Sen. Susan Collins deserves credit for some of her legislative activities. She supported efforts to reduce air pollution and global warming, backed energy efficiency and renewable energy, supported international family planning programs and voted for a treaty to ban chemical weapons.
Unfortunately, she made a serious error of judgment when she voted in 2002 to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. That vote was based on falsehoods and flimsy or even nonexistent evidence, yet we are still at war. More than 4,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq, thousands have been wounded and many of the wounds are both physical and psychological.
Many Iraqis have been killed and many others wounded. More than 2 million Iraqis are war refugees, many struggling to survive in degraded conditions.
Americans have turned against the war, and surveys show a majority of Iraqis want American forces withdrawn.
In the face of all this misery and opposition, Collins has steadfastly voted to finance the war, which has cost us more than half a trillion dollars to date. When coupled with President Bush’s tax cuts for wealthy Americans (which she supported), this has contributed to a huge increase in the national debt, which will harm our country far into the future.
Her actions on the war and taxes are reckless and overshadow the good things she has done. Fortunately, we have an excellent alternative. I will vote for Tom Allen, who has been against the war from the start and has a very good voting record on a wide range of issues.
Karl K. Norton
Bangor
···
Sawyer unavailable
Tom Sawyer failed to attend to his responsibility as Bangor’s state senator in 2003. As a University of Maine graduate student at that time, I was required to meet with then-Sen. Sawyer for a policy class. Mr. Sawyer wrote to me that he would be available at the State House on a specified date and time. After traveling to Augusta and waiting for more than 30 minutes, I found that Sen. Sawyer was present at the Senate that day, but neglected to meet with me. Afterward, he did not return my telephone calls to arrange a subsequent meeting.
Bangor needs a senator who is responsive to his constituents. Sen. Joe Perry has always been attentive when I have contacted him, and has proved he is an effective and dedicated advocate for the residents of Bangor.
Mary Moore
Bangor
···
John Frary’s appeal
John Frary is unconventional and uses humor to get his point across. There was once another little-known politician who was also highly unconventional, was known for his wit and the ability to use that wit in the service of the people, and was completely unafraid to voice his opinion, come what may. Who was this paragon of political virtue? Just a little-known Illinois lawyer named Abraham Lincoln.
Frary is not afraid to tell the people of Maine the truth as he sees it. Like all of his positions or not, at least for once we have a chance to elect a person who will tell you what he thinks, whether he thinks you will like it or not. And that is a rare thing indeed.
Peg Kearney
Hampden
···
Goode for Bangor
We are enthusiastically supporting Adam Goode for the Legislature in District 15. Adam is one of the most energetic, hardworking, passionate individuals to run for office in a long time.
He will bring a fresh, new voice to Augusta at a time when that is greatly needed. Adam is a fifth-generation Bangor resident who knows what our concerns are and is dedicated to making life better for every Mainer.
Adam’s career has been dedicated to organizing residents in our community to fight for better, more affordable health care and a cleaner environment.
He knows how to get things done and is bound to make himself a leader in Augusta.
Times are tough. We need leaders who are prepared to lead. We couldn’t do better than Adam Goode.
Tricia Clukey
Tabatha Caso
Bangor
···
Forget the Joneses
For the past two months we have been hearing about banking collapse, foreclosure and slumping home sales.
Many banks have been dubbed predatory lenders. Yes, they gave a first-time homeowners a fixed rate for 20-30 years, then a few years later, the homeowner took out a home equity loan. That money is spent on new vehicles, trips to Disney, jewelry, etc. to keep up with the Joneses.
Now the homeowner has two mortgages, credit card debt and wants to refinance the whole shebang. The banks rightfully look at them as a risk.
They are offered a variable rate and as the interest rates go up so does the monthly payment. They now cannot afford the payment and want to blame everyone but themselves for their problem.
The banks should have required the homeowner to show a reinvestment of 80 percent of the loan to secure the value.
Until the materialistic people of this country change their spending habits, we will always have these problems. Solution: Stop spending what you don’t have and to heck with the Joneses.
