Ben's Blog
Maine GOP: Pro-DeCoster
2.22.12
LePage and his GOP have sure picked some odd battles, eh? The mural...fireworks...billboards...and now: DeCoster Egg. Yes, the Maine GOP has taken up the idle time while the budget is getting worked out to stake out the ground defending DeCoster.
Did I say "defending?" No, the Maine GOP has gone further than that by taking affirmative steps to make it easier for DeCoster to mistreat its employees. No option to unionize.
Hey Charlie, I guarantee that these Working People won't be voting Republican any time soon.
It’s the Taxes! It’s the Regulation!
I think you know by now where this is headed. A local Maine business closed its doors recently, as noted here in the PPH. And, what were the reasons for the closure and attendant job loss? Over-generous welfare benefits? Tree-growth tax fraud? Not enough "Open For Business" signs on the highway? Too many taxes-and-regulations?
Nope. The industry became "very competitive" and more customers are doing their business online, thereby "eliminating the need for sales people." What's this you say? The necessity for employees is directly related to demand for your services?
Rinse and repeat.
Great Moments in Non-Partisan Think Tankery
2.9.12
"Now it appears this dynamic of cordiality has so blinded members of the Appropriations Committee that they are considering the unthinkable – using a tax increase on working Mainers to avoid making common-sense changes to Maine's welfare system," said Lance Dutson, [Maine Heritage Policy Center’s] chief executive officer. "This is an outrageous dereliction of the GOP mandate, and one that will not be suffered lightly by the already-suffering taxpayers of this state."
Um, Lance…did you forget that you are “non-partisan?” I didn’t know that the “GOP mandate” was part of the “MHPC mandate.”
Plus, you know, LD1333 has a huge tax increase in it.
Can we all have permission yet to ignore these phonies?
You Know You Have Them When…
2.8.12
...they refuse to talk to the press, except to give a wide-ranging, self-righteous interview on conservative talk radio. It's really no different than when a national Republican gets in trouble, and then runs to Fox News to "explain" things. Here in Maine, Bruce Poliquin is following the acting-guilty playbook perfectly. He even lashed out at the charges as being politically motivated!
Of course, I will grant that it is difficult to talk about the facts – rather than firing verbal buckshot at the media and Democrats – when the facts are that you paid $30 in property taxes on acres of waterfront land.
So, Governor LePage, with all the attention on poor people allegedly defrauding the government, what are your plans to deal with this kind of fraud?
[Crickets]
GOP vs. the GOP
2.3.12
Governor LePage's temper tantrums of late have been directed at the Democrats in the Legislature. You see, they just won't do exactly like he told them to do fast enough and without asking important questions (like: are your budget numbers from the fiction, non-fiction or sci-fi section?). What's not getting enough attention, though, is the fact that the Legislative GOP doesn't agree with his assessment. Could this be because they don't agree with his proposals either? Time will tell.
What we do have is this, from GOP Senate Approps Chair Rosen:
When asked if LePage was correct to say that Democrats have stalled, Rosen disagreed.
"No, we've been having very fruitful ongoing discussions," he said.
Dissention in the ranks? Or cluelessness at the top?
Americans Elect
1.31.12
If you hadn't been following closely over the last year, you might not have been aware of a group billing themselves as "Americans Elect" that has been busily raising money (in secret) and gaining ballot access for the Presidential race in numerous states across the country. You'll know more about them after reading the papers tomorrow, though, as they succeeded yesterday in turning in enough signatures to get on the ballot in Maine. So what's this all about?
AE professes to seek common solutions to the nation's problems, and believes that bipartisan government is the secret sauce to make that happen. Sound familiar? Yes, it's essentially the Eliot Cutler argument writ large. Only, in this case (unlike OneMaine) their preferred candidate has not been selected, yet. That will take place later via an "online convention" (that, by the way, can be overruled by the AE Board if, say, Vince Wilfolk was the top choice) later this year.
Anyway, for anyone who's honestly paying attention to Washington right now, the concept is a head-scratcher. We're supposed to blame both parties? Really? Even after the President has extended countless olive branches, both symbolic and substantive to the GOP? Only to have then all rejected, because the GOP's #1 priority is defeating the President for re-election (followed closely by fealty to Grover Norquist)?
It's a cute story for sure...our systems are broken and the Parties aren't up to the Big Issues. Too bad it's pure fiction.
What I said on the radio tonight, though, is the best response: AE/OneMaine are political movements with no core values or positions on important issues (by design!) – and the American people don't vote for PolySci experiments. There are important issues facing the country right now, and the Democratic Party is going to fashion the most common sense, popular responses – both here and across the country. That, in the end, will always trump process and political fads.
State of the State Reax: the Dog that Didn’t Bark
1.25.12
The Governor gave an odd but effective State of the State speech last night. Nothing was odd in the usual LePage way – no insults or gaffes – but rather, the speech came off mostly like a recital of his favorite talking points from the last year. My immediate reactions was that it curiously lacked the usual laundry list of proposals that he wanted to see introduced and enacted in the coming session (see the President’s SOTU by comparison…”If you send me that bill tomorrow, I will sign it right away.”). I don’t think we advanced any understanding of how LePage wants to continue working on energy costs or MaineCare cuts.
Waking up this morning, though, it occurred to me what else was strange about the speech. The first year of the LePage agenda had two signature pieces: the large tax cut, for which he took himself on a huge victory lap last night, and the health insurance “reform” bill, about which he said…absolutely nothing last night. Zip, zero, nada. How could that be after so much political capital spent on ramming it through the Legislature, and with how captive they are to MHPC?
I think they know they’ve stepped in it with this “reform.” A tax increase, plus ballooning costs in rural Maine is not what they thought would happen. We’re not going to let people forget…
Out of Touch Politician: Exhibit A
1.23.12
Mitt Romney yesterday, in trying to take a swipe at Newt Gingrich, said "We're not choosing a talk show host...."
Anyone think this might come up on Rush's show today? Or any of the other 492 copy-cats around the country? Could anything fit better into Newt's anti-establsihment theme? Is there anything more central to the GOP id right now than resentment against people who they perceive as holding others (namely them) in comtempt for not being smart enough or good enough to do something?
I just don't see how this ends well for Romney...
It must be tough…
1.20.12
...to be a headline writer when a LePage story comes in from a reporter. The BDN went with "LePage takes tough questions on DHHS, tax cuts at Lewiston Capitol for a Day event." Presumably, this was settled on because the BDN didn't want to field angry calls from the GOP with a more accurate headline. Something like, "LePage continues to spurn logic and reason, doubles down on dogma and nonsense at Lewiston Capitol for a Day event."
