Baldy, is going to inflict as much damage as he can before 2010! Can we just say no for once! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELLO ! Almost a TRILLION $ in Debt and so let's Spend More ? ! !

W T H !, This is INSANITY !

The Ten Cannots

*(most applicable to this article)

*You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

*You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

*You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.

You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.

And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.

by the Rev. William J. H. Boetcker, circa 1916

(Often erroneously attributed to Pres. Abraham Lincoln)

And Still True Today !

.

We need to vote NO on all borrowing packages. Suggestions: Cut The Chancellors Office, roll back ALL state salaries (including teachers, superintendents, university employees) to under $55,000, cut back teacher sick leave to five or ten days a year.

Where we can't afford to cut back: plowing and sanding of roads (and yet the state has cut back - endangering lives) and state police.

Less state regulation, fewer state mandates, less state government.

VOTE NO ON STATE BORROWING!!!

Baldy has been listening to the teachings of Messiah Obama.

GOD I love the new BDN rating system!!!

Anyway, how has Comrade Baldacci been spending the money he's got?

gonna take alot to cover up his bald spot....

The moonbats are drooling today...

musicnorth I give you a thmbs up sir

I agree, this state seems to think we need to be "overly protected". I feel that Piscataquis County has too many cops and new vehicles for police force. Who are they enforcing? Old people who are shut-ins, people who grow pot, and maybe a few A FEW underage alcohol drinkers. (I'm not underage - 22), but they even got grant to "step up" underage drinking awareness programs and yet there are less than maybe 100 people in the entire county that are 18-21 and don't have some type of supervision ... the number is probably way less than that (under 50).

I admit its a huge county but when I drive to work at night and I see two Piscataquis PD jeeps in front of the clothing store on the corner in Guilford sitting there talking to each other instead of being in Monson, Greenville, Shirley, Willimantic, Blanchard, and other parts of the county instead of sitting on a relatively safe area is beyond me.

What is Baldy going to do when his term is up and he can no longer spend other people's money. Oh well, Bangor will get back it's village idiot.

Baldy's hero is OBAMA

O ONE

B BIG

A A$$

M MISTAKE

A AMERICA

The business of Maine is Government.

FOR ONCE I THINK I AGREE WITH EVERYONE --- CUT SPENDING AND FORGET ABOUT BORROWING

Whats the money for?

Cut the length of the legislative session. Cut the state work week to four days instead of five. Governor Bald Nazi should do anything but ask the people fo this state for more money! It is time to stop borrowing and start saving.

No borrowing! ! !

legalize gambling!!! it would bring in so much more revenue

I think it's ironic that we can borrow as much as we want as long as bonds get voted in but when it comes time to balance the budget, everyone is like "oh crap, we are in debt and have to balance the budget." So instead of finding other ways to actually RAISE revenue, the heartless, gutless Democrats propose a bond while Republicans complain about it with no good solutions of their own besides CUT CUT CUT! Baldacci doesn't care anymore (not sure he cared to begin with), he can just leave the mess to the next governor. Oh and by the way, we were way in debt LOONG before the economy started to tank. To the tune of $700 million was our original debt, yet only now are they starting to tackle the issue more seriously. Seriously?

It's time for the Maine taxpayers to stand firm against our 'tax and spend' state leaders. It's time to say NO on this bond request! If you don't agree with our state's reckless and wasteful spending habits, just visit Maine Taxpayers United at www.MaineTaxpayers.com

The sheep of Maine never seen a bond issue that they didnt like and approve.

What happened to all the stimulus money that was going to save the day?

What happened to all the Bond Money that had been approved in years prior? All we've seen is roads and bridges get worse. Now the state is asking for more. WHAT IS WRONG HERE??

"roll back ALL state salaries (including teachers, superintendents, university employees) to under $55,000"

Wow, you really are an idiot. Paying teachers crap salaries (and <$55K is crap) means your going to get crap teachers who will do a lousy job teaching your kids, who wil then lose out on jobs to kids who were lucky enough to grow up in states with good schools. Just beause you got a lousy education and are stupid, don't force this on the next generation, unless you want Maine to stay a backwater.

how much PORK is in this plan???

Just keep on borrowing Baldy. Who will pay back this debt? More and more jobs are leaving Maine. We are fast becoming a welfare state.

Great Analogy Knightcross - Another 374 jobs lost in Wells according to the News this morning. UNREAL!

"More and more jobs are leaving Maine. We are fast becoming a welfare state."

