Population drop raises concern over House seats

Transcript Statehouse Bureau ^ | December 26 | Rebecca Fater

[george76]

Massachusetts has lost thousands in population over the last two years, according to newly released U.S. Census numbers.

But the numbers do more than signal an...exodus from the Bay State...

It puts Massachusetts in danger of losing yet another congressional seat after 2010, when the House of Representatives is reapportioned.

"It's discouraging," said Phil Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "It means we're losing political clout with the Congress, and it's not good."

Since 1920, when Massachusetts had 16 representatives, the state has seen a steady decline, down to the current 10 representatives...

"It would be likely we would lose one (seat)," said U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Lowell. "But it's not out of the realm of possibility we could lose two."

Federal aid for various programs is distributed according to population, which means Massachusetts could start seeing fewer federal dollars...

One less seat also means less say in who becomes president of the United States.

"Assuming we lose a House seat, we lose a vote in the Electoral College, and someone else picks up a vote, (probably) in the south," ...

That means the more conservative southern states would have additional influence on the presidential pick.

Matt Wylie, executive director of the state's Republican Party, suggested Massachusetts legislators might have only themselves to blame.

"It's the will of the people," Wylie said, referring to a rollback of the state's income tax that voters supported in 2000, which the Legislature — controlled by the Democratic Party — has yet to perform.

"They ask for something and say this is what we expect to have happen. And when the (Democrats) don't do it, (the Democrats) say why are you leaving?"

[devane617]

Why are all the Yankees that hate the south, moving there? Go home yankee!!!

[pleikumud]

Kennedy is up for re-election in 2006. His win will be automatic again, which proves that it's primarily the morons who remain there.

[ladyjane]

The only thing Meehan does well is lie. He's the guy who railed against congressmen staying in office for more than two terms!

[1Old Pro]

It puts Massachusetts in danger of losing yet another congressional

Too bad they're not losing a Senate seat.

[ladyjane]

They ought to have penalty time-outs like in hockey. When MA reps vote for something stupid (again) They should be sent to the penalty box - without pay - for a couple of months.

[goldstategop]

K-land is suffering an exodus and the Democrats can't figure out how to staunch it. Voters supported tax relief and the Democrats told them in effect, if you don't like the way we run things in Massachusetts, leave! Its becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy and I believe Kerry's near win in 2004 is as good as it gets for the Democrats. Its a long way from Kennedy's day when the Bay State had 16 seats in Congress.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[sully777]

I surmise this is one possibility WHY the government of the US hesitates on the border issue. If you make the illegals in your districts part of the official population, you keep your seats and then some.

[add925]

The problem is that many of those fleeing Democrat scumbags who fouled their own nest will go to Republican states and foul them with their votes, next. I would prefer that Massachusetts become even more of a socialist welfare state and act as a magnet to attract as many parasite Democrats as possible. Let them all be concentrated in one place.

Bingo...However, where will the moonbats flock to? Taxachusettesites will not likely roost in fly-over states. Think salt water...Moonbats love salt water. I'm afraid its NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TX, LA and the left coast.

My vote is for Iceland.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

As a southerner that has lived in colder climates (DC area, Germany), I have trouble understanding why people want to live in the Northeast? I suppose that if I had grown up in New England, I would have a connection to snow and cold weather. I do think that in our mobile society that people do consider factors like state taxes and the cost of leftist state policies. Living in the DC area, I had to choose between Virginia, Maryland and DC. DC's taxes are among the highest in the country. Maryland's taxes are high as well (state and county income taxes). I lived in Va for five years and the most nagging tax was the car tax, which was nearly abolished. I took a transfer to a job in Md and my taxes increased. Also, I always felt like my vote in Md was a waste until Gov Erlich was elected.
We called Md,"The Peoples Republic of Maryland." Mass and several northeastern states are even more socialistic.
They have policies that drive up the cost of housing and general cost of living. When grocery store clerks (union) are paid far beyond their skill, the consumer pays. Also, strict zoning drives up the cost of homes.
I now live in Georgia, which is an average state in terms of taxes. However, the cost of living is low.
My Daughter lives in Houston, which as no zoning laws and her home (in a golf course subdivision) was priced very low compared to what it would have been in Va, Md or Ga.

People will continue to leave states with lousy weather and high taxes, especially if new jobs are available in business friendly states in the sun belt. The South shall rise again.

[AmericanDave]

Thanks, I had not paid any attention to that amendment.

[HamiltonJay]

Folks Vote with the feet too... you screw the state up.. folks leave.. pure and simple. The entire N.E. for the most part is having this problem.. and for good reason.

[MattinNJ]

It may not be liberals leaving... it may be the last of the conservatives jumping off the Titanic.

Absolutely. This conservative is thinking of leaving Joisey. The property taxes, car insurance rates, etc...are mind boggling. I don't see it getting much better under Corzine either. If we move it will be the Carolina or New Mexico.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Are you implying that your little brother can't leave his partner(s) behind??

[conservative blonde]

I don't think it's the "liberal pukes" who are moving from MS. They would like the political climate there. It more than likely is conservatives who have finally seen the light and are moving South.

[Preachin']

' "It's discouraging," said Phil Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "It means we're losing political clout with the Congress, and it's not good." '



Sounds great to me.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

In 1965...

...a young Sen. TED KENNEDY visited Vietnam to see just what was goin' on there.

(See 5th Picture)
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set1.htm


So he just knew better when he came out against the Vietnam War, in league with his Mass. partner in treason JOHN KERRY, later on.

And then against FREEDOM for Iraq in a new time of war.

Mass.'s loss is FREEDOM's future gain.

For after the Fall of FREEDOM in South Vietnam in 1975 came:


Pictures of a vietnamese Re-Education Camp

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308949/posts

.

[Strutt9]

Hey, we are not liberal pukes... we moved out of MA. While a resident in MA... we tried our darnest to vote in Republicans. Had enough of the high taxes and liberalism running rampant there.
Some people that move out of MA are conservatives.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[Since 1920, when Massachusetts had 16 representatives, the state has seen a steady decline, down to the current 10 representatives... ]

I believe the missing 6 representatives are all here:

[RetiredArmy]

They got what they wanted, and now others have had it and are sick of the liberals and taxes. Good for them. Even Manny wants out of Boston!!!

[KC_Conspirator]

This is a prime example of liberal fiscal policies stifling economic growth and liberal social policies aborting and gaying themeselves into non-existence.