Janice Michienzi is the June Artist of the Month

Posted on June 4, 2011 by billmanzi

Mayor William M. Manzi has named Janice Michienzi as June’s Artist of the Month. Janice was born and raised in Methuen. Her maiden name is Mendonsa. She graduated from Tenney High School and attended Bon Secours Hospital and Northeastern University’s Radiologic Technology Program. She went on to work for several Merrimack Valley orthopedic surgeons and radiologists and had a full career as a radiologic /mammographic technologist. She married and had two children, Jason and Jana.

Janice became interested in art in her mid 20’s and has been painting ever since, when time allowed. She learned oil painting first and then went on to acrylics and now is back to mainly painting in oils. Since she retired, she has been able to devote more time to the leisurely enjoyment of painting and has joined The Arts Institute Group of the Merrimack Valley and the Greater Salem Artists Association. She has also painted with and shown her art at DeClerck Gallery in Plaistow, NH under the direction of Nicole Murray. Her art will also be included in the Sky’s The Limit Art Show at Mann’s Orchard on June 11 & 12.

Mayor Manzi stated, “I’d like to personally thank Janice for her participation in this program. She is one of the many talented painters working in our community. It is an honor to display her paintings. I encourage people to come to my office and view her work.”

The Methuen Artist of the Month Program was created by Mayor Manzi five years ago in order to give members of the Methuen Arts Community a forum to display their work and to encourage participation in Methuen’s growing creative economy. Methuen artists interested in being considered for Artist of the Month should contact the Mayor’s Office.

Janice Michienzi is artist of the month

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The President on the Auto Industry

Posted on June 4, 2011 by billmanzi

With jobs in the news President Obama has been eager to talk about the new found success of the American auto industry. He visited Ohio to highlight the fact that the American auto industry is back to being profitable after the financial crisis nearly wiped out the Big Three. I am quite sure that he will be reminding some of the folks in Ohio and Michigan that the Republicans were firmly opposed to assisting the U.S. auto industry. No question that the President’s actions saved about a million American jobs and spared us the ignominy of not having a domestic auto industry, but the Republicans still remain opposed to the actions taken by President Obama (and President Bush) I have to say that the criticism has been somewhat muted, with Mitt Romney claiming he was against the help before he was for it. (Or was it the other way around?) A potent issue in the industrial midwest, where the President will need help in 2012. I think the words from Republican Pat Buchanan on the American auto industry highlight the critical importance to the United States of a viable auto sector.

When workers, execs, engineers, dealers, salesmen and suppliers are all factored in, the Big Three employ 3 million people who contribute $21 billion a year to Social Security and Medicare, and $25 billion in federal income taxes. Add in all the businesses that depend on the auto industry, and we are talking about one-tenth of the U.S. labor force.

As columnist Tom Piatak of Chronicles and Takimag.com writes, 850,000 retirees, and their families, depend for pensions and health care on the Big Three. If they go under, the burden falls on us.

And to let the auto industry die is to write America out of much of the economic future of the planet.

So the President, in my opinion, has a good political story to tell on the Big Three automakers. But the job numbers released yesterday were not good news politically, with job growth below expectations, and unemployment still over 9%. The fact that two million jobs have been created in the last fifteen months (as opposed to the massive monthly job losses occurring when he took office) will not be enough to help the President politically. The Republicans teed off on him on that front yesterday, and will likely continue that drumbeat while the unemployment rate stays above 8%. Aside from some talk about “restoring confidence” and tax cutting for upper earners and corporations I have not heard anything from Republicans that leads me to believe they have a cogent plan for job creation. The “confidence fairy” talked about by Paul Krugman will not be creating demand anytime soon.

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1

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Mitt Romney In the Race

Posted on June 2, 2011 by billmanzi

Mitt Romney formally declared his intention to run for President, launching his campaign with a full throttle attack on President Obama in New Hampshire. Romney branded Obama a failure, and touted his own ability to provide a better economic future for the nation. Romney continued to paint the picture with the broadest possible strokes, opting for optimism and Republican orthodoxy on small government and free markets as opposed to anything remotely specific. He has steadfastly managed, up to this point, to avoid getting tangled up in the problems that have befallen other Republican contenders, concentrating on raising money and building a nationwide organization. His time has been well spent, and he has to be considered the Republican front-runner based on his clear advantages in those areas. The Democrats seem to think so, as they released a video attacking Romney as he comes out of the gate. Interesting comparison of Romney’s speech to Ronald Reagan’s 1980 announcement speech by Chris Cillizza over at the Washington Post. Of course Mitt was greeted on the right by Sarah Palin, who emphasized Tea Party opposition to health care mandates, no matter at what level of government, and pointedly reminded Governor Romney that he will have a ” big challenge” to win Tea Party votes. Of course Sarah took pains to say that she was not attempting to “step on” the Romney announcement. Of course she wasn’t. Now that he is formally in Romney will eventually have to offer up some policy detail eventually. That is when some of that shine may begin to fade.

