With changing leadership the Statehouse must become more transparent
Yesterday, House Speaker Robert Deleo stepped down after a 12-year tenure in leadership. Today, the House will nominate a new speaker. The representatives must use this changeover to fix Beacon Hill. Many popular bills were ignored during Deleo’s time behind the wheel. During a year of crises, the slow pace of legislation stands out.
The House adopts new rules in mid-january. Incoming state Rep. Michael Kushmerek should vote for more transparency. Too many bills die in committee without voters knowing who opposed them and why. All committee votes should be public. We ought to know where our representatives stand. Similarly, too many bills have been changed at the last minute. Final legislation should be made public for 72 hours prior to votes.
With new leadership, it is high time for the House to show the public what it is doing so that we can weigh in. That is what democracy is all about.
— David Radue
Fitchburg
Counting is not the key
A good idea by Jill Ebstein. But I’m not sure a “count to five” will work. For too many a five count will be completed in about one second, maybe even less — before the other is even aware one has paused.
One thing I must disagree with — that we have become of a nation of “hearers” and “counter punchers.” Quite the contrary, for far too many we have become a nation of “talkers” and punchers.
Too busy shouting their own rhetoric to hear — never mind actually listen — to the voices, or ideas and opinions, of others.
When Dr. Fauci said a mask had “only limited value in protecting the wearer from getting
Covid-19,” they hear “a mask had no value in protecting against Covid-19.” When the president says he wanted to “prevent Muslim terrorists from entering the country,” they hear “prevent Muslims from entering the country,” says “deport illegal immigrant criminals,” they hear “deport immigrants.”
So enamored with their own voices, that the voices of those around them have become lost in an unintelligible babble of the masses. Hearing only what they have preconceived they want the speaker to say — not what the speaker is saying, and viciously attacking anyone who even hints at a disagreeing idea or opinion.
“Hearing” is of no value until one takes the time to stop talking and actually “LISTEN” to what others are saying. Who knows — you might just be surprised at how much you agree with what is really being said.
— David Adams
Westford