| I'm from Washington. . I mean Medford, er Malden! |
Congressman Edward Markey (D-Medford) has announced that he will run for US Senate should senior US Senator John Kerry be confirmed for Secretary of State.
Former US Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) has announced that Markey's residency remains in question. Although he lists Malden as his home address, his constituents claim that they do not see him all that much. Markey has some explaining to do, since residency matters just as much as political advocacy and individual integrity.
So, where does Congressman Markey belong? Where do his interests lie? As some voters would say on the street, "Where does he stay?" In Woburn, Wrentham, or Washington D.C.?
In Woburn, WR Grace, Beatrice Foods, and Unifirst faced a heavy lawsuit for allegedly contaminating the groundwater. A record number of leukemia cases erupted in the Woburn area. The high-profile environmental and health case became a book and later a movie called "A Civil Action." What actions did he take to deal with the contamination of the water supply in the region? The legacy of tainted water lingers to this day.
As mentioned before, Wrentham is home of Scott Brown, the junior Senator who shot ahead from trailing by double-digits to winning the Senate Seat previously occupied by the deceased Ted "Chappaquiddick" Kennedy. Brown is well-known and well-placed in his constituency. What about Markey in Medford or Malden?
Then there's Washington D.C., where it appears that Markey has found his mark, the same credentials of Washington insider and out-of-touch pol which should lead Massachusetts voters to reconsider giving him any respect, let alone a six-year term in the US Senate.
After thirty-six years in office, what has Edward Markey done for his country or for his state or even his district? His signature legislation, Waxman–Markey Cap and Trade, passed on the narrowest of margins. Cap and Trade is an environmental Ponzi Scheme which benefits bureaucrats, but hurts businesses, increases fuel costs, and actually creates more pollution. Even the green activistc Annie Leonard disputed the reputed merits of "Cap and Trade" and vocally opposed its implementation.
In June 2009, the day that the Waxman–Markey bill came to the House floor, then-minority leader John Boehner outlined that the projected Cap and Trade program would cost the nation millions of jobs while pushing businesses out of business or overseas. Thankfully, Waxman–Markey died in the Democratically-controlled Senate, where foresight about the fate of industry and commerce took precedence over the environmental extremism of Markey and his "Cap and Trade" bill.
Recently, Congressman Markey has stood contrary to the best interests of the nation to vote with his Party against helping his constituents and the country. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) JOB Act would expedite immigrants who have earned advanced degrees in American universities to receive their VISAs more quickly, but the "Malden" Congressman voted "No!". Markey voted against the "No More Solyndras" Act, which would have prevented further waste and fraud with tax payer dollars for green tech companies. Nineteen companies with federal subsidies have failed in the last two years, with Solyndra alone taking down $500 million following its inevitable bankruptcy. All in the name of politics and game-scoring, Markey even voted against the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act, a bill which would have streamlined bureaucratic hurdles and advanced the interests of burdened small businesses. From immigration to federal dollars to small businesses, Markey has missed the mark and should not leave his mark in the US Senate.
Now, unfortunately "Republican" has become something of a "bad word" to Bay State residents. Yet Massachusetts was the first state to send an African-American and Republican to the US Senate: Edward Brooke. A moderate just like Scott Brown, Brooke supporter civil rights as well as limited government, charging that the Republican Party needed to guard their hearts as well as lead with their heads. He established a political base and rapport with Massachusetts voters. He resisted the national GOP party lines when they strayed from the better interests of the Bay State. He even refused to endorse Barry Goldwater in 1964 because of the Arizona Senator's "extreme views." He went on to represent his home state for two terms. His legacy should inspire voters to carry on his legacy and reelect Scott Brown, another grassroots and independent voice for the Commonwealth, as opposed to a mouth-piece and rubber stamp for Washington waste.
Should Senator John Kerry advance to become Secretary of State, Massachusetts voters should reject "Misses-the-Markey" and re-elect Scott Brown to the US Senate. As for Congressman Markey, one can only ask: "Where do you stay, Markey?"