Thursday, September 20, 2007

Building Casino Opposition

It's time to stop the wahmbulances and actually do something about these casinos. We don't want them in Massachusetts - and luckily we have a Democratic process to stave them off. I did some legwork yesterday, calling both my local legislators, Representative Doug Peterson and Senator McGee. Senator McGee was the interesting phone call, because I didn't even ask to find out his position: he doesn't have one. In fact, it sounded as if he was going to decide for whichever side calls him the most. Let's make sure it's Team Progressive.

If you vote for Senator McGee - or even if you don't - here's his Beacon Hill number: (617) 722-1350. Be polite, because his office was very polite to me, and let's hope we can get him solidly on our side. Why? Not only is he a vote, but he's an important vote. Lynn, where McGee is from, is right next to one of the proposed sites - Wonderland - and has the state's only casino (that I know of), Horizon's Edge. But it also has myriad people who aren't exactly the type to support a casino in their backyard. We can win him over.

We need to start creating a master list of where everyone stands on this issue - or at least who we can sway to our side. These people need to be called over and over again. If anyone has any names to contribute, put it in the comments. If I can get a bunch, I'll post them to BMG and we'll go from there.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You make a huge mistake by labeling this "progressive might". This is an issue that can be attacked from either side of the aisle, and you'd do yourself better to call upon the right to join you in this cause.

Dump the partisanship, this isn't progressive, this isn't conservative. This...this is just sensical.

Anonymous said...

Nothing you do will change things. It's up to the leader of the House.

Ryan said...

True, Joe. I forget sometimes that conservatives actually read my site.

Anon, there are certainly state reps that can be convinced out there. Maybe Sal DiMasi is all we really need, but if the votes close, even he could turn for fear of not being able to control fate (and not wanting to look beaten after the effect).

Anonymous said...

Casinos are coming period. It's a quick fix. As soon as Dimasi can make it look like he's the saviour of the budget he'll endorse things, get a little something something for his constituents and we'll be on our way.

Ryan said...

It's not a quick fix and I think you're being overly optomistic that DiMasi will support it. He's a stubborn SOB - and sometimes in a good way.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I bet we'll have casinos.

Anonymous said...

You said in another post that "Casinos are an enticing, easy fix".

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