VOL. 112 - NO. 42 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER 24, 2008 $.30 A COPY America Cannot Afford Barack Obama’s Socialism by Paul Ibrahim Go Ahead and “My attitude is that if the rally, you will try to save as the system out of every penny economy’s good for folks much of it as you can for your you can get out of it, even from the bottom up, it’s life’s other expenses. when you will waste it. Such VOT E gonna be good for everybody. But what if you are told that a system has never and will I think when you spread the the 100 people in the hall are never be conducive to the wealth around, it’s good for running the same tab and creation of wealth. everybody.” will split it evenly when the Likewise, if you are one of This economic perspective evening is over? Your first 100 farmers responsible for could have been expressed by thought might be: “That’s a massive farm that will di- any of history’s best-known wonderful! Everything on my vide its profits evenly among socialists: Joseph Stalin, menu suddenly costs 1 per- the 100, you naturally have Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx or cent of what it did before!” So very little incentive to put in Adolf Hitler. Thankfully, it is you order the most appetiz- your best efforts and will pre- also a perspective that has ing appetizer, the juiciest fi- dictably shirk your duties as been discredited by the col- let mignon, the most deca- often as possible. After all, 99 lapse of the nations that have dent dessert, and one — or a other people are working adopted it. couple — of the most expen- there, and your work will only Indeed, when you “spread sive wines available. You account for a tiny percentage It’s YOUR RIGHT the wealth around,” no one thoroughly enjoy your din- of the paycheck you receive. has any incentive to create ner. But guess what, this is also wealth. To the contrary, ev- But then the bill comes, the mentality of the 99 other as an American ... eryone has a reason to waste and you realize that every farmers. How much would it. single person in the hall did the land produce under this TUESDAY Imagine yourself in a luxu- the same thing as you. This system? rious dining hall with 99 should not come as a shock, Now, the farm is divided other people. The items on for any rational human be- into 100 parcels, one for each November 4, 2008 the menu are expensive, so, ing would behave in the same farmer, each of whom will on average, you might have manner under the circum- receive all of the profits of his Your vote does count ... a moderately priced entrée stances. Now your bill is own parcel. Suddenly, every and just might skip on the many times larger than incentive now exists for the salad or dessert. You’ll hold off what it would have been had farmer to maximize the on the wine, because you you been responsible only for production of his land. The know you can get the same your own expenses. Oops. cumulative amount now pro- bottles for a third of the price When society is respon- duced by the 100 farmers far News Briefs at the local wine shop. You sible for your lifestyle, you by Sal Giarratani care for your money, so natu- have every incentive to milk (Continued on Page 14) O.B’s Diner Rated “Best of the Best” Mayor’s Column by Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston The holiday season is around the ishables can be donated at sites in every corner, and as families start planning neighborhood of Boston. Drop food off at celebrations with their loved ones, it’s your local Boston Center for Youth and important to remember that we can all Families or the FedEx Express Shipping enjoy this time a little more if we do Center located at 775 Summer Street in our best to help our less fortunate neigh- South Boston. Canned fruits, vegetables, bors. Cold weather means increased tomato sauce, soups, cereals, canned demand at our shelters and food pantries, fruit juices, pastas, crackers, canned and we need your help to make sure that tuna fish, and canned nuts are examples no one goes hungry. The Boston Can of some of the items that regularly land Share program is a great opportunity in the Can Share boxes. To provide the for everyone to lend a helping hand. Now most nutritious food possible, we always in its 22nd year, Boston Can Share is a encourage low sodium and low sugar food collaborative effort between the Mayor’s donations. Most of us have a few items Office, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee that we can spare from our home pan- on Hunger, Federal Express, The Greater tries to help out another neighbor. The Barbara McCusker and Susan McGinley (l to r) Boston Food Bank, and Project Bread. Greater Boston Food Bank will distribute stand outside O.B’s Diner on a recent Friday morning donning red t-shirts in honor of our Throughout the month of November, at food to over 90 food pantries in Boston, community centers, local businesses, as well as shelters, soup kitchens, and US Troops serving in harm’s way. municipal buildings, and schools around free meal programs. (Photo by Sal G.) the City, Can Share boxes will be filled If you can’t give canned goods, mon- Recently, on the pages of the Patriot Ledger, it by our partners. Collected food as well as etary donations of any amount are always was announced that O.B’s Diner in North Quincy monetary contributions will help replen- appreciated. Financial donations can be won best diner honors in the “Best of the Best” ish the shelves of The Greater Boston made to “Boston Can Share.” These do- contest down the South Shore in Quincy. Food Bank during the critical high-de- nations help to fund grants that make O’B’s Diner was started in 2003 by Steven mand holiday season. For some families, fresh produce and items such as baby food “O.B.” Obey. The place is like a diner “Cheers”. providing nutritious food will be particu- and formula available for households in Everybody does actually know your name. larly difficult this season, as we grapple need. Checks can be mailed care of the It’s a family — run place. Besides Steve cook- with the high price of groceries and heat- Emergency Shelter Commission at Room ing in the kitchen, his mother Mary and sister ing oil. Getting involved is easy, and ev- 716, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 02201. ery donation makes a difference. (Continued on Page 14) A variety of canned goods and non-per- (Continued on Page 14) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office will be open on Mondays and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, OCTOBER 24, 2008 NORTH END RESIDENT David Roderick to be Honored for Community Contributions at ABCD Annual Community Awards Dinner North End resident David Roderick will be honored for his outstanding POSEIDON voluntary contributions at the An- nual Community Awards Dinner of Poseidon was the Greek king’s daughter. Hercules the horse, while Athena Action for Boston Community De- god of all flowing waters. just happened to be passing created the olive tree, and of velopment (ABCD) on October 31 at He lived in the sea and through the area and saved course, we all know that the Marriott Boston Copley Place. rode over the waves in a the beautiful princess by Athena won. David has gone to extraordinary chariot drawn by brazen- killing the monster. Poseidon is credited with lengths to protect the interests of hoofed horses. Giant waves Poseidon continued to teaching men the art of his neighborhood during a difficult smoothed out as he ap- bear a relentless hatred for handling horses by the bridle time of construction and displace- proached, while sea mon- the Trojans and sided with and also for being the or- ment. As a designer for Shaw sters recognized him and the Greeks later, in their iginator of horse racing. Engineering, he is able to capital- frolicked around his chariot. war against Troy. At times This is why he is sometimes ize on his professional experience He generally yoked the he stood off and witnessed represented on horseback. for the benefit of his community. He served on the North horses to the chariot with- the fighting as a spectator The symbol of his power is End/Waterfront Central Artery Committee, a proactive out the help from others, but from the high ground at the trident (a spear with neighborhood organization that was crucial to moderating occasionally he was assisted Thrace, and at other times three points). This is the the effects of the “Big Dig Project,” contending with issues by the Nereid Amphitrite (a he appeared as a mortal instrument that he used of noise, pollution, traffic patterns, and general disruption sea nymph) who was his to encourage the Greeks when he created or sub- of life for the area’s residents and business owners. He wife. Most of the time was while Zeus was helping the dued storms, shattered also served on the Impact Advisory Group a collection of spent in the sea, however, Trojans.