Susan Lara
Eastport
···
Obama is like Marx
Barack Obama: “Americans want to reclaim our American dream. That’s why I’m running for president of the United States.”
Barack Obama: “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”
This is the “American dream”? Sounds more like: Karl Marx: “From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need.”
I thought the American dream was that each person would have the opportunity to make the most of his or her abilities, without the interference of government. When did it change?
On 10/28/08 at 6:18 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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It's so true, "Obama is like Marx." God help us if he's elected, as the USA will see major change in a negative way. Just listen to what he's saying, stop drinking their kool-aid, and you will realize he's talking about bringing us deeper into socialism. If you think back to those old social studies classes, the next step after socialism is communism. It will happen if Obama goes into the White House. No questions asked. Sad but true. We must always rememver 9/11.
On 10/28/08 at 6:20 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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Sorry for the typo, but it's worth correcting. We must always remember 9/11.
On 10/28/08 at 6:21 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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Sorry for the typo, but it's worth correcting. We must always remember 9/11.
On 10/28/08 at 7:38 AM,
markko wrote:
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Govt2Big, what does 9/11 have to do with socialism, and for that matter, what does socialism have to do with Obama?
Do you actually remember your "old social studies classes?" If you did, you would know that the US has had a sort of socialism since the 1930's, and it comes in the form of social security, bank bailouts and regulation (those would increase with McCain, too), and medicare and medicaid, not to mention food stamp and welfare programs... If we did not have these services there would be starving people dying on the streets.
As far as I can tell, Obama has only said that he would like to spend more money on getting affordable health care to the people, he has, as far as I know, NOT said he intends to expand social programs like welfare or something to that effect. McCain intends to take much more money and dump it into Iraq indefinitely, while Obama wants to invest in America.
So I ask, a bit nervously, where did you hear that Obama is a socialist? Can you give me a concrete example of his socialism, that does not include a talking point from a certain "Joe the Plumber" or Sarah Palin? Just think back to your old social studies days, and write down an example of how Obama is a socialist.
For extra points, please define Socialism.
On 10/28/08 at 7:40 AM,
JJacob wrote:
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This and every other paper in the U.S. who have endorsed Barack Obama while not investigating his whole political history has engaged in journalistic malpractice to a criminal degree. Yesterday a citizen blogger uncovered a 2001 recording of state senator Obama explaining why he thought our country’s Constitution was “flawed” because it did not address redistribution of wealth. And he will take the oath of office to uphold a constitution he loathes?
These @&*%&#s (media) were so busy electing this Marxist that they forgot to even search out his fundamentals, but they sure as heck could find time to destroy Sara Palin and Joe the Plumber. This media is a DISGRACE.
On 10/28/08 at 8:01 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Jjacob, McCain himself hasn't always seemed so opposed to progressive taxation. Here's what he said in a 2000 meeting with college students sponsored by the MSNBC program "Hardball," when questioned about the issue: McCain, Oct. 12, 2000: "[W]e feel, obviously, that wealthy people can afford more. .... And I think middle-income Americans, working Americans ... all of the taxes that working Americans pay, I think they – you would think that they also deserve significant relief, in my view. ...[H]ere's what I really believe, that when you are – reach a certain level of comfort, there's nothing wrong with paying somewhat more." In fact, the system would remain progressive under McCain's tax plan. His argument with Obama isn't about whether to "spread the wealth," but by how much.
Also, before the wingnuts mangle it here's the actual Obama quote from the 2001 radio show:
On Jan. 18, 2001, then-state senator Barack Obama appeared on a public radio chat show to discuss "The Courts and Civil Rights." In that show -- WBEZ-FM's "Odyssey" -- Obama discussed the role of the courts in civil rights. Obama in that interview said, "If you look at the victories and failures of the civil rights movement, and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to vest formal rights in previously dispossessed peoples, so that I would now have the right to vote, I would now be able to sit at a lunch counter and order, and as long as I could pay for it, I’d be OK."
