Deval Patrick, No Surprises

We're down to the wire on this election. Deval Patrick is totally on display with nothing really hidden. So, what's coming for MA. Apart from stupid rhetoric like "Together We Can." Let's take a quick look at his Issues Overview.

The untapped potential of persons with disabilities is a resource that we must unleash. – Deval Patrick

I know a number of people with varying degree of disability. Most of the ones I know are educated and employeed. Those that are educable & employable. So what exactly is Deval talking about? Spending tax payer money:

...provide more long-term care at home...
Expand Access to Personal Care Attendants
Eliminate the Achievement Gap. Disconcerting gaps in achievement defined by disability and other factors have emerged in public schools. We will eliminate them by providing appropriate inclusive educational settings, and state of the art special education tools and support.
Expand Eligibility to Health Insurance
Develop Affordable Housing Option. We will dramatically expand the range of housing options for people with disabilities, from home ownership, rental, congregate living and assisted living environments. We will also double the size of the Home Modifications Program and the Community Based Housing program to enable more people with disabilities, including children and seniors, to live in their own homes.

I especially love the last one. Yes, let's double the size of a government body. Any one see any proposals that couldn't be boiled down to "spend more money"? Me neither. Let's move on.
Deval wants to help the elderly. That's just as nice as what he wants to do for the disabled. Let's see how:

Rebalancing Long-Term Care. My administration will work to provide more long-term care at home. By moving more funds into community-based services ...

"Spend more money" Yeah, heard it next.

Property Tax Relief for Elders. We will expand outreach and education efforts to ensure that every elderly homeowner in the state learns of the opportunity to have a portion of their property taxes waived. Using a network of volunteers at nonprofit agencies to counsel elders, we will work to expand access to the “circuit breaker” property tax credit. Unfortunately, most eligible elders don’t know how to use it.

OK, to be fair, I've never heard of this either. But note, when it comes to "Property Tax Relief" not only is Deval not actually providing ANY property tax relief, in this case, he's not prepared to spend any money either. Instead volunteers will educate the elderly about a tax relief of which they may be unaware. How nice. Next

Promoting Work and Civic Engagement Opportunities. I will work with the business, nonprofit and government sectors to make Massachusetts a model state for capturing the contributions of this healthier, more educated and experience-rich generation of older adults as both paid workers and volunteers. Massachusetts will become a “State of Choice” for older workers and their employers by expanding worker retraining programs through community colleges and nonprofits. This will be done specifically in industries where there is great need and by joining with unions to develop best practices to recruit and retain older workers and volunteers within government and nonprofits.

This almost sounded good until it got down to expanding retraining programs, working with unions and keeping workers in the government and nonprofits. Expand programs... "spend more money", keep workers in government... "spend more money", nonprofits, just a guess, but I'll bet this involves "spending more money." Huh. I'm beginning to notice a trend and we've only looked at two of his nine points. More.
The economy. I'm sure we'll see some proposals here... Nope. Not a one. Except that he'll get business to come to MA because he'll assure them "that neither taxes nor regulation will be unreasonable." Oh well, if I've got Deval's assurance that my taxes won't skyrocket after I've opened a major manufacturing plant, let's move to Massachusetts instead of Georgia since all they're offering is tax breaks and regulation reform. Right.
Environment. He supports Cape Wind. Well, we agree on one thing so far.
Healthcare?

I want health care for every man, woman, and child in Massachusetts that is affordable, portable, safe, patient-centered, and as effective as modern science can make it.

Say it with me, "spend more money."
Schools

[Deval Patrick] said he would put school funding on a two-year cycle for better planning, reduce class sizes and boost funding for state colleges and universities.

"Spend more money."
Now we see what a card he is when he trots out some humor

I want a state government that is fiscally responsible and efficiently managed.

Oh, [wiping a tear from my eye] good one Deval.
Guns. Well, he got the backing of the Brady Campaign so I think that is 100% clear. Take 'em away from anyone and everyone.
Well, that's that. For all the good it will do, I'm voting for Kerry Healey.