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Thanks all for the words of support. I approach this with "optimistic trepidation." What is most important to me is that the PPA position is vocalized clearly prior to any final voting.
Also, Senator Brewer indicated that all of the legislators are extremely impressed with our efforts and passion about this topic. He said that; "If the democratic process is to work properly here, (and he is confident that it will) then all of our persistent efforts will ultimately pay off in the end."
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Randy,
FANTASTIC!
You can ask for no more from any pol. Sounds like you have made contact with a good one. IMO this is your biggest success to date, among a long string of recent successes. Having a friendly legislator on your side and who is willing to help you along in your efforts is a major coup. As shown by the hard work and recent dramatic results of the PPA's tireless and seemingly thankless efforts (inspired in some minds by me), at the Federal Level, developing such relationships is the crucial foundation for political success.
You and all involved have achieved in a short time great success and all the necessary (IMO) elements for ultimate victory for all of "us".
You may have some idea of my (self promoted and claimed) supposed abilities and a fair idea of my limitations, from having read all of my “work”. I can hear people SCREAMING at you to avoid me like the plague already. If there is anything, I can do as a member of the PPA to help prod the organization, and or add to your efforts let me know. Please PM me for private phone or other contact information if I can assist you in any way, even if you want to simply "bitch about the process" in a friendly ear.
I hope someone is developing an outline of your efforts and the success and effectiveness of various activities tried. As Skall, (forgive me for virtually putting words in your mouth) has pointed out barring dramatic quick action resulting from and perhaps in spite of any WTO actions, poker rights (as most political battles) are likely to always need to be fought at the State and "local" level.
You should be very proud of "your" accomplishments, IMO you should not approach any future with any trepidation, as you have in DC political terms gained the beginnings of a "rabbi" or "godfather" relationship with a key legislator. As the Assistant Vice-Chair of Senate Committee on Ways and Means, as show by the recent Federal House Judiciary hearings having a friendly Chairman lead the Committee proceedings’ is invaluable.
Not being intimately knowledgeable of the inner workings of the MA legislature, but having some idea of the general workings of such bodies, there are some very specific relationships you should attempt to cultivate.
In addition to Sen. Brewer himself, people on his staff, PPA HQ, the PPA's lobbing groups, Rep Barney Frank and staff, and many of the people in this forum can help you navigate the waters of MA's
law making process. Strategically picking allies from the
JCEDET as well as other committees
other committees likely to be involved
will politically leverage your hard won gains.
IMO the more knowledgeable you become of the process and the "key players" the more likely and <u>quicker your "optimistic trepidation" becomes "confident anticipation." </u>
To all that have taken the time to read another long and possibly "preachy" post of mine, thank you for indulging me and finding perhaps a little wheat in the chaff. IMO it is very important to recognize the success to date, in both terms of accomplishment as well as better developing an outline and model for future successes.
We can always work harder;
the cardinal sin in politics is forever attempting to "re-invent the wheel." For all you world-class wheel makers out there, sorry for the tone of this post, take offense if you must. But either put your own shoulder to the wheel already built and through your hard work keep it rolling ever faster, help better define its shape with your talents, or as my 16 year old often thinks when he thinks I am only getting on my high horse for fun or personal gain, STFU! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
D$D<-- hopes this is more readable from repeated drafting and judicious used of existing spell checking technologies!