Tom Conroy for State Representative

“We Need Success Stories”

There’s a lot of frustration and negativity out there, and we could use some success stories to create the optimism to get our economy back on track.

At the Agawam Diner in Rowley, a classic 1930s art deco spot where breakfast is “Served all day”, all the staff have 30+ years of experience, and the clientele consists of regulars.  Met some nice folks, and all seem rather frustrated and displeased with Washington.  Heard one say “put the politics aside and the people first.”  Another criticized the media for causing the polarization and partisanship in WDC in order to sell ads and papers, a commentary that I have heard from several others along the way.  How do we stop that, we wondered? 

Joe, 77, who said he met JFK several times because “JFK was everywhere when he campaigned”, commended me on passing 500 miles on my walk, saying “success hides behind hard work.”

At the farmers’ market, heard from Kathy about the demise of 13 dairy farms in the area in the past six months because they couldn’t compete on price, and a suicide at one of them.  Only two dairy farms remain the Rowley area.  According to one dairy farmer, each cow represents about $14,000 for the local economy, so when a dairy farm closes, it can remove $1 million.  Government pricing levels have been too low compared to local production costs; worth evaluating.  Kathy is involved with the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers, and I said that I would meet with them about this at the State House.

Long talk at the market with a Boston school teacher about the “misguided teacher evaluation process that depends on MCAS scores” and how it won’t weed out the underperforming teachers, but could instead penalize those who speak out for change.  She is discouraged about the direction that education is heading in Massachusetts and across the country.  But wasn’t sure what the solution or direction should be, only better than what we have now.

Heard anger about all the taxpayer dollars going to military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how we need to end the wars and bring the money home.  Reminded me of the fact that yesterday’s Ames Iowa Straw Poll victor, Tea Party queen Michele Bachmann, who wants desperately to shrink government, has received almost all of her career earnings and benefits from state and federal governments.  How do we end this hypocrisy? 

So, lots of frustration out there amongst regular folks.  Politics before people in DC.  Media exacerbates the partisanship. Government mucking up agriculture and education.  Taxpayer dollars wasted overseas.  Not many solutions mentioned, lots of shrugs on that front.  So perhaps we need to find and publicize more success stories, so people can see models for a better future. 

Success stories in the private sector could involve businesses loyal to Massachusetts that keep jobs here.  In government, this can take the form of successful policies, like the life sciences law in MA (and the self-financing program within it that I wrote in which the government obtains non-tax revenue to support the industry over the next century).  In education, this could be a failing school turning itself around, like Brockton High.  In politics, leading by example is often a successful model to corral followers and create change for the greater good.  That’s why I’m in this, and I’m trying to lead by example with relevant qualifications for the office of U.S. Senator, a strong work ethic, a good ear to listen to voters, a principled record on campaign financing, a long list of accomplishments, good ideas, and a track record of effectiveness and victory.  All geared toward enhancing the public’s trust in government, and getting this country headed in the right direction again.

Cheers,

Tom   

Miles: 7.9

Total Miles: 510.9

Encounters with Voters: 45

Total encounters with voters:  2,044