Category Archives: National News

Sequester Blues

Posted on February 12, 2013 by billmanzi

Just about all sides agree that Congress is a dysfunctional body, but that is where agreement ends. With both the sequester and the Continuing Resolution that funds the federal government staring us in the face there appears to be little … Continue reading →

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Job Poaching Between States.Tax Incentives Gone Wild!

Posted on February 6, 2013 by billmanzi

There has been much talk on Beacon Hill about the existence of tax expenditures in the state budget, and the desire to get rid of some of the less productive ones. I have done one earlier post on tax expenditures, … Continue reading →

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NRA Delusions on Background Checks

Posted on February 5, 2013 by billmanzi

NRA V.P. Wayne LaPierre appeared on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, and despite his personal endorsement of background checks many years earlier LaPierre and the NRA have dug in hard against those background checks today.Chris Wallace grilled LaPierre on … Continue reading →

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A Health Care Break for Massachusetts Hospitals Draws Scrutiny

Posted on January 30, 2013 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick today named William “Mo” Cowan as the interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, and he will be immediately faced with an issue of great import to Massachusetts hospitals. Senator Tom Coburn and Senator Claire McCaskill have offered legislation … Continue reading →

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A Balanced Budget Amendment With No Balanced Budget

Posted on January 29, 2013 by billmanzi

The Republican House caucus recently conducted a members “retreat” to discuss many things, among which was their own dysfunction, what to do about the “debt ceiling”, how to deal with a President who keeps rolling them, and what to do … Continue reading →

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President Obama's Inaugural Address

Posted on January 22, 2013 by billmanzi

President Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States, delivered his inaugural address today. The President, in my biased view, gave a wonderful speech that laid down some markers, mentioning Social Security and Medicare, equal rights for gays, … Continue reading →

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Barney Frank Holds Forth on Defense Spending

Posted on January 10, 2013 by billmanzi

Barney Frank, on the “Last Word” program, talking with Ezra Klein about U.S. military spending, and the need to look for reductions in that budget. Frank brings a point of view, and immense budgetary knowledge to back up that point … Continue reading →

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The Coming Train Wreck

Posted on January 8, 2013 by billmanzi

There has been much speculation in the media about the potential for another fiscal clash in the first quarter of this year, centered around the debt ceiling and the sequester. Much has been already written, and there is plenty more … Continue reading →

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Where Are You Going?

Posted on December 31, 2012 by billmanzi

As the temper tantrums and recriminations fly back and forth in Washington on the fiscal cliff I have to say that I am, despite my low expectations, still amazed at what is nothing short of group dysfunction in American government. … Continue reading →

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Big-Footed

Posted on December 29, 2012 by billmanzi

And so the powers that be have anointed Congressman Ed Markey as the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, issuing a well choreographed series of endorsements to his new candidacy to replace John Kerry. Why, even the future Secretary of State … Continue reading →

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