Really, you should read it. A tour-de-force of disproven gobbledygook. Let's just hit a couple highlight, shall we?
1) LePage threatened to close "state schools" is he doesn't get the right budget on time. Come again? The BDN gently reminds that "it's unclear what authority he has to take such a measure." Translation: he's making it up on the fly, clearly confusing the powers granted to a Banana Republic dictator with those imbued in an elected Governor.
2) LePage repeated the charge that the DHHS gap is due to ballooning enrollments. Who should we turn to for evidence? Let's try the LePage Administration...who says themselves that the shortfall is due to LePage DHHS officials underbudgeting and failing to account for declining federal funds. New enrollment accounts for something 5% of the shortfall.
3) LePage to cover newly uninsured by...???. He has no clue. He floated the health-insurance-reform-will-make-it-cheaper argument, but come on. The reason people are on MaineCare is that – in large part – they don't have any money! Forget for a moment all the people who will see higher rates due to LD1333, but how is someone coming off MaineCare supposed to afford even $100 a month? Surely LePage's tax cuts would help close the gap. Or not.
This all really highlight a central challenge in Maine politics right now: how do you have a respectful public discourse with someone so uncommitted to reality?
Problem Solved.
1.18.12
"Something's gone terribly wrong, and what I hear over and over again is that there is no tempo, a tempo of urgency," said Sen. Snowe last year to Secretary Geithner during a hearing before her Committee. "I don't know who you're talking to ... but you need to talk to the average person," she said later. "Rome is burning."
Since then, Sen. Snowe has addressed the fierce urgency of now by...voting to filibuster almost every proposal put forth by the Obama Administration aimed at tackling these immediate economic issues. Some urgency.
Fast-forward to yesterday. Snowe and Collins joined together to earn huge headlines for a truly inspiring solution to improve the "tempo" in fixing the economy. You know what's coming next, right? Of course. They have thought things over, probably had several meetings about it, and reached a big decision: they are going to sit next to a Democrat (well, a Democrat and Joe Lieberman) during the State of the Union. A chicken in every pot! Recovery is just around the corner!
Remember this November that you can cast a vote for six more years of self-aggrandizing "moderation stunts" that provide cover for a truly horrendous voting record – or you can vote Democratic and try to put the fire out.
Drip, drip, drip.
1.17.12
I don't have the strength to deal with the latest LePage foray into comparative history, so I'm going back to more comfortable turf: what's really ailing our economy.
And the verdict is in again! If you've been reading my blog, you know what's coming next – more evidence that hiring decisions are directly related to demand for products. And, it's not just pointy-headed academics...it actual manufacturers in New York responding to a survey. Money quote:
"High expected sales growth was widely deemed to be the most important factor among those who planned to add workers."
Knock me over with a feather. So, can we have some policy in Maine to stir up some demand? Probably not right now, since Governor Clown Car has guaranteed at least a week of unforced errors with his latest gaffe.
Come again?
1.13.12
The papers were all over the LePage tet-a-tet with John Martin this week. In case you missed it, the Governor decided for no apparent reason to choose Wednesday to fire a press release off criticizing the Democrats for dragging their feet on the budget. The D's on Appropriations got the release while the committee was working on the budget – you know, doing their job – so it was particularly rich timing. Remember, the Governor wants to run Maine like a petty dictator, whereby he decrees what shall be law, and it becomes so as fast as possible. We've been down this road before...
...but what really caught my eye was a stunning statement my Commissioner Mayhew. While the same article outlines the ongoing work of OFPR to confirm the Department's shortfall numbers (the non-partisan staff is still scratching their heads about some of Mayhew's work), she goes on to say, and I'm paraphrasing, "Just fix it the way we want you to. We gave you numbers, that should be good enough."
Petty dictators indeed.
That's the thing about little beards, and MuralGate, and passing health insurance deregulation in about 10 minutes: when it comes time later that you need people to trust you, they have no reason to do so.
Trivia Question
1.10.12
In honor of the New Hampshire Primary, who said this:
"You have to ask the question, is capitalism really about the ability of a handful of rich people to manipulate the lives of thousands of people and then walk off with the money?"
a) Karl Marx
b) Eugene Debs
c) Newt Gingrich
Hint: It was said about Mitt Romney, and is likely to come up again over the next 11 months.
What is “success” in government?
1.9.12
This weekend the PPH put on full display something that has always bugged me about political "analysis." The premise of this article is a juxtaposition of Governor LePage's well-known historically embarrassing gaffes plain-spoken style with the actual policy substance of his first year in office. The writer's point is that while LePage's mouth has made bad headlines, his record demonstrates success.
It's a cute story. But, only if you measure "success" in government by the bill-passing scoreboard, rather than by the policy impact of those bills. So, yes, LePage and the GOP passed "health insurance deregulation" – but does that make LePage effective? Was that a victory? Well, yes, if the entire goal of government is to pass legislation into law.
Of course, we all know that's not the entire goal of government. The goal is to represent the people and enact policy that makes people's live better. Through that lens, the LePage "victories" don't look so hot. Massive increases in health insurance costs are spreading like wildfire through most of rural Maine...anyone think those businesses would call "health insurance deregulation" a "victory?" LePage and the GOP blew through hundreds of millions in tax cuts, but the average Mainer saw only about $72 each of that amount. Who's "victory" is that? Certainly not the retired state employees who will be squeezed even more to pay for it.
Make no mistake, the 2012 election is going to be about some big issues. None bigger than the GOP's acquiescence in LePage's "victories."
Unintentional Comedy, NPR-style
12.29.11
In my short trek back from the gym this morning, I caught a portion of the NPR news-of-the-day wrap-up. The first segment was about the defection of Michelle Bachman’s Iowa campaign chair to the Ron Paul camp. The announcer described the goings-on and concluded by referencing the appearance that the fellow made at a Ron Paul event toward the end of the day. Then, there was a brief pause, not unlike when – as they frequently do – NPR rolls some audio tape. Here comes the guy’s explanation, I thought. So what came up? Without interruption or segue, NPR rolled tape on…the PA announcer at Kim Jong-Il’s funeral procession as the lead in to the next story about the transfer of power in North Korea. The effect was to make it seem that Bachman’s Iowa campaign Chair was a North Korean government mouthpiece – which I found ironic and hilarious in many ways.
I've Heard This Before Somewhere...
