Bad News From Boston

Wahoooo! This is best news I've heard yet. THANK YOU MASSACHUSETTS!

The rest of the country doesn't know it yet, but Mass. voters just did everybody else a huge favor by killing healthcare reform!

Massachusetts has first-hand experience with it and trust me, the US does not want this. Mass. knows this already, and saved everybody from an impending nightmare.

Congratulations to Scott Brown, and to the true Independent voters who refuse to vote solely along party ideology but vote instead on the issues that matter most.

I LOVE MASSACHUSETTS. I love the RED SOX! Love the PATRIOTS!! CELTICS!!! BC!!!!!! Even Curt Schilling the Yankee fan. You all rock!

Only Republicans dare to celebrate with such pride being obstacles to social progress!

But what can you expect from people that accept the spending the taxpayers dollars in corrupt policies backed by massive lies and horrible enterprises (Enron, Halliburton, Irak, GoldmanSachs, pollution, Monsanto, selling of public waters and all the rest of less known acts by smaller crooks in the republican side)

There is a small handful of supporters for the republicans here. Fortunately the less educated and the more exposed to individualism rampant in rural areas the more likely to vote republican. So all the urban centers where people are better educated (the best come here to compete) do have to experience side to side ups and downs understand social policies to a greater extent than the all fearful pro-guns anti-government, uneducated anti-science party.

Easier to be against ANYTHING that promotes a change to the status quo yet incapable of backing or even understanding living standards for industrialized societies.

8 years of abuses to power are the best they have had to offer to this country, while basically destroying it.

Yet, would prefer to go back to that.

We the progressive should resist such barbarism.

lol dork.

Healthcare reform isn't over snicker. It will never be over. The Healthcare system has to be overhauled, but thankfully we have another chance to do it correctly. The answer is will the Republicans be receptive to the Democrats offer to work together?

Mehh, nah. I have no faith in either party to get the job done.

Wow, actually it was GREAT news from Mass! Like Tony the Tiger GREAT!

Why are you against progress and compassion?

This is great - the democrats are going ape-shit bonkers!!! Thank you Mass!

Just because you say it doesn't make it true. I don't see any Dems going "bonkers" - just laying out the things that make Brown a racist sexist a-hole. Even your hero Glenn Beck doesn't like him!

Oh, and his daughters are "available". Nice guy.

Moja piękna koleżanka, *ania*

How could it be that people from a state with government healthcare voted for him?

For the same reason Limbaugh Lauds (Socialist) Medical Care (that he used) in Hawaii!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/limbaugh-lauds-socialist_b_409378.html

Jake Dobkin is bad news. Why dont you just tell us the facts instead of telling everyone your opinion. Thats not news. Congrats to Brown. Hopefully I won't have to work 100 hours a week now to make less money so others can not work and get free health care.

I hope you lose your job a week after your cancer diagnosis.

That's really sweet of you - because we have differing views, huh? More moral high ground from a Democrat.You all continue to impress me so, I'm really learning the error of my ways.

"Losing your job a week after your cancer diagnosis" is an over-the-top response to someone who feels that no one deserves health care unless they are fortunate enough to have a job will good health benefits. Perhaps if you were in a situation like NannyState suggested, you would see how everyone needs and deserves health care that is affordable and it's not only for the wealthy or lucky. And FYI - bennies don't always pan out, either! Sometimes they don't pay.

A.) I wasn't replying to you.

B.) You're only half as obnoxious as the person above

you but you're trying...

I totally agree with you but be warned, you're leaving your comment in Gothamist's Crybaby Lounge.

What an annoying and offensive headline ("Bad news from Boston"). In fact, what happened yesterday in the Bay State was great news for the United States.

The reflexive assumption by Gothamist's editors that readers would monolithically agree that Brown's election was "bad news," evinces exactly the type of arrogance, and sense of entitlement, that the voters of Massachusetts repudiated.

Of course, I could also mention that this story has nothing to do with New York . . .