"But," Obama said, "The Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society. And to that extent, as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, as least as it's been interpreted, and Warren Court interpreted in the same way that, generally, the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, says what the states can't do to you, says what the federal government can't do to you, but it doesn't say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf. And that hasn’t shifted."
On 10/28/08 at 8:10 AM,
freedomfighter wrote:
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When Jesus said to help the poor, it was a good thing. Now if gov't tries to help the poor, it is evil socialism. When the banks and their stockholders need help to preserve their wealth, they thank God and republicans for US socialist policies. Corporate welfare is now good and helping the poor is now bad. The world has gone topsy turvy.
On 10/28/08 at 8:15 AM,
Lobstarok wrote:
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When will people like Govt2Big and JJacob get it? It does not matter to obama fanics what is under it all? He could be bin laden himself and they would still present him as the next messiah.
On 10/28/08 at 8:20 AM,
chemaine wrote:
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Sue R. Berryhill would do well to go read her Bible, in particular the Book of Acts (4:32-35): "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need."
Many the problem with most Reugnants is they don;t read very well, so they tend to forget things.
On 10/28/08 at 8:26 AM,
markko wrote:
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Lobstarok, I suppose technically bin laden himself could very well run for president of the US, because the idiot you elected into office TWICE hasn't arrested bin laden yet.
When are you going to realize that you are falling for more key words and talking points "messiah," "chosen one," "hussein," "Marxist," "socialist," and on and on...
Perhaps I should refresh your memory about other catch phrase words generated by the right: "WMD," "axis of evil," "mission accomplished," "no child left behind," "victory in Iraq," "victory in Afghanistan," "IED," "nucular," "Clean Air Act," "Homeland Security..." and on and on...
Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
On 10/28/08 at 8:28 AM,
markko wrote:
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Chemaine, don't be silly! The Bible is only to be used to admonish or forbid. ;^)
On 10/28/08 at 8:39 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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Boy this election is bringing the crazies out. Do any of you posters concerned about Marx actually know anything about Marx or are you just mouth-piecing what your hearing from Rush and others? I've got a feeling your understanding of both Obama's proposals and marxism are rather thin. Oh and by the way, Jesus and 9/11 have nothing to do with Marxism or even the current election.
On 10/28/08 at 9:58 AM,
duckwa wrote:
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Quick everyone bow down to BANGORIAN's great and powerful intelligence, just don't look behind the curtin.
On 10/28/08 at 10:41 AM,
JJacob wrote:
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(Just to make it abundantly clear to the anti-constitutional left): disregard the use of the term s ‘Socialism’ and ‘Marxist’ and just listen to the fundamental message.
Some HEAVY HAND of government, (i.e. Barack Obama), wants to REMOVE your hard-earned cash from YOUR WALLETS and GIVE it to those who have NOT EARNED IT.
So, instead of Communism/Socialism/Marxism, what shall we call this? REDISTRIBUTIONISM? RETRIBUTIONS? RACISM? You effete social academics may settle on any glorified term you wish, but at least admit that the coming ‘change’ amounts to no less than legalized highway robbery.
On 10/28/08 at 11:01 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Jjacob, if Obama gives you a tax cut you just give it back, okay? Oh, and if you get health insurance, paid sick days and/ or vacation time from your employer, tell 'em you don't want that either, because it's Communist/Socialist/Marxist. Feel better now? Oh, and that trillion-dollar bailout, the tax cuts for the rich, the stock brokers still getting multi-million dollar bonuses in spite of the bailout, all that corporate welfare? You'll calm down if you keep repeating your mantra, "The free market will regulate the economy, the free market will regulate the economy." There there, go sleepy byes now.
