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PakkyT t1_j2s1grt wrote

What are all those representatives and state senators from all over the state doing? Seems like those are all "seat[s] at the table".

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Yestattooshurt t1_j2sas4x wrote

Right? Like do Berkshire and Franklin counties not send representatives to the statehouse?

Aside from that this sounds like some electoral college bullshit like “we want this 20% of the population to have 50/50 say with the other 80% because they choose to live in the woods.

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8bitAdventures t1_j2sim85 wrote

I think we actually lost a seat recently due to redistricting and population loss?

The majority of folks out here just wish we could get Massachusetts news channels.

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Yestattooshurt t1_j2slxpi wrote

I mean losing a seat due to population loss is unfortunately the system working. Otherwise you end up with things like wyoming getting 3 representatives in Congress while MA only has 11 (we should have 14 by the same metrics)

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8bitAdventures t1_j2sn50f wrote

For sure! To be clear, I don’t agree with the opinion piece (to the point that we’ve had reps on important committees recently).

It has the feel of a “the governor only cares about Western MA if they have a house out here” sentiment.

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Yestattooshurt t1_j2ub4ff wrote

Honestly western MA should just have its own governor, because any governor looking to do the most good for the most people, will inevitably have to focus on the side of the state that has 6 million people.

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pillbinge t1_j2t2taq wrote

Are you under the impression that the only people living outside Boston, but within MA, are people who chose to live out there? Like they don't have connections, family, roots, or aren't people who grew up there, and call it home?

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Yestattooshurt t1_j2td8gf wrote

Of course not, but saying that for instance every county should have equal say is insane when middlesex has over a million people and Franklin has 70k

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thomastodon01027 t1_j2tfrh2 wrote

I don’t think it’s about having equal representation. I think it’s about making sure that certain communities aren’t invisible to the people in power. Nobody is suggesting they get extra votes in the legislature.

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Kodiak01 t1_j2u17za wrote

> Aside from that this sounds like some electoral college bullshit like “we want this 20% of the population to have 50/50 say with the other 80% because they choose to live in the woods.

How is that any different than the packed urban areas saying they should have a bigger seat at the table (via Popular Vote for President) because most of the country chooses not to live like sardines with them?

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Yestattooshurt t1_j2uae89 wrote

Because land doesn’t vote, People do. Giving each county equal say would be giving every resident of Franklin county 22 times more voting power than every resident of middlesex county.

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Kodiak01 t1_j2ukbc1 wrote

So what, 3/5ths of a vote maybe? Democrats loved that in the past!

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winter_bluebird t1_j2wumuw wrote

No, just one vote each. How's that not fair?

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Kodiak01 t1_j2x3887 wrote

Because the State is it's own distinct entity, recognized by the Constitution. This is part of the US being set up as a Representative Republic, not a Democracy.

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whatsamattafuhyou t1_j2u7kmb wrote

Seriously! Electoral power really should be apportioned according to something sensible like individual contribution to GDP or floor area of the livable space in your primary home.

What’s next from these pinko commie libtards? Jeez!

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thomastodon01027 t1_j2si1he wrote

You seem to have mistaken the state house for a coherent and functional democratic institution.

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joeys4282 t1_j2syvk2 wrote

I’ve worked out there with those state reps and senators. When I say this I’m not saying the (MassGOP) is the answer because it’s run by idiots. However I’ve seen what one party rule does in western Massachusetts. Democrats don’t feel they have to do significant things because they own the state. For god sakes there is a town in western Massachusetts names Westminster that has been contaminated with toxic chemicals in there drinking water. Instead of helping them they do only the minimal to get by. Go drive there and you’ll see gallon jugs at everyone’s driveway because it’s so unsafe to drink but they still shower with it and now it’s causing cancer. This state doesn’t care about western Massachusetts simply because it doesn’t have to. They invest all the money they get out there on dog parks and walking paths when I’ve met communities that can’t afford heat.

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FuzzAldrin36 t1_j2t23v6 wrote

Do you have a link you can share that would let me read more on this water issue? We're a town over from Westminster and I haven't heard about this (though tbf I don't take any steps to stay informed on things in this region).

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joeys4282 t1_j2tak6w wrote

https://westminsterwindow.com/stories/thorntons-pfa-levels-exceed-epas-new-health-advisory,398290

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/08/08/pfas-compost-contamination

Look up Westminster PFAS these are the only article I can find you don’t really have to pay for. PS- this PFAS problem is pressing in this state and the legislature has chosen to allow there citizens to get exposed to cancer causing agents instead of spending the money that it needs to in order to fix the problem.

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successiseffort t1_j2umtq8 wrote

Same thing happened in Raynham, MA over the drought period this summer. PFAS is nasty stuff

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joeys4282 t1_j2tbgwv wrote

Also if you have a well I’d strongly suggest you get it tested for PFAS just the be save. Just my opinion.

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FuzzAldrin36 t1_j2tl4g2 wrote

We got independent testing done by a lab in Leominster.

Our level of aluminum is 7x higher than the max EPA limit.

We're shopping RO systems now.

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AutomationBias t1_j2tap80 wrote

Westminster is central Mass, though.

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joeys4282 t1_j2tb41g wrote

The point I’m making is that a huge part of Massachusetts goes unnoticed and when in witnessed and talked to the people that lived there I was appalled by the scope of the problem. This isn’t just a rural problem it’s very simple if you don’t live in the coast where the money is. The legislature doesn’t see that your worth there time.

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