Maybe those voters got a sugar rush off of dumping the Kennedy legacy that angry, bitter old white teabaggers despise, but tomorrow and beyond, their state no longer matters. the Democrats have a 59-41 majority in the Senate and Massachusetts isn't there, making legislation. They now have a junior backbencher who can shoot spitballs for 6 years while the parade passes by. He didn't even mention Republicans in his victory speech. He has no real constituency.And New Yoek was affected because the Red Sox suck, so go fuck yourself.

yeah! let´s destroy all urban infrastructure, now that piece of progress comes from taxes, let´s give that back to the "taxpayers" and go back to frontier times. And what about money for wars!? the passion of republicans! who pays for that shit! From taxes think where republicans would be without the tax payers money!HIPOCRITS.

useful idiot!

what a awful display of ignorant recklessness by the republicans taht celebrate a halt to progress.

You aren't even coherent. More Bush Derangement Syndrome - it's just hilarious to watch how easily you thoughtless sheep become unhinged. Try and keep it together darling, you'll have other opportunities to blow.

For cohrence you can go to your always "sound and coherent" fox news. Republicans are greedy and uncounsious while fighting social progress. You can pretend you´ll get something out of all that politicall darwinsm and state sponsored terror: the favorite tools of republican political cohesion in spite of reason for your team.

Surpluses given away to Cheney types and the Bush clan in made up wars, and dare to say taxpayers should not sponsor social programs!? the level of immorality is just amazing!

Yes, yes, and your Democrats all come from the priesthood first.

this coming from an aspiring rapper,

I've noticed you've removed your blog link, ma'am.

I have - I'll keep the trolls here, where I find them. I'm not much for importing ;)

God how I love watching democrats lose their shit!

there is nothing more noble for republicans that total lack of social consiousness and actually joy in a halt to progress. yay!

Republican moron!

and you resorted to name calling after what... a sentence? Soooooo socially conscious. You want to have the higher moral ground? Use grown up words.

Oh sorry, should I freak out, call you a racist, sob because the will of Mass. didn't jibe with your desire to live off others and spew venom about Obama the way you socially conscious and morally higher democrats do? You want healthcare, buy it. Like I do. You want to live off the fat of the land through no real effort on your part? Go live on a lazy liberal on a commune somewhere. Or be a freegan. Real taxpayers don't feel like supporting you. At least not in Mass. they don't.

Why do you consider free health care to be sponging off the hard work of others? Repubs have no care for anyone but themselves.

Just the fact that you say "darling" and talk about how "hilarious" it is to watch people become "unhinged" (which no one is doing - shows how you really are. Very mocking and unfeeling.

and democrats are so warm and fuzzy to republicans? Gimme a break, your side took a hit, try to deal with it without becoming unhinged and offensive. The bulk of the state agrees with me and not you so what are you so pissed at me for? Agreeing? Get a grip, half the country feels the way I do, why don't you run out now and start calling them all racists. And I'm not unfeeling, I'm feeling pretty damn good about the message that was sent to Washington. One day you will too.

It's hard to be warm and fuzzy to people who care for no one but themselves. I have to assume that every single Republican has a great job with full health benefits? Anyone who does not have that doesn't deserve it, is that right? Because they did not work hard enough in life? And you never need help from anyone? Ever?

Why do you consider free health care to be sponging off the hard work of others? Repubs have no care for anyone but themselves.

Just the fact that you say "darling" and talk about how "hilarious" it is to watch people become "unhinged" (which no one is doing - shows how you really are. Very mocking and unfeeling.

Why do you consider free health care to be sponging off the hard work of others? Repubs have no care for anyone but themselves.

Just the fact that you say "darling" and talk about how "hilarious" it is to watch people become "unhinged" (which no one is doing - shows how you really are. Very mocking and unfeeling.

yeah! let´s destroy all urban infrastructure, now that piece of progress comes from taxes, let´s give that back to the "taxpayers" and go back to frontier times. And what about money for wars!? the passion of republicans! who pays for that shit! From taxes think where republicans would be without the tax payers money!HIPOCRITS.

useful idiot!

what a awful display of ignorant recklessness by the republicans taht celebrate a halt to progress.

Coakley didn't even run a campaign. Worthless.

I'd be irate too if I was powerless against a political behemoth that (like a good part of the Senate and Congress) had been in power longer than most dictators propped up by the US government. Now just waiting for Chuck Schumer to decide that he'd like to get his Israeli passport and get into politics there.

Well observed.

Lots of first time posters in this thread. Funny how good news for Republicans brings out the trolls on blogs.

Thread chain in summary: Herp derp. Pubs and crats.

