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The Bluest State: How Democrats Created the Massachusetts Blueprint for American Political Disaster
What’s Happened to Massachusetts?
At one time, Americans thought of Massachusetts with pride. It was the place where the charge against British oppression was incubated and first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. It was the intellectual center of the United States, the home of the country's first university – Harvard - and the birthplace of some of our most famous writers -- Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, to name just a few. What do Americans picture when they think of Massachusetts today? They think of taxes on everything that moves and a burning desire to tax what doesn't. They think of unctuous, doomed Presidential candidates from Michael Dukakis to John Kerry. And, most of all, they think of “Kennedy Country” - not the moderate politics of JFK who backed supply-side tax cuts and saber-rattling foreign policy, but a place influenced by the ideology of his little brother, Ted, a punch line for bad political jokes and the relic of a dream gone bad. Over the past thirty years, Massachusetts has been the test kitchen for the baby boom's political impulses and instincts, with devastating urban deterioration, failing public schools and a vanishing job base. Unfortunately, the story of Massachusetts' decline has national implications. Other states share its problems. And the cautionary tale of their mishandling in Massachusetts speaks to a broader issue. What’s gone wrong with the Democratic Party? In a book that echoes Tom Franks’ bestseller "What's the Matter With Kansas?” Jon Keller, a veteran political commentator, shows how the collapse of the Massachusetts Miracle into the Massachusetts Miasma mirrors chronic failures within the Democratic Party and American liberalism. After an election in which Democrats elsewhere regained power in Washington by moving toward the political center, the story of how failed boomer politics ruined one of America’s great liberal citadels is a timely warning to the party for the election ahead.
At one time, Americans thought of Massachusetts with pride. It was the place where the charge against British oppression was incubated and first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. It was the intellectual center of the United States, the home of the country's first university – Harvard - and the birthplace of some of our most famous writers -- Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, to name just a few. What do Americans picture when they think of Massachusetts today? They think of taxes on everything that moves and a burning desire to tax what doesn't. They think of unctuous, doomed Presidential candidates from Michael Dukakis to John Kerry. And, most of all, they think of “Kennedy Country” - not the moderate politics of JFK who backed supply-side tax cuts and saber-rattling foreign policy, but a place influenced by the ideology of his little brother, Ted, a punch line for bad political jokes and the relic of a dream gone bad. Over the past thirty years, Massachusetts has been the test kitchen for the baby boom's political impulses and instincts, with devastating urban deterioration, failing public schools and a vanishing job base. Unfortunately, the story of Massachusetts' decline has national implications. Other states share its problems. And the cautionary tale of their mishandling in Massachusetts speaks to a broader issue. What’s gone wrong with the Democratic Party? In a book that echoes Tom Franks’ bestseller "What's the Matter With Kansas?” Jon Keller, a veteran political commentator, shows how the collapse of the Massachusetts Miracle into the Massachusetts Miasma mirrors chronic failures within the Democratic Party and American liberalism. After an election in which Democrats elsewhere regained power in Washington by moving toward the political center, the story of how failed boomer politics ruined one of America’s great liberal citadels is a timely warning to the party for the election ahead.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 27, 2008
The premise of this book is fundamentally flawed, it accepts as fact the media presumption that Massachusetts is a blue-Democrat state in the authentic utilization of the term. That it is not, as example I would point to the union labor system, a significant percentage of the Democrat base in this state, although union workers vote Democrat and support Democrat party policies as it relates to unions and labor issues. Outside of the union the individuals are only paper Democrats, and on almost every other issue are more ideologically in line with Republicans on most every other issue, from taxes to social conservatism. Once the Tip Oneil/Kennedy BabyBoomers are not present as a voting contigent, Massachusetts will emerge as a more purple state
May 27, 2010
Let me begin this review by saying that I am proud citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I have lived here my entire life, and having lived in other places--Maine, Connecticut, Florida, and Spain--I know that it is Massachusetts that I will always call my home. There are many things I love about my great state: our history, our natural beauty, our many national firsts, our wicked good accent, our Dunkin' Donuts on every single street corner, our intellectual culture, drunk guys with Bruins hats on...I am, and will always be, a damn Yankee from Massachusetts. Proud of it, too.
