My mother was the clerk of Newport District Court for around 35 years. I’m not sure whether that’s considered a middle management position or not.
She worked very hard and took a lot of pride in her job and the courthouse. She tended to a ridiculous number of plants to make the place prettier.
I don’t believe she was corrupt, but there was a questionable incident involving the probable illegal harboring of a liquor-doused fruitcake on state property.
And there was Jake, a neighborhood cat who occasionally was allowed to nap in the inbox on the courthouse counter.
Many, many years ago she used to let me practice my baton twirling in the empty judge’s chamber because it had high ceilings and I could toss my baton high.
Once in awhile, the town’s Avon Lady would stop by the courthouse and pick up my mother’s order.
I’m sure none of those things were in the state’s middle management regulation handbook.
But I don’t think corruption was involved.
“Corruption” is an awfully strong word. A bitter and harsh word.
And when a state’s chief executive proclaims at a public meeting that middle management state workers are “as corrupt as you can be,” it’s going to get some attention.
And it did.
The ABC News website, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Huffington Post, KTIV-TV in Sioux City, MSNBC and WBTV 3, a local channel in North Carolina, are just some of the publications, TV stations and websites that carried stories about the alleged corrupt Maine state workers.
Well done, Governor.
I’m not sure whether Lt. Christopher Coleman, head of the Maine State Police’s major crime unit, is considered middle management. I would suspect he is.
You may have seen pictures of Coleman on TV and in the newspaper as he manages some of the most serious crime scenes in the state — such as the shooting of four men in Lamoine and the agonizing and difficult search for missing toddler Ayla Reynolds of Waterville.
I don’t think he’s corrupt, either.
Then there’s Deputy Attorney General William Stokes, who heads up the state’s criminal division.
Middle management? Maybe. Upper middle management, perhaps.
There are convicted murderers and those who love them who may not think too highly of Stokes because he has put a lot of them behind bars. Certainly those who support convicted murderer Dennis Dechaine seem to think Stokes’ whole office is corrupt.
It’s one thing to have those people lob those allegations your way. That comes with the territory.
Quite different when it’s your governor.
I’ve watched Stokes prosecute cases for many years.
I don’t think he’s corrupt, either.
Could there be a corrupt state employee? Well, since there are about 27,000 of them, I would guess it’s a possibility. Are some of them very bad at their jobs? Most likely.
But last week, LePage told a roomful of people that middle management workers in the state were “as corrupt as you can be.”
He’s mad apparently that some of his visions and ideas have not been as easy to implement as he once thought. Even though he’s the governor, he’s getting some push-back.
Imagine that. I mean, he seems so darn easy to get along with.
Though LePage holds himself up as a regular guy, not a politician, he plays to his crowd as well as any politician before him. When he told Barack Obama to go to hell, he was talking to a roomful of hardworking fishermen concerned with increasing federal regulations.
Perhaps he got a sense that last week’s Newport crowd was frustrated with state regulations and licensing fees and state government overall.
A good opportunity to strike a blow to state workers and perhaps get some applause for his “courage” and “willingness” to take the hard stand and to speak the truth.
LePage is governing during a difficult time and he’s making hard decisions and pushing for some changes that are absolutely necessary.
But he’s boorish and continues to prove himself inept at getting his points across without schoolboylike behavior and remarks.
I’m guessing he thinks he’s sort of charming.
He’s not. He’s insulting.
And yes, my mother once stored a fruitcake in the corner of a storage room at the courthouse because the room was the right temperature and the cake had to “season” up for a while.
But she certainly wasn’t corrupt and neither are the vast majority of other state workers, middle management or not.
It’s a harsh accusation and it’s untrue, but thanks to our governor people all over the country are reading headlines about the corrupt state work force in Maine.
Most people are not corrupt . The who system has its issues.
Can anyone remember Paul Richard LePage ever saying anything positive about The State of Maine or her Citizens?
I believe he thanked 38% of us for being foolish enough to vote for him. Of course after that all he’s done is put 95% of us and our entire State down time and time again so it’s understandable that you’ve forgotten about that one moment in time when Mainer’s actually made Paul Richard LePage feel and say something good about “some” of us…when it was all about HIM.
No cannot remember any positive things LaPage has said about anything to do with the state of Maine or the employees of the state of Maine. He is the corrupt person, All I can think is he must have been describing about himself when he said thosenasty comments.
The man owns only one house and it is not in Maine. He has no loyalty or love for OUR state. It is not his state.
If you are referring to the LePage home at
558 WOODGROVE ST ORMOND BEACH, Florida 32174 the listed owner is Ann M. LePage with no additional owners listed.
Mrs Paul LePage does not work and has not for years.
Her name on the mortgage appears to be nothing more than an attempt to avoid losing the hosue in case of a lawsuit against Paul LePage or child support collection attempt by the family he left behind in Canada.
Or perhaps it’s only her name to allow Paulie to be able to say HE has never paid a property tax in Florida OR Maine. He seems real proud of his ability to come up with ways of not paying taxes like most American citizens. Must be a conservative thing.
Yes. During the gubenatorial campaign I made it a point to see each candidate–R, I and D–speak. Five impressed me: Rosa Scarcelli, Eliot Cutler, Scott Moody, Paul LePage and Steve Abbott. I note the following from my notes on the LePage speech: “Maine people can and will acheive everything. We are resourceful, determined and smart. We have the best resources, work ethic and will to make things happen. Only we can be the change that we want to see to make our state a better place to live and work”.