12.28.11
I'm telling you up front that I will not get tired of writing about this, no matter how many times it gets said by economists: our economic problems right now boil down to a lack of demand.
Wait, didn't LePage and the GOP give Maine a huge tax cut last year? Shouldn't that put a bunch of spending money in the pockets of Maine people? Nope. Not when most people in Maine got $83. Sure, $83 is better than $0 (though not if you're a State Employee who got laid off or had their pension squeezed in order to pay for it), but it could have been a lot better for most Mainers if we didn't spend $100 million of the tax cut on families making over $119K.
The Tantrum Continues.
12.22.11
I know political science isn't necessarily related to winning elections, but I just can't help point out that Governor LePage has a stunningly unhealthy view of the legislative process. They won't do what I want! They won't move fast enough! The questions are too hard!
You know, Governor, our institutions are designed to be slow moving. They are inherently conservative. That was an intentional choice, so that the rights of the minority were protected, and that wannabe dictators couldn't impose their will on the people without a thorough vetting.
But, that's fine. Go ahead and complain. I just believe that people don't want to support a whiner.
Everything You Need To Know In One Picture
12.16.11
Anyone catch MaineWatch this week? Where the program was based on
exploring the GOP’s cuts to DHHS? You know, a venue for both sides to
explain their story?
In case you missed it, the Democrats were
represented by Rep. Mark Eves, a member of the HHS Committee. The GOP?
Of course, Lance Dutson from – you guessed it – the Maine Heritage
Policy Center. Not someone from the Adminstration (they’re still trying
to figure out how they came up with $220 million). Not someone from
the Legislature (they don’t want to be within 10 miles of this proposal).
Nope. A think tank CEO to speak on behalf of the Administration.
And,
what is the thrust of his argument? Social services have become an
“industry” and the organizations’ “executives” are paid too much. That,
and the usual blather about the “culture of dependency,” and other
knee-jerk conservative bromides. Oh, and a bit more disproven slander
of Maine State Housing.
Vaclav Havel died today, so I’ll give
him the final word: “Perhaps one could never find sense in life without
first experiencing its absurdity.”
LePage vs. The Facts: another loss for LePage
12.13.11
The Governor has a big problem on his hands in the HHS budget shortfall. Naturally, he's straining to blame Democrats for the situation, and the primary thrust of his argument is that Democrats wildly expanded access to MaineCare under Gov. Baldacci. "For decades, policies led by Democratic leadership have expanded Medicaid benefits far beyond the national average, creating an unsustainable program," was LePage's prepared statement.
But, the Administration's own report tells a different story. In fact, only $6.5 million of the shortfall is related to increased enrollments. It's not clear that we know exactly what accounts for the remaining shortfall – and we certainly can't be confident that the numbers provided by the Administration are even accurate – but it is clear that the Governor's bogeyman doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Knock me over with a feather...
Surprise, surprise. (Actually no surprise at all.)
12.12.11
The Governor's health insurance "reform" is starting to kick in, and to no one's surprise at all it is not the panacea that the GOP proclaimed during their victory lap last spring. If you're an employer with an older employee population or in a rural part of the state, in fact, the word "reform" in this case means "higher costs." Like, 60%+ in higher costs.
That's right. The CEO Governor and his allies in the Legislature have taxed everyone in Maine who already has health insurance in order to...further empower the Insurance industry to raise rates on many, many Maine businesses.
This issue is not going away. I promise.
So weak
12.2.11
Rome is burning, but Snowe halts emergency extinguishing efforts in dispute over architectural designs for the new city. (No help for the economy until the entire tax code is reformed!)
Job Creators = Consumers
12.1.11
I've been riding this theme for a while, so maybe you should see it articulated by someone else. Here's the money quote:
Even so, I've never been a "job creator." I can start a business based on a great idea, and initially hire dozens or hundreds of people. But if no one can afford to buy what I have to sell, my business will soon fail and all those jobs will evaporate.
That's why I can say with confidence that rich people don't create jobs, nor do businesses, large or small. What does lead to more employment is the feedback loop between customers and businesses. And only consumers can set in motion a virtuous cycle that allows companies to survive and thrive and business owners to hire. An ordinary middle-class consumer is far more of a job creator than I ever have been or ever will be.
We have a demand problem, despite what LePage, Poliquin, Webster, Snowe, Gingrich, Boehner and the rest say...
Say what?
11.30.11
The Maine GOP has no clue what it wants to do about the Maine Clean Elections Act in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down matching funds. No further proof of this fact is needed than Sen. Farnham's complete incoherence on the subject, as reported in today's Bill Nemitz column.
Let's illustrate the point this way. Let's say the Red Sox fired their manager and their general manager left for another team, then, in the aftermath, a spokesperson for the organization went to the press and said, "I think it keeps the ballclub the same way it is now. And that's not a bad approach to take." The only logical response to this can be that the spokesperson has totally lost touch with reality.
Which is where Sen. Farnham comes in – since this is her exact quote about the MCEA:
"I think it keeps the Clean Election program the same way it is now," said the committee's Senate chair, Nichi Farnham, R-Bangor, after the vote. "And that's not a bad approach to take."
How are we supposed to have an honest debate about anything when one side openly denies reality? Do we really need to expend so much energy just to get to a point where everyone can admit that, yes, the system will be different than it has before, even if the Legislature does nothing? Would Sen. Farnham admit that the Capitol is in Augusta?
Sun Journal: What Are You For?
11.28.11
So, unemployment is stuck in Maine, not predicted to get better, and net job growth in the GOP era is zero. Given that LePage has said no to several different types of jobs, what we really need is some insight into what kind of jobs he does want? It's not road construction (no bonds), it's not renewable energy (no windmills), and it's not the arts (no murals).
Of course, I ask this facetiously. What this little article really exposes is the lie behind the conservative agenda. They sell it as "cut taxes, cut regulation, cut government jobs so that the unconstrained private sector can flourish." LePage has laid bare, though, that their agenda is merely to cut taxes, cut regulation and cut government jobs. In other words, cutting is the endgame, not the means to achieving some greater goal. They just think these things are bad in the abstract.
The truth is, there is simply no evidence that their agenda leads to better employment numbers. Perhaps it took having GOP government for this point to get made in public...
GOP Debate
11.23.11
Here's my favorite quote about last night's GOP debate:
"Romney's overarching national security theme is pure drivel stitched together from the fantasies of right-wing talk radio."
Hard to believe we've come full circle to the point where Newt Gingrich is the reasonable-sounding person in the room. Stitched together fantasies of talk-radio...sound like the policy construction of anyone we know in Maine?