On 10/28/08 at 11:11 AM,
searoses wrote:
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for all of you so concerned about Obama and Marx....and fear his tax plan is "spreading the wealth'...If any of you would stop and think for a moment you might relize that, that tax plan that McCain says Obama wantsto implement has already been implemented and put into effect...by none other than Republican President Ronald Reagan...It's called.. Earned Income Credit...that program takes money from more wealthy tax payers and gives it to those tax payer that are under poverty level in other words the working poor...was Reagan a Marxist maybe, maybe not...but it plain to see that Obama is no more Marxist then Reagon or any other Repulican for that matter..The reason The Republicans are using these words is to speard fears of communism...and the U.S.S.R. and a dictatorial, goverment...and they'er betting on the fact that some Americans are to stupid to figure out that they'er not telling the turth...groverning by spreading fear is Terrorism...governing buy spearding hate is cowardice...I don't want that...and I hope none of you do either...
On 10/28/08 at 11:38 AM,
duckwa wrote:
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You all go on and on about people spreading fear and intimidating people, and yet any one who might dare disagree with your point of view is either labeled stupid or a bully or both. I for one don't think that Obama will ruin the country in 4 years. There are too many people and checks for that to happen. It is also good for the country to swing both ways at different times. So lets just see how he does. Searoses also makes good points that McCain isn't much better or all that different.. With that said who are you people to jump on anyone who disagrees. I'm not stupid and don't need you people to confirm that. I have heard on different time both Obama and Biden talk about spreading the wealth around. That IS a Marxist principal. Does that mean obama is a communist? No. Does it mean he wants to enact some principals that Marx wanted to? Yes. Does it move our country closer or futher away from what Marx preached? Closer. Thats just the facts and picking on people doesn't change them.
On 10/28/08 at 12:17 PM,
buckyor wrote:
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No one is "spreading fear and intimidating" you. They're just point out that you're a ranting lunatic who has no connection with reality. Just like the rest of the right wing nutjobs who post on here continuously.
On 10/28/08 at 12:19 PM,
markko wrote:
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duckwa, since you wrote such a coherent and balanced post, I want to say thanks!
McCain's campaign, as the Republicans have done for decades, plays with the idea that his tax cuts are better, even if they are for the rich... because they perpetuate the idea that EVERY American will eventually be rich, a millionaire. The fact is, most of the population that make up the Republican base are working class folks who have not seen their salaries go up in a decade.
Scaring those people (quite effectively I might add) into thinking that Obama will "take their money and give it to others who don't work as hard as you" is just inherently wrong.
The same could be said of the bank bailout. Who has guaranteed that some portion of three quarters of a trillion dollars won't land in the wrong hands? There is corruption all over the place. But to insinuate (as PLENTY of Republicans have been saying forever) that the welfare system is just a sham run and used by criminals waiting for "that free ride" is both wrong and immoral.
If there were no such thing as welfare or food stamps for example, men women and children would be freezing and dying of hunger and disease on the streets, waiting for the undertaker's wagon.
Is this how far Republicans want to take "individualism" and "personal responsibility?"
To insinuate that welfare, that is a nation caring enough for its people to not let them starve to death in difficult times, is somehow morally wrong is reprehensible. It sickens me to think that these same people who wish poverty on people "who can't hold a job" also go to church and claim to worship a god.
What would Jesus do? Let people starve??
THAT is how awful this fear mongering has gone on the Right, and it is disgusting.
On 10/28/08 at 12:22 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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You people miss the point!
The Bible commands you to share your wealth (Acts 4:33)!
You hypocritical Republicans who thump your Bibles if a couple of men want to get married seem to conveniently forget this. The Bible is not a cafeteria where you can pick and choose what you want!
YOU ARE TO OBEY ALL OF GOD'S WORDS, NOT JUST THE ONES YOU HYPOCRITS LIKE!
On 10/28/08 at 12:34 PM,
markko wrote:
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But I must say, EMPHATICALLY, that Obama has not promised some sort of windfall for poor folks, he just wants to adjust the faucet a little bit and give a little less to the "haves" so the "have nots" can continue to... survive.
Why are you Republicans so upset about that? Do you all make more than a quarter of a million a year?
On 10/28/08 at 12:34 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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That's if you believe in the bible. Not all people do!!!!! The Bible has a lot of loose ends and is up in the air for one to interpret. Just remember they were eating a lot of mushrooms back then.
