Letters to the Editor

“Thank You”

I wanted to end my campaign for the U.S. Senate, where it began, in front of the home where I grew up.

I got in to this race for one reason and one reason only — to beat Scott Brown. And I am getting out now for one reason and one reason only — because I no longer believe I have a clear path to victory in this race.

Last summer, I watched as the junior senator from Massachusetts, my senator, our senator, vote against the interests of my city — and communities all across this Commonwealth.

He voted against funding for teachers, police officers and firefighters.  He voted against Pell Grants and Head Start — two key building blocks to opportunity for our children. And he threatened to hold up unemployment benefits until the wealthiest Americans got their tax cuts preserved.

These aren’t the values I was raised with — and they aren’t the values of the people of Massachusetts.

Making a difference has been central to my life — and it should be at the heart of why anyone would run for office and ask for your votes. Making a difference is why I knocked on 11,000 doors to become the mayor of Newton when my community was in trouble. Making a difference is why I enlisted in the Navy Reserves shortly after 9/11 and served a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq.  

And making a difference is why six other highly qualified Democrats are out on the campaign trail week in and week out, making the case against Scott Brown and for a different vision of our country.  I am certain that one of these Democrats will emerge, as our nominee, and will beat Scott Brown in November 2012.

Today, I head into Newton City Hall as I have throughout this campaign — delighted to be my hometown’s mayor, anxious to continue the great work we’ve started here and looking forward to fighting for democratic values and principles in whatever way I can.

Setti Warren
Mayor of Newton

Improve skills today for future jobs

While I agree that Wal-Mart is not an ideal business for the Roxbury community, I think that Tito Jackson has visions of grandeur to think that bio-tech companies should be there. Given the lower level of college grads in the area, bio-tech jobs would not be realistic.  

Until we fix our public education system — and make college education more affordable for all — our community will be stuck only able to do these low level minimum wage jobs. The days of $30 per hour at a manufacturing plant are over.

Peter S.
Via e-mail