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Pol nabbed on New Hampshire booze run (Dem Avoids His Own Tax)
The Boston Herald ^ | 09/02/09 | Michele McPhee, Dave Wedge and Hillary Chabot

Posted on 09/04/2009 12:50:17 PM PDT by Reaganesque

A Westport lawmaker who voted to hike the state sales and alcohol taxes was spotted brazenly piling booze in his car - adorned with his State House license plate - in the parking lot of a tax-free New Hampshire liquor store, the Herald has learned.

Michael J. Rodrigues’ blue Ford Crown Victoria, emblazoned with his “House 29” Massachusetts license plate, was parked outside a Granite State liquor store on Interstate-95 South over the weekend, according to a witness who provided pictures to the Herald.

The witness, who requested anonymity, claimed he approached Rodrigues, noted his State House plate, and asked if he was on personal or official business. Rodrigues, who was loading booze into his car, snapped “mind your own business,” the witness said.

The witness’ account was also posted yesterday on Citizens for Limited Taxation’s Web site.

A member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rodrigues did not return several phone calls yesterday. But in an online interview with The Standard-Times in New Bedford, he acknowledged buying the booze during a bathroom stop while he and his wife were on a weekend getaway in New Hampshire.

He also blamed the brouhaha on “Republican demagoguery.”

“Unfortunately, I think that’s why the Republican Party is in such bad shape in Massachusetts,” Rodrigues is quoted as saying. “The electorate here is smart enough to figure out what they’re up to.”

The Westport Democrat, whose family owns a rug business, was among the lawmakers who voted in an unpopular 25 percent sales tax hike for Bay Staters. The increase pushed the sales tax to 6.25 percent and slapped that same levy on booze - the first time alcohol has been subject to retail sales tax.

The hike has been blasted by business owners, especially those on the New Hampshire border, who say the increase has driven business north.

Mike Cimini, owner of Yankee Spirits liquor stores in Sturbridge, Attleboro and Swansea, said he’s lost about 10 percent of his business since the booze tax went into effect Aug. 1.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable that a Massachusetts state representative would be that hypocritical, let alone be that bold to actually drive his car with political plates to a New Hampshire liquor store,” said Cimini, noting Rodrigues represents communities close to his stores. “He’s up in New Hampshire to avoid the very taxes he approved.”

State law prohibits transporting more than 20 gallons of malt beverages or three gallons of any other alcoholic beverage. Police have the authority to detain and charge anyone illegally importing booze into the state. It’s unknown how much Rodrigues purchased at the New Hampshire store.

Authorities have also cracked down at the border, targeting Bay Staters seeking to avoid paying state taxes by crossing into New Hampshire to shop.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: booze; hypocrisy; rodrigues; westport
I'm not surprised at all by the hypocrisy. Having grown up in the Bay State, I'm all too familiar with pols who feel that laws don't apply to them. The thing I find the most distasteful about this is the Clintonian "it's all a Republican plot" charge. I still find it amazing that when a Democrat is caught red-handed in a lie or bad/illegal behavior that not only are they not embarrassed about it but they are deeply offended that the little people have questioned them and then have the brass to go on the attack accusing others of being liars. There is no shame on the Left. None.
1 posted on 09/04/2009 12:50:18 PM PDT by Reaganesque
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To: Reaganesque

And they just keep on electing them!!!


2 posted on 09/04/2009 12:54:49 PM PDT by ontap
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To: Reaganesque
I dont think any Democrat is allowed to follow the Law
or to pay taxes.
If they do get caught breaking a law, they get off {Sandy Berger, thugs attacking White voters, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.)
If they actually pay taxes, they are eliminated from Federal Government.
3 posted on 09/04/2009 12:57:29 PM PDT by Diogenesis ("Those who go below the surface do so at their peril" - Oscar Wilde)
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To: Reaganesque

This will get him more votes from the BVS ( battered voter syndrome) people in Massachusetts.


4 posted on 09/04/2009 1:01:46 PM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: Reaganesque

“asked if he was on personal or official business. Rodrigues, who was loading booze into his car, snapped “mind your own business,” the witness said.”

Oooooo, would I have caused an ugly scene. The police would have showed up due to yelling of obscenities in public. And, I would have a string of photos...

