Dukakis. Oh, the memories! Not to mention, Kitty.
from Jeff Jacoby's column in today's Globe
...there was a reason Democrats couldn't get elected governor of the bluest state in the land for the last 16 years. Two words: Michael Dukakis.
The last time Massachusetts was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party, the state's economy imploded. Just three years after Dukakis had run for president as the architect of a "Massachusetts miracle," the Bay State was on the verge of fiscal collapse. As revenues slowed to a trickle, red ink drenched Beacon Hill. Taxes and fees were jacked up, and then jacked up again. And still Beacon Hill couldn't balance its books. The state began floating bonds to cover operating expenses. By the time Dukakis departed, Massachusetts's bond rating was the lowest of any state, just one step above "non-investment grade" junk level.
When Democrats last controlled the Massachusetts House, Senate, and governor's office, scandals proliferated. Republicans who spoke out against the one-party mismanagement were derided by those in power. On one memorable occasion -- his State of the State Address of 1989 -- Dukakis slammed those who criticized his record and called for reform as "gutless wonders."
One-party rule, Massachusetts voters discovered, was a disaster. And having been scorched so badly the last time they tried it, they didn't try it again for 16 years.
Now they are ready to try again. Perhaps that is because so many of them find Patrick so appealing. Perhaps it is because Kerry Healey did such an ineffective job of reminding them what the absence of checks and balances can lead to. Perhaps it is because after four terms of Republican governors, voters are simply tired of the GOP. Probably all three.
Dukakis. Oh, the memories! Not to mention, Kitty.
Won't they be surprised! Yes we can release murderers. Yes we can raise taxes. The voters will get what they deserve.