What powerful statement from Carolyn Dykema who is very worthy of re-election on November 6th. Always having this communty, the 8th district of the Commonwealth as her 1st priority!
Please support Carolyn Dykema for re-election.

Carolyn is the first Politician that I actually respect and believe has integrity, something sorely missing today in our Government. Do I agree with every vote Carolyn has made, nope but I don't agree with with my husband 100% of the time either but that doesn't mean I don't trust him to do what he what he believes is best for our family he same as Carolyn. She is a huge veteran supporter, which appeals to me greatly. Carolyn has helped me with a personal concern and I am grateful for that help. I urge you to support Carolyn as she has shown me you can have honor and be in politics.

This is a thoughtful and honest statement from Representative Dykema, who is well respected in the state house, and as a result gets things done for her district and the state.

We are so lucky to have talented and dedicated people like Carolyn and Karen Spilka representing our district

When I called to speak with Carolyn about a budget item that I felt passionately about, I asked her office if I could have a few minutes of her time. Instead of a few minutes she listened carefully and thoughtfully for over an hour and her support of this bill helped to provide additional services to people with medical challenges, in a way that did not increase cost to anyone. Win-win. During the hour, I never once had the 'she's looking at her watch' feeling. It wasn't only the support that was welcomed, it was the probing that she did, to get to a place of deeper understanding of the issue and especially the compassion she exhibited whcih was clearly heartfelt.

Funny how Dykema spins things. She should disclose that she votes 95% of the time with the Dem Speaker of the House. How is that bipartisan? If she's spinning this big fact...what else is she spinning? Smacks of desperation to me. The Lamb camp has her on the run!!!

>> “To be clear, I vote and have always voted in a way that I believe best represents the interests of our district 100% of the time”

Really Mz Dykema? WHO was demanding casinos? Who was demanding unionized day care?

WHO out here was demanding that House votes be kept secret?

Moreover, WHAT have you done to REDUCE the size of our bloated state government and our bloated state payroll?

It seems you like the job, the title, the prestige, and the pay, - but you haven't done any of the heavy lifting that WE need done. WHAT have you done to bring manufacturing jobs BACK? The MoonBat dance did nothing to help.

Fidelity moved 5,000 jobs OUT of STATE - many from Marlborough – ON YOUR WATCH! Time to step aside.

Mike, as usual, you don't have a clue about basic facts.

Carolyn Dykema was a leading vote against casinos. If you lived anywhere near the district, you'd know that.

What people are demanding is value for money in educational expenditures, and it's clear that getting to low income kids early with education is essential - and much less expensive than trying to remediate, say, their vocabulary deficits in high school.

House votes are not secret. Duh.

Massachusetts has a much better economy than much of the rest of the country. Our employment picture is better than the national average - and has been for a long time.

Your cluelessness is really beyond excusing now. Nothing you say should be trusted. The fact that you support Marty Lamb - your fellow extremist - speaks volumes about Lamb.

Carolyn is in fact very forward thinking and has done hard, insightful work on health care costs and water infrastructure.

Her ratings by organizations who look at the facts of her voting record are crystal clear and dismal.

13% rating with Citizens for Limited Taxation. That means she votes against taxpayers 87% of the time.

38% rating from NFIB. That means she votes against small businesses 62% of the time.

These are independent and bipartisan organizations.

The head of that organization, Bill Vernon has endorsed Democrats Mike Rodrigues, Dave Torrisi, Colleen Garry, Harriett Stanley and others. NFIB’s endorsements are based on legislators’ voting records during the two year legislative session with votes covering a wide range of issues like health care and health insurance, independent contractor law, unemployment insurance, and taxes. NFIB supports and endorses legislators who support lowering the cost of doing business, improving the business climate, and encouraging job growth among small businesses.

NFIB is a Republican organization. Any other claim is simply false. It has (so far) spent $3.3 million in the 2012 election cycle. Every red cent of that has gone to support Republicans or attack Democrats.

There are partisan organizations that are more balanced than that.

Proof:

http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=C90013509&cycle=2012

http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=C00101105&cycle=2012

The taxpayers didn't elect CLT as their sole representative. Sometimes responsible leadership means making the hard choice to pay your bills. We all know that Marty has a checkered past on that score, but Carolyn Dykema's willingness to vote responsibly got the following for our district:
- Big Dig paid for by the whole state, not just via massive toll increases on us.
- A credit rating higher than ever before - AA+.
- Continued local aid for our excellent schools.