Has he said anything close to that since being elected? He also promised JOBS, JOBS, JOBS and there are less of those in Maine then there were the day he took office.
If he’s so proud of our work ethic, why did he call state employees corrut and tell ifthey didn’t like the way this administration was going, they shpuld get out. that is NOT what I’d call respect of saying good things about Maine workers.
$120,000,000 on the DHHS computer system in two tries and the thing STILL does not work. Are those dedicated, hard working public servants corrupt or just incompetent?
I would guess most of that work on the computer system database is done by outside private industry contractors.
The state employees wrote the contracts and were responsible (or at least supposed to be) for monitoring progress. What are we overpaying these people for if they can’t do their jobs? Surely even in the wasteful abyss of state government no one contracts a multi million dollar system without monitoring these things…do they?
It is outside contractors who develop and work on the system. Even if it was state employees, how does that make them all corrupt? Your hatred of state employees is showing!!! You should walk a mile in their shoes someday.
Like most state workers you have no sense of responsibility. It was state workers who wrote the contracts and were responsible for monitoring progress and completion. What are we overpaying these drones for if they can’t do that? Why not just hire some clerks to cut checks and hire consultants to do everything? It would be no different than what you’re suggesting happened when we wasted hundreds of millions on the failed systems.
Assumptions as usual. You have no idea of my “sense of responsibility”.
I have a very good idea of your sense of responsibility. You don’t believe that state employees should be responsible for their results on the job no matter how many millions of tax dollars they waste.
See, I know you had no idea of “my sense of responsibility”. What an assumption!!!
Responsibility by state workers for the wasted $120,000,000 and the s DHHS computer system still not working properly would be refreshing. I don’t expect any such thing from you. The state employees just collect a paycheck. No responsibility for performance is required.
See, I do understand you.
He will soon. He will say I resign or I will not run for re-election.
I wouldn’t say they’re corrupt, but boy, talk about jumping through hoops….I’ve got paperwork for child support enforcement sitting in my car ready to be mailed for the third time. I’ve filled it out correctly twice already and now again. Talked to someone (amazingly enough…can never get a voice) and they said it wasn’t complete. Well, it was. Back and forth……a pile of paperwork, costs at least two dollars to send to me and me send it back. My phone number is ALL over it. Frustrating. But back to the corrupt thing……..I disagree with that. Lazy on some level, I’ll agree with that.
Expect to receive less and less personalized support, as labor costs are often the most expedient cost cutting area.
Ever dealt with a mortgage company, cable company, phone company, insurance company, tech support company . . .
“Corrupt” was certainly a poor choice of words. I prefer generally inefficient, entrenched, unaccountable, indiffident and not particularly inclined to help move the state forward when I think of a few select state middle managers. On the whole I’ve found most state workers to be helpful yet incredibly frustrated by their own bureaucracy.
All bureaucracies are frustrating. Ask any worker, public or private and you will hear the same thing.
I worked in the Public Sector for 12 years before returning to the Private Sector. Our company does in three or four minutes what it took us three weeks to do in the Public Sector. My first action as Governor will be to privatize a majority of the tasks State Government purports to do.
Great, lower quality results and higher prices. Privatization does not work. In fact, there was an annual review done in Arizona recently comparing the cost of state run prisons versus private and it found that the private ones were less secure and more expensive. However, the CEO of the prisons did make substantially more than their public sector counterpart. We have seen the same thing when we tried privatizing bus services in school. The problem becomes that we do not require accountability in the private sector and it attracts the worst kind of leeches who do not do it as a service to their fellow man but as a way to make a quick buck.
Can you give ONE example of your 3-4 minute vs. 3-4 weeks analysis?
Maybe if the legislature could leave laws alone long enough for state workers to understand them, the process would get smoother. But if they keep moving the goal posts because every new legislator thinks they know more than the last one, you will never see consistency and efficiency. Blaming the workers for problems caused by the lawmakers is just the politicians taking the easy way out.
I couldn’t agree more. I worked for the state
for about 6mnths I couldn’t stand it. At non state jobs, we worked our butts
off. We ate lunch at our computers and never
went out. We understood 40 hours was the
minimum for professionals. At the
state, people came in at 8 and left exactly at 4 and sat down for full one hour
lunch. The admin was queen of the office and not at all friendly to me. She was also chronically “sick” and
there was never any replacement. When she finally came back from extended leave,
she immediately took a week’s vacation. No one batted an eyelash. I did
most of my own typing etc myself but occasionally needed help with more complicated
things . I gave this admin one task in six months and her boss/enabler said I
had to be careful not to work her too hard!
When you sent in a travel form, you couldn’t submit a round trip to Portland
without each ride being put on a separate line. They’d actually call you from
Portland about resubmitting. It was insane.
As a former state worker myself, I can’t agree with the statements you have made in your post. I certainly do not fit in to your “At the state, people came in at 8 and left exactly at 4 and sat down for full one hour lunch…” Nor did any (and I do mean ANY) of my coworkers that I was privileged to work with. We were regularly coming 1 to 2 hours early, sometimes getting to leave at 5 but more then usual it was 6, 7, or 8pm. I ate lunch on the go, when I had time for lunch at all. I made a lot less then what I would have in the private sector doing a similar job, and I worked hard every day, because that is what strong work ethics demand.
It sounds like you had a bad experience, and I am sorry for that. But, please don’t generalize and make state workers out to be lazy and inept because I know a great many that are not, and go above and beyond every day.
