How Massachusetts Is That? I'll Let You Decide....

New Englanders are a special breed. Studies show time and time again that we are smartest, fittest people in the nation and are therefore de facto role models for those lesser Americans in the South and West. Take for example this week's decision on Beacon Hill to hold a closed door session on ethics reform (of all things!). Apparently the fact that Sal DiMasi became the third Massachusetts House speaker in a row to be indicted is a bit of an inconvenience. You see, when the Red Sox win three games in a row we call that a streak. When three Massachusetts house speakers in a row are convicted criminals we call that business as usual. On a scale of 1-10, how Massachusetts is that? I'll give that one a solid 4.

Facing the worst budget crunch in the history of western civilization, our elected Representatives had a crucial decision to make this week: get rid of two Suffolk county hack holidays and save $5 million a year -or- keep the holidays that nobody aside from government employees (or the rest of the state outside of Suffolk) actually observe. I'm not sure if you caught the YouTube clip of this debate on the State House floor but Jack Hart's argument for keeping Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day so that the children of South Boston could appreciate their "history" (FYI, the Americans lost the Battle of Bunker Hill) was as incoherent as it was laughable. The MBTA is on the verge of bankruptcy and our roads are riddled with potholes large enough to house a family of four. We may be broke, but at least a $5 million hack holiday will live to fight another day. How Massachusetts is that? I'm giving that a 7.

Our shiny new 25% sales tax increase will shortly apply to liquor purchases. As you may know, liquor is already taxed, but that tax is already built into the price (like gas). Starting this fall lucky Massachusetts consumers will continue to pay the liquor tax, plus an additional 6.25% sales tax. A tax on a tax - it may be clever but exactly how Massachusetts is that? How about an 11?