On 10/28/08 at 12:49 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"That's if you believe in the bible. Not all people do!!!!! " Yes, but the Bible thumping, supposedly evangelical "Chrsitian" hypocrits who populate the GOP constantly claim their own piety. That is, when they're not begin convicted of corruption or engaged in homosexual acts or bearing false witness to commit murder in a foreigh war in which they covet thy neighbour's oil!
Shameless hypocrits. fortunaltley, judgement will not be of this world.
On 10/28/08 at 12:59 PM,
markko wrote:
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"Shameless hypocrits. fortunaltley, judgement will not be of this world. " - chemaine
I think the Bible thumpers are hoping for no judgement after this world, as well. Otherwise they wouldn't behave as they do.
On 10/28/08 at 1:09 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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Just wait until President Obama puts high taxes on heating oil to "encourage conservation."
And just wait for Obama to copy his hero, Europe, by putting huge taxes on gasoline, to encourage us to buy more fuel efficient cars.
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After what democrats have done for Maine's economy, you want them to run the whole counrty?
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On 10/28/08 at 1:21 PM,
markko wrote:
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Just wait for McCain to stay in Iraq "one hundred years," as he has said... Obama never said those things ParkAvenueJoe is "just waiting" for.
What is McCain's answer for the economy? Is it like Bush's encouragement for everyone to go shopping? Buy a house or car you can't afford?
Oh yeah, he's not going to tax anyone, right?
So how much debt can America withstand? How long do you actually think China will keep America afloat financially?
Do you really want to see America go further down the financial and foreign relations toilet? Then vote McCain.
On 10/28/08 at 1:26 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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With democrats in control of the country, you can also expect they will send people from outside to live in YOUR town to collect welfare, just like they sent them to Lewiston.
On 10/28/08 at 1:28 PM,
searoses wrote:
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duckwa: I'm not trying to scare anyone...I'm trying to entice people to look beyond the obvious...I have done nothing but state facts...what did you think when the McCain camp first placed the word socialism into play? or the word Marxist, terrorist of any of the others that have been use to make the Obama camp look bad. I always had a lot of respect for McCain before the RNC got a hold of him. I felt he was a fair even handed man who only had the good of the country at heart...I'm a Clinton Democrat...and was hurt when she didn't win..and I could see little good about a man named Barak Obama. I thought about voting for McCain...until he picked Palin...Then I started listening..to what Obama had to say..more closely, he inspired me to hope,something that I had not done about country since before 9/11...the McCain camp leaves me with blackness in my heart...and not hope for better things to come...these are just my personal feelings..and I do wish that everyone could see the hope I see...I also know that won't happen but it don't stop me from hoping
On 10/28/08 at 1:32 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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And markko, McCain is NOT Bush.
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I'm a conservative.
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But it's been neocon ideas that's messed things up, not conservative ideas.
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I have been NO fan of the Bush administration--but I'm not about to overreact by changing my vote from one extreme to another.
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McCain is a liberal kind of conservative--someone who is not an extremist, like Bush or like Obama.
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McCain is what we need at this time in our history.
On 10/28/08 at 1:35 PM,
searoses wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe : my my you are bitter...did you lose your Wall Street job when the market crashed? or maybe you're a CEO from a failing fortune 500 company...better watch out Joe you may need a helping hand some day...I hope they don't spit in your face..
On 10/28/08 at 1:39 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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If you think either one is going to cut taxes your wrong. You have to cut spending before you cut taxes. Do you really think they are going to cut spending? Just look at the debt, how do you pay of debt and cut taxes at the same time. What ever happened to being right down the middle? Why is it you guys are either far right or far left?
On 10/28/08 at 1:42 PM,
ronscave wrote:
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After what the Republicans have done to this nation, do you want them to continue to ruin this country
On 10/28/08 at 1:44 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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SteveyDee, that's what I'm trying to tell these fanatics: that they should NOT overreact to Bush by voting for the opposite extreme, who is Obama.
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It was overreacting to Clinton that got Bush elected in the first place.
