Mike Walsh's blog

Well, with summer winding down, most are concerned about returning to school, Labor Day plans and back to school shopping.  However, in just a mere 22 days Massachusetts will have it's primary election.  That's right a primary election on Tuesday September 14th.  Polls open at 7:00AM and stay open until 8:00PM, but many will still forget to vote and get so caught up in work that they won't realize that it's election day until they watch the news that night or read the paper the next morning.

As a resident of Westwood, who's children go to the Downey and now this year the Thurston Middle School, I am Co-Vice President of Downey PTO, and teacher of CCD at St. Margaret Mary's, and I have worked hard to give myself the opportunity to be your senator and I will continue to do so, until the polls close on election day.   Still wondering if I can win?  Drive through the city and see the support I have in West Roxbury, Roslindale and Hyde Park or even Dedham or Norwood . The signs are only those who are willing to wear their proverbial "heart on their sleeve." This is a real race and I need and would appreciate your vote.

Before your child or children go off to college, send them down, or take them down, to visit the Town clerk's office. Introduce them to Dottie Powers and her staff, and get them to vote.  Absentee ballots are available right now.  You might even consider voting yourself and then not have to worry about September 14th. 

Thank you for your help and support.

Respectfully,

Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh and Michael Rush are the Democratic candidates running for the Senate seat, that covers West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Westwood, Norwood and Dedham, and which is being vacated this year with the departure of Senator Marian Walsh after eighteen (18) years in office.

"Voters deserve the opportunity to hear from the candidates, and what we have to offer them, as their next Senator before they go to the polls in September." Walsh said, "This seat is too important to the future of our communities, and should not be limited to individual speeches and literature."

Rush has not responded to Walsh's direct request to Rush's campaign for debates.

Think running for office is political? Try getting endorsements.  Nothing is more discouraging then spending time answering the questionnaire after questionnaire about how you feel and how you would vote as the next senator, if legislation were proposed on a certain topic, only to have your effort wasted by a sham of a process.   For example, after first announcing my candidancy for State Senate I was asked to complete an association's questionnaire. (The Association will remain nameless at this point, but let's say you find its membership at every hospital.)  After answering favorable to most, if not all questions and stating the reasons substantiating my opinion, the endorsement of this association was posted on my opponent's website.  No phone call, no interview, no courtesy explanation.   Lesson learned.

Another and still discouraging endorsement was by the very union that I serve as of counsel to, representing the membership for most, if not all workers' compensation claims.  They have decided to support the state rep.  Fortunately, my clients will support me and get the word  about my dedication, my character to the membership.  How do such things happen?  Politics.   No, not the politics I know and believe, but the "politics" we have let our country become by standing on the sidelines and watching.  When we stand on the side, we let special interests take control. 

I have been called a pitbull by my opponents and guardian angel by my clients.  I am humbled and flattered by both.  I never forget, nor will I forget, that I work for my clients. I must do what is best for them. Not for me, or for my benefit. 

If you 're satisfied with the direction this country is headed, then continue to stand by the side, don't vote, don't volunteer, don't get involved. 

I'm running because I care.  I care about the future; the future of this state, this country.  I want to change the direction for my children, for your children and grandchildren.  I want our future to be better, but I can't do it alone.  I believe one person can make a difference when elected.   So what will you do this year? In September? In November?  

The choice is yours, I've made mine.

www.mwalsh.com

"Leadership is a potent combination of character and strategy. But if you must be without one, be without strategy."  General Norman Swartzkopf Jr.