Yes and part of the reason is the state is just about 19th century industry. If Maine had funded its schools and universities like most states you'd have some relevant idustry that would be providing jobs now. Instead Maine taxpayers didn't want to pay for education and now you're seeing how expensive it is. Good work!

come on people, vote yes, its the goverments money we dont have to pay for it

The picture at the top is worth a $1,000,000 bucks. Four people sitting/standing around one guy actually doing something. Seems like a reasonable investment to me. Come on people lets get behind the Gov in this and spend more money that we don't have! Maybe we should be more like California and their fiscally responsible spending practices? Oh, come on just check off a few "YES" it wont hurt anyone. They'll just print more if they need it anyway.

"The picture at the top is worth a $1,000,000 bucks. Four people sitting/standing around one guy actually doing something. Seems like a reasonable investment to me."

Really? What a stupidly ignorant comment. Do you expect the truck to drive itself? Idiot!

Someone needs to direct traffic, or you'd whine they were causing accidents. Moron.

I assume a 3rd guy is helping the drive gor straight.

I have no idea what the fourthguy is doing.

Everyone chemaine is an expert on construction now. You see che you are the one who repeatedly is in here calling people idiot, moron, or stupid. People like you are the cause for the stupid thumbs! You never add anything constructive to a converstation all you do is ridicule people for their views. What platform do you actually stand on anyway. Enlighten me! I made a case that there is a lot of waste in government prodjects. You make excuses and defame people! Part of your last sentence was correct, "I have no idea".

" Enlighten me! I made a case that there is a lot of waste in government prodjects."

No you didn't, stupid, you suggested a truck could drive itself and that a 1 lane road was fine with no traffic direction.

It's small minded, reactionary, thouhgtless, idiots like you who have got maine into the mess its in now.

Nothing changes if nothing changes. Business as usual.

"Idiots" like me! I think the inmates have been running the asylum in Augusta for a very long time! What pray tell have they got to show? Morons like you keep electing these boobs into office and then your the first to praise them for their piss poor performances! How long have they been in control anyway? You can't spend your way out of bad times! I bet you suckle off that Government teet don't you? Why you wouldn't dare question that authority would you sheep?!

"Idiots" like me!"

Yes. You seemed confused that a truck could not drive itself. To wit, your statement " Four people sitting/standing around one guy actually doing something.".

Anyone who believes a truck can drive itself is stupid. since you suggested a truck could drive itself you are clearly stupid.

Your dodging the point che. I'm talking about spending money for the sake of spending money. It's wasteful! By the way how do you know the truck is even moving? I guess it must take three of them to drive it, huh? Union rules I guess.

"Your dodging the point che"

No, I am simply saying that you were making blatant comments without understandngg the situatuion. This is stupid, as is suggesting blindly that all spending is bad.

I find it a pity that people as dumb as you get to vote.

And no, idtiot, it does not "take three of them to drive it". Even you should be smart enough to realize 1 is enough, but that on a 1 lane road someone needs to control traffic to make sure no accidents occur. Surely you can't be so slow witted to not grasp this? I did admit I didn't know what the other 2 were doing.

I hope your kids aren't as dumb as you. Sadly, with the crappy teachers in the state they probably are. To bad we can't afford good ones, like in serious states.

Point by Point Simple Simon. I do understand the situation; they put too many people on government projects. Socialist like you would like nothing better than to choose who votes. You didn't know what one of them was doing not two. My kids go to private school. I honestly would rather pay for their education twice. Part of the reasoning is so they wouldn't be subject to Anti-Americans like you and your offspring. Let me guess your a kid in their early 20's who hasn't seen anything yet, but has an oppinion on everything. That's OK you'll grow up eventually. Why don't you bring real big boy topics to the table and stop your childishness.

"they put too many people on government projects."

Really? How many are too many? 5%, 10%, 90%? Just admit you don't know.

govt2big where do we sign?

I beg to disagree that it's stupid, small minded idiots who made this state broke. Chances are they don't even vote. It's those who voted someone in who already knew was doing a bad job and leaving him there. But more it's lazy people who whine to the government to make everything they don't like against the law rather than staying away from these things and asking and demanding support for children that people knew they couldn't afford. The only accidental birth is one by rape. Stop hiding behind your kids as a means of support and getting out of paying your fair share of taxes but using them as a tax deduction. All I'm hearing is name calling and no one standing up saying they will do something.

