Commentary
Opinion and commentary on politics, culture, faith, education, public policy, and current events, featuring perspectives on the issues shaping Massachusetts, New England, and America.
Five Most Controversial Things Maura Healey Has Said
Maura Healey has drawn criticism for comments about riots, women’s bathrooms, gas pipelines, migrant shelters and home visits for new parents.
What Would An Idiot Do? Don’t Do That Thing
The good of practical reasonableness (and why we need it)
DEATON: People Over Politics
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton argues Sen. Ed Markey is taking Massachusetts voters for granted and says voters should judge him on his record and proposals, not his party label.
Maura Healey Wants To Suspend The Gas Tax; Beacon Hill Wasn’t So Concerned When Gas Hit $5 In 2022
Gov. Maura Healey wants to suspend Massachusetts’ gas tax for two months, but Beacon Hill lawmakers rejected a gas tax holiday in 2022 and previously backed gas tax increases.
What Will the Red Sox Wild Card Roster Look Like?
A look at the Boston Red Sox’s likely Wild Card Series roster, including Braiden Ward, Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Alec Gamboa, and the team’s bullpen decisions.
Maura Healey Not Doing Enough To Stop AI Data Center Development
An environmental advocate says Gov. Maura Healey’s new data center rules do not go far enough and wants Massachusetts to halt new projects.
DEATON: Ed Markey Should Debate In Western Massachusetts Before Voting Starts
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton argues that Sen. Ed Markey should debate in Western Massachusetts before voters begin casting mail-in ballots.
MAC DONALD: Cambridge’s Jason Arday Scandal Shows Academia Has Learned Nothing
Heather Mac Donald argues Cambridge University should examine how Jason Arday rose through academia despite questions about his scholarship and qualifications.
Cape Cod Needs More Housing, Not The 'Taylor Swift Tax'
Cape Cod’s housing crisis requires more attainable homes, fewer regulatory barriers, and wiser use of existing funds—not another property tax.
Hair Today, $495,000 Gone Tomorrow: Phil Eng’s Costly Pull at the T
The MBTA called Phillip Eng’s hair-pulling incident an “insensitive interaction.” Now taxpayers are footing a $495,000 settlement tied to it.
MAC DONALD: Head Start Has Never Worked
The Trump administration should have stood its ground in its earlier effort to zero out the failed Great Society program.
Gentle Parent Generation? Why Gentle Parenting Isn’t Reasonable
And what is reasonable
Massachusetts Must Keep Veterans’ Resources Working for Veterans
Army veteran Mark Avis urges Congress to pass the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, arguing it would reinvest VA savings in veterans’ programs.
Ron Chernow’s Mark Twain Falls Far Short of His Best Work
Ron Chernow has written outstanding biographies of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Ulysses S. Grant. His sprawling new biography of Mark Twain falls far short.
DEATON: If You Don’t Do Your Job, You Get Fired — Unless You’re In Congress
John Deaton says Congress keeps leaving basic work unfinished while career politicians such as Ed Markey face little accountability for failing to pass modern laws.
The 18th Essex District Deserves an Independent Voice
Chris Shepley says the 18th Essex District needs an independent voice who will challenge Beacon Hill leadership, demand transparency and hold state government accountable.
Maura Healey Just Showed Why I’ll Never Support Her
Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation expanding access to abortions after 24 weeks. Her decision crossed a moral line I cannot overlook.
Massachusetts Senate Lacks A Serious Plan To Reduce Energy Costs
The Massachusetts Senate recently advanced an energy affordability bill intended to lower costs, but the fine print tells a different story.
Thank You, Robert Kraft: Gillette Got The Basics Right 24 Years Ago. Buffalo Just Spent $2.2 Billion And Somehow Didn’t.
New England Patriots fans should thank Robert Kraft for Gillette Stadium as Buffalo Bills fans complain about obstructed views at the new Highmark Stadium.
200 Years of Oysters, Memories, and Boston: The Union Oyster House Celebrates a Remarkable Milestone
America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant has been serving Boston since 1826. For generations of local families, its history is also deeply personal.
Being A Lifestyle Influencer Makes You Unstable
Mackenzie Shirilla, The Crash, and the truth about vlogging
Karen Spilka’s Ninth Year Shows Why Massachusetts Needs Term Limits
Ted Semesnyei argues that Senate Democrats weakened accountability by repealing the eight-year limit on the Massachusetts Senate president.
DEATON: The Boston Globe Treats Success Like A Crime
John Deaton says the Boston Globe’s treatment of Mike Minogue reflects a broader political double standard that attacks private wealth while excusing it among progressives.
10 Pieces of Wasteful Pork in the Fiscal Year 2027 Massachusetts Budget
Massachusetts lawmakers included millions in pork-barrel spending in the $63.42 billion state budget. Here are 10 of the worst examples.
Is Listening To Podcasts 'Social Porn' For You?
Cheap substitutes can't and won't satisfy.
DIONNE: Stop Making Massachusetts Residents Beg for Their Own Money
Massachusetts Treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dionne says the state should automatically return smaller unclaimed-property amounts instead of forcing residents through months of paperwork.
Moms, Teach Your Kids To Have Deep Conversations
Because the superficial ones will not do.
13 Reasons Why Massachusetts Needs A New Governor
Here are 13 reasons Massachusetts needs a new governor, from rising costs and public safety concerns to economic decline and government controversies.
Massachusetts House ‘Transparency’ Bill Defies Voters, Shields Legislature
Pioneer Institute officials argue a Massachusetts House bill would weaken legislative audits, limit court review, and let lawmakers control public records appeals.
DEATON: Massachusetts Needs A Data Center Policy That Protects Ratepayers, Not Beacon Hill Deals
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton calls for ratepayer protections, local control, and nuclear power while opposing blanket moratoriums and unaccountable tax breaks for data centers in Massachusetts.