That said - it's saddening, but is a well needed kick in the ass. It also makes me wonder for how long we'll have to stare at White House golden boy's face deep in voter's regret and just go "hrumph".

How many beers have you had tonight?

I've had a Zombie or three, though to'lly unrelated to tonight's political circus.

It finally feels like Ted Kennedy is truly gone...and good riddance.

What ever happened to that Oldsmobile that he was driving that fateful night? Is it in the legacy section of the JFK Library?

It's actually mounted in the Edgartown common like a war cannon. They decorate it for memorial day and the kids get their picture taken for the local paper as they climb around on it.

Thank you Massachusetts. You saved America again. If it weren't for your well educated best and brightest, the hack healthcare system capital swill has been trying to slam down our naive throats would have passed. Thank you.

Obama should really get out more often and see what technology has to offer. A good example is there is an ap for the iphone that prints imaginary $50 bills. He should download it and see how far he will get at the local bodega in Washington.

Centerfold

I always had my sneaking suspicions about this site...

Is that you, JDS?

Anyway, this is a harbinger of things to come in the fall. Mid-term elections are going to be a blood bath for the Democrats if the status quo remains. The comments of voters in MA are very telling.

So there will be more "bad news" in November because all those Republicans hate black people, the poor, Mexicans, and want everyone to die due to health care!

I like all these disparaging words about the pickup driving centerfold candidate. Get real. JFK won the presidential election because he was more photogenic than Nixon. Plus his two brothers rode his coat tails, and for nearly half a century the younger brother kept up the legend.

"FK won the presidential election because he was more photogenic than Nixon."

And Nixon turned out to be the real winner!

"FK won the presidential election because he was more photogenic than Nixon."

And Nixon turned out to be the real winner!

"FK won the presidential election because he was more photogenic than Nixon."

And Nixon turned out to be the real winner!

I guess you couldn't pick up on my sarcasm. I'm extremely conservative, moreso than Brown. Really, I'm a libertarian, but you'll just laugh if I write that. Oh, damn...

I'm sorry. Forgive me for I have sinned.

Is that a bad thing?

I doubt anyone believes republicans want ALL of those colored people to die. They do need low wage "field hands".

i am sick to death ....and i'm from ma. ....sorry everyone, but i certainly DID NOT vote for that ass Brown.

well at least there was one smart bay stater. thank you puffyeyes.

Interesting direction for Gothamist: biased, non-NYC related news.

are you an ignorant teabager?

Non related to NYC? WTF!? is the senate of the USA and the legislative work to the FEDERAL government not related to the whole Country and beyond!? you have to be a republican to be such a clueless voting moron.

Also Wall Street rally on possible health care failure.

The fact that Obama let those bastard fat cats get away with raping the American public, decimating retirement accounts with their foolhardy legitimized gambling of fake assets, then feeding themselves sickening bonuses at the taxpayer trough.... this is what the voters are protesting.

Agreed but Brown will only cause Gridlock and he is for Deregulation and tax cuts for Wall Street. How does this help Main street?

Please prove that Coakley wouldn't have done the same thing. Where were you when Barney Frank wrote a $4 trillion gift into the bank bailout? Or when Obama personally approved bonuses for certain AIG employees after swearing they would all work for nothing?

bill moyers had Thomas Frank on last week regarding his new book The Wrecking Crew. that's exactly what he mentioned.

You realize if reform in its current form were to pass, health insurance stocks would go through the roof thanks to the trillions of dollars government would have forced into their arms, right?

I doubt that this since Corporate America is lobbying against even this water down bill and the GOP aren't on board.

King Bloomberg is from Boston.

actually Brookline, close but not Boston.

Michael Bloomberg was born to a Jewish family of Russian and Polish descent[10] at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on February 14, 1942. (From Wiki)

I grew up there. That's just one of the closest hospitals to Brookline. I believe that he grew up in Brookline or Medford. Funny, St. Elizabeth's is kind of a dump.

Say, Felix. Has Bloomberg's tanlines disappeared yet?

He doesn't have tan lines. hmmm

so um, healthcare reform won't affect NYC?

So your logic is that this is important because he could have a big filibuster breaking vote on health care---but really any bill that passes through the senate.

So logically Gothamist will be posting about every bill that narrowly passes the senate?