I agree with some of what you said (although I think the
state is structured in such a way that inefficiency abounds and there are way
too many meetings) but absolutely not with the idea that state workers
can make more in the private sector. I worked extensively with DHHS in
other positions. In Augusta especially and ME in general, where else can
people go? Furthermore, many people working for the state worked their
way up and had no formal education in their field. In fact, there is often a
disdain for education or even looking outside of Maine for any ideas. I can think of very few state workers who
would make more money outside.
I would be most interested in some detail. Me, I prefer public oversight. Giving taxpayer dollars to for-profit private interests (which we do a lot of already through contracts for work) that will take on regulatory enforcement just does not seem to be in the best interest of The People. Government exists to protect us from the misdeeds of those very for-profit private interests. And, so far I am pretty pleased with the results. But, watch out for those ombusdsman/women that can slap down someone if they start looking too closely at what the private sector is doing.
Yes, I agree, Paul LePage IS inefficient, entrenched, unaccountable, indifferent and not particularly inclined to help move the state forward.
.. and he’s obnoxious and incompetent too.
And certainly has the appearance of being corrupt by the number of relatives he’s handed jobs they are not qualified for.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Time will tell if it remains only that.
Liquor-doused fruitcake on state property-AKA Paul LePage :)
More like Allen’s Brandy methinks.
The liquor was bought from private companies. If the state did not renew the contract to let private parties sell liquor we would be making $25,000,000.00 a year profit, after hiring for the stores. No, can’t have the state making money and hiring people, it would make ALEC look bad.
Are you referring to Gov. Baldacci’s “selling” our wholesalel liquor business for a paltry few millions to “balance” his budget, such that Maine lost the profit from many millions in future sales no longer coming in?
I worked in the state liquor stores for 22 years. Money to the general fund before privatizing was about $28 million a year. With privatization only $5 million a year. The state lost more than their shirt and will not admit it.
The state should have never been in the liquor business. You don’t have any problem with the state selling and making a profit on intoxicants and then penalize people with OUI and many other related crimes for using it?
Don’t you find it interesting that the state criminalized gambling in it’s boundaries, for all of those many years, but yet said that it was perfectly alright for them (the state) to conduct gambling through megabucks and lottery tickets? And even prohibited the Penobscots from even thinking about it’s own casino, and ended high stakes bingo. An action, that, in my opinion, the state had no authority to do so.
If you want the state back in the liquor business, eventually LePage will find his corruption there.
You have a short memory. Your liberal Dem hero Baladacci is the one who sold the liquor business to his well connected Dem friends so that he could pretend to balance the budget and continue to overpay the drones infesting Maine government.
I hate to pick on anyone but that was just plain funny. Thanks for the laugh.
But, don’t you see? The groundwork is being laid for privatization of EVERYTHING in Maine. If we are led to believe our public workers are corrupt, lazy, cost too much (just ask the US Chamber of Commerce. ALEC member) then the case can be made to privatize. The only corruption is happening in the offices that collude with ALEC members.
Absolutely right. As Paul Krugman said in a recent Op-Ed, the Republican party has been bought. Entirely bought by the super wealthy. It has led to a total lack of compromise and a total drive to give more and more power to the super wealthy.
We get “Plutocracy, Paralysis, Perplexity”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/opinion/krugman-plutocracy-paralysis-perplexity.html
You are right. I also found it to be quite interesting that LePage gave this talk at Nokomis Regional High, but the none of the teachers at the school knew about his visit until the next day. It seems his office really went out of its way to make sure there were no state workers (teachers) present. I don’t know if teachers would be considered middle management, but I certainly think we should have the right and option to face our accuser.
//////////////
He probably didn’t want to give time for his opponents to load up on rotten vegitables.
His remarks weren’t harsh. They were obnoxious.
All the money missing out of the DHS and Maine State Housing makes me think that something is wrong some where.
It is more lazy than corrupt!!
I bet none of the “corrupt middle management” people you mentioned ever hired their daughter to be their personal (state-paid) handler…….
If you were to ask me, I’d say the corruption in our state government starts at the very top, and “trickles down” from there…
One layer….
renee ordway is a poor mans bill nemitz.
Oh, Ralph…
I do agree with what you are saying Rene. But I also stand behind our Governor because he knows how to rattle the bushes and shake things up and make people think. He might not say it in a politically correct manor but there is no mistaking his point. I honestly think our government could learn alot if they would listen to what he is saying and not to what he said!
Sounds kind of like advocating for not what the governor says but instead the Truthiness behind the message. He may shake things up, but so do earth quakes. The man is a disaster for our state.
Wild animals shake bushes too. They are just waiting to prey on the weakest among them. Look at what is happening across the country where the tea party GOP has taken over. It isn’t good. Putting down those that don’t agree with him is not the way to get cooperation. He even puts down his own party members that want to compromise.
There’s nothing wrong with making people think…as long as you are not purposely saying lies so that they think based upon incorrect statements presented as truth.
I am a state employee. I am not corrupt. I will work my butt off to make sure Mainers get more than I am paid to do. The governors ignorant, insulting, raving, comments were not aimed anywhere but at Union members. He only has to tell his appointees to do their jobs and fire any bad employees but since he basically hired boot lickers and third stringers he has no competent help.
I am proud of the work I do. I don’t need him to like me or give me attaboys. If I help another Mainer have a better day, don’t waste your money, then my day is better too.
That is the dedication you get from the Union members who are your friends off the job, your neighbors, the cops keeping you safe, and the child protective worker saving a child’s life.