Public Financing and the 2012 Races
11.22.11
The Democratic State Committee met on Sunday and , along with its regular business, got to hear a troubling update about the state of the Maine Clean Elections Act. In short, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the matching funds provision in the Arizona's Clean Elections program in a controversial decision earlier this year. As a result, we are forced to re-examine our system, as it relied on an identical matching funds provision.
There are several approaches that we could take. First, we could adopt a new system of "tiered" qualification, whereby candidates receive an initial distribution like always, but then can opt to re-qualify (i.e. collect additional checks) at a later date in order to receive a second distribution. Second, we could reallocate the global budget so that all participating candidates received a bigger initial distribution, but had no prospect of additional money at a later date. Third, we could do nothing and merely rely on the current initial distribution to fund entire campaigns.
Here's where it get's interesting: the GOP has no idea what it wants to do. It is clear that some in the GOP see public financing a s a toll that helps Democrats more than it helps Republicans – but I don't think the facts bear that out. True, more Dems use the system, but that has more to do with anti-government ideology on the right than an assessment of fundraising prowess. In fact, around 80% of the entire legislature uses public financing, so it obviously has broad support in both parties. In addition, time is running short, as many candidates will decide in the next few weeks if they can rely on the system or will raise money in the traditional way.
My feeling is that public financing has succeeded in attracting more people to run for office, but the system is likely to crumble – in practice – if the distributions are kept too low. Stay tuned to this issue over the next few months...it's one of the semi-hidden issues facing the legislature this session that will have an outsized impact on the conduct of the 2012 elections.
It’s Not “The Regulations.”
11.18.11
Because Governor LePage has such a finely tuned political radar someone explained to Governor LePage that looting town budgets was a bad political move, he has done a quick 180 on threatening towns that don't conform to his regulatory preferences, and instead is floating some ideas about offering to promote towns that do as he wishes. More carrot, less stick.
The problem is that the whole effort is just another GOP bogeyman with little connection to actually changing the economic outlook. Here's an actual study about this issue of "burdensome regulation." In sum, yes, there are regulations that may not make sense or that business owners don't like – and we should work on making those things better – but when you peel away the demagoguery, the real problem facing companies right now is...wait for it...
...insufficient demand. You know, like I, and many others on the left, have been saying for a while.
Sigh.
11.17.11
The PPH today includes this in their editorial about what is holding back the Super Committee from achieving agreement on deficit reduction:
That is especially true of the Republicans' tea party wing -- one of the extreme elements that Mitchell had in mind, no doubt -- and it's a wing that has shown it can scuttle almost any attempt by Boehner and other leaders to make a deal. Republican members of the supercommittee, in fact, have indicated they might agree to a "revenue increase" of some sort, but the jury is very much out on whether they could sell it to colleagues who have torched virtually every potential compromise on taxes.
Great, and thank you for pointing that out. So, what does the PPH conclude about this? Both parties are to blame.
Come again? The Democrats have fallen all over themselves offering cuts to various programs, but the GOP has dug in (like they promised to!) and said no deal with any increased revenues whatsoever. How is this possibly the fault of both sides? The GOP has become completely intransient about taxes, and somehow the Democrats share some of the blame for this? So frustrating.
Rep. Doug Damon: Not in Touch With the Home Office
11.15.11
This little nugget caught my eye the other day in an article that got headlines for Charlie Webster's continued outrageousness: Rep. Doug Damon, the good cop to Webster's bad cop, explained that he didn't agree with much of what his Party Chair said (note to Charlie, when you've lost Doug Damon, it's really time to re-evaluate things) and that "One of the things about Republicans is local control...There's more of that coming."
Say what?
Rep. Damon clearly needs a refresher course on "local control." Reasonable people can disagree on its exact definition, but no one can say that this comes within 10 miles of "local control." To recap, Governor LePage is such a proponent of local control that he is willing to penalize Maine towns and cities if they don't bend to his will on business regulations. That certainly is one kind of control, but it sure isn't local. And it sure isn't something Rep. Damon wants his constituents to hear about, either.
GOP Leaders on the Scurrilous Campaign Engineered by Webster: "_____ [crickets]"
Remember the Gang of Eight from back in the spring? If you don't, it was a group of eight GOP Senators who took to the papers to criticize Governor LePage for his, ahem, "priorities" during the early part of his term. Much head-nodding and back-slapping ensued, as the Commentariat likes few things more than a group turning on itself (a sure sign of virtue). Little noticed at the time was how the Gang of Eight didn't actually pledge to oppose anything LePage wanted – they just wanted him to act like an adult.
Even given that minimal standard, the question begs itself today: what does the Gang of Eight have to say about the No on 1 effort engineered by the Charlies? I'm looking at you Senators Katz, Langley, Farnham, Martin, Rector, Sherman, McCormick, and Saviello. (I'm looking at you, too, Senator Snowe.) Maine people deserve to know what you think about blaming gay people for Same Day Registration. Maine people deserve to know what you think about a campaign that concealed its donors and authored anonymous attacks complaining about "election ethics."
Webster ran an absurd and embarrassing campaign. As I have said before: where are the adults in the Maine GOP? There is no shortage of Democratic leaders who have stepped up and put the Party in line when it has gone out of bounds. Is there anyone on the other side with any courage?
Yes on One.
11.7.11
There are many opportunities throughout the year for outrage or excitement – and Maine, under Paul LePage, has been particularly ripe for stoking peoples' passions. Conversely, of course, there are few days in the year when you get to do something about it. Tomorrow is one of those days. Go vote Yes on Question One. It's both critical for our democratic process, and for sending a clear signal to LePage and his allies in the Legislature that they have gone too far.
2012 will bring a vital election - one in which we either ratify or reject a vastly different attitude toward public policy and the public good. And that, of course, is at the heart of tomorrow's vote. The GOP knows its agenda is unpopular and damaging to our cost and quality of life in Maine – so they need to suppress the opposition in order to remain in power.
We're not going to let them. Remember, tomorrow is not the final act of 2011, but rather the first act in the 2012 drama. Let's do everything we can to send the right message.
Integrity
11.2.11
This caught my eye yesterday from the article detailing the No on 1 fine for the late filing of a finance report:
"The fascination with the idiosyncrasies of campaign finance reports is just the kind of politics as usual that the people of Maine are sick of," she (spokeswoman Jen Webber) said. "The No on 1 campaign is concerned with one thing — preserving the integrity of Maine's elections. It is Politics 101 that the majority of expenditures occur in the last week of an election."
