kids and/or grandkids. Jobs? Opportunity? Education? All three? Believe it or not, there’s a candidate out there for you………………..

Tom Finneran is the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, served as the head the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and was a longstanding radio voice in Boston radio.

Related Slideshow: 2014 Massachusetts Political Ads and Videos

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Martha Coakley

For Us

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley released her first campaign advertisement focusing on highlighting Coakley’s career of standing up for those without power or money, and fighting for fairness and opportunity for everyone.

"“She has spent her career fighting for people without power, standing up for women and children victimized by violence and abuse, taking on the big banks and Wall Street for defrauding homeowners and destroying dreams, said the ad.

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Warren Tolman

Won't Wait

Democratic candidate for Attorney General Warren Tolman released his first campaign video, ensuring women’s access to healthcare and requiring smart gun technology.

“I'm Warren Tolman and as Attorney General, I'll focus on gun violence and violence against women,” said Tolman. “I won't wait to require fingerprint trigger locks on new guns sold. And if you endanger women at a health clinic, you'll be prosecuted.”

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Steve Grossman

Grossman for Governor

Steve Grossman - a Democratic gubernatorial candidate - released his first campaign video, focusing on his experience owning a small business and creating jobs.

“Steve Grossman grew a family business into a Massachusetts success story with progressive ideas like earned sick time and family leave, treating people with dignity and respect,” said the ad.

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Don Berwick

Commonwealth of Firsts

Don Berwick, a Democratic candidate for Governor, released an ad focusing on continuing the history of Massachusetts leading the nation.

“In Massachusetts we don’t follow, we lead,” said Berwick. “We led our nation toward freedom. We were the first state to say that you could marry the person you love. And we made healthcare a human right eight years before the rest of the nation. We have been a Commonwealth of firsts. I am running to continue that tradition.”

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Karen Polito

A Better Direction

This video was released by Charlie Baker's campaign in support of Karyn Polito for Lt. Governor. The ad highlights Polito’s background as a mom, small business owner, and a longtime public servant.

"I am honored to partner with Karyn because as a mom, small business owner and public servant with a bipartisan track record, she gets it, said Baker. "She knows the people of Massachusetts deserve a better direction, the opportunity to get ahead, great schools and safer, stronger communities."