Some of you may be aware that I spent last week in Washington, DC joining REALTORS from across the nation in meetings with members of congress, congressional staff members, and staff of the many federal agencies that impact the housing and housing finance industry.

Reflecting on my week in Washington I came away with four significant observations.

1. Massachusetts in incredibly fortunate to have members of congress and staff of the members who really take great pride in representing our state, serving their constituents, and doing the work necessary to have our country be an exceptional example of what democracy is all about.

2. I and four other REALTORS were in a cab driven by a fellow named Tiff from Eritrea, on the east coast of Africa. I asked Tiff what brought him to America. His response, "The American dream. Everyone wants the American dream."

3. I participated in a large meeting where a Republican member of congress from Texas addressed us. He is a member of the house financial services committee and he shared with the audience that his committee was going to do all it could to change the mortgage industry so the private sector would again have the dominant role. When I heard his comments I felt like I was going to get ill. He is for little government and for big banking. I would love to have him sit down with Elizabeth Warren. For those of you who don't follow banking, the FHA is the primary agency to guarantee 30 year fixed rate mortgages. Without the FHA you would not have 30 year fixed rate mortgages. The house financial services committee wants to limit the role of the FHA and expand the private sector role.

4. I had the opportunity to watch Jim McGovern in action as a member of the house agriculture committee. The committee was meeting to mark up THE agriculture bill. I watched and listened to Jim advocate for NOT cutting food stamps. I watched and listened to a Republican committee member from Iowa advocate for cutting food stamps. Iowa is farm country. Farmers grow crops and make money selling those crops. Farmers raise pigs and chickens and cattle. Farmers sell pigs and chickens and cattle and make money. So here is a member of congress from the farm state of Iowa strongly advocating for a cut in food stamps. Families, economically disadvantaged families in America use food stamps to buy food. They buy food that was grown and raised in Iowa. The leading advocate for cutting food stamps is from Iowa. Do the farmers and voters in Iowa know that one of their members of congress has advocated for cutting the food stamp program so that Americans will have fewer food stamps to buy food? Food grown in Iowa?

Jim McGovern is from Worcester. Worcester, Massachusetts. I am not sure how much farming takes place in Jim's home town. I do know that Jim takes his role as a member of the agriculture committee very seriously. I know, first hand, that Jim wants to make sure that community farms like the one in Medway are successful. I know he wants Massachusetts farmers to be successful. Perhaps most important, Jim knows that food stamps help families get by. Food stamps help children NOT to go to bed hungry. It makes no sense to me that the richest nation on earth has a congressional committee that believes that it is right to balance the national budget by cutting food stamps.

From Paul Yorkis

We have much to talk about. More weather related disasters around the globe and in particular here in the US. Does this have anything to do with global warming? We even had another tornado warning in Massachusetts. What is going on?

There was a segment on NPR the other day on “On Point” with Tom Ashbrook. They were talking about the increases in fossil fuel found in the States. The question was asked how this will impact our efforts to reduce carbon footprints and continue to cut back on our dependency on oil.

Also in the news, Apple is not paying their fair share of taxes because they found a loophole. How about that? Who would have thought that a big corporation would find a way to get out of paying billions of dollars in taxes?

Want to solve the world’s problems or at least feel like you could? Then come down to Turtle Tavern on Main St. in Milford any time after 6:30. Solutions and opinions always welcome.

You’re Chapter Leaders,
Christine, Karen, Kate and Jay

Trivial Pursuit is held at Scioloi’s this Tuesday night starting around 7:30.

Our old friends Rich and Bob have a team called “Drinking Liberally” and they will be playing there that night. If anyone would like to join them feel free to go down to Scioli’s on South Main St. in Milford right across from the McDonald’s.

I might head there myself.

Christine

We have DL this Wednesday night at the Turtle Tavern in Milford starting at 6:30.

This year Drinking Liberally and Living Liberally celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Ten years ago in a bar in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, a few college friends got together and discussed the political direction of the country. They expressed concern about the information that was available through the media and how it seemed to lean more in one direction. They worried that the right and conservative voice was dominating the airwaves, newspapers and overall political discussions so they decided to push back.

They began meeting every Thursday night at Rudy’s Bar and Grill to talk politics and discuss issues. Over time their group expanded and began to spread into many different states throughout the US, including some places abroad.

Six years ago this September, the Milford Drinking Liberally Chapter will celebrate our own anniversary. Through our years together we have forged friendships and grew in political awareness and became more active.

Think of what we have accomplished. Think of what happened when a few people pushed back asked questions and changed the status quo.

We can make a difference, we have.
See you tomorrow night.

You’re Chapter Leaders,
Christine, Karen, Kate and Jay

We have DL this Wednesday night at the Turtle Tavern on Main St. in Milford. It seems like a good night to get together with friends in the aftermath of the past week’s tragedy. It will help us process what happened and heal. For all our differences and disagreements there is nothing worth causing so much pain and hurt.

I felt pride and hope to see all of us come together to help and support each other. Wouldn’t it be great if congress could cooperate like that?

I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday, be safe.
To quote Big Papi ‘this is our f#*king city, no one takes our freedom, stay strong’.

You’re Chapter Leaders,
Christine, Karen, Kate and Jay