Representative Don Humason



DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. November 22, 2008 As the holidays approach, the last thing most of us want is bad news. Yet it seems we are constantly bombarded by stories of strife, recession, conflict, war, and economic catastrophe. A cynic (or rather a realist, like me) could correctly conclude that the media thrives on pushing the bad news. “If it bleeds, it leads” is an old adage in the media. We can’t look to Washington for good news. Proposed Federal bailouts may burden Americans with crippling debt. Congress is unable to decide how to handle the Big 3 auto companies. Stories abound of ethics lapses on both sides of the political aisles. Wall Street is in upheaval. The markets are dropping like rocks, portfolio values tanking, economic futures uncertain. Boston is no better. News out of Beacon Hill lately has been full of reports of embattled politicians like Senator Dianne Wilkerson, Senator Jim Marzilli, and Speaker Sal DiMasi. Talks of toll hikes and gasoline tax increases are everywhere. More 9C cuts and a shrinking state budget are on the horizon. Unemployment rates skyrocketing, people and businesses fleeing Massachusetts, the potential loss of representatives in Congress after the next redistricting. Not good news. It’s not that I am naive. I know things aren’t as rosy as we’re used to. I know they could be better economically, socially, globally, politically. I am aware that there is nervousness, uneasiness, worry, and concern out there. I don’t walk around whistling “Don’t worry, be happy” all day. Yet, I prefer to remain hopeful and optimistic. As President Reagan and others have said, “There is nothing wrong with America that what’s right with America can’t fix.” With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, I believe it’s better to count our blessings for the things we have – our health, a job, family, good friends – than to dwell on what we don’t have or what may go wrong. In my job as Westfield’s State Representative I see the good and bad every day. Let’s face it; few people contact my office to tell me how great things are going for them. I mostly only hear from folks when they are upset, concerned, or having problems. They’re not happy. Sometimes, they’re not happy with me! But I also have the opportunity to enjoy the good things our community has to offer and to see, first han d, that there is still hope. No matter how bad life is being portrayed by the media, many people I encounter are getting along fine and counting their blessings. I opened a pile of mail from my 2 offices this week and received a huge thank you note from the kids at Southampton Road School who wrote to say how much they enjoyed me coming in before the election to speak with their classes. There’s nothing I enjoy about my job more than speaking to school children. I attended the Greater Westfield Community Band Autumn Concert at North Middle School. It was terrific. Volunteer musicians getting together for the love of playing and entertaining people. My kudos and thanks to Music Director Gene Bartley and all the band members. Only hours before sitting down to write this very column I got to attend one of the nicest events I’ve been to in awhile: A reception for alumni to meet Westfield State College President Evan Dobelle at the John Adams Courthouse on Beacon Hill, hosted by Justice John Greaney and many others. As a proud Alumnus of Westfield State, and as i nterim Alumni Association President along with my wife Janice, it was a real pleasure to join with college faculty, staff, students, and graduates to socialize, share stories, and network. I look forward to watching the high school football playoffs next week. Our own Westfield High School Bombers will take another run at a Superbowl slot. And of course there’s the annual Thanksgiving Day game versus Cathedral next Thursday at 10:30 AM at Billy Bullens Field. Those kids are as optimistic and gung-ho as can be, with good reason. Go Bombers! Don’t worry, be happy. And may you and your family enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving. * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

November 22, 2008

As the holidays approach, the last thing most of us want is bad news.

Yet it seems we are constantly bombarded by stories of strife, recession, conflict, war, and economic catastrophe. A cynic (or rather a realist, like me) could correctly conclude that the media thrives on pushing the bad news. “If it bleeds, it leads” is an old adage in the media.

We can’t look to Washington for good news. Proposed Federal bailouts may burden Americans with crippling debt. Congress is unable to decide how to handle the Big 3 auto companies. Stories abound of ethics lapses on both sides of the political aisles.

Wall Street is in upheaval. The markets are dropping like rocks, portfolio values tanking, economic futures uncertain.

Boston is no better. News out of Beacon Hill lately has been full of reports of embattled politicians like Senator Dianne Wilkerson, Senator Jim Marzilli, and Speaker Sal DiMasi. Talks of toll hikes and gasoline tax increases are everywhere. More 9C cuts and a shrinking state budget are on the horizon. Unemployment rates skyrocketing, people and businesses fleeing Massachusetts, the potential loss of representatives in Congress after the next redistricting. Not good news.

It’s not that I am naive. I know things aren’t as rosy as we’re used to. I know they could be better economically, socially, globally, politically. I am aware that there is nervousness, uneasiness, worry, and concern out there.

I don’t walk around whistling “Don’t worry, be happy” all day. Yet, I prefer to remain hopeful and optimistic. As President Reagan and others have said, “There is nothing wrong with America that what’s right with America can’t fix.”

With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, I believe it’s better to count our blessings for the things we have – our health, a job, family, good friends – than to dwell on what we don’t have or what may go wrong.

In my job as Westfield’s State Representative I see the good and bad every day. Let’s face it; few people contact my office to tell me how great things are going for them. I mostly only hear from folks when they are upset, concerned, or having problems. They’re not happy. Sometimes, they’re not happy with me!

But I also have the opportunity to enjoy the good things our community has to offer and to see, first han d, that there is still hope. No matter how bad life is being portrayed by the media, many people I encounter are getting along fine and counting their blessings.

I opened a pile of mail from my 2 offices this week and received a huge thank you note from the kids at Southampton Road School who wrote to say how much they enjoyed me coming in before the election to speak with their classes. There’s nothing I enjoy about my job more than speaking to school children.

I attended the Greater Westfield Community Band Autumn Concert at North Middle School. It was terrific. Volunteer musicians getting together for the love of playing and entertaining people. My kudos and thanks to Music Director Gene Bartley and all the band members.

Only hours before sitting down to write this very column I got to attend one of the nicest events I’ve been to in awhile: A reception for alumni to meet Westfield State College President Evan Dobelle at the John Adams Courthouse on Beacon Hill, hosted by Justice John Greaney and many others. As a proud Alumnus of Westfield State, and as i nterim Alumni Association President along with my wife Janice, it was a real pleasure to join with college faculty, staff, students, and graduates to socialize, share stories, and network.

I look forward to watching the high school football playoffs next week. Our own Westfield High School Bombers will take another run at a Superbowl slot. And of course there’s the annual Thanksgiving Day game versus Cathedral next Thursday at 10:30 AM at Billy Bullens Field. Those kids are as optimistic and gung-ho as can be, with good reason. Go Bombers!

Don’t worry, be happy. And may you and your family enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving.

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group