So, they're so concerned with the integrity of Maine's elections that they brazenly ignored campaign finance law? Here's some news for Ms. Webber: the "politics as usual" part of this story is that the GOP and its front groups have adopted a new model of campaigning whereby they simply flaunt the law and build the fines into their budget. The reporting requirements are not "idiosyncrasies," they are the law. I think in this case "integrity of Maine's elections" should refer to the entire process we have all agreed on, not just the parts that are convenient for you.
Raye: Exploring Run for Congress. Courtney: Exploring Taste of Foot in Mouth.
1.1.11
Widely rumored and now confirmed, Kevin Raye is “exploring” a run for
Congress against Mike Michaud. While that is noteworthy in its own
right, my eye drifted toward John Courtney’s comments
about a possible race against Chellie Pingree. Courtney offered this
gem in the midst of complaining about Pingree and husband Donald
Sussman: “How can someone truly represent Maine that doesn’t have to
struggle to earn a living.”
Indeed. He, of course, is referring to the unbroken line of hourly wage earners populating the elite levels of the Maine GOP. Olympia Snowe. Paul LePage...
For Sale: Inside Info from Maine's Constitutional Officers (GOP only, please).
10.31.11
I'm a realist. I understand that our three constitutional officers owe their positions to the legislature - and by extension that they have a vested interest in their Party maintaining the majority. Thus, Constitutional officers have donated to and campaign for legislative candidates for many years. Is this a perfect system, given the responsibilities of those three offices? No. Would direct elections make it any better? Maybe, maybe not.
However you feel about the problem, this is not a welcome development. So, now we're selling access to the chief elections officer in Maine, who is charged with ensuring our democracy is administered fairly for all residents? We're selling access to the person managing state finances? We're selling access to the chief law enforcement officer?
I've been around long enough to know that the GOP will respond with some kind of holier-than-thou statement about how these gracious public servants are just merely giving a vanilla briefing about how many paperclips they are saving by printing on both sides of the page, but what we are talking about here is optics. At some point, I do believe you cross a threshold where the public loses confidence in the institutions themselves - and then there is a big problem on our hands. People need to believe that the law applies to them as equally as it applies to GOP donors. People need to believe that the state finances are being managed fairly (well, that ship may have sailed already). People need to believe that elections are legitimate, regardless of the partisan outcome.
Can they sell access under our law? Maybe. But, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.
LePage vs. Local Control
10.27.11
Murals? Offending Aroostook County on a regular basis? Gutting pensions? Nope. All those issues will surely be alive and relevant next fall, but the #1 reason the GOP will lose has nothing to do with political theater, LePage’s gaffes, or Bruce Poliquin anointing himself Ombudsman of the entire Maine Government. No, it will be this.
From the Bangor Daily News:
"I'm a big believer in trying to get the state regulations no stricter than federal, and we're trying to encourage the local communities to work with us to make their rules no stricter [than either]," said LePage.
He said he planned to submit a bill that would allow the state to cut back on revenues to communities that don't adjust their regulations to match the state's.
"If you will not cooperate with the state, [if you are] stricter on regulations, then you lose revenue sharing," said LePage. "Obviously, you don't need the revenue."
It’s fine to grunt a few things wax poetic about the existential threat that burdensome permitting poses to the fate of Western Civilization, but if the solution is to take a hammer to local control and guarantee property tax increases for local people, then we’ve changed the conversation altogether into something much more fundamental.
In this case, the question is no longer about making things easier for businesses, but rather if Paul LePage gets to bless every locally debated and executed decision regarding local needs and community values, or if he is not, in fact, an Emperor.
The Democratic Party is going to be on the side of the people and of communities getting to decide their own fate. When the LePage property tax increases start hitting next year, you’ll know what lever to pull in November.
Snowe’s Absurd Defense of the American Jobs Act Filibuster.
10.27.11
Senator Snowe's recent defense of her vote to filibuster the teachers and firefighters provision of the American Jobs Act (AJA). It's long and demonstrates a bad case of glassjaw, so let me translate:
"A lot of teachers and firefighters are going to have to learn to live without their jobs because I can't offer amendments to the bill, nor will anyone simply adopt everything I want to completely transform the tax code."
I look at it differently. While "Rome Is Burning" there isn't time to pitch a fit about the color of the buckets or to squabble about the traffic patterns of the rebuilt city. It's time to fill the buckets and put the fire out.
It's All About Values.
10.26.11
Ribbing Tarren Bragdon might be good sport in a forum like this, but it's very easy to connect the dots from something somewhat innocuous like phony MHPC "reports" and something much more serious that has happened as a result of the values promoted by MHPC and their GOP patrons. What I'm thinking about today is the sad story reported in the BDN about a fellow convicted of a serious assault, but also deemed not criminally responsible, so he was sentenced to time in a psychiatric hospital. Unfortunatly, because of lack of space it seems that the man was turned away from the Dorothea Dix in Bangor, where he was convicted, and Riverview in Augusta and allowed to walk free in the community. Fortunately in this case, nothing bad happened as a result - but it illustrates the real world dangers imposed on a community when budget cuts are exalted above all other values.
In short, the LePage Administration has squeezed mental health services across Maine, and imposed deep cuts at Dorthea Dix, in particular - with more cuts and a clear desire to close the facility altogether looming in the background. The facility has responded by cutting the number of beds and reducing services. But what of the people? Where are they going to end up? Is everyone going to end up at Riverview in Augusta? Even those from Aroostook, for whom Bangor is far enough? Are sentences put on hold, as we saw in the BDN story, resulting in a possible lack of safety on our streets?
One of the reasons I am a Democrat, and many of you are, too, is that we believe in the collective moral imperative to provide for those who, through no choice of their own, face significant challenges in participating fully in our communities. That's a value, just like budget-cutting is a value and never raising revenue under any circumstances is a value. The question for voters then, is how do you prioritize your values? This next election is sure going to offer a clear choice...
Tarren Bragdon: Not a Competent Expert.
10.25.11
It's not just us. A U.S. District Court has now ruled that a "report" provided by Bragdon's new Florida boondoggle think tank was "not competent expert opinion" that could be relied on to support Florida's new drug-testing-for-poor-people program.
In case you are new to Bragdon, he served as the "CEO" of the Maine Heritage Policy Center for about 7 years, until moving on to form a similar entity in Florida earlier this year. MHPC's stain footprint on Maine politics has been outsized, given the organization's partisan leanings, dubious work and secret obvious corporate ties. For instance, while endlessly whining that they are "non-partisan" the group essentially dictated policy to the mind-blowingly unprepared new LePage Administration. Non-partisan, indeed.