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Methuen's Memorial Day Service

Posted on May 30, 2011 by billmanzi

Methuen’s Memorial Day service was held today. It was an honor to have Gold Star Mother Celeste Vicente and Gold Star Grandfather Russ Currier on hand to remember and honor Marine Cpl. David Vicente and Marine Pfc. Eric Currier. Thank you to all of our veterans. Your service and sacrifice has allowed us to remain a free people. Thanks to the American Legion and the VFW for all of their hard work to make the parade a success.

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Medicare: You Reap……

Posted on May 29, 2011 by billmanzi

Quite a thing to hear Republicans complaining about Democratic demagoguery on Medicare. It is even more astounding to hear them step up and demand that Democrats actually participate in the debate, and act all grown up and responsible. Yes the Republicans seem shocked that political points are being scored at their expense over this issue. How the world turns. Lets look at the objective facts (as I seem them)

1) The Republicans are right when they say that Medicare is in trouble. The numbers are clear, and they are likely to get worse with additional cost inflation and an aging population.

2) Republicans point to the fact that even if you applied a 100% tax on top earners that you could not solve the deficit problem. They are right.

3) Republicans use point #2 to put forward the theory that as we develop solutions to the Medicare problem that all of the pain should be inflicted on those least able to take more pain. Top earners should be given additional tax cuts as we demand that elderly and poor shoulder increased health care cost burdens. Republican shared sacrifice means that pain will be shared in the middle and at the bottom of the wage structure. We are on the Titanic, and the lifeboats are in the water. Republicans urge that millionaires and corporations board the lifeboats first.

4) Without health care cost containment and reform then the entire system is likely in for real trouble, with draconian solutions being forced after a financial crisis. Whether you agree with President Obama on health care or not it is safe to say that Republicans were absent in that debate, and chose to sit on the sidelines and demagogue. They were successful politically, but I do not recall ONE Republican proposal that would have answered the question of how you provide universal coverage, and how you contain costs that are crushing us financially. Spare me the buying insurance across state lines canard.

Yes it is time for an adult conversation about health care, and yes entitlement reform needs to be a part of the solution. But, as Dana Milbank points out in his great column on this subject, Ryan needs to grow up too.

Speaking on the House floor in 2009, he said the Democrats’ health-care legislation would “take coverage away from seniors,” “raise premiums for families” and “cost us nearly 5.5 million jobs.” Later, he said the health plan would bring about government “rationing” of health care. He also labeled the plan “a government takeover of our healthcare system,” claimed America was at a “tipping point” toward a “European social welfare state,” and gave a wink to the “death panel” allegations. His suggestion that the legislation would result in the IRS getting “16,000 agents” to police the health-care law was knocked down as “wildly inaccurate” by Factcheck.org.

Much has been made of the Bill Clinton-Paul Ryan “chat” where Clinton says he hopes the Democrats do not take the New York 26th win as a signal to do nothing. I do agree, but simply allowing Republicans to score points on health care and refuse to come up with solutions while we force major structural changes on future Medicare recipients does not strike me as bargaining in good faith. Lets work together for solutions on health care, for a failure to do so means financial calamity.

Read “The Hill” story on Medicare.

http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf

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Democrat Hochul Wins in NY 26th

Posted on May 25, 2011 by billmanzi

Democrat Kathy Hochul won a decisive victory over Republican Jane Corwin in New York’s special election in the predominantly Republican district in upstate New York. Hochul, with 90% reporting, took 48%, to 42% for Corwin, with Tea Party candidate Jack Davis at 9%. Democrats highlighted the medicare issue, and were quick to trumpet the result as a repudiation of Republican Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan.

“Today, the Republican plan to end Medicare cost Republicans $3.4 million and a seat in Congress,” said Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “And this is only the first seat.”

The Republicans will point to the Tea Party candidate and his numbers in this race, but this is a district that is solidly Republican. The Medicare issue, without a doubt, hurt the Republicans here, and the Democrats will be using this playbook throughout the country. E.J. Dionne, over at the Washington Post, talks about just that, and how this race will likely send Republicans into disavow Ryan mode. A major victory for Dems, and a loss that may have Republicans rethinking their political strategy heading into 2012.

