Michaud, Allen split on rescue proposal

Michaud spent too much time hiding under the #2 paper machine; the heat fried his brain.

As a Republican I can't believe I'm saying this, "Way to go Mike! You heard the people of Maine and then you voted!" Allen, you're a Bum! I bet if Pelosi told you to jump off a cliff you would! Once again another reason Susie is going to wipe the floor with you in November!

It seems our state representation is too busy worrying about the political atmosphere than our states growing retiree population. Thank you "Mr." Michaud for taking away Millions of our states retirees funds. I quote Mr because there is no way you should ever be a "representative" again.

There is a much grander shell-game going on here than that of the myopic confines of our current financial "crisis." In a time when resistance to criminal forces controlling our government and the scam known as the Federal Reserve System is in short supply, I am encouraged by Rep. Michaud's vote. Not only does it reflect the view of the majority of American citizens, it reflects the view of our founders who were well aware of the dangers posed by central banks. I would hope that Mike's vote stemmed from a knowledge of this history. Thomas Jefferson proclaimed: "I hope we shall... crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." And in discussing the Bank Renewal bill with a delegation of bankers in 1832, Andrew Jackson said, "Gentlemen, I have had men watching you for a long time, and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves. I intend to rout you out, and by the eternal God, I will rout you out." Unfortunately for us, Andrew Jackson's term was the last time our country was debt-free. Too bad that our true deficit is in leadership of this caliber.

It would appear that Tom Allen has some investments in the Stock Market.

So for one Dims and Repugs stood up to their corporate masters.....but not to worry. The rulers will continue to get richer and the poor will continue to suffer.

Very interesting and thoughtful post, BilloRight.

Watching this fiasco unfold, I am once again longing for term limits and campaign finance reform for all.

Another point of many showing the voters of Maine why Frary must replace Michaud and Allen must replace Collins!

I am on the side of Mike on this one, because he is a working class person that understands more than most of the lawyers that run this Country. He also has a 401k as most people, and he too has seen a loss. For people to say he's a bum for not voting for this bill are wrong by not voting forthis one he leaves the door open for a better bill to be put fourth. I am sure the people that made these comments haven't even read the bill, I have and to be blunt it sucked. I see the powers in Washington now working to fix the problem and bet they will put forth a bill that will help the so called middle and lower class. Wall Street will not fail if the tax payers don't give them 700 billion dollars by the way that is equal to 1.1 Trillion dollars by the end of next year. Wall Street has dropped before and came back from it without these bail outs, and to say we need to save the banks is not the answer. These companies sold more on paper than they had in hard assets hence the loss of capital, because people took their savings out and the banks didn't have the assets to back up their spending, which lowers their stock price, and the end result was failure. I for one think Bush has put the American public on a train to no where by telling us we need this we don't. I also see other members of congress voting for a bad bill, but Michaud didn't and I think he is correct for doing so. Plus look at Wall Street today up over 250 will no bail out, the reason is simple congress is not the one to blame the 777 point drop was because big money sold hi waiting for the bail out and buying low then sell hi again. The markets will correct themselfs as they do. I say this if you have a 401k like I do it will lose and gain but if you are near the age to for retirement you should be safe because your 401k manager should have you in bonds not stocks. Thank You Mike for your no vote.

tom allen is resorting to socialism.... he definitely is sombody's puppet! i'll never vote for him again....

This admistration has scamed us one time too may. We the people need to understand that. A famous quote goes "The last official act of government, is to loot the nation". We should be watchful and act.

Ever notice when Allen speaks he sounds like Bald Archie?, Allen is the same old "vote the party line" brown-noser. Congrats to Mike for his courage.

I am a democrat but could never vote for Tom Allen. Not only did he vote for a socialist bill for the rich...he thinks it is too late in the administration to impeach Bush. This is not obeying his oath of office. Bush openly and flagrantly disobeys law. Won't vote for Susan Collins for Senator either. She has voted with Bush 80% of the time. We are in the financial mess we are in because of Republicans like her who have lost their way. States rights..individual rights...balanced budget.that is what republicans used to stand for. The two party system worked well. We have no one to vote for in ME for the senate.

Those who believe we will be "saved" by any bill, bi-partisan or otherwise, are misinformed. Thomas Jefferson believed that banking institutions, paper money, and paper speculation were capable of undermining a nation's stability. Consequently, he and other founders saw to it that the Constitution forbade Congress to establish a National Bank. His fears were officially realized by the creation of the Federal Reserve system -- a private bank operated by controlling officers with overlapping directorates representing the apex of business and world finance. It and its amoral offspring, the IRS, are in direct conflict with Constitutional mandates. There is now a growing sea of knowledgeable people (inside and outside of government) who are finally waking to this nightmare. Amid the current stew of fraud and deceit in the financial sector (and within our government), we must try to look beyond our 401k and money market funds and continue to resist the extortion now being perpetrated on us all. By doing so, our economy may not recover overnight, but a much tougher road faces us and our children by bowing to the forces who continue to drain hard-earned resources from our country. Leadership on this issue must begin with us, for it should be obvious to all that we have no Thomas Jeffersons or Andrew Jacksons in our midst with the courage to tackle this banking tyranny. Those of us who can remember the "Resistance" movement during WWII can testify to the revolutionary character and spirit necessary to regain true liberties -- liberties that are (since the Patriot Act) dangerously close to evaporating for the American people, and which now include our financial "homeland" security. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green, Libertarian -- refuse to take another bite of this rotten apple.