You see, it ^would have been my business^ seein’ as how I paid for that car and the salary he’s using for his vacation trip.


5 posted on 09/04/2009 1:02:34 PM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (FreepMail me if you want on the Bourbon ping list!)
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To: Reaganesque

The NH state liquor store in Nashua near the Pheasant Lane Mall has a huge sign: “No Sales Tax!”

Maybe they’ll catch a few more MA pols this weekend...


6 posted on 09/04/2009 1:03:23 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (Obama promised a gold mine, but he will give us the shaft.)
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To: ontap

Well,after Teddy K and Chappaquiddick,one congressman having a gay romp with an underage page and another whose boyfriend was running a gay prostitution ring out of his apartment,what’s a little booze run?....Just trying to think of how the voters will justify THIS one!...because we all know,for the majority of voters in this state,as long as that (D) is by the name on the ballot,all is forgiven!


7 posted on 09/04/2009 1:04:07 PM PDT by massmike (...So this is what happens when OJ's jury elects the president....)
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To: Reaganesque

Busted!


8 posted on 09/04/2009 1:05:57 PM PDT by Sig Sauer P220 ("Peace" is that brief, glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading - Anonymous)
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To: Reaganesque; All
Call him. I did. his aide was very unhappy, to say the least.

District Office

151 State Road

Westport, MA 02790

(508) 646-0650

(508) 646-0656

E-Mail: Rep.MichaelRodrigues@hou.state.ma.us

RepMRod2@charterinternet.com

9 posted on 09/04/2009 1:06:34 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: LibFreeOrDie

And only about a mile down the road is the big “state of the Art” Rest Room in MA. His wife could have gone to the bathroom there. But he threw her under the bus anyway.


10 posted on 09/04/2009 1:07:17 PM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel
I can see myself lying down behind the car until the police arrive.

'Officer, I thought the car was stolen! How could I know that my own elected official was here breaking the law by purchasing these alcoholic beverages and avoiding the taxes?'

TV crews, police reports, photos, and videos.

11 posted on 09/04/2009 1:08:52 PM PDT by 11Bush
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To: Reaganesque
“It’s absolutely unbelievable that a Massachusetts state representative would be that hypocritical,

Seems perfectly natural to me. This is Kennedachusetts, after all.

12 posted on 09/04/2009 1:14:46 PM PDT by workerbee (If you vote for Democrats, you are engaging in UnAmerican Activity.)
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To: Reaganesque

Taxes are for slaves and Republicans, never for democrats.


13 posted on 09/04/2009 1:21:45 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember (When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
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To: 11Bush
I can see myself lying down behind the car until the police arrive.

You ARE brave. He probably wouldn't mind driving over a "little people." Just a bump in his road.

14 posted on 09/04/2009 1:23:19 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine (Is /sarc really necessary?)
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To: Reaganesque

He wasn’t gettin’ the booze for a party - he wuz jest gettin’ up the nerve to go to Confession ...


15 posted on 09/04/2009 1:31:14 PM PDT by Lmo56
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To: Pearls Before Swine
You are 100% correct. I edit the original post to:

Blocking his vehicle with my F-250 I draw out the Kimber and force the offender to lay on the ground until the authorities arrive.

16 posted on 09/04/2009 1:38:58 PM PDT by 11Bush
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To: jmaroneps37
This will get him more votes from the BVS ( battered voter syndrome) people in Massachusetts.

I believe it's the Stockholm syndrome that afflicts most voters up here in MA.

17 posted on 09/04/2009 1:39:12 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right,...exercise...die anyway.)
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To: workerbee
“It’s absolutely unbelievable that a Massachusetts state representative would be that hypocritical,

That doesn't even qualify as hypocritical in Mass. Remember these are the people who change the election laws depending on whether the governor is an R or a D. These are the people who pay themselves a daily stipend to drive to work. The idea that they actually do anything for their constituency is sort of a joke.

18 posted on 09/04/2009 1:45:33 PM PDT by OpeEdMunkey (Eat right,...exercise...die anyway.)
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To: All

Update! Howie Carr just announced that Rep. Rodrigues has magnanimously offered to pay the additional MA tax “IF HE HAS TO.”


19 posted on 09/04/2009 2:48:56 PM PDT by Reaganesque
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