"Freed from the anger and uncertainty of the election season, lawmakers basked in the inside jokes and clubby banter....
A day of backslapping, wisecracking, and festive pomp....
Why shouldn't they feel that way. Most of you Bay-Staters validated it with your votes.
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more--" Fuel for the fire:
"Private firms fund Patrick inauguration" by Globe Staff / January 6, 2011
Largely insurance companies, large financial institutions, telecommunications firms, and labor unions.
They paid for the party, huh?
The donations include $50,000 from Arbella Insurance Group and $25,000 each from Fidelity Investments, State Street Corp., MassMutual Financial Group, Comcast Corp., and the Laborers International Union. Utilities such as NStar, AT&T Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc. gave $10,000 each.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts also gave $10,000, as did the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union.
Boston’s professional sports teams also show up on the list. The Red Sox gave $15,000, and the New England Patriots and the Boston Bruins each donated $10,000.
Related: Patriots' Kraft Passes Checks to Patrick
Mary Boyle — a spokeswoman for the national office of Common Cause, the public interest group based in Washington — said the use of special-interest donations to fund inaugural celebrations is increasingly common around the country. She said the practice is not good for government because it gives those donors a strong advantage that the public does not have.
It's a CORPORATE COUNTRY now!
“This is just another way that special interests use to basically buy access and influence with governors,’’ Boyle said. “It is an issue in many states. Special interests are getting in a good place with people who have jurisdiction over them. They remember who threw them their parties.’’
But a spokesman for Verizon offered different reasons.
“We think it’s a good idea for businesses to be part of the ceremony, the inauguration, and participate as good corporate citizens,’’ said Verizon spokesman Phil Santoro. “There are a lot of companies who are helping out and participating, and I don’t see it [at] all as a conflict of interest.’’ Added Santoro: “I think it’s a good way for corporations to get involved in the public ceremony.’’
Is that what you were doing outsourcing and offshoring jobs and call centers?
Attempts to reach two dozen other companies last night were unsuccessful, or the company representatives reached declined immediate comment....
Patrick’s decision to scale back this year’s ceremony is in line with a trend in state capitols around the country, with governors and legislatures facing a fiscal crunch and cognizant of their constituents’ economic hardships.
In Texas, Governor Rick Perry will put on a free barbecue, eschewing the usual black tie event, according to the Associated Press. In Minnesota, governor Mark Dayton encouraged attendees to wear blue jeans at his ball. California’s Jerry Brown kept his ceremonies lean, and capped private donations at $5,000 each.
More symbolism.
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Also see: California Brown-In