Thank you for your important words. It’s pretty obvious that State workers aren’t out for the ‘big bucks’ you can get if you sell your soul to the corporation. And it is a travesty that State workers, instead of the unethical Big Corporations, are being singled out for attack.
David Bernhardt is competent. I know him well, and he is also honest.
Don’t make the same mistake that we are all incensed about- generalization.
Thanks for your efforts as a state employee. I was a Los Angeles County employee for three years and have about twenty-five as a state employee in Maine. In the private sector now. There are good and bad employees everywhere.
Correction taken. I will try to make sure I do not generalize and unlike the right. I will listen when constructive criticism is made.
A lot of your statement is true, though. Bootlickers, hacks, and their ilk are usually part of any organization or administration. Public or private.
Thank you.
In the end, Paul is still the little, beaten, abused boy, kicked out of his father’s household, who learned to kick and scratch his way to the top. Now, he has hired his relatives, given them good Maine State jobs, and continues to act like an abused, angry, homeless juvenile. Thank God he didn’t go to Vietnam, or else he really would have been a mess.
So sad… I fear you’ve hit the nail on the head this time.
There is no acceptable response to, “does this dress make me look fat?” Ms. Ordway seems to imply that if Mr. LePage would just rephrase his statements, their message would somehow be less offensive.
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
A little late to the party Renee…
It’s unlikely that Governor LePage will ever receive the slightest morsel of praise for his untiring efforts to bring fiscal accountability to a government that is rife with lethargy and union protectionism. It is also unlikely that his critics will review the Governor’s remarks vis a vis the context in which they were delivered. Mr. LePage is not an accomplished speaker, nor is this bi-lingual governor held in regard by weak-kneed liberals who seek to obfuscate the truth about the real issues that plague the State of Maine. Be that as it may, Governor LePage has and will continue to represent those who work for a living in an effort to make the books balance and get rid of the parasites who daily defraud the State, whether they be incompetent or protected government workers or classic welfare cheats.
NUTS
Spoken like a true 101st trooper ! HooRah !
I work for a living, and he sure as blazes doesn’t represent me.
your name “earthling” says it all!! enough said
So I guess that means that just like Paulie, you have a problem with anyone who lives on this planet?
Nope…Just wish people has common sense when it coms to the amount of money we spend on fuel..people would rather try to “save” the environment rather than think about people who cant afford to drive to work becuase of the price of fuel!! I say drill..mine..do whatever we have to do to cut prices…besides, if we are the only Country that is worried about the quality of the air or environment, how much of a difference is it going to really make anyway?? We are a spot on the dart board
Que, where can I get a pair of those glasses you’re looking thru and where can I get some of whatever it is you’re smoking ’cause it’s gotta be some really good stuff ! Paulie is THE best reason why any business, run according to Paulie’s school of management, is going to go Union. And to expand on a truth that PTSDvet knows about Vietnam, had Paulie gone over there and run his platoon or Company like he’s going after State employee’s he wouldn’t have survived the 1st ambush he had run into ’cause no one is gonna stick there neck out for someone who’s more than demonstrated there enthusiasm to toss their own people under the bus simply to save their own keester. Been there, seen it and had to count the body’s. Folk’s, it ain’t pretty and it’s more expensive than anyone can imagine.
One of the real issues that we face is a Governor who caters to the type of ignorance displayed in your hate filled rant. Get it together. You would do better if you spoke respectfully in regards to your fellow citizens. Weak-knead liberal REALLY?
My apology… weak-kneed liberal was a faux pas. I completely forgot that the enlightened citizens of Maine prefer euphemisms in lieu of harsher terms that could harm the personal feelings of those who advocate infanticide, profligate spending and the advancement of a social agenda that pays homage to government deities.
It appears the hired outside Green Shirts are here standing tall for the feeder:)
Sorry Mike, but I served with a great many “weak-kneed liberals” in the Legislature. Especially whenever one of them was called before King John Martin for a tongue-lashing.
Read whatever you cho0se into both metaphors…
Exactly what’s wrong with the party system! Each one of them is as elected as John. If they put up with being treated as underlings, that’s a shame. If we had independent, free-minded people in there, they wouldn’t listen to John, Charlie, Kevin, Paul, or any mean-spirited person.
State employees work for a living but he surely doesn’t represent them. Denigrade the state employees to the public then it will be easier to privatize everything and make it for profit work.
I work for a living. when is he going to start representing me?
Pond lady i suggest you don’t want this buffoon representing you. I talked with people that worked with him when he was at Mardens and they told me that he treated everyone like trash, they told me he had no respect for the employees, don’t believe me – some time when you are at the Waterville store ask an employee on the side what they think of him, this buffoon was even worse there.
I have heard the complete opposite…guys its who you want to listen too isnt it….I deal with Mardens frequently on a side note!!
wow, he is just getting started..you people act as though he has been Gov for 8 yrs!! Dems controlled this state for 40yrs and did ZERO!!! Its laughable how Dems, Socialist, Enviros and all other pro socials think that Baldacci and his cronnies did such a wonderful job! Why dont we give LePAge 8yrs and than crticize…but, I think that 40yrs of DEms control is enough..
