FORMER GOV. ROMNEY AND "THE MASSACHUSETTS FACTOR"

People railed Mike Dukasis during and long after his govenorship, blasting his economic record and a myriad of other issues - not taking into account the entire country was pretty much in a downturn. Then came the republicans, Bill Weld, the rightie-leftie-rightie governor. Gov. Celucci who aspired to bigger but alas, not big enough things, and dear God, former acting Gov. Swift. As if none of them were enough, enter Mitt Romney. Many, like myself, believed him to be middle-of-the-road GOP. However, in little time, his decisions spoke louder than any image a campaign manager could have portrayed. Along with increased taxes and fees, the slash and burn budget cuts - left to cities and towns to fend for themselves. Decreased funding for schools and school buses, libraries, senior centers, and other social programs were cast adrift - like unwanted baggage. Look at the condition Massachusetts was left in, and ask yourself if this is how you want the country to look in 2012. America can do better.