I could go on...but Judge Scriven's words are too good to skip:
Though the State offers, as evidence of the cost savings, a pamphlet from the Foundation for Government Accountability entitled, The Impact of Florida's New Drug Test Requirement for Welfare Cash Assistance, the data contained in the pamphlet is not competent expert opinion, nor is it offered as such, nor could it be reasonably construed as such....Even a cursory review of certain assumptions in the pamphlet undermines its conclusions.
High five to Judge Scriven.
Senator Snowe: Not making Sense.
Look, I understand Olympia Snowe is popular. People like her. Editorial pages and moderation-fetishizers adore her ("She's just so gosh-darn middle-of-the-road!"). Fine. It's OK to like someone in public office because of the persona they project or the pork they've secured for their district. But, I believe it's important – especially for those who have been in office for a long time – to check in every so often and find out what they are actually saying and doing.
In this case, things are going off the rails for Senator Snowe. She made a big deal out of upbraiding Tim Geithner at a hearing last week, saying: "Something's gone terribly wrong, and what I hear over and over again is that there is no tempo, a tempo of urgency...I don't know who you're talking to ... but you need to talk to the average person. Rome is burning."
So, the Senate brings to the floor the portion of the American Jobs Act that funds teachers and firefighters. Billions into local economies. So what does Senator Snowe do? Filibuster! Rome is Burning and we can't even have a debate about keeping teachers and firefighters on the job!?
The only thing burning in the GOP is the need to deny the President any victory whatsoever, and Senator Snowe is not immune.
Mission Accomplished
10.21.11
Now this is some change we can believe in:
The Worst of Times and the Best of Times: AFL-CIO Convention.
10.21.11
It goes without saying that Republicans in all three branches of Maine government is a bad thing for Labor in Maine. You know the drill by now. The Labor Committee, the Mural, the Employee Freeloader Act, tipping over the delicate balance in Workers' Comp, Child Labor...and that's just the high profile stuff. The GOP's idea of a perfect Maine worker is one who is submissive, voiceless, expendable, poorly compensated and erased from the history books (or at least the artwork).
Or, is it that Republicans leading all three branches is great for Labor? Energy was pulsing through the hall today, as the gathered brothers and sisters were urged to seize the momentum from some of last session's victories and turn it into more work in 2012. These are people that mean business and walk the walk. From nurses to ironworkers to firefighters to pipefitters – Maine's working class is primed to take this State back in 2012. If there is any silver lining to the LePage era in Maine, it's that it has served to re-clarify for many the significant difference between the Parties. There is no doubt that the 2012 election will offer a clear choice, and there is no doubt which side working people are going to be on.
Oh...and changing the subject, what did we learn from the Governor's "jobs forum" on Wednesday? In order to create more jobs, businesses need more customers to walk through the door (like I've been saying), a better trained workforce (like Democrats have been saying forever), better enforcement of wage and hour laws (like Labor has been saying forever) so businesses who follow the rules are on an even playing field, and – yes – a North Dakota-style State Bank (like Democrats have proposed) so that they will have guaranteed access to capital. I'm sensing there's a good political solution available in 2012 to move these issues along...
Maine Housing Investigation, the Abridged Version.
10.20.11
Maine Heritage to the Maine GOP: "A Democrat runs Maine State Housing Authority. You guys should investigate them."
GOP: "OK. What should we investigate them for?"
MHPC: "It doesn't matter. If you don't find anything out of order, we'll make it sound like you did."
GOP: "Gotcha. Just like Summers did on the voting thing."
MHPC: "Exactly."
*NOTE: This is not an actually conversation but, it may not be far from the truth.
Tim Geithner: Clearly Reading this Blog
10.19.11
...Or, perhaps he's reading Keynes.
In any event, our very own Sen. Snowe attacked him yesterday at a Congressional hearing for the state of the economic recovery. (Ironic, isn't it, that the one filibustering the American Jobs Act is complaining about "Rome burning" and the Administration not having the "tempo of urgency.")
Channeling her inner Bruce Poliquin, she blamed taxes and regulations for preventing growth - with no evidence to back it up, of course. Geithner pointed out in response that what businesses need to see in order to start hiring is more demand for their widgets. Paychecks for teachers. Payroll tax cuts. Construction projects. You know, what's in the American Jobs Act.
Lowe's Close
10.18.11
Another 101 jobs vanished this weekend with the closing of the Biddeford Lowe’s, and a similar number for the same reason in Ellsworth. Surely this time it was high taxes and crushing red tape, right Mr. Poliquin?
Nope.
At least with respect to the Biddeford store, Lowe’s built it too close
to the Maine Mall area among a population that couldn’t sustain so many
big box retailers. Oh, and there was already a Home Depot around the
corner with “better visibility” and an “established customer base.”
Score another one for “not enough demand.”
Of course, there is
no joy in this. Dozens of families are facing a rough patch right now
because of this closure. It’s just incumbent on the policy makers to
learn the right lessons – not merely the lessons that fit a comfy
narrative.
For background on this blog post please read my earlier blog post called Poliquin, Verso, Global Contact Sevices, and Barber Foods.
Paul LePage, Still Not From the Reality-Based World
10.17.11
So, the Governor gave an "exclusive" sit-down interview to Fox23 last week, where, among other things, he made the claim that the State's Rainy Day Fund didn't have enough in it to pay for dinner when he took office. Fortunately, the State keeps records about this kind of stuff – and the Kennebec Journal did a little digging. The truth? $25.4 million in the Fund on Day One for the Governor.
But don't let the facts ruin a good story!
Poliquin Redux
10.13.11
While catching up on some reading over breakfast this morning, I came across this nugget in the Harper’s Index:
Portion of the increase in U.S. corporate profit margins since 2001 that has come from depressed wages?
75%.
Again,
I don’t bemoan corporate profits. What I do object to is the notion
that increasing profits necessarily increases the benefit to employees –
which is the lynchpin of the Poliquin argument.
Poliquin, Verso, Global Contact Services, and Barber Foods.
10.12.11
The October edition of Maine Ahead contains an article by Bruce Poliquin in which he responds to Orlando Delogu's piece about economics, job creation, and State fiscal policy. The Poliquin article is noteworthy only in that it is a perfect distillation of the modern conservative approach to these issues – and therefore an excellent jumping off point for reminding people of the vast differences in democratic and republican approaches.
