Maine Democratic Party

Ben's Blog

9/13/11 - New Blog, Get Real Maine, and so much more!

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.

Personally, I found it in that room: in the knowledge that so many people were working on these issues in every locality, and in the brilliance of many of the brainstorms that emerged from the audience. Access to dental care. More transportation options for rural communities. Pressure on insurance companies to allow more volunteer drivers. Pro bono PR work for social service agencies. A Democratic Party job exchange. Gas vouchers. Local mental health services. And these were just a few.

Over the next few months, we will be taking these ideas and forming policy for our Legislators and our candidates. We must reclaim the ground of reform, and we will only be successful in the long term if we actually find solutions to our most entrenched problems. Last night was another great start to the project.

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