About that ‘chaotic finish’ to the legislative session
The State ‘Glass’ House
As a lifelong citizen of Massachusetts, why should I (or anyone, for that matter) be surprised or dismayed at the failure of the Massachusetts Legislature to pass legislation that promised to at least alleviate some of the financial constraints on its citizens (“A chaotic ‘finish’ and a pledge,” Page A1, Aug. 2)?
That body excels at promoting self aggrandizement and importance, yet routinely fails at critical points during the year, knowing their schedule, to effectively support and pass bills in a timely fashion which are designed to help the general population of the state. And, they then proceed to blame (why would they ever accept any blame?) a law from the 1980s for the problem? Sounds like elected officials are not doing their homework or demonstrating due diligence.
Don’t worry about transparency in government, either — because if such a thing existed, why would the legislators have to work feverishly at the last minute into the wee hours, to hurry and complete their agenda? One could conclude that they are too comfortable in their positions to worry about the general public. And they want us to believe their “promise” that they will come back to the issue later?
Why should anyone believe them? Legalization of sports betting is a higher priority than fiscal relief for the state’s citizenry. Let’s allow the people to gamble their money away instead!
How sad it is to see those who “represent” the voters of this state hide behind a cloak of secrecy and excuses when a frantic closure results at the end of almost every session. They know their schedule and cannot keep to it. How would they fare in the private sector if they couldn’t maintain a schedule? And then, they have the gall to excoriate everybody’s favorite whipping boy, the MBTA. Pathetic.
I hope none of them live in glass houses.
ROBERT LAFRANCE
Canton