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They should vote with their heads--not their emotions.
On 10/28/08 at 1:45 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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ronscave wrote: "After what the Republicans have done to this nation, do you want them to continue to ruin this country"
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After what democrats have done to Maine, do you want them to run the country?
On 10/28/08 at 1:46 PM,
searoses wrote:
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SteveyDee : My god you made a good point....I'm a conservative Democrat...I don't like all the welfare that is out there...but I do think some is needed. and I'll put this out there just to stir the pot...If Christ were a live today would he be a Democrat your a Republican?
On 10/28/08 at 1:59 PM,
searoses wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe: corporate greed has done more to this state....That lack of jobs...cause the hi taxs rate when companies leave the tax money has to come from somewhere to run the goverment...schools. road, and other such things I bet you'd be the frist one to bitch if your road wasn't plowed and salted....I pe
On 10/28/08 at 2:01 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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I'm a registed Republican but I have voted Democrat (Gore) also as a Republican. I really should be an Independent. I personally do not like either candidate. Was at first going to vote Obama, then I switched back to McCain. I may not even vote and save gas and my time. I see we can vote for Cynthia McKinney she is also on the ballet LOL!!!!!!!!!
On 10/28/08 at 2:04 PM,
searoses wrote:
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I wasn't overreacting to Clinton that got Bush elected is was all the Nixon Plumbers that he had surrounding him that stole votes in Florida that gave Bush the white house...
On 10/28/08 at 2:07 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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Hey, searoses, I am planning to relocate myself and my small but growing business out of New York City.
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I'd like to bring those jobs to Maine--but I'd be crazy to do that when New Hampshire right next door has a much friendlier tax structure, and also alows a person great freedom from your state's confusion of liberal laws and restrictions.
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You can thank your democrats for why business do not move to Maine and why they flee your state.
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And as more businesses flee Maine's business unfriendly democrat government, Augusta will need to raise your taxes even higher in a vicious circle to pay for the lost revenue.
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And McCain is not Bush.
On 10/28/08 at 2:12 PM,
Bangorian wrote:
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Wake up Maine! - when Obama talks about redistributing wealth, he is not talking about taking money from working class Mainer's and giving it to poor Mainer's. You are all falling for McCains distortions. He is talking about increasing taxes on the very wealthy (few of whom live here) and distributing those tax dollars in ways that benefit the other 95% of the population. Maine is a poor State with limited resources - most of us would benefit from the very redistribution of wealth that is being discussed by seeing better infrastructure, an improved job market and lower taxes.
Those of you with an agenda about welfare need to take your indignation somewhere else, because that's not what this argument is about. You're being deceived - the Republican agenda is not about protecting the lower middle class people that read the Bangor Daily News. It's really about protecting the wealth of the top 5% and corporations like Exxon and Halliburton. Don't be fooled, despite what Sarah Palin might tell you (she doesn't know what she's talking about).
(Oh and Duckwa, it's curtain not curtin)
On 10/28/08 at 2:28 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Chemaine, I try hard not to take post on the site personal. But every now and then someone comes along that so clearly takes things out of context and twists the facts that it needs to be pointed out. While I can sense your contemt for the Bible as you quote it, the kicker for me is when you say " you can't pick and chose, the Bible is not like a cafriteria". Then you take a couple verses out of context and infer them to mean what you want them to mean. The Bible does not say anywhere that God's plan envolves the government to take from one person (either in taxes or otherwise) wealth and give it to another. The Bible clearly instructs the church, through the deacons to provide for the widows, orphans, and the cripples (handicapped in our day). Try reading some of Pauls letters instructing the church.
On 10/28/08 at 2:31 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Bangorian sorry about that the "a" on my key board sometimes sticks. By the way, stop acting like a jackss.
On 10/28/08 at 2:55 PM,
searoses wrote:
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, Bangorian : we don't pick on peoples spelling mistakes in here....not even it the poster is republican ; 0 )
On 10/28/08 at 2:56 PM,
searoses wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe : your attitude I'm sure you'd be hell to work for.
