VOL. 116 - NO. 34 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AUGUST 24, 2012 $.30 A COPY Medicare in Critical Condition, 102nd Fisherman’s Feast Social Security Not Far Behind by Sal Giarratani The continued growth of federal entitlement pro- grams is an unsustainable growth pushing the govern- ment into higher and higher long-term debt. Medicare and Social Security are going bankrupt. Close to $800 bil- lion in Medicare cuts have been transferred over to prop up the Affordable Health receive entitlement checks Care Act, commonly called from the government and ObamaCare. As far as Social this isn’t counting Medicare Security fares, the board of or Social Security. We have trustees for this program become a nation of depen- has stated that this program dents where shortly we will has hit the tipping point become a 50-50 society. where either it is salvaged Where 50 percent of the as we know it or it goes people work and pay taxes broke too. for the other 50 percent who Republicans have been get checks in the mail. At offering proposed re-tooling some point and soon, the of these so-called entitle- dike will break and America ments and Democrats are will be flooded like Greece is countering that the GOP today. The famous Flight of the Angel. wants to end (fill in the Recently, President Obama The 102nd Annual Fisherman’s Feast took lowered from a window or rooftop via pul- blank) as we know it. As we said, “Romney and Ryan are place August 16-19, 2012 in the North End ley down to the Madonna Statue, and offers know it means, bankruptcy dead set on slashing senior’s of Boston. The Madonna del Soccorso di her a bouquet of flowers. in the near future. Nearly, Sciacca Society sponsors this annual event, At the end of the Fisherman’s Feast, the 110 million Americans (Continued on Page 14) that was founded in 1910. The basis of the statue of Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of feast is of religious nature — a Catholic Help) is carried through the streets and tribute to the Virgin Mary with its roots brought to Sacred Heart Church, her home originating in the ancient town of Sciacca during the year. A statue of Saint Rosalia is News Briefs in Sicily. carried to the front door, and they meet. by Sal Giarratani The Feast began on Thursday evening Members of the Society then lead the crowd with a procession to the waterfront where a in shouting “Viva Madonna del Soccorso” blessing of the waters takes place. The most and “Viva Saint Rosalia.” Saint Rosalia is Most of My Knights Friends poignant moment is the traditional Flight of credited with helping to end a plague of chol- the Angel. A young girl is era that struck Palermo in the 16th Century. Call Me a Republican Most of my friends at the Knights down at the Bennington Street Dunkin’ Donuts in the Heights section of East Boston think I am a Menino Opposed to Phased-In Casino Idea Republican. Larry laughs when he calls me a by Sal Giarratani Republican. He says I’m no Democrat, “Who are Mayor Thomas M. Menino casino idea went crashing to oppose a phased-in ca- you kidding?” I showed Billy a photo of me with has reportedly objected to down after local community sino. As the mayor has Scott Brown and he threw it on the floor. Gail, any plans by Suffolk Downs opposition, has been seen as stated, “It would be a reno- who I knew from my younger days at the old East owners to develop its pro- the favorite to win the sole vation of old Suffolk Downs Boston Community News, always wants to know posed $1 billion casino resort casino license created by ... What about the hotel? ... when I got so conservative Republican. in phases, with slots and state law for the Greater Bos- We can have slot machines I’ve called myself a Reagan Democrat since table games coming first ton and Worcester region. anyplace … It has to support Reagan was in the White House. I tried being a and the rest of the casino Over two months ago, economic development that Republican back in the ’70s, but it was boring. coming later. “I will not both Suffolk Downs with its is right for our city.” Republicans always start at the top when it support a phased-in casino,” casino partner Caesars Chip Tuttle, Suffolk Downs’ comes to elective office. I remember sitting out said Mayor Menino in a Entertainment unveiled chief operating officer has the September 1974 state primary watching as recent Boston Globe inter- plans for a gleaming crystal responded in a statement an outsider as Bob Crane and Mike Dukakis view. According to the gambling casino resort with saying, “We take this letter duked it out for governor. Republicans seem not mayor, “The product that is hotels, restaurants, enter- (from the city’s Host Com- to like primaries for the most part. Look at the right for us in Boston is a tainment venues and a spa. munity Committee) and the upcoming state primary in a few short weeks. full resort destination that Back in July, Caesars chief issues raised very seriously There are three great primaries for county provides complete economic executive Gary Loveman and will address them imme- office: Register of Probate, Register of Deeds, and development for the area.” said he saw a casino in a diately … and look forward to Clerk Magistrate. These races are over after The mayor’s Host Commu- two-stage development pro- responding in a substantive September 6 because there are no Republican nity Advisory Committee cess. Slots and tables the way that reflects our long opponents in the November election. urged the track to submit first year and everything standing commitment to cre- Mitt Romney wasn’t my first choice for presi- plans “that complete the else in the second phase in ate a world-class resort be- dent and not even my third, but he is all I have. project in a single phase.” an additional year. Report- fitting the tourism hub of the This election you have a choice. Vote for Barack The letter was signed by edly, Suffolk Downs in all region, creating thousands (Continued on Page 13) the committee’s chairman talks with city officials have of jobs for local residents Brian Leary. Suffolk Downs, pushed the two phased plan and significant opportunities once Robert Kraft’s Foxboro while the mayor continues for local businesses. THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, AUGUST 24, 2012 Res Publica by David Trumbull Republican Party, Again, Drives Voters to the Democratic Party on Election Day FRUMENTUM Looking at this fall’s elections, not many men and women have stepped up to give the voters of the North End and East Frumentum is the Latin subsidies were not restricted History implies that in time Boston — prime readership of this Post-Gazette column — a word for corn, and from the to the poor; every citizen had the free corn was supplied choice. The Democratic Party has someone running for each days of antiquity one of the a right to them, but distri- only to the utterly destitute. of the eleven offices to be filled. However, out of the ten where duties of the Roman Govern- bution was made through These persons were first is- there could be a primary contest, Democratic voters will de- ment was to maintain it in fathers of families. Each sued tickets called “tesserae termine the outcome of but four. The other six have only one good supply. Even during recipient was required to Nummariae” which entitled name per office on the ballot — so Democratic primary voters times of scarcity it was apply for the subsidy in per- the holder to receive the have no choice. expected that the administra- son, and this in itself corn without payment. Here’s how it breaks down. Democrats Terrence W. Kennedy tors would buy the corn from deterred most of the rich. In When a tessera was issued and Francis Xavier Flaherty, Jr., are vying for Executive Coun- other countries and sell it to time this system taught the it became the property of that cillor. No Republican is running. the people at a moderate and poor to become paupers of person for life. He could keep For positions in the Suffolk County Courts, Democrats stable price. Permitting the the State and such a vast idle it, sell it, or even will it to Michael Joseph Donovan and Michael L. Dash are vying for supply of corn to dwindle or population soon emptied the one of his heirs. Any Roman Clerk of Court (Civil Business). Democrats Maura A. Hennigan the price to rise was consid- treasury. This situation citizen, except a senator, and Robert J. Dello Russo, Sr., are running for Clerk of Court ered to be an act of total irre- could never happen in the was eligible to hold a tessera, (Criminal Business). Democrats Patricia Patty Campatelli and sponsibility and a neglect of U.S.A. because we would just provided that he could show Salvatore LaMattina are facing off for Register of Probate. None one of the gov-ernment’s most print more money ..