Politics in my beloved Commonwealth, though, is a different story. Massachusetts is deep blue Democratic territory, and while we have been known to have a Republican governor from time to time, and while the Miracle of Scott Brown recently took place, we are overwhelmingly Blue. Our state senate, our cities and towns, our school committees and media...this is like a little Kingdom of the Democrats. And so be it: if that's how people want to vote, they are free to do so. I myself am not affiliated with a political party, having been both a Democrat and a Republican in my life, but in my heart of hearts I am a conservative Kennedy Democrat. John Kennedy, not...that other one (and no, not Bobby).
The Bluest State was written by local political commentator Jon Keller. In an all too brief 250 pages, Keller lays out the case against the liberal Democratic establishment in our state and federal government, the wack-job Cambridge/Amherst nexus of I-hate-America cultural progressives, and the wealthy left-wing elite who have terribly strong feelings about how other people need to order their affairs with regard to schooling, living, and existing. Covering the last forty or so years of Massachusetts politics, Keller completely skewers the Mike Dukakisis, John Kerrys, Ted Kennedys, and Tip O'Neills of our great state. The Boston busing tragedy, the Cape Wind/Hanscom airfield NIMBYS, the national embarrassment of the Big Dig, Boston's 'holiday tree' debacle, the thought-controlling foibles at Harvard University, and on and on and on.
I liked this summary so much that I thought I'd include it in my review:
This is strongly worded, to say the least, and Keller makes no attempt to pick on the GOP pols in our state (all three of them). Keller also has a serious beef to pick with his own Baby Boomer generation, who he blames for perpetually re-fighting the Viet Nam War, for being incredibly self-absorbed, and for pretty much anything else you can think of.
I have been trying lately to pay more attention to local politics and spend less time watching ournation crumble the goings on in DC, and this book has served as a wonderful refresher course in why I generally vote for Republicans. Kudos,Mr. Kedler. Well played, sir, well played.
Politics in my beloved Commonwealth, though, is a different story. Massachusetts is deep blue Democratic territory, and while we have been known to have a Republican governor from time to time, and while the Miracle of Scott Brown recently took place, we are overwhelmingly Blue. Our state senate, our cities and towns, our school committees and media...this is like a little Kingdom of the Democrats. And so be it: if that's how people want to vote, they are free to do so. I myself am not affiliated with a political party, having been both a Democrat and a Republican in my life, but in my heart of hearts I am a conservative Kennedy Democrat. John Kennedy, not...that other one (and no, not Bobby).
The Bluest State was written by local political commentator Jon Keller. In an all too brief 250 pages, Keller lays out the case against the liberal Democratic establishment in our state and federal government, the wack-job Cambridge/Amherst nexus of I-hate-America cultural progressives, and the wealthy left-wing elite who have terribly strong feelings about how other people need to order their affairs with regard to schooling, living, and existing. Covering the last forty or so years of Massachusetts politics, Keller completely skewers the Mike Dukakisis, John Kerrys, Ted Kennedys, and Tip O'Neills of our great state. The Boston busing tragedy, the Cape Wind/Hanscom airfield NIMBYS, the national embarrassment of the Big Dig, Boston's 'holiday tree' debacle, the thought-controlling foibles at Harvard University, and on and on and on.
I liked this summary so much that I thought I'd include it in my review:
...infected with Massachusetts political viruses: an addiction to tax revenues and a raging eddifice complex couched in disrespect for wage earners; phony identity politics without real results for women or minorities; reflexive anti-Americanism in foreign affairs; vain indulgence in obnoxious political correctness;self-serving featherbedding; NIMBYism; authoritarian distortion of the balance of governmental power, all simmered in a broth of hypocritical paternalism.
This is strongly worded, to say the least, and Keller makes no attempt to pick on the GOP pols in our state (all three of them). Keller also has a serious beef to pick with his own Baby Boomer generation, who he blames for perpetually re-fighting the Viet Nam War, for being incredibly self-absorbed, and for pretty much anything else you can think of.