Yeah, great idea. Let him and his pals throw out every environmental law on the books so we can go back to the 1960’s when the rivers used to catch on fire about once a month. Those were the good old days. Who needs fish anyway?
your the type of person no one cane debate with becuase 1, your always going to be right and 2, you can take 1 bad idea, even though 9 would be great and turn it into something bigger than it really is…I dont agree with everything, but im certainly in agreement that Dems have done nothing for 40 yrs!! If yu happy with high taxes, loss of freedoms and rights..open borders…basically a socialistic system..than keep voting democrat….pretty soon 100% of our check is going to be taking away by the Governemnt if thing keep going as is at the Federal level…only way to stop it .is too wake and realize what is really gooing on, but too many are blind or dont care too see whats happeneing…..they only want to go back to the old way of..” repubs are for the rich and dems are for the working man” Well you know what ..define working man?? I dont care what a person makes!!! shouldnt discriminate against income!
Show me where I said “Baldacci and his cronies” did a wonderful job! As usual assumptions about a person with no proof. That’s all pro-LePage supporters do. A lot like their hero!!!
Not saying you did..I made a blanket statement for Liberals….Never want to give anyone a achance excpet a Dem as soon as someone else gets elected in…lets throw em out…Hell I gave Obama a chance and he failed!!
Actually I did quite well for the last 28 years. Was happy with my state. Proud to be a Mainer. It is a little embarrassing right now though. And, then there is McKerran being investigated by the Justice Dept because during his watch at a for-profit college corp there was some fraud going on? What was happening during his administration? Oh, wasn’t he the one that created the unfunded liability for the state pension system?
Jock was in office during your last 28yrs…Did you know that Maine is in top 5 for most corrupt states???
who was on control before Lepage?? and last 40 yrs???…..so lets talk about corrupt
Thank you Karl Rove for speaking out:)
It would be fine if he were doing that. But he is not. What state employee has he fired due to incompetence? Has he found one that is not doing their job? How are complaints about performance dealt with? Performance reviews happen at least yearly. Documentation is critical to ongoing employment. And, those who abuse our support systems…. well, to find those people you are talking about you have to have GOVERNMENT WORKERS. And, you say nothing about the corporate welfare parasites that gladly take taxpayer money. I work for a living and he does not represent me at all….. well, except in the area of domestic abuse. His work in that area is to be commended.
very very well put! bravo
Help LePage with a BIG loss at the next election… Help him return to Canada where he dodged the draft during the Vietnam war…!!!
Great write up! I guess we could look at it this way, with all of his silly remarks and actions, he is putting Maine on the map. Maybe there will be some that haven’t been here yet come to visit out of curiosity to experience his charm. This will now open up our state for some new business. Although, I think the majority of us folks would agree, this is not the strategy that we were hoping to resort to bring in business!
Nor the kind of business most of us would want to attract. They would be like-minded bullies. Yeah, that is the kind of employer we want.
My biggest dislike of LePage is saying those who do not have chikdren are not intitled to MaineCare, even when many of them have been taxed to death by this state for welfare all their life.
I have friends, couples, who have no children, and they already pay some of the largest taxes anywhere…I can’t imagine how anyone can think they haven’t paid enough already.
If you don’t think there is corruption in government up to and including the governor then your living in fantasy land….if the shoe fits……
There is corruption everywhere. Sad commentary on the human species don’t you think?
One of the sectors in state government that I support and respect the most, is our law enforcement officers. State troopers, fire marshals, forest rangers, capital police, marine patrol officers, motor vehicle investigators, game wardens and attorney general investigators are all part of this group. It must have been a serious affront to these fine people when their governor says these things. Each takes an oath to be honest and upstanding to the people of this state. To be called corrupt must really sting. They deserve better.
What scares me the most is the fact that Maine people are NOT listening. I am not here to say democrats or republicans are right/wrong. However if you all think there is no corruption going on in state agencies, then you are all crazier, then what you claim Gov LePage to be. He is right change needs to be made. As a nurse I see blatent abuse of the Mainecare system daily, hourly even. I have been personally told by some that they do not even live in this state, however they have a friends address and get all healthcare and presciptions here becasue ” it is just so easy”. Oh and they will get the presciprion in Maine and sell in in NH for a profit. I was at a nail salon listeining to a gal while she was having a set of ” pink and whites ” put on, tell someone to take her DBT card and ” go pick up whatever was needed for the party” Things like this get reported every minute of the day. Social Services WAS NOT SET UP TO BE A WAY OF LIFE, it was set up to get you from point A to point B. In a recent study out last week MAINE HAS THE HIGEST NEMBER OF BABIES BEING BORN ADDICTED TO METHADONE. Over 90 % of these mothers were on some sort of assitance provided by the state. Now these babies will require millions of dollars to be saved, all at our hands. So we have now paied for the mother,paid for the mother’s methadone and now will be paying for the addicted babies care. Many of these babies will require speical services for the rest of their lives. When this innocent baby becomes 20 and needs assitance we will say oh sorry but the money ran out a long time ago, becasue we allowed CORRUPTION to take place for YEARS. If I the average person who does not work for the state can see all this abuse of social services going on..you are telling me MIDDLE MANAGMENT does not see it. Are you all kidding me, they know for sure this is all happening. However everyone just gets all caught up in what the REPULICAN GOV LEPAGE says. Also as far as corruption in the State Polic, well I think having a trooper work 90 hours in a work week, while driving a vehicle or carring a weapon, is really not great management. Having troopers work shifts that consist of 2 days, 2 night with 2 off, or working roatating shifts at all is unsafe which equals poor management. I would just challenge you all to get involved, do not get all causght up on what is said and not said. Ask questions, talk with the desk clerk at DHHS, talk with your road trooper. Talk with your nurse at health care clinics, only when you all have the true/real story will change then begin
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If you think that Maine doesn’t have fraud and abuse of the system your kidding yourself. The fact that Maine under Democrats allowed basically everyone who came to Maine to walk in and basically get lavish welfare benefits is why Maine is known as a Welfare Haven of America. The Liberals are not only clueless but out of touch with reality that they think we should return to that type of behaivor. Thankfully LePage is starting to clean up this type of behavior its 40 years overdue.