Brown opposes more regulations on Wall Street banks and a tax on the banks to recover some of the federal bailout money they received during last year's financial meltdown. Yes the dumb masses voted for him probably because of his green pickup truck. I wonder what prop Ford Jr will use?

You're going to use the "country, hick" argument against Massachusetts voters?

Do you imply that Republicans are racist by any chance?

I didn't mention race, Corporate America is pulling strings. Ford Jr is their next trojan horse.

The pickup reference obviously referred to white people who are "country".

I'm sure someone wrote something like this after Obama won, "Ya, the dumb masses probably voted for him because of his (insert something related to certain enclaves of African-Americans and/or their culture)."

...and you saw no problem with it, I'm sure.

for me, pickup means blue collar. (main street). But Brown isn't for main street but for wall street deregulation and corporate tax cuts. Didn't people learn after 8 years of Bush that all those tax cuts contributed to our large deficit and deregulation led to the financial meltdown?

If we were so deregulated, why were interest rates dropped to 1%? Why was the SEC budget bigger than ever? Why did we create more money/credit than ever (M3)?

Wasn't the issue: too much meddling?

Cutting to recite the deregulation, Bush tax cut mantra, however, if it helps you sleep at night.

I thought we nearly all agreed that what caused this crisis was too much money. But I guess not.

Continuing. Cutting? I don't know what I had on my mind.

His name is Phil Gramm. A few days after the Supreme Court made George W. Bush president in 2000, Gramm stuck something called the Commodity Futures Modernization Act into the budget bill. Nobody knew that the Texas senator was slipping America a 262 page poison pill. The Gramm Guts America Act was designed to keep regulators from controlling new financial tools described as credit "swaps." These are instruments like sub-prime mortgages bundled up and sold as securities. Under the Gramm law, neither the SEC nor the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) were able to examine financial institutions like hedge funds or investment banks to guarantee they had the assets necessary to cover losses they were guaranteeing.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-moore/a-nation-of-village-idiot_b_127340.html

So you blame CDOs, huh? On its own, a CDO is of moderate risk. It's an asset back security. It matures differently. And the risk is pooled.

What fucked things up was the Clinton and Bush ideal that every American needs to own a home, and they'll make it financially feasible for individuals. This, coupled with easy money from the Fed, was the cause. CDOs maybe were the bullet, but a strong initiative from the executive branch, corporatist mortgage and borrowing lenders, and Congressional backing were the root causes for the housing disaster.

As much as I hate Ken Lewis and Vikram Pandit, the underwriters and CDOs were not the real problem. They were a problem, but only because of this toxic housing industry.

The postmortem on the crisis is almost complete. There are some good books on the topic already, and I my views are only the views of people who have written extensively on the subhect.

would you name one of these books?

Probably a black Escalade with tricked out wheels so he can bond with his constituents.

Which means all NY'ers should be celebrating this victory since Wall St is the backbone of our entire regional economy. Yeah!!

not ALL only king Bloomberg and his rich circle. Corporate America-1, Main Street-0.

Hopefully this means a real raise for me in the near future.

Ching. Ching. Suckas.

I guess Obama is seeing the light about now. How many more years will he need to see there are a lot of flyover states that really don't like his way of "change." Mass isn't one of them but just imagine the other states' attitude.

We are spending billions fighting a war that we will never see an end to, but he listens to his advisers and keeps plugging away. He ain't no Nixon.

Don't those fly over states support the war?

Actually I believe they are supplying the canon fodder and supporting the troops, but for the most part they don't have a clue.

Ah...gotcha. That they do and all of us lose.

I am sure you will not move to Switzerland in the near future, or France either.

I've actually been thinking about doing that for work, but the likelihood of that happening like yesterday is pretty low. Until then, I will be happy my "cadillac" plan will go untaxed as my wages are suppressed due to increased healthcare costs. Yippee!

The centerfold guy with the truck wins. Way to Go Massachusetts.

I like the unbiased headline. "Bad News From Boston."

Did someone die and make Jake Dobkin the moderator for the Gothamist's political opinions?

When will Jen Chung get back? Soon I hope.

He is sort of the boss.

Kind of like the Rupert Murdoch of the Gothamist?

I guess similar since Jake is white like Rupert and Jen is Chinese like Mrs. Rupert.