Look, we all know that Poliquin is an easy mark, but I want to ignore him personally for the moment and zero in on what he's saying.
Poliquin's basic point, to summarize as fairly as I can, is that business people have taken over government from career (Democratic) politicians and are now saving taxpayer money hand-over-fist so that it can be better directed to capital investment. Classic trickle down argument we've been hearing for a generation.
Rather than spout back my argument about why putting more money in the pockets of the middle and working class is a better idea, let's look at Poliquin's argument through the lens of other recent headlines
Childish
10.7.11
So, in case you haven't heard, Sen. Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook) has been doggedly fighting for policy that helps Maine loggers find more work. His efforts have been staunchly opposed by several interests - the rough argument being that there are not enough Maine loggers and the Canadian loggers are less pricey. Recently, Sen. Jackson has been seeking a meeting with Governor LePage to discuss these issues face-to-face. Since GOP control in Augusta has already been an exercise in can-you-top-this insults to Aroostook County, LePage knows he needs to be careful on this issue.
But not too careful. You see, rather than just schedule a meeting like a normal politician, LePage rarely passes up a chance to turn something innocuous into a self-infliceted wound. So, what do you imagine LePage did to transform scheduling a meeting into a blood fued? He scheduled it at 6 AM on a Friday morning in Augusta. I really can't remember anything so petty in Maine politics...
FLOTUS
10.2.11
First Lady Michelle Obama swooped into town on Friday and left a trail of excited and inspired Democrats in her wake. Here's how I know this for sure. On Saturday morning someone I had never met before stopped me as I was leaving the pool after my daughter's swimming lessons. She had been to Ocean Gateway and recognized me as one of the speakers. Her comment was this: "That was really exciting. I hadn't been thinking about the next election, but now I'm ready to get involved."
Multiply this by the 600+ attendees, and we had a very successful day. Thank you Michelle!
FLOTUS is coming, the Mural is back (as an issue, anyway)!
9.29.11
One more day until Michelle Obama arrives in Maine. A ton of work has gone into this event, and we are pumped to see her. This couldn't come at a better time, either, as we build more momentum for the November People's Veto vote. It's time for action...
..and, appraently, it's time for the Governor's newest explanation for taking down the Labor Mural. Can you imagine being on his staff and watching that interview unfold? It's the issue that should have been dead an buried a long time ago - but here we are with another round of are-you-kidding-me stories. Fine by me. It so perfectly captures what the Maine GOP is all about, and voters aren't going to forget it next November. They had a chance to lead, but instead have chosen to settle old scores and branch off onto a thousand different distractions.
In like a Lion, out like a Lamb
9.27.11
So goes the great GOP chess match to dramatically alter Maine's Congressinal Districts. The new map moves Waterville and Winslow into the First District and a handful of smaller Kennebec County towns into the Second. The people of Maine could stomach a lot about this process, but the hypocrisy of changing the rules to a simple majority requirement while at the same time promoting a Constitutional Amendment to prevent that exact maneuver was simple too much.
If you're thinking, "Hmm...that was a lot of time and resource expended when a sensible solution was available from the beginning. I wonder if the Legislature could have spent the summer working on something more closely related to creating jobs or, you know, any other important public policy, instead of this?" then I feel for you. But, we know by now that's not the GOP agenda. Their leaders have made this period in our history about settling old scores and creating problems where none existed.
A Lot Going On...and More to Come
9.26.11
Senator George Mitchell headlined our annual JJ dinner on Friday night, and - as usual - left the audience invigorated and energized for the work to come. Few people in our Party are able to capture what it means to be a Democrat better than Senator Mitchell. In the arc of this country's history, it has been the Democratic Party usually leading the charge - against bitter opposition - to advance the causes of freedom and opportunity.
Then over the weekend, we came down off of lofty ideals and dug into the nuts-and-bolts of how we get it done - trainings on Saturday and the full State Committee on Sunday. Democrats are coming back strong this year, and we heard a breakdown of recent special election victories, as well as plan for pitching in on the People's Veto this fall.
It all adds up to a Party that is making that uphill climb out of the hole we dug last year. More change and progress is coming, so stay tuned.
Tomorrow: redistricting endgame.
Al Capone's Vault
9.21.11
I just returned from Charlie Summers' press conference
where he announced the results of his "investigation" into...something.
Immigration, voting rights, students, car registration, Matt Dunlap,
El Salvador, Charlie Webster's Enemies List. We heard about it all, in
the most disorganized piece of political propaganda to surface in quite
some time.
But that, of course, is the point. They can dress it up in all the officialdom that they want, and they can insinuate and couch answers and raise doubts. But, what they can't do is show that Same Day Voter Registration has led to any fraud in Maine.
What we DO know for sure is that this we've had this law for forty years without any problems and in just the last two election cycles alone, tens of thousands of Maine people took advantage of it – and we are a stronger state for it.
Next time we're breathlessly told about the results of a serious investigation, let's remember this.
Are shoes "clothing?"
9.20.11
Are shoes clothing? Not if you ask the Defense Department. They have
a policy to buy American made clothing, but – get this – footwear is
exempted from the definition of "clothing." We learned this and a great deal more from Congressman Michaud this weekend on beautiful Bryant Pond with the Oxford County Democrats.
I have come to appreciate this about Mike... every time I hear him
speak, I learn something new. And, more often than not, it's about an
issue that he is working on, or that he has solved.
It really is the mark of a true Legislator, in the best sense of the word. He helps the people in his district, whether it's a new road, or northern border issues, or Veteran's health care, or Buy American. Can't ask for much more than that.
I also was granted the floor for a few minutes to talk about the Yes on One campaign. The persuasion and GOTV portion of the effort is in full swing, and the vaunted Oxford County Dems are out in full force to spread the message. They are an energizing group to be around, and I'm sure if their effort is matched by networks across Maine we will preserve Same Day Voter Registration this November.
Trust
9.15.11
I was on In The Arena today with my GOP counterpart, Charlie Webster. Say what you want about Charlie, but the man stays on message. You could ask him what he had for breakfast and he'd answer with, "Well, I'm just looking out for the guys who drive a truck."
We mixed it up on Same Day Registration, NY-9 and the American Jobs Act. The toughest thing about the public role of this job was on display: how do you debate someone so removed from reality? Bottom line, we have no voter fraud, the stimulus worked, and the President is proposing to put a lot of money in the pockets of the middle class and small businesses.
I think the answer has to be trust. Maine people are savvy, and if you talk to them like adults and leave the sensationalism in the drawer, you will have the credibility and win the trust. I'm never going to win a gregarious-ness contest with Charlie, but I will be the guy who you believe when it's over.