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food and healthcare are vital to them…not to mentions tats and booze.
Popular because it is true.
none of this is HEAR say, the first commnets were from people who use the Mainecare system. they would not admit to me they were doind something like this is it were not true. That is insane. as far as the lasy at the nail salon, I heard her with my own ears and saw the card exchange with my own eyes. The methadone baby study was done by the CDC, and you can call any troop in the state police they do in fact work rotating shifts. You have missed the total point to my post. There is nothing popular about the way this state is run. If welfare reform ( which is what I beleive you are referring to ) has become popular then this is GREAT news !! if you do not beleive that the welfare system needs to have reform, then I am going to assume you are a reciever, if you are and there is not reform. The check will soon NOT be in the mail, the well went dry, you cant get blood from a turnip, money does not grown on trees. Please go back and re-read the post for clarification, I think you must be confused
What scares me the most is the fact that Maine people are NOT listening. I am not here to say democrats or republicans are right/wrong. However if you all think there is no corruption going on in state agencies, then you are all crazier, then what you claim Gov LePage to be. He is right change needs to be made. As a nurse I see blatent abuse of the Mainecare system daily, hourly even. I have been personally told by some that they do not even live in this state, however they have a friends address and get all healthcare and presciptions here becasue ” it is just so easy”. Oh and they will get the presciprion in Maine and sell in in NH for a profit. I was at a nail salon listeining to a gal while she was having a set of ” pink and whites ” put on, tell someone to take her DBT card and ” go pick up whatever was needed for the party” Things like this get reported every minute of the day. Social Services WAS NOT SET UP TO BE A WAY OF LIFE, it was set up to get you from point A to point B. In a recent study out last week MAINE HAS THE HIGEST NEMBER OF BABIES BEING BORN ADDICTED TO METHADONE. Over 90 % of these mothers were on some sort of assitance provided by the state. Now these babies will require millions of dollars to be saved, all at our hands. So we have now paied for the mother,paid for the mother’s methadone and now will be paying for the addicted babies care. Many of these babies will require speical services for the rest of their lives. When this innocent baby becomes 20 and needs assitance we will say oh sorry but the money ran out a long time ago, becasue we allowed CORRUPTION to take place for YEARS. If I the average person who does not work for the state can see all this abuse of social services going on..you are telling me MIDDLE MANAGMENT does not see it. Are you all kidding me, they know for sure this is all happening. However everyone just gets all caught up in what the REPULICAN GOV LEPAGE says. Also as far as corruption in the State Polic, well I think having a trooper work 90 hours in a work week, while driving a vehicle or carring a weapon, is really not great management. Having troopers work shifts that consist of 2 days, 2 night with 2 off, or working roatating shifts at all is unsafe which equals poor management. I would just challenge you all to get involved, do not get all causght up on what is said and not said. Ask questions, talk with the desk clerk at DHHS, talk with your road trooper. Talk with your nurse at health care clinics, only when you all have the true/real story will change then begin
What scares me the most is the fact that Maine people are NOT listening. I am not here to say democrats or republicans are right/wrong. However if you all think there is no corruption going on in state agencies, then you are all crazier, then what you claim Gov LePage to be. He is right change needs to be made. As a nurse I see blatent abuse of the Mainecare system daily, hourly even. I have been personally told by some that they do not even live in this state, however they have a friends address and get all healthcare and presciptions here becasue ” it is just so easy”. Oh and they will get the presciprion in Maine and sell in in NH for a profit. I was at a nail salon listeining to a gal while she was having a set of ” pink and whites ” put on, tell someone to take her DBT card and ” go pick up whatever was needed for the party” Things like this get reported every minute of the day. Social Services WAS NOT SET UP TO BE A WAY OF LIFE, it was set up to get you from point A to point B. In a recent study out last week MAINE HAS THE HIGEST NEMBER OF BABIES BEING BORN ADDICTED TO METHADONE. Over 90 % of these mothers were on some sort of assitance provided by the state. Now these babies will require millions of dollars to be saved, all at our hands. So we have now paied for the mother,paid for the mother’s methadone and now will be paying for the addicted babies care. Many of these babies will require speical services for the rest of their lives. When this innocent baby becomes 20 and needs assitance we will say oh sorry but the money ran out a long time ago, becasue we allowed CORRUPTION to take place for YEARS. If I the average person who does not work for the state can see all this abuse of social services going on..you are telling me MIDDLE MANAGMENT does not see it. Are you all kidding me, they know for sure this is all happening. However everyone just gets all caught up in what the REPULICAN GOV LEPAGE says. Also as far as corruption in the State Polic, well I think having a trooper work 90 hours in a work week, while driving a vehicle or carring a weapon, is really not great management. Having troopers work shifts that consist of 2 days, 2 night with 2 off, or working roatating shifts at all is unsafe which equals poor management. I would just challenge you all to get involved, do not get all causght up on what is said and not said. Ask questions, talk with the desk clerk at DHHS, talk with your road trooper. Talk with your nurse at health care clinics, only when you all have the true/real story will change then begin
…middle management does not set or change the rules of Mainecare. those changes need to come from Legislature and the Governor. all middle management can do is make the best with the crap handed to them….nice rant though, even if it was off base.
because you are calling it a “rant” means you have missed totally what I was trying to say…
however over 13 people did “like” what I had to say..they are willing to look at all of this differently…It is time we all stop doing the he said, she said and pointing fingers at the WRONG people …only then will change begin..I am sorry that the only thing you got from my ” rant ” was that is was off base. How about if we all agree with you and continue down this same road, when you are at retirement age, eating out of a trash can, living on the street, asking where you retirement checks have gone, maybe then you will listen to a ” rant”…by the way your retirement check went to pay corrupt middle management
Walmart has a sale on tissues..