On 10/28/08 at 3:30 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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Bangorian wrote, "Maine is a poor State "
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You can thank your democrat government for that.
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I bet they keep you poor on purpose, because democrats know that they can exploit the frustrations of the poor to keep the themselves in power.
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But if the democrats helped Mainers to become prosperous, then Mainers would vote for Republicans.
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The same will be true of the entire country if America ends up with a democrat president, house, and senate!
On 10/28/08 at 3:33 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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searoses wrote: "ParkAvenueJoe : your attitude I'm sure you'd be hell to work for. "
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I see some of your government's democrat unfriendly business attitude as rubbed-off onto your attitude, too!
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On 10/28/08 at 3:37 PM,
searoses wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe ; you are right McCain is not Bush I do agree with you on a few points if you didn't post with such anger ...you might not. get it put back in your face so...Being conservative..is not a bad thing...i truly am a conservative Domocrat....i don't like what the far left has done to this state with it over regulation of cottage industries....rules that have run the home crab pickers out of bussiness...and made it almost impossible to use your land as you see fit in some parts of the state.... I'll be damn if I want anybody telling me I have to mow my lawn or that I can't cut a tree down if I want to...I also beleive you're right when you say that high taxes keep good paying or for that matter any jobs from comming to Maine...but part is caused by the lack of good roads....and the collapse a the railroads...Over regulation is as bad as under regulation...moderation is the key...I won't vote for McCain but I will apologizes for being rude...and saying you'd be hell to work...
On 10/28/08 at 3:42 PM,
markko wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe: "I have been NO fan of the Bush administration--but I'm not about to overreact by changing my vote from one extreme to another."
What we need, what the world, indeed, needs is someone with a cool head, who is admired and respected. The man with a plan, not to enrich the mega corporations and the ultra rich of this great nation, wants to put the unions back in labor and the value of an honest day's work, by raising minimum wage and encouraging labor unions.
These unions will give leverage to the average "Joe Six Pack/Plumber" an ability to get proper pay for a proper day's work.
What is it about personal empowerment that you don't get?
On 10/28/08 at 3:54 PM,
searoses wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe: there is one reason we don't have Republican run goverment in Maine cause it been poor picking..we haven't had a Good Repulican run for the office...being to conservative is a bad as being to liberal....John McCain should have never started with the terrorist thing...he got off message and made himself look weak...That's why I won't vote for him he's weak he couldn't or wouldn't stand up to the RNC..and run things the way he wanted...Do you think that Obama has let Howard Deans run him? I bet not...Look at the way he's run his campain like a well oiled machine...I'll bet he can do the same with the country...
On 10/28/08 at 4:20 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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First of Searoses, let me say thank you for sticking up for my bad spelling. Us speling bea drop outs need to stick together. Second, I am a conserative, not a rebublican. Last, please tell me you are not serious about the stealing the election in 2000 comment. We disagree, but I usually find your opinions to be well thought out. I get weary when either side makes the other out to be evil incarnate.
On 10/28/08 at 4:46 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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Sorry, searoses, if I came off bad-tempered.
But I find it frustrating that I might have to go to someplace like New Hampshire instead of Maine.
(Then again, I might still relo everything to Maine, and think of your taxes as the way to keep out the riff-raff. LOL)
On 10/28/08 at 4:47 PM,
ParkAvenueJoe wrote:
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Kind of like the black flies.
On 10/28/08 at 5:34 PM,
BlueCollarBob wrote:
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Take a hike PAJ. Crawl back under your rock. Better yet, chuck your scotch into the pool.
On 10/28/08 at 5:44 PM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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ParkAvenueJoe you're not fooling anybody.
On 10/28/08 at 5:48 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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You can always count on ol' blue bob for some really brilliant comment to end the day. Short on wit or substance, but at least your good at acting like a jerk. Your family must love you around the supper table after you get home. Why so bitter?
On 10/28/08 at 5:51 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Now here comes always friendly and cheery Anne. Put that rock you picked up back down, spounge...er, ah... i mean blue bob! Get that wool sweater on its going to be a cold night, anne.