Here we go again...
9.14.11
The supercharged grassroots engine that powered the Protect Maine Votes Coalition
to 80,000 signatures is ready to get revved up again this week for the
fall campaign. One question that has bedeviled us on the
save-same-day-reg. side has been this: who, besides, Charlie Webster, is going to publicly participate on the other side?
Not a single elected GOP member I've seen wants any part of this. Unsurprisingly, Maine Heritage Policy Center jumped into the fray yesterday with a, cough, "poll" indicating support for the repeal. Upon quick inspection, this poll has about as much credibility as a James O'Keefe "sting" operation. In fact, any of you can order up your own poll, with your own questions, at Pulse Opinion Research. Just make sure your questions are incredibly leading, and you can get any result you want!
New Blog, Get Real Maine, and so much more!
9.13.11
Welcome to my blog. As part of our ongoing efforts to renew and
revitalize all aspects of the Maine Democratic Party program, I will
begin blogging about my activities, Party issues and politics in
general. Coming out of the 2010 election, it is clear that this Party
needs to strengthen and expand its communications efforts. This blog is
one small step. So let’s jump right in.
Over the summer we launched the “Get Real Maine”
tour, in which Party leaders would travel the state in search of people
working in their communities to find out what challenges they and their
neighbors are facing – and what policy solutions they believe will
help. Our goal is to renew the Democratic Party policy agenda, and we
are going to do it from the bottom up. We’ve met with farmers, union members, teachers and retirees – from Aroostook to York. 
Last night, our Tour found its way to Wiscasset for a meeting with
Lincoln County Democrats and several local social service providers.
Like I have found at every stop so far, people are extremely engaged in
their communities and filled-to-the-brim with creative ideas. From a
woman working with at-risk youth, we heard about struggles with
addiction that they trace, in part, to a lack of dental care. From a
man working with a food pantry, we heard how the real estate crisis has
left so many trapped with under water mortgages – and how the fear of
losing one’s home is the most terrifying anxiety for most families.
From a woman working with the elderly, we heard how the rapid pace of
technological advancement is leaving many elderly isolated. The stories
were heartbreaking, leaving us all wondering where the hope was going
to come from that sustains people through difficult times.
Read more...
Write a comment
- Required fields are marked with *.
Posts: 141
Reply #9 on : Sun October 30, 2011, 06:08:26
Posts: 141
Reply #8 on : Mon October 24, 2011, 06:52:51
Posts: 141
Reply #7 on : Sun October 23, 2011, 13:35:19
Posts: 141
Reply #6 on : Tue October 11, 2011, 00:02:22
Posts: 141
Reply #5 on : Sat October 08, 2011, 11:32:37
Posts: 141
Reply #4 on : Sat October 01, 2011, 03:44:58
Posts: 1
Reply #3 on : Tue September 20, 2011, 15:26:43
Posts: 141
Reply #2 on : Tue September 13, 2011, 13:11:47
Posts: 141
Reply #1 on : Tue September 13, 2011, 12:45:43
- 2/22/12 - Maine GOP: Pro-DeCoster
- 2/9/12 - It’s the Taxes! It’s the Regulation!
- 2/9/12 - Great Moments in Non-Partisan Think Tankery
- 2/8/12 - You Know You Have Them When…
- 2.3.12 - GOP vs. the GOP
- 1/31/12 - Americans Elect
- 1/25/12 - State of the State Reax: the Dog that Didn’t Bark
- 1/23/12 - Out of Touch Politician: Exhibit A
- 1/20/12 - It must be tough…
- 1/18/12 - Problem Solved.
- 1/17/12 - Drip, drip, drip.
- 1/13/12 - Come again?
- 1/10/12 - Trivia Question
- 1/9/12 - What is “success” in government?
- 12/29/11 - Unintentional Comedy, NPR-style
- 12/28/11 - I've Heard This Before Somewhere...
- 12/22/11 - The Tantrum Continues.
- 12/18/12 - Everything You Need To Know In One Picture
- 12/13/11 - LePage vs. The Facts: another loss for LePage
- 12/12/11 - Surprise, surprise. (Actually no surprise at all.)
- 12/2/11 - So weak
- 12/1/11 - Job Creators = Consumers
- 11/30/11 - Say what?
- 11/28/11 - Sun Journal: What Are You For?
- 11/23/11 - GOP Debate
- 11/22/11 - Public Financing and the 2012 Races
- 11/18/11 - It’s Not “The Regulations.”
- 11/17/11 - Sigh.
- 11/15/11 - Rep. Doug Damon: Not in Touch With the Home Office
- 11/9/11 - GOP Leaders on the Scurrilous Campaign Engineered by Webster: "_____ [crickets]"
- 11/7/11 - Yes on One.
- 11/2/11 - Integrity
- 11/1/11 - Raye: Exploring Run for Congress. Courtney: Exploring Taste of Foot in Mouth.
- 10/31/11 - For Sale: Inside Info from Maine's Constitutional Officers (GOP only, please).
- 10/27/11 - LePage vs. Local Control
- 10/27/11 - Snowe’s Absurd Defense of the American Jobs Act Filibuster.
- 10/26/11 - It's All About Values.
- 10/25/11 - Tarren Bragdon: Not a Competent Expert.
- 10/24/11 - Senator Snowe: Not making Sense.
- 10/21/11 - Mission Accomplished
- 10/21/11 - The Worst of Times and the Best of Times: AFL-CIO Convention.
- 10/20/11 - Maine Housing Investigation, the Abridged Version.
- 10/19/11 - Tim Geithner: Clearly Reading this Blog
- 10/18/11 - Lowe's Close
- 10/17/11 - Paul LePage, Still Not From the Reality-Based World
- 10/13/11 - Poliquin Redux
- 10/12/11 - Poliquin, Verso, Global Contact Services, and Barber Foods.
- 10/7/11 - Childish
- 10/2/2011 - FLOTUS.
- 9/29/2011 - FLOTUS is coming, the Mural is back (as an issue, anyway)!
- 9/27/2011 - In like a Lion, out like a Lamb
- 9/26/11 - A lot going on...
- 9/21/11 - Al Capone's Vault
- 9/20/11 - Are shoes "clothing?"
- 9/15/11 - Trust
- 9/14/11 - Here we go again...
- 9/13/11 - New Blog, Get Real Maine, and so much more!
Posts: 141
Reply #10 on : Tue November 22, 2011, 13:27:08