For those interested in why this bill is not in the best interest of the American people, here is a more straight-forward summation: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/29/miron.bailout/index.html

Bravo to Tom Allen - who had the foresight, wisdom and courage to vote FOR the plan, which was an investment plan - not a bail out for fat cats. It was revised and had safeguards in it, but the national pundits on fox and the rest of them didn't explain that to middle America who then freaked out - fearing the plan would reward rich people or something. And House members - who are all running for re-election - went along for the ride, fearful of a made up taxpayer revolt - but not Tom Allen - he knew it was needed and will be proven right as soon as America catches up. He is a profile in courage and will make a great US Senator.

BillORight, it's refreshing to see a lucid, intelligent, and well informed comment hidden in these pages.

I have had the opportunity to share some thoughts with Rep. Allen (via email) on the subject of our system of taxation; specifically a national sales tax model in lieu of federal income taxes on wages. I feel Tom is genuine in his desire to help his constituents and is most likely a very nice fellow. Unfortunately, Tom's response lacked personal insight and knowledge of the economics behind that issue. Although I would not expect a reply that was replete with comprehensive economic formulas, Tom relied too heavily on the Congressional Research Service for his response(s). They were quite "boilerplate" and spoke volumes about his ability to thoughtfully confront core issues. It therefore comes as no surprise that he voted "yea" for the proposed "financial restructuring" bill currently before Congress. America is already "catching up" to this extortion game and any "taxpayer revolt" (if the overwhelming negative national response to the plan was any indication) is quite palpable and totally valid on a number of fronts - both economic and ideological. One might correctly point out that there is a lack of true leadership and oversight in all corners of our government, and to "fix bad government with more government" at the expense of taxpayers is incredibly naive.

hossthehermit: Our country's future should be of great concern to all. I would only hope that people dig below the surface of issues before building impenetrable defenses around them. If there is one gift I could choose to pass on to my children is that knowledge truly is power. A very clever elite has stolen our government under many guises, and it will take an equally clever citizenry to confront and expose them.

Tom Allen has been tarnished by his years in Washington. This was his one chance to finally stand up to Pelosi and put the people of Maine first.

bwolfe, your comment indicates that you feel Tom Allen is right, because HE knows what is best for the people who elected him. All this time, I thought our elected officials were supposed to represent the wishes of their constituency. Perhaps Mr. Allen IS BIG BROTHER!!!!!!

Michaud is right. The fat cats do not need more money after the record breaking profits they have earned these past years. The poor people whose repossed houses lie empty and looted are the ones who need the bailout. If we stock holders stay calm, we can ride out the storm. Restructure the bailout as a loan to the banks and partially forgive all those sub prime loans.

mrclam, Are you aware that so many people contacted the House of Representative to tell their Reps to vote NO to the bailout plan that the official website crashed? I was one of them, spent a bundle on long distance calls to DC because the toll free number was busy! And Congressman Michaud listened to us, ( obviously a majority) and voted no. He responded to the wishes of " WE WHO VOTED HIM INTO OFFICE. Isn't that the way it is supposed to work?

However...after the vote was a done deal; several members of the House were invited on TV , ( MSNBC) to present their alternative plan, modeled after Finland & Iceland who solved a similer crisis with out reaching into the pockets of the little guy. Unfortunately they are the "honest ones" the hardworking ones who truely try to represent THEIR CONSTITUANTS, like Mike Michaud. The flashier ones who play the political capital Washington Insider games, have more clout.

SInce Monday I have GAINED MORE KNOWLEDGE as a result of reading foreign publications, and discovered that the Chinese have precipitated this crisis by refusing to supply us with our daily operating funds. It is a follow through of their National Pride at hosting the Olympic Games, and stepping up their space program.

In their panic, Bush Paulson, Bernbake & Co crafted a fast 3 page bill bailing out their wall street buddies...........Fortunately the House voted NO!

Last night by the time the Senate had expanded that bill from 3 pages to some 300 pages with a few crumbs thrown to the peons.............I agreed reluctantely with their yes vote.

The threat of credit freeze was not fear mongering but a REAL THREAT. IF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS TO STEP IN TO REFEREE OUR FINANCIAL CRISIS..........................they will b e less kind, possiibly cutting our Medicare & SS budgets down. How would Downeasters make out with 1/2 SS payments? They are already too low to live on. Are you ready for Mom & Dad to move in with you?

It is YOUR responsibilityas a citizenin a Democracy, to read, go online, be informed and contact your Govt. representatives. or live with the results.

You can't get your info from the Tee Vee, it's palin, mccain, Biden, & Obama 24/7! Total smoke screen!

I wouldn't vote for either one of these cowards!!! maine spoke loud and clear..... to no avail. and has been for a very long time now and nobody is there to listen! why not just put in a dictator and forget the election process all toghether..... maine's congress sucks big time!!!

Thank you Mike for listening to those who disagree with this bailout mess. This is all ridiculous. It seems to me, it would have made more sense to keep people in their homes, give them lower interest rates,at least we would have been generating some revenue, possibly keeping the value of our homes. I am not overly impressed with bankers who stupidly gave out loans to people who couldn't afford them in the first place and to the borrowers who "knew" they "really" shouldln't or couldn't afford the house. And then there's the unfortunate scenario where someone lost their job to the folks overseas. That's a whole other ball of wax. Try calling Anthem BCBS...and you get either "Hazel", or "Peter" every time with a lovely accent. By the way for those who don't know what I am talking about, they are employees who live offshore that took alot of our jobs.

I was going to vote for Tom Allen, but now I am not going to vote for him and definitely not for Susan Collins. Oh one more thing...what the heck does "wooden arrows" have to do with Wall Street and this bailout??? Just exactly how much will us folks funding wooden arrows give this economy a boost?

We wouldn't be in this mess to begin with if the people who have been voted into office to represent us had been paying more attention to deregulations.

To correct myself... the people in charge should have been " regulating" the companies!