I don’t shop at Walmart. If you do you are part of the problem that beleaguers this country. You are part of the problem or part of the solution. Your choice.
The thing what bothers me the most is the silence of the Commissioners regarding Lepage’s allegations. By being silent they are all providing tacit approval and agreement to these comments.
Allegedly Mary Mayhew announced to her executive team that she does not believe that any of her staff can be described as corrupt but due to political reasons cannot make a public comment regarding this belief. That is a cop-out on the part of Ms. Mayhew. What she is saying is that she is willing to support her staff but cannot due to fear of reprisal from her boss. So she is willing to compromise her ethical standards for personal gain. Not someone I can respect.
Mary Mayhew was only addressing high level, non-Union staff. Remember, she was the third or fourth choice, not a top pick. She is scared because firing her would only make the governor look better. Nothing could make him look good.
He looks darn good to most taxpayers who aren’t feasting at the public trough. Firing a few of the under performing union leeches would make him look even better.
enjoy his 1 term
You’re probably right. Way too many with their snouts in the trough in Maine. Fortunately I’ll be gone by then and you’ll be left with the likes of those Dem hacks Violette and McCormick sucking from the public trough while people like you will be sucking hind teat.
odd how you worry about those with their snouts in the public trough, hows that medicare and ss working out for ya?
lepage is a crude classless boor
SS and Medicare isn’t working out for me at all. I don’t have Medicare or SS yet and from the looks of the way those with their snouts in the public trough are wasting money I won’t be getting any.
Tax cuts and other lowered taxes are just another form of welfare. Welfare for the wealthy. Another way of stickin’ the snouts into the public trough…
So keeping your own money is sticking ones snout in the public trough? Man you just can not make this stuff up. You obviously believe that the government owns everything that anyone makes and we should be thankful for whatever the government masters allow us to keep.
It is if it means someone else has to pay your fair share.
So…the damn inspector that coaches at Colby College that drives his State issued vehicle to practice and coaches the team all DURING normal business hours isnt a little wrong and ripping the tax payers off? Does anyone think he is taking leave time to coach? and who do you think provides the gas for that gas guzzling truck?
I dont always agree with LePage’s choice of words but at least he has the guts to call State workers out, unlike other Governors that just turned a blind eye. One thing is certain, LePage is fed up with how the State is run (especially DHHS). As a former State employee that worked closely with DHHS I can offer my opinion. DHHS needs a huge overhaul, start at the top and work down. Dont believe me…give any of them a call at 200pm on a Friday and see how many answer. After that take a short drive to Margaritas in Augusta…I bet you find more than a few!
I don’t know the inspector, but many employees are ordered to drive a state vehicle because they are subject to immediate call in 24×7 and in most cases for no pay. You don’t seem to know what the schedule of this inspector is, does he work nights? You don’t know, but you rant. At least you are a former state employee, your lack of thinking skills would bring down the average. Thanks for leaving.
A State worker getting defensive when anyone questions whats going on there? There’s a shocker!! First, do some research. BDN published the story of the damn inspector a while back. Why dont you read the story before you run your mouth. Second, the taxpayers in this State (me included) deserve to ask questions and should be getting answers. Are you trying to say everything is fine on the State level? Thirdly, you getting so defensive says a lot about you. If you’re naive enough to think everythings fine and defend all your coworkers, maybe your the one thats bringing down the average…maybe you should think about the taxpayers, save us a little money and just resign yourself!
maybe you should remember state workers are also tax payers
they are tax payers…they just take a lot more than they pay in! I really didnt think it needed to be spelled out that clearly but apparently so…
Another Ten DOT problem. I suppose bronbren thinks his/her employer owns them because they are paid? If you want to spell things out, please learn to spell.
Any abuse of position or power should be investigated and dealt with. No one would disagree with that…… well, except maybe the person being investigated. That public and private misdeeds abound is a sad commentary on the state of the union and the human species. Are we an evolutionary dead end?
I don’t mind agreeing with you if you quote your source. If the inspector was doing something wrong then action should be taken. I can even take you at your word. See? Liberals can change when they hear new facts, even agree with the other side.
Now, go back and tell me what percentage of the State work force this inspector represents. How many zeros did you have to put after the decimal point? The gov’s comments remain ignorant, baseless, and continue to make him look bad, not middle management.
Exactly what is wrong with defending against lies?
In the NFL the smart quarterback never has a negative word to say about the linemen….
And they win ande are respected.
test
You’re right, It is a harsh accusation. As far as untrue, well, I don’t think you really know anything about it. Your mom sounds like a great lady but she is ONE person. I find anecdotal evidence to be ridicules and less than truthful. Give me percentages ,or at least facts to go on.Using simplistic tactics such as this tells me you have no evidence. You can certainly disagree, we all can. but don’t assume your fragile opinion should be taken seriously by anyone who actually pays attention
I take it seriously. Lepage made an uncalled for generalization that cannot possible be true, and tarred everyone with thew same brush. The man should resign for the good of his state.
