Today was one of those glorious fall days in New England when you fill your lungs with fresh air and soak up the scenery – leaves, bricks, sky, and think – how could I be this lucky? It was a typical Sunday for me in many respects. I went to Haverhill with my brother Tom, to visit our father who lives in a nursing home. The one thing that was out of the ordinary was that we attended a political rally in Washington Square for Charlie Baker. The square was filled with enthusiastic, sign-toting supporters and we even got to meet Curt Schilling, the famous Yankee fan.
A little bit about my brother: Tom lives in a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Salem, MA, that’s operated by Northeast ARC (Association for R*$&* Citizens). Since moving there several years ago, he’s become healthier and more active than he had been for most of his adult life. He attends a day habilitation program that he enjoys very much. His house is comfortable, roomy and staffed by caring, hard-working people. It’s a wonderful situation, and it’s funded in large part by the state of Massachusetts.
Some people might wonder why I support Charlie Baker, who has pledged to cut government spending and employees. It seems like it might go against my brother’s interests. But I believe that a vote for Charlie is a vote for Tom and folks like him.
The thing I have asked myself is whether our state is on a sustainable path. With the expansion in state jobs, government programs and pensions, the answer is clearly “no.” What’s going to happen when push comes to shove? Do you think Tom and his housemates stand a chance against the union folks and pensioners? Do you think the bureaucrats earning six-figure salaries are going to give up their jobs voluntarily so that my brother can go to his day program? I think not.
Some people would have you believe that limiting government spending will mean catastrophe for the less fortunate, but the opposite is true. If we don’t start taking steps to get control of government pensions and benefits, it’s the people like my brother, those without powerful voices, who will suffer.
The highlight of my glorious fall day in New England was being able to introduce my brother to Charlie. He shook Tom’s hand and mine. He looked me in the eye and thanked us for coming to the rally. It was a brief encounter, one of tens of thousands that I’m sure Charlie has had on the campaign trail. But it was a nice thing for Tom and me.
On Tuesday, Charlie Baker’s name will be on the ballot. But I will be voting for Tom.
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To get a jump on the readers, and for those outside the Massachusetts political sphere: Martha Coakley, who ran against Scott Brown for Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, famously called Curt Schilling a Yankee fan in a radio interview.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/coakley-on-schilling-a-yankee-fan/
I really regret this, but based on personal experience and the advice of experts, I must strongly disagree with you.
First, I was told the same thing by a friend when Mitt Romney was elected. Instead, Mitt pushed through the repeal of “maximum feasible benefit”, which had very bad effects on my autistic son, who was then in high school.
Second, I checked with a lawyer who has been expert in law and state policies for the last 30 years, and he was strongly of the opinion that Baker would be worse for the disabled than Patrick; both now and in the long term.
You may have other bases for voting for Baker; but better outcomes in the short or long run for your kid should not be one of them.
Thanks for your reply! I respect your opinion, and appreciate that you took the time to leave this response. I wish you well with your son. My post is based on my experience with my brother, who is a developmentally disabled adult. I have seen for many years that dev. disabled people are on the short end of the stick when budget cuts happen – not just here in Massachusetts – it is the same in many other places. But we can’t stick our collective heads in the sand. If we continue down the path that we are on there will be a very rude awakening in years to come. There is simply not enough funding to go around – we need to stand up to the people who are taking more than their fair share.