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T-Paw Makes the Announcement

Posted on May 24, 2011 by billmanzi

Tim Pawlenty joined the Republican Presidential field yesterday via a You Tube announcement. Pawlenty, in my opinion, has to be considered for today, as the leading alternative to Mitt Romney. His announcement has him taking the position of truth teller, letting folks know that hard decisions need to be made, and that he won’t be afraid to talk about them and make them. I have to give some credit to any Presidential candidate heading into Iowa who publicly opposes ethanol subsidies. Nice announcement video. Now can he raise the money to compete?

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President Obama at AIPAC

Posted on May 22, 2011 by billmanzi

The President goes to AIPAC after his comments on negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians using the 1967 borders as a starting point created some degree of controversy, especially with the Israeli Prime Minister and Republicans attempting to demagogue the issue. I have attached the George Mitchell interview with Christiane Amanpour, where Mitchell lucidly and honestly explains American policy. The President received a warm welcome at AIPAC, and I believe his remarks there were consistent with his earlier comments, and reflective of a deep American commitment to Israel. Barack Obama is not a standard politician, and his ability to think outside a preconceived box is something we need more of, not less. The protection of American national interests through diplomacy is not something that can be achieved through chanting slogans, but instead requires a careful and thoughtful consideration of policy ramifications, and the responses American policies will bring from other nations, in particular American allies. The President, once again, is light years ahead of his Republican opponents. Diplomacy should recognize the world as it is, and not how we wish it to be.

http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf

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Mitch Takes A Pass

Posted on May 22, 2011 by billmanzi

The Republican Presidential field further thinned itself of serious candidates when Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels took himself out of the running today. Daniels had been looked to by many Republicans unsatisfied with the current field, but he cited family considerations in declining to enter the race. I considered Daniels a good candidate for Republicans, and at this point I see only Romney and Pawlenty as having any chance to win the nomination. In the meantime Republican Herman Cain, a former CEO of Godfather Pizza, announced his candidacy. Cain’s roll-out included an interview on Fox News Sunday, where he was asked about negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Cain clearly had no idea what Chris Wallace was talking about when he was asked about a Palestinian “right of return”, a major issue in prospective talks. After Wallace hand held him to understand what a “right of return” was, Cain said that it was fine, and certainly subject to negotiation. Apparently Cain, who passes himself off as a strong supporter of Israel, didn’t get the memo from Bibi explaining that a “right of return” was out of the question. Talk about not ready for prime time.

And speaking of prime time how about the new “warning” from Newt Gingrich directed at Democrats contemplating using Gingrich’s Meet the Press comments in political ads. Gingrich has laid down a tough marker, saying “any ad which quotes what I said on Sunday is a falsehood.” Yes thats right. Let us not quote Gingrich, because to do so would create a falsehood. Gingrich was a runaway winner of the Chris Cillizza “Worst Week in Washington” award, and as far as I can see may be striving to hold the crown for another week. An increasingly isolated and desperate Gingrich may bring additional levity to the Republican process in the weeks to come. Not a very impressive start for the GOP.

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New York's 26th Congressional Referendum on Medicare?

Posted on May 21, 2011 by billmanzi

A special election in New York State’s 26th Congressional District to fill the seat of resigned Republican Christopher Lee is heating up, with national coverage (and money) descending on a race that should be easily Republican. Democrat Kathy Hochul has moved ahead of Republican Jane Corwin by tying the Republican to the Paul Ryan Medicare plan, making that issue the central difference in this race. Jack Davis, a Tea Party candidate, is the third candidate in the race, and he is drawing double digit support in the latest Siena University poll. If the Democrats manage to win this race the Democratic strategy of allowing the House Republicans to make the first move on entitlements and then clubbing them over the head with their own plan will have its first success.

The latest poll has Hochul pulling ahead, leading the race by 42% to 38% over Corwin, with Davis polling at 12%. Hochul has made a big move since the last survey, erasing a Corwin lead, with Davis losing almost 9 points in that time. What is the source of the move? Some interesting tidbits from the cross-tabs. Amongst the independents Hochul leads by 8 points, something that is a total reversal of the beating Democrats took from independents in the last cycle. The relative strength of the candidates with their own voters favors Hochul, as she polls at 76% support with Dems, while Corwin is holding only 66% of Republicans. And NY26 voters identified Medicare as the most important issue in this election. Amongst those voters Hochul has a huge lead, which gives some credence to the media focus on the Ryan plan, and validates the Hochul strategy of driving that issue home with attack ads on Corwin. Plenty of national coverage, with Ezra Kleinand Slate’s Dave Wiegel writing some good stories. The Siena crosstabs are here. And of course the political ads that we love so much are attached below. That election is Tuesday.

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