Dykema voted against Secure Communities which is an Obama program. It crosses party lines. It's common sense. Dykema protects illegal aliens committing crimes against citizens here. Disgraceful. She aligned herself with Deval Patrick to oppose Secure Communities which was activated DESPITE all the Democrat efforts to stop it.

Dykema was on the wrong side of the issue again.

Sharing was NOT in place without Secure Communities (SC). Data stopped at the FBI and was not passed on to Homeland Security. SC brought Homeland Security into the loop. Also, prior to SC, Law Enforcement could use discretion and decide when they felt like notifying Homeland Security, leaving potential profiling problems wide open. Under SC there is no discretion, all those arrested & booked must be submitted

Marty Lamb was endorsed Wednesday by the Worcester Telegram.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20121024/NEWS/110249918/1020/opinion#.UIjKTMXA-Ud

They speak of the need for more balance on Beacon Hill.

In party they say,

"But we continue to believe that greater political balance holds the promise of a more bipartisan and moderate fiscal policy, as well as hope for deeper reforms. Too often, the pace of change on Beacon Hill has been too slow, too timid and too beholden to special interests."

and they say.....

"The key for voters is to examine the candidates in each race less by their party labels than by their commitment to common-sense governance that balances the needs of their district and the state."

I would like to repeat this point. Our District overwhelmingly supports Senator Brown - a moderate Republican representing the interests of a center-right constituency. Ms. Dykema's liberalism does not reflect the majority of the District.

If we cannot elect Republicans in district such as this one, from where will the balance come - Cambridge? Boston? Lawrence?, Springfield, Amherst, Fall River?

The bottom line for me is that we have an opportunity in this District to bring about a better balance on Beacon Hill - greater representation for those of us who have gone a lifetime without representation in Boston. The Telegram got this right. Now it's up to the voters to make it happen.

Does Dykema really expect us to believe she votes 100% of the time with the district and NEVER for political reasons? Her making that claim proves her to be just another political hack treating the people as fools.

I'm not sure that some of the people criticizing Carolyn Dykema here have actually read her article. One of the reasons Rep. Dykema is respected and effective on Beacon Hill, and in the 8th District, has nothing to do with her political party affiliation. It's about her character and temperament. You don't here her slamming other people for their ideology, or cherry-picking statistics to win an argument, because Carolyn is a legislator who can disagree with people on issues without making it personal. Today's adversary is tomorrow's ally. House members who come in with a partisan agenda, or who come into office with a mandate to oppose the Speaker on principle, are not doing their constituents any service - quite the opposite.

One other point. When a bill comes up for a roll call vote, it is seldom perfect. It has been amended to suit various interests, and it will probably be amended again in conference between the House and the Senate. But it is what a rep has to vote on. That is how legislation works. To harp on a 95.37% number - when only a small minority of bills are actually subject to a roll call (which is a separate problem) - suggests a lack of understanding of how Beacon Hill works. I don't endorse our system of making laws, but it's what we have to work with today. If you want to see reform enacted, Carolyn Dykema is an excellent choice.

Mike, you wrote:
"We want government out of our lives and our businesses. We want lower taxes and business-friendly regulations [means re-writing a ream of laws]."
Here's one example that shows how we need to get beyond finger-pointing and insults to fix real problems.

Carolyn co-chaired the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Finance Commission (you can find their report online). This is an important area to encourage business expansion, retention and location. A private business is not going to design and build safe, modern water, wastewater and stormwater systems to encourage private investment and protect the environment. Government needs to do that responsibly and in public view. Carolyn is already working on that issue, along with veterans issues, schools and other things that are the proper role of government. That is what public leaders do. We can disagree, but you only prove Rep. Dykema's point by making silly accusations about nepotism.

Mike and Jim,
You may want a republican in office but you dont have the right canidate.
You need a canidate who has proven community level experience and hopfully a previously elected position at least on a local committee before aspiring to Beacon Hill. You need a canaditate who on public record is fiscally responsible.
You have neither in Marty Lamb, you may have your party but the wrong canidate.
Carolyn Dykema has been active in the community included previously elected local committee positions, a strong advocate for our children's education (MTA supports Dykema) and very deserving of re-election..

Massachusetts leads the nation in sending State Reps to jail. Carol Dykema votes with the felons 95% of the time.

There you have it - if you don't have information, make something up, like Bacon and the lame Lamb campaign.