Take responsibility for everything you do for yourself and your family.

Calling the governor names because he is bald has nothing to do with being a poor leader who cannot handle our money. Don't like him ,boycott him, wheres the petitions? Wheres the actions to do something, which one of you wants to stand up. The more you call him names the more the rest of us who have to pay taxes and are resposible are getting screwed. So which one of you name callers is getting a petition up? Cause I want to sign it so ya'all will stop with the name calling thats not going anywhere like this state.

This is my favorite part of the article:

“Our economy depends on investing in our people and giving them the tools they need in order to be successful,”

I couldn't agree with you more, Baldacci. As a state that has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, YOUR party has had significantly more resources available to you in order to make this investment. You have also had complete run of our state government for a long, long, time now.

Have you invested wisely the billions of dollars you have had at your disposal over the last several decades?

If so, where's our return? Your party has the control and the people of this state have granted you the power to tax us to high heaven, so you have the money.

What shape is this State's economy in? Is it improving? What are the results? Why would anyone believe that 300 million more dollars are going to make a difference? Did the last 300 million? How about the 300 million before that?

Josh Tardy and Kevin Raye are right on the mark. they sum it up..."common sense" How about the governor concetrate on a balanced budget? VOTE NO....hey state house, ever hear of cutbacks?

I'm done with you Che. You are immature and you speak to everyone with a derogatory tone. When you want to talk about real issues with me man to man than I will be more than happy to discuss them with you. Oh, and by the way for someone who has worked on government projects state and federal alike there is an excess of man power. I been there done that. On projects like those there is a mandated pay scale which normally exceeds most peoples pay. Why do you think these type of projects always go over budget and behind schedule? Oh. come on! I know your not smart and all, but even you can wrap your young inexperienced brain around the answer to the question can't you?

I'm thumbing every post Chemaine made haha

This site is ignorant. All voices should be heard.

how about we impeach the baldman and take his $306 million and divide it up amongs outselves?

$36 per person ain't bad...better than what I'd get under that plan he's making

you know I realized something recently. Call me stupid, shame on you.

But hey if I can quit my job at $7.75 an hour which I've worked for OVER 4 YEARS and am barely making more than $.50 the minimum wage, hell I could go on welfare and get $450 a week. PLUS FOOD STAMPS

I like that idea captain that would all most triple the gracious gift Obama has given to us.

captain_obvious , dont do that she has a serious potty mouth. Trying to keep it clean here.

" there is an excess of man power"

Once again, meaningless generalities. Makes for good points for fools like limug and hannity.

Che I think you have been taking an undeserved pounding here. With the jobs in this state gone or going. Domtar closing down as well as the printing place at the other end of the state. We need to invest in jobs. Get people to work. Roads are a mess, bridges aren't safe, the university can do without a chancelor but they need updating, a parking lot alone would be a huge bonus. We need to invest in energy, this is a state where most people are buying oil 7 months out of the year. Everybody complains there isn't anything here but then they want the state to look like a postcard. They don't want windmills, or gas, or the mills, but mention gambling and they think that is a save all. To make money you have to spend money and Baldacci is trying to get jobs back in this state and a future for renewable energy to keep kids here after college

"If Maine had funded its schools and universities like most states you'd have some relevant idustry that would be providing jobs now."

That is not a well-thought out statement.

Employers aren't going to locate here just because there are well funded schools producing bright students. Rather, universities will make improvements to programs that are relevant to industry demand. They will make those improvements (of course with the help of the State) in order to provide industry with the talent demanded.

Under the current administration, industries (both small and large) are not locating here, in fact they are leaving. Why? Because the State is not industry-friendly and Augusta has ensured that it is both costly (due to taxes) and cumbersome (due to nanny-regulation) to open up shop here.

If I could tomorrow relocate Harvard to Ft. Kent, Stanford to Bangor, and MIT to Portland, it wouldn't make a lick of difference; those graduates are going to go find jobs relevant to their skill set, the jobs aren't going to run to them.

"Baldacci is trying to get jobs back in this state "

I'll believe that when I see it, his policies ARE the problem and ARE the reason why jobs are leaving the State.

That's like saying that GW Bush and Barney Frank are going to get together to fix Freddie and Fannie. THEY BROKE IT WHY WOULD ANYONE TRUST THEM TO FIX IT?

