Ballot Questions in the Upcoming Election (Boston: sales, income, sales tax)

[New Englander]

I know that this is political, however it pertains to the upcoming ballot questions for the November 2nd election. Please note that I am not promoting a yes/no vote, just bringing some some important matters to your attention.

Ballot Questions - Overview - Campaign 2010 - Boston.com

[LeavingMA]

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I hadn't heard anything about the ballot issues yet.

[cwaggy]

Yes, Yes, Yes, across the board if you are a true small government conservative and No, No, No across the board if you are a truly liberal about taxation and government growth

[New Englander]

For Ballot Question #3, 3 of the 4 Candidates for Governor have stated that they would abide by the decision of the voters with regard to the sales tax issue. Only Deval Patrick has not committed to following the wishes of the voting public.

I think it is critical that we take steps to make the Commonwealth a better place to live.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by New Englander

For Ballot Question #3, 3 of the 4 Candidates for Governor have stated that they would abide by the decision of the voters with regard to the sales tax issue. Only Deval Patrick has not committed to following the wishes of the voting public.

I think it is critical that we take steps to make the Commonwealth a better place to live.

That is interesting because we have voted on the sales tax and income tax before and the politicians completed ignored what the voters said.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

That is interesting because we have voted on the sales tax and income tax before and the politicians completed ignored what the voters said.

I don't remember ever voting on the sales tax before...

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

That is interesting because we have voted on the sales tax and income tax before and the politicians completed ignored what the voters said.

This is exactly why the voting public should be aware of which politicians are ignoring the voice of the people.

These ballot questions are the best example of direct democracy where we have a direct role in deciding what the govt should or should not be doing.

Regardless of where we stand on these issues, it is absolutely critical that we hold our politicians to the results of the ballot questions.

[cwaggy]

Absofrickinlootely.

[Valerie C]

And why wouldn't they? Until the surprise election of Scott Brown last year, the politicians-at-large in Massachusetts know that they don't need to listen to the voters, that they are safe in voting on their agenda and along party lines...

I was raised in MA, where I (and everyone I knew) voted D because that's just what we do. (Sort of like pulling to Dunkies for weak coffee, it's what we do, and a hard habit to break.) It takes more effort to research the ballot questions AND the voting record of elected officials (like it's more effort to park, get coffee and a muffin or biscotti from a coffee shop) but BOY what a difference when you make the effort. Methinks that the voters (and coffee drinkers!) of Massachusetts are waking up

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

That is interesting because we have voted on the sales tax and income tax before and the politicians completed ignored what the voters said.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

And why wouldn't they? Until the surprise election of Scott Brown last year, the politicians-at-large in Massachusetts know that they don't need to listen to the voters, that they are safe in voting on their agenda and along party lines...

I was raised in MA, where I (and everyone I knew) voted D because that's just what we do. (Sort of like pulling to Dunkies for weak coffee, it's what we do, and a hard habit to break.) It takes more effort to research the ballot questions AND the voting record of elected officials (like it's more effort to park, get coffee and a muffin or biscotti from a coffee shop) but BOY what a difference when you make the effort. Methinks that the voters (and coffee drinkers!) of Massachusetts are waking up

Well I certainly hope that the times do change in Massachusetts. Regardless of party affiliation we need to make sure that the politicians report to us (the voting public) and follow the outcomes of these ballot initiatives.

We should make it clear that those politicians that do not follow the voters choices will be punished both during the reelection time and also should be subject to recall.