On 10/28/08 at 5:58 PM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Dickwa, what is it with you and wool sweaters? Do you have something against natural fibers? Did you have a sheep-shearing trauma as a child? Are you the lurker calling yourself ParkAvenueJoe?
On 10/28/08 at 6:01 PM,
elmerfudd wrote:
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Funny ParkAvenueJoe that you speak of moving your business to New Hampshire. I hope you know that it is a Democratic run state too! You can thank the real trickle-down effect for what is happening in ALL states right now. When there is BAD (Repubs or Demos) business going on at the top (federal government) then it all trickles down to the state level.
On 10/28/08 at 6:03 PM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Ha ha ha Duckwad. "McCain is not Bush." Busted!
On 10/28/08 at 9:59 PM,
searoses wrote:
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duckwa: I'm still out on the stolen 2000 election thing my comment was made to piss off ParkAvenueJoe
On 10/29/08 at 9:07 PM,
sueberryhill wrote:
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chemaine, Sue Berryhill has read and DOES know her Bible. The passage you cite in Acts refers to the church, the body of believers, and NOT the government. The two are not the same, and the Bible does not rule the U.S. government.
I did not state in my letter that Obama is like Marx (the paper chose that title), and I did not say that Obama is Marxist. I see a contradiction in his words. He supports the American Dream, and he supports redistribution of wealth which is a more socialistic position. You can't have it both ways, in my opinion. The American Dream is not socialism.
And personally, I'm not thrilled with either of the 2 major candidates. I don't trust either of them much, but I trust Obama much less.
On 10/30/08 at 2:08 AM,
StevieWonder wrote:
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Don't worry...be happy, America. We here in Denmark think the candidates already have been pre-established. You voters are voting for the most part for Obama...even with all the negatives he has and all those other left-wing radicals that support him and have (and are) associated with, we pity you in Europe. Wait and see what happens to your country. Give it about 8 months or more and things really fall apart like a house of cards. Then all you wigheads that like Obama so much can creep back into the wall, while McCain is not too much better, but the best of the worse.
On 10/30/08 at 6:33 PM,
bombardier wrote:
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fascinating...while Maine goes to the poorhouse (as it has done for more than 150 years) the blame is placed on taxes and government. There's no doubt that reducing taxes would promote business -- however -- please explain how a "Commie" "Socialist" "Marxist" country like Canada can buy land in Maine, cut the trees, haul them back to Canada, saw them, package them, and bring them back to Maine and sell them here (and elsewhere) at a profit?
I'll hear all sorts of concocted garbage about "protectionism" but that's a load of, well, you know what it's a load of.
The reality for American manufacture is this:
Stockholders want maximum profit.
CEO's in American companies are not satisfied with sustainable profits (say 7 - 8%)
Jobs are shipped elsewhere because labor is cheaper
Company Makes Quarterly earnings.
The root of the problem is that American corporations are fixated on short-term earnings.
Have you wondered why Toyota can come to this country, build new factories from scratch, hire workers, and produce and sell a product?
The answer: Toyota has a 100 year business plan. GM's primary business plan -- 6 months.
Toyota plows much of it's income back into the company. GM has plowed it into dividends and other investor - related priorities. Now those people with GM stock own something on the verge of "junk" status.
The root of this problem is that we don't really value hard work -- from the rich down the poor -- and until we change ourselves as a society, nothing will change. Perhaps it will be our salvation if Japan & China own everything -- they will expect us to show up for work every day -- and they don't believe in a system where the CEO makes 300 times what the hourly worker makes.
Grow up Americans. Go to work, and eliminate massive handouts for the rich -- they did nothing to deserve it. They took the productivity of others, and instead of investing the profits in the future, they have squandered it on temporary pleasures.
On 10/30/08 at 6:40 PM,
bombardier wrote:
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Oh and Steviewonder, if you are in Denmark, then I must be basking in the sun in Spain -- posting to Bangor Daily News....I'm sure I'd find better things to do.
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