"If I could tomorrow relocate Harvard to Ft. Kent, Stanford to Bangor, and MIT to Portland, it wouldn't make a lick of difference"

Not today or tomorrow it wouldn't, but had the state been smart enough to invest in higher education decades ago it would have. Sadly for the poor slubs who end up jobless after working at a paper mill for decades the taxpayers have a short term focus. Maybe they can go lobstering, i hear that's going well.

" those graduates are going to go find jobs relevant to their skill set, the jobs aren't going to run to them. "

Not all would syay, but some would. If high value, modern, industries can be established in crap holes like north carolina, florida, texas, and georgia (all due to investment in universities decades ago) they can be established here. Sad thing is, Mainers just see wood and think "well, duh, i can just go cut it down". Guess what, you didn't prepare for a modern economy and you will suffer the conseuquences.

The Universities engineering just came out with a "bridge in a bag" They have a way to make biofuels from cellulous fiber. Investing in the university is the best money we can spend right now. That AND wind farms, roads, bridges, any energy conservation. We have to get out of the past and head to the future. And I hate to break it to you guys, Baldacci has busted his hump to keep the paper mills afloat, the economy is not his fault. No other governor has done what he has to keep manufacturing jobs alive in this state. Where were the past governors when the shoe shops, woolen mills, textile mills all packed up and left. You people act like this is a new thing to this state. Its been going on for 40 years or better and he is the only one to step up and try to stop it.

Industries aren't locating to places like Texas because of the great schools there. They're locating there because they aren't starting behind the 8 ball from a profitability standpoint (i.e. taxed into the ground) and because they don't have to wait for years to hack through all the brueacuratic red tape imposed upon them by the State government.

Because industries are thriving there, the schools can flourish. It's more likely that their best and brightest will stay in the area, land a good paying job, and increase the tax base. Increased tax base = less burden on existing industry = more industry = improvement in schools = more talent in the workforce = broader tax base.

Maine's legislature is more concerned about taking the money that could be put into attracting industry and plowing it into hundreds of social programs and unlimited welfare, which are good for people in the short term but benefit nobody in the long term. The people of Maine have elected them to do just this.

As long as the people of this state mandate (re-elect) people to enact these types of policies, things will stay exactly the same. At the end of the day, the size of the pie is finite in a given year, the more we spend on everything else, the less gets spent on building the future.

"Industries aren't locating to places like Texas because of the great schools there"

BS. High tech industries like Dell are in TX as a direct result of UT. Ditto research trianlge park in NC, and the biotech hib in Orlando (thaks to Scripps and UCF).

"Because industries are thriving there, the schools can flourish."

This is a circular argument that has to start somewhere.

"At the end of the day, the size of the pie is finite in a given year"

True, but it's this small minded approach to not recognizing the valuin gof investing in education that keeps maine a backwater and is letting NC join the 21st century. KEEP CUTTIGN THAT WOOD!

Kate, that would seem like a worthy cause if government spending didn't also increase while Baldacci has been governor. There is a reason why he only got re-elected with 38% or so of the vote in 2006, and that reason is simple; the people don't trust him. Or should I say, the majority of people who voted for other candidates felt their candidate had something better to offer. If we had been truly investing in alternative energies ahead of this curve, we might see some gains in the job sector in Maine today. If we had been working diligently to lower the costs of operating small businesses rather than focusing on bringing big box stores to Maine that bring in extra taxes but don't broaden salaries, then we might be better off. There are tons of things that this administration COULD have been doing while instead focusing on big industries that are out of date and almost obsolete...giving money to Casella for the biomass burner and landfill in Old Town turned out to be a huge waste of money and time since they closed anyway. Now they are re-opening but for how long???

Another 300+ jobs lost in Baileyville as annouced this afternoon!! THAT'S 600+ IN ONE DAY!! WOW! WE ARE IN DEEP S__T!!

"Another 300+ jobs lost in Baileyville as annouced this afternoon!! THAT'S 600+ IN ONE DAY!! WOW! WE ARE IN DEEP S__T!!"

Yup, and because Mainers didn't see the value of education decades ago you are all SOL. Sorry.

Too back your parents left you in this situation. Hopefully you'll be smart enough not to leave your kids in the same crap hole.

"This is a circular argument that has to start somewhere. "

Agreed.

Your break in the circle is that we should take our resources, plow them into the universities, and wait for industries to note this and locate here at some point in the future (you are assuming that industries will relocate here to hire these people whether or not the industry can make more meney elsewhere).

My break in the circle is to take this money and plow it into enticing industries to relocate to Maine immediately. This will cause a demand for skilled employees.

