Marc Comtois

So it comes down to this…

By Marc Comtois | November 6, 2006 |

Don is going to “No Vote” and Justin is going to hold his nose and color in the Whitehouse arrow. I admire them for their ideological courage and consistency and for their honest explanations of why they’re doing what they’re doing. Immediately after the primary, I was resigned toward the “pragmatic” solution of holding my…

Super Secret Poll Numbers

By Marc Comtois | November 6, 2006 |

Not for nuthin’, here are some super-secret election eve poll numbers obtained by Dan Yorke “on background” from a well-respected Democrat polling outfit: Senate: Chafee up 2 over Whitehouse (Explains why Pres. Clinton is coming) Gov: Carcieri up 7 over Fogarty (Nothing new…) LtGov: Roberts up 10 over Centrachio (Name recognition not enough?) SecState: Stenhouse…

Lincoln Chafee is…

By Marc Comtois | November 2, 2006 |

…Myrth York’s kind of Republican, so she’s endorsed him. Add her to the list of “Progressive” groups that have endorsed the Senator. Too little, too late? According the latest polls, it might be (‘course, that is a link to Zogby…).

ProJo: Here’s Why We Flip-Flopped on Casino

By Marc Comtois | November 2, 2006 |

The ProJo disavows conspiracy theories and tries to explain why it changed it’s mind on the casino: The editorial speaks for itself, but we repeat here that the prospect of more jobs for Rhode Islanders, especially for hard-pressed low-income people, including immigrants, was the overwhelming factor. That’s it. One run-on sentence of explanation as to…

Is Pragmatism Enough for the Ideologically-Minded?

By Marc Comtois | October 31, 2006 |

I’m burnt out on this year’s elections, so it was by pure chance that I happened upon the tail end of the last debate between Senator Chafee and Sheldon Whitehouse last night. It’s really become an election by and for syllogistic simpletons, hasn’t it? Like most other Democrats, Whitehouse is running against BUSH. Like many…

Examining the Bond Issues: Index

By Marc Comtois | October 27, 2006 |

Over the past week or so I’ve written on the Bond Issues that will be placed before RI voters on November 7. I’m not entirely clear on the positives or negatives of all of the questions, but the comments offered have helped to clarify my own thoughts. Since we’ve got a week+ to go–and because…

The ProJo’s Naive and Logically Suspect Casino Endorsement

By Marc Comtois | October 24, 2006 |

The ProJo’s endorsement of a casino displays a willingness to believe everything good about the proposal and nothing bad. That alone makes it perhaps one of the most sophomoric endorsement I’ve ever read. Yet, even the naivete could be dismissed if the Journal’s editorial board had seen fit to mention at least once in their…

Still Tax Hell Rhode Island

By Marc Comtois | October 24, 2006 |

“Rhode Island has the worst unemployment tax system, the worst property tax system, and the third worst individual income tax system.” So says the Tax Foundation’s latest “State Business Tax Climate Index” report (full report -> PDF). Also, Rhode Island ranks 48th in the Foundation’s Individual Income Tax Index and 35th in both the Corporate…

The Sounds of Silence

By Marc Comtois | October 20, 2006 |

I’ve so thoroughly checked out of the current RI Senate race that I didn’t even realize there was a debate last night. Ah well….the ProJo has it covered. I suppose no one can really be surprised that the conservatives hereabouts have taken, at best, lukewarm interest in a race between Patrician “A” and Patrician “B”…

Examining the Bond Issues V: Affordable Housing

By Marc Comtois | October 20, 2006 |

Question 9: Affordable Housing Bonds Approval of this question will allow for the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 for affordable housing. Project Costs – $49,800,000 in principal w/ $37,035,819 in Interest (6% over 20 years) plus approximately $349,000 in…