Author Archives: billmanzi

Deal of the Century!

Posted on August 2, 2011 by billmanzi

And so the debt ceiling crisis comes to an end, with both sides screaming bloody murder and claiming that all sorts of nastiness will flow from this agreement. Seems to me like much ado about nothing. Conservatives are crowing that … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

What is the Agenda?

Posted on July 31, 2011 by billmanzi

Through most of the raise the debt ceiling debate I have been relentlessly critical of Republicans. They deserve harsh criticism for their conduct and false policy prescriptions. Their willful ignorance of real numbers, their false description of the potential outcomes … Continue reading →

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The Balanced Budget Amendment Fraud

Posted on July 30, 2011 by billmanzi

The Speaker finally managed to get a bill through the House yesterday, being forced to add language that would force a “balanced budget amendment” through Congress before a second, and necessary hike in the debt ceiling. Naturally the Senate rejected … Continue reading →

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Why Didn't We Think of That

Posted on July 28, 2011 by billmanzi

After all this debate about raising the debt ceiling, with all the potential for financial calamity, with all the political posturing and slings and arrows, it appears that we have all missed the boat. Rep. Paul Broun, House Republican, yesterday … Continue reading →

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Fools on Parade

Posted on July 27, 2011 by billmanzi

The Republican House, acting like the Gang that couldn’t shoot straight, has produced a partisan bill to raise the debt ceiling, only to see the CBO score it as not cutting what it originally said, seeing House Republicans abandon their … Continue reading →

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The Washington Two Step

Posted on July 25, 2011 by billmanzi

The Speaker (and his House Republican caucus) has unveiled his plan to raise the debt ceiling, which appears to be a two step process, with a trillion in authorization given now in return for about $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The $400 Billion Question, Or Hastert's Revenge

Posted on July 23, 2011 by billmanzi

So the “large deal” debt talks have once again broken off in acrimony, with each side pointing fingers, leaving the United States perilously close to a sovereign debt default. So what happened? Republicans, led by Speaker Boehner, are accusing the … Continue reading →

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Methuen's Updated List of Candidates

Posted on July 23, 2011 by billmanzi

The list of municipal candidates, refreshed from my last posting. Below each office/candidate listing will be the list of those certified by the City Clerk as having submitted sufficient signatures to gain ballot access. Information includes those certified, and those … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Methuen Mayor's Race | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Return of the Washington Six

Posted on July 20, 2011 by billmanzi

The news media, looking for any sign of breakthrough in debt ceiling talks, has managed to latch on to the much hyped return of the “Gang of Six”, with a new plan to achieve about $3.7 trillion in deficit reduction … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged | 5 Comments

Methuen High School AP Participation Soars

Posted on July 20, 2011 by billmanzi

Partnership with the Mass Math + Science Initiative produces big gains in Advanced Placement* participation and performance. METHUEN, MA – Methuen High School has made great gains on students’ Advanced Placement (AP) scores, largely as a result of its partnership … Continue reading →

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