Announcing to the world ( not just Maine because the media does see everyting) that the middle managers are corrupt is bad for the state. The State of the State the message was sad ( welfare and poor education). Should we all hang our heads and try to do better? We need a leader doesen’t’ condescend all the time.
My dad worked for the State of Maine for 14 years in the park service. Always went to work, did his job, and came home. He got fed up because when he put in for a management position that he knew he could get because of his commitment to the job and had seniority, he was passed over many times because there were younger people under him that were chosen. So if there are accusation coming from this “governor” that state workers are corrupt then that is like the pot calling the kettle black don’t you think? If he is not with the citizens of Maine then he is against us and should be impeached. I also agree that DHHS should have a major overhaul. The workers I know have complained many times that they have slow computers. Well here is an idea, “GET NEW COMPUTERS!” Also we shouldn’t have to pay for their mistakes like giving people benefits when they were not eligible. To the workers in Augusta you made your bed now lie in it and leave the Maine people alone.
We already GOT a second DHHS software system AFTER those dedicated, hardworking public servants WASTED $80,000,000 (that’s 80 million) on the first one that never worked. Then those dedicated, hard working public servants WASTED another $40,000,000 (That’s 40 million) on a SECOND system that still doesn’t work properly. Both of these disasters happened under the failed Baldacci administration where the dedicated, hard working public servants were constantly lauded for their dedication and hard work. What in the name of that criminal Dem hack Paul Violette makes you think that giving these incompetent public servants tens of millions more in tax money to install a THIRD system would have the remotest possibility of working properly?
Corrupt was being too kind in many cases.
So , let me see, your blaming the rank and file workers for a system over which they have no control? How does that work? You know, sometimes to avoid embarrassment it might be best to just SU.
State workers were responsible for writing the contracts and monitoring progress. What are we overpaying these people for if they can’t do their jobs?
No control? Man that’s rich. For 30 years nothing happened in state government without the consent of the labor unions and their friends the Maine Dems. Now they want everyone to believe that they are just innocent bystanders. Man you can not make this stuff up.
This is all about bullying. A friend of mine works for the Department of Conservation. He tells of a great degree of bullying that goes on in that department too. Threatening good managers with their jobs routinely, threatening to privatize everything, not allowing any decisions to be made at the appropriate level and not listening to anyone is common place there. This is why I was told that most of their employees can’t wait to merge with Agriculture so that they can be under a much more respected leader. Too bad really, as the DOC was said to be a good place to work. On this merger issue, I also fully support Governor LePage. I just wish he chose his words and his commissioners more carefully.
“Help me, mommy!”
your jealousy of someone who has better than a minimum wage job with no benefits is showing
It looks like no one is aware that Le Page is nothing more than a tool of the Koch-financed Tea Party.
Everyone jumps when he does a Scott Walker, or, Jan Brewer. But no links are ever drawn with his lock-step in Tea Party Ideology.
That’s all he’s doing. Like Walker, and other Tea Party backed governors he assails state workers and especially their unions. The ultimate Koch manifesto is to rid state’s of union backed labor and destroy their attempts for collective bargaining. State workers, police, fire fighters, teachers, clerks – anyone fighting to maintain a decent wage.
One Web Page – C2NN – listed Le Page among “Ten of the Scariest Governors.” One of those, Scott Walker of Wisconsin is hoping that multi-billionaires Koch brothers will create enough vicious attack ads to save him from “recall.” Whilst each each governor’s “charms” were listed, Le Page made the list for his “animosity toward labor,” and, attempts to make it difficult for people to vote. The latter meaning ID cards and other means designed to force many to ignore the Polls.
It is just as lamentable to see support for this man’s uncouth attacks on working people and just everyone in general. He is coarse, blasphemous, and crude. He has no use for Mainers. He is the Koch brothers and Tea Party standard bearer in the State of Maine.
He could’nt care less what he says. His interpreter, Adrienne Bennett, unscrambled his latest bile into meaning he only indicted one level of management – not all state workers.
Today’s Danby cartoon is priceless.
Gee, written like a true socialist.
it would be real nice if all those that scream socialism, knew what the term meant–how about looking up plutocracy?
How in the world would you know, never having read a single word of an actual socialist?
LePage is saying that all state workers are corrupt. Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? Look at all the has happened. The highway commissioner got thrown in jail for stealing, DHHS had money go missing and on top of that gave benefits to people who were ineligible. WHo had to pay for that? The citizens of Maine. We shouldn’t have to pay for mistakes they made. If he won’t do his job right and help the Maine people then he should be thrown out of office. You made your bed Augusta, now lie in it! Leave the Maine people alone and take responsibility for your actions.
I find him to be a small man, not worthy of the position he holds…..just my thought.
The problem with LePage is that all he knows how to do is be a bully. What does a bully do when you don’t agree with him? He calls you names, puffs up and tries to intimidate you into changing your mind. Unfortunately, LePage is confusing “corrupt” with “voicing your opinion”. I wonder what LePager calls it when a governor hires family members and friends over more qualified people? Fair business practices?
Renee , your taking his comments way out of context, but then again, you do work for BDN. You know his real intentions of the comment, and according to a recent channel 2 poll, 85% of Mainers agree with his comment. I believe alot government workers with Union backing are corrupt. Been there, seen it for myself……… Our past Govenor is a prime example
must have worn out your finger making all those calls