I prefer to let my vote do the talking for me and that vote is going to Carolyn Dykema. I may be undecided about every other vote this election day, But the one certainty is my vote for Carolyn, whom I respect and admire, no matter what her political party is or what her opponent thinks. Voting for her opponent just to "balance" things out on Beacon Hill is ridiculous. Try to get balance in other districts, if you want, but leave my district just the way it is. Just the way I like it! I'm sure Mr. Lamb is a great guy when he isn't running against MY candidate. I agree that he should look into local politics so we can see what he is made of on his own merit and not just because of his political party. My vote goes to Carolyn Dykema!!

Carol Dykema is a party hack. A Democrat. Marty Lamb has been an Independent nearly his entire life, and is a new comer to politics and the Republican Party. He will always be an outsider from the Democratic corruption on Beacon Hill, and considered a maverick by the Mass GOP. And you call Marty Lamb motivated by his party.

I am not making this up. You are supporting Speaker DeLeo and all his cronies. Nice.

Carolyn Dykema is practical and constructive. She reaches across the aisle and around the district for opinions and logic. We could not do better.

On the other side, Marty Lamb is destructive, uncivil, totally focused on his own needs, and not graced with the lifetime of success and of efforts in her community that Carolyn has.

I think it is most revealing – that Mz Dykema's supporters try to DEFEND her VOTING RECORD - - by attacking Marty! Do they think that will generate a smoke screen that voters won't be able to see through?

Knowing this election was looming, - is that why she voted against posting votes on-line? With Mz Dykema, a smile on the sidewalk of Holliston translates into a series of secret votes in Boston. Enough! Out with her!

Wait, one of the Lamb brigade says we can't defend it, now another says we attack Marty.

What we actually do is show how Marty's campaign uses distortion, half truths, and lies to deceive voters. That casts him in a bad light, no doubt, but where I grew up, we call it fighting back, and it's totally righteous.

If I have to make Marty Lamb look as bad as he actually is in order to get the truth out, I have no problem with that.

I know that Carolyn Dykema is an AA+ State Rep, who deserves the credit and faith so many of her constituents put in her.

Kelly please tells me why you’re Candidate, Carolyn Dykema voted for the Transgender Bathroom Bill, to endanger my grand children when they go to a Men’s Room or a Ladies Room? I wrote the liberal representative a letter to ask why. Seeing you are another advocate who defends Carolyn and thereby, also endanger my grand children, (I can take Car of Myself) why don’t you answer the question for her. It was the Transgender Bathroom Bill in case you have to look it up and how she supported it along with the Speaker of the House.

Charles, you've been fooled or you're lying, which is it?

There is no law that permits what you claim. Marty's political consultant used this lie in 2010, and she's using it again in 2012. You're either her co-conspirator or her dupe, one or the other.

You should blame Marty for this lie. If you're still afraid, let me reassure you that your grandchildren are not in danger. There is no bill affecting bathroom access. So stop trying to scare people with a falsehood.

Kelly, I know the truth can be painful at times, but let’s face it. It is a documented fact that your candidate Carolyn Dykema voted in favor of the Transgender Bathroom Bill.
You know how to use Google? “Nothing to see hear Folks”. Nice try, but I challenge you to prove me wrong! Does this Transgender bill that Carolyn voted for magically change the DNA of anyone?

http://www.wbur.org/2011/11/16/massachusetts-transgender
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/07/19/keller-large-bathroom-bill-battle/
http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2011_1115transgender_rightsbill_timing_atta
ked

Charles, the law you cite (chapter 199 in the acts of 2011) specifically exempted public accommodations (i.e. restrooms). as noted in the very first link you posted. Calling it the Transgender Bathroom Bill doesn't make sense. Earlier versions of this bill included the right to public accommodations, but that was removed in the legislative process.

Carol Dykema always has an excuse for why it is good to spend our tax money, increase our burdens, and raise our taxes. Like any good little corrupt Beacon Hill Democrat. That is the bottom line. They take from us and give to their cronies. Don't get fooled again.

Carolyn voted for good reason in 2009 for the sales tax.

Since 2009, she has only voted for tax cuts:
- lower corporate rate
- lower personal income tax rate

She has also voted to freeze unemployment insurance rates.

Carolyn can't be corrupted. She's far more honest than her opponent, as seen from his ugly campaign of smears, and its contrast with her open, fact-based, respectful campaign.

And Kelly Roney cannot be trusted as she, like Carolyn, is just a partisan corrupt useful idiot who thinks every DEMOCRAT is perfect.

Sorry, we are in a mess in this state and it is all because of DEMOCRAT policies & the Unions they give our tax dollars to. An un-Holy alliance that needs to end.

No facts, just attacks, libelous ones at that. No wonder you support Marty Lamb.