I have been trying lately to pay more attention to local politics and spend less time watching our
February 6, 2008
The Bluest State
Being from Massachusetts and having a moderately liberal bent, I treated this book with skepticism at first, thinking that it was just another right-wing bashing of liberalism and all it’s supposed evils: it’s not. It is an examination of how the politics of the state are destroying the Democratic Party on a national level.
As a journalist who has covered Mass. Politics for almost 30 years, Keller does not have to look too far to see what is wrong with his home state, and at the end it seems to come back to Baby Boomer politicians, both Republican and Democrat, who infuse politics with their own narcissism and sense of entitlement. From the Kennedy excesses, to the debacle of the Big Dig (in which a structural problem was responsible for the death of 2 people a month after it opened), to rampant Political Correctness (“what the f___ is a holiday tree?”) this book opens it up and tells us what happens when one group is entrenched, in charge, and aloud to screw things up unabated.
I left Massachusetts 14 years ago and have never looked back, and apparently I am not alone.
What I learned: When any one party, Democratic, Republican, what have you, is in charge for too long, it is human nature for that party to turn corrupt in an effort to hold on to that power.
Note: This is a great companion piece to the brilliant “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” by Tom Frank.
I would recommend two other books: “Growing Up Fast” by Joanna Lipper and “Foul Ball” by Jim Bouton as great examples of books about my hometown which illustrate, on a personal level, how things are so screwed up in the Bay State because of cronyism (Foul Ball) and economic depression (Growing up Fast)
Being from Massachusetts and having a moderately liberal bent, I treated this book with skepticism at first, thinking that it was just another right-wing bashing of liberalism and all it’s supposed evils: it’s not. It is an examination of how the politics of the state are destroying the Democratic Party on a national level.
As a journalist who has covered Mass. Politics for almost 30 years, Keller does not have to look too far to see what is wrong with his home state, and at the end it seems to come back to Baby Boomer politicians, both Republican and Democrat, who infuse politics with their own narcissism and sense of entitlement. From the Kennedy excesses, to the debacle of the Big Dig (in which a structural problem was responsible for the death of 2 people a month after it opened), to rampant Political Correctness (“what the f___ is a holiday tree?”) this book opens it up and tells us what happens when one group is entrenched, in charge, and aloud to screw things up unabated.
I left Massachusetts 14 years ago and have never looked back, and apparently I am not alone.
What I learned: When any one party, Democratic, Republican, what have you, is in charge for too long, it is human nature for that party to turn corrupt in an effort to hold on to that power.
Note: This is a great companion piece to the brilliant “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” by Tom Frank.
I would recommend two other books: “Growing Up Fast” by Joanna Lipper and “Foul Ball” by Jim Bouton as great examples of books about my hometown which illustrate, on a personal level, how things are so screwed up in the Bay State because of cronyism (Foul Ball) and economic depression (Growing up Fast)
Currently reading
November 11, 2007As someone who grew up in Massachusetts, but left just as I was of voting age, I find it very interesting to read about Massachusetts politics. Jon Keller is also a great speaker. His improvised answers to questions are just as good as his analysis on TV. I'll give another update when I finish the book.
December 11, 2011
If you want to get a peek into the often murkey world of Massachusetts politics, this is your book. An honest take on the Commonwealth. Gives you a good idea of how Kennedy Country could have twice voted for Reagan.
September 29, 2007
Balanced skewering of the one-party, politically-correct situation in Massachusetts today. Very highly recommended!
October 21, 2007
A good, but rather depressing review of Massachusetts political history,much of which that I remember.
January 30, 2008
A bit simplistic for my taste but I did appreciate the author's insight as to John Kerry's failed presidential campaign in 2004.
July 21, 2008
This book should speak volumes to Democrats and Republicans alike. Exposes glaring errors in the Liberal mindset and shows how current acting Conservatives are headed down the same path.
December 19, 2014
Just delightful. His next book should be about Cambridge.
March 8, 2008
If you don't already hate Taxachusetts politicians this will do the trick
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews