“Stop Them Before They Tax Again!”
When most people get discharged from the emergency room after slipping on the ice, smashing their face and lying unconscious until being found, their immediate instinct is to go home and rest. But today’s post is not about “most people.” It’s about native Massachusetts business man and Republican candidate for Governor, Christy Mihos, and that’s exactly what happened to him on December 22nd. What did he do instead? He called me from his cell phone while getting into his car in the hospital parking lot and, get this, apologized for being “late” for our interview.
This gesture alone distinguishes him from just about every other Massachusetts politician but, then again, he’s not really a politician. He’s a self-made, extremely successful, life-long resident of the Bay State who, as one of its wealthiest citizens, has nothing to gain from a stint in the Governor’s Mansion. Then what drives him? Well, after watching him from afar over the years and now having the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one, I’d suggest he’s driven by a nagging desire to fix things that so obviously need fixing but nobody else seems to have the political will (i.e. balls) to do. And he doesn’t really care whose feathers he ruffles along the way. In fact, I think that’s the part he may enjoy most.
Abbreviated Bio
Talking to Mihos is like talking to your next door neighbor, assuming your next door neighbor is a colorful multimillionaire with a penchant for one-liners and complete irreverence for the commonwealth’s political establishment (dominated by the Democratic Party). Mihos’ wealth comes from Christy’s Markets – a chain of convenient stores that covered all of New England before he and his brother sold them to 7-Eleven in 1998. However, he’s most famous for his tenure on the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority where, after being appointed by Governor Cellucci in 1999, he was eventually fired by Acting Governor Swift for his cantankerous criticism of the now infamous Big Dig. Watch the 30 second video below to see how that one ended up.
Showtime!
Mihos ran for Governor unsuccessfully in 2006 as an Independent candidate which, in my humble opinion, fits his no-nonsense personality much more than the modern day GOP that he now calls home. However, I imagine he learned that while it’s definitely tough to gain traction as a Republican in Massachusetts, it’s even tougher for a candidate without a party.
RHM: Now that you’re running as a Republican, do you regret running as an Independent in 2006?
Christy Mihos: Not at all. It was the right move at the time and it’s not so much that I left the party, it’s that the party left me. I wasn’t happy with a number of things and made the decision to go for it alone.
RHM: What do you make of your competition at this point within the party, Charlie Baker?
Christy Mihos: I’ll tell you, Randall, Charlie Baker hit the public servant lottery when he left his $90,000 a year job with the state for a $1.7 million salary. Now he takes credit for a “turn around” during his time with Harvard Pilgrim when premiums went up every year for a total of 131%. That’s like raising taxes. He’s also responsible for the Big Dig highway financing plan which we’ll be paying out through 2038.
RHM: You’ve pledged not to raise taxes, but what else will you do to balance the state’s checkbook? What are you willing to cut immediately upon entering office, regardless of the fallout?
Christy Mihos: First, rolling back the state sales tax has to be done by a ballot initiative and we’ve got more than 70,000 signatures so far. And it’s not to roll it back to 5%, it’s to roll it back to 3%. But, also, Randall, anyone who serves in my administration will have to waive their pension. We made promises to past state employees that we have to honor, but anybody who comes in with my administration will have to forfeit it. We will ask everybody to sign a waiver.
RHM: Do you think you’ll have trouble finding people willing to do that?
Christy Mihos: No, there are enough people in the state who are aware of our crisis and willing to work under those circumstances. I don’t think it will be a problem. It’s just the way things have to be. I’ll also do away with the Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), that’s about $30 million. That, plus fewer state employees, in general, and new employees without pensions will do a lot for the commonwealth. It’s just not fair that when private companies are forced to cut back, that our government continues to grow at a cost to everyone. We’ve got to stop feeding the beast.
RHM: As a businessman, it’s a bit easier to make changes to your organization – people either abide by your decisions or they go away. Dealing with a legislature dominated by the opposition will not be as easy. As Governor, how will you bridge this gap and try to win these folks over to your side?
Christy Mihos: You’ll recall that Bill Weld was in the same predicament in 1990. The political atmosphere was terrible, but he made an effort to meet with the leadership every Monday morning to talk about the issues. These regular meetings and a willingness to listen and work with anyone – as long as they’re interested interested in finding solutions – goes a long way. And we just can’t keep going like we are. We have to find solutions and get things back on the right track. Also, I do whatever I can to support candidates from any party who are committed to fiscal responsibility. I cut their campaign a $500 check right there when I meet them.
RHM: Massachusetts is known for its progressive judges and willingness to bend over backwards for defendants and convicted felons (furloughs, bail when it shouldn’t be granted, etc.), but local police chiefs are notorious for making things very difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain gun permits and they are the sole authority when it comes to licensing. As Governor, what will you do (if anything) to remedy this?
Christy Mihos: I believe that people have the right to protect themselves and their loved ones, especially in their own homes. And I would set up a central authority to grant licenses in the Department of Public Safety. I also find it reprehensible that there are guns manufactured in Massachusetts by Massachusetts based companies, with Massachusetts tax payers as workers, and you can’t buy these guys in Massachusetts. It boggles the mind. We’re doing everything to restrict what is granted to us as a right, to bear arms and to protect ourselves. And I think that if the economy spirals down and more cities and towns are caught with less local aid, laying off police and public safety people, that we’re going to have to protect ourselves. It’s something granted to us and I’m going to work hard to change it.
RHM: I don’t know where that law started, but we have to be one of the only states where the local chief of police is the sole authority on whether or not law-abiding citizens get a license.
Christy Mihos: I hope there aren’t any other states that are as neanderthal as we are on this one.
RHM: Thanks for your time, Christy.
Christy Mihos: My pleasure, Randall, any time. You have a nice Holiday.
Note: Christy is matching 10% of all campaign contributions with a personal donation to the Fisher House. The Fisher House helps provide housing and other expenses so military family members can be close to our servicemen and women during hospitalization for illness, disease or injury. You can contribute right here.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
dickmill | Jan 3, 2010 | Reply
I believe that Christy has a chance as a Republican, but I’d advise this — focus on the economy and outrageous spending and play down the gun stuff — the objective is to get elected…