I agree with gw2kpro. How about helping to make it a more business friendly environment? Where was that years ago? Is that why many businesses are going over shores? Were they such great ideas for our economy to increase cost and regulation?

Private schools seems to get better results and do not require the teachers to go through the same process as public school teachers, so is that process really working for our children?

And I thought Congress broke the financial system when they voted to require banks to loan money to people who could not afford to borrow money, hence, Obama making as big of a deal about bailing banks out as he is, perhaps because of how he voted or pursued a case? Fix what he may have helped to break? Come to think of it most of them are millionaires, why can't they fix their own mistakes?

"No other governor has done what he has to keep manufacturing jobs alive in this state. "

If that was a goal of his, he failed. It doesn't really matter what he wished to do, tried to do, or wanted to do. It only matters what he did.

What he did was lose entire industries that were not replaced. They may come back someday if they have a reason to -- in order for that to happen, someone will have to give them that reason.

You're going to have to argue pretty well to convince most people that Maine is better off now than when he took office.

GW Bush busted his hump to try and accomplish many of the same things. I don't think many people are going to give him a pass, given his results, nor should they.

"How about helping to make it a more business friendly environment?"

How, just cutting taxes won;t do it.

"Is that why many businesses are going over shores?"

Business are going oversea because a guy in China can do the exact same low value job (make shoes/textiles) as a Mainer, but only needs 1/25th the salary. Can't compete with Asia oncost, so have to add value elsewhere.

"Private schools seems to get better results and do not require the teachers to go through the same process as public school teachers, so is that process really working for our children?"

Not working for kids. Prvate schools spend more per student. There is a clear correlation between $ spend and results. Always.

my job even though it pays slave wages is pretty secure I'll give you that... people need clean floors haha

just wanted to see what name this one was

"people need clean floors haha"

not if the plant is shut down

Will someone please test the Governor for illegal drug use.

"The bond package would finance a variety of projects, including highway improvements, environmental protection, energy conservation, and state university building renovations. " this is all that it is ever spent on!!!!! how many times can you pave one road??????? have yet to travel to mass. without some road building holdup for miles..... and this has been going on for 30 years now ? ? ? where is the money really going ? ? ? what agency will spring up with new salaries???? just to account for the money ???? AND WHAT KIND OF REVENUE WOULD THAT SPENDING BRING BACK TO THE PEOPLE/STATE OF MAINE ? ? ? NOT ONE DIME!!! GET MAINE MARITIME, UNIV. SO ME , AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH OFF THE SPENDING BILLS.... these so called big money 'takers' need their own overhauling!!! we need conscientious EDUCATORS ....NOT SPENDERS!!! IN OUR UNIVERSITIES AND GOVERNING SYSTEMS!!! SEEMS AS THOUGH THOSE THREE SECTORS ARE IN CAHOOTS ON EVERYTHING.....!!!! GET RID OF THAT PRESIDENT OF USM... we do not want an industrialized waterfront thanks you just the same!!! we want farming, orchards of all types, berries of all types, healthy deer meat....rabbits reintroduced.... free range turkeys..... ours are just running wild.... parks dept has nothing to do but chase the campers... make them work for their dollars!!!!! Varieties of NUT trees..... ! spend on something that will give back finances and a cleaner healthier way of life.... we like the country setting........ not the casino groupies! ! !

actually it's a picture of a paving machine not a truck and requires several people to run it.

i don't work at the plant I work at a ...... wal mart?

WHAT THIS STATE NEEDS IS A FREEZE ON ALL BONDING AND BORROWING,DON,T SPEND MONEY YOU DON,T HAVE.RUN THIS STATE LIKE YOU WOULD RUN YOUR HOME.

What this state needs is more schools so the IQ on these comment pages will be above chromozone H

Excuse me I meant Chromozone X

What this state needs is to get rid of the governor and the legislaturs and start fresh with new blood and new ideas.

127.8 MILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES ECT. I WONDER IF THEY WILL EVER FIX THE ROAD FROM FORT KENT TO ALLAGASH. EVERY TIME WE COMPLAIN THEY SEND UP A PAVER TO PUT A COAT OF PAINT ON THE ROAD. SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME OLD CRACKS AND FROSTHEAVES SHOW UP. THEY SHOULD BE FIXING OUR EXISTING ROADS INSTEAD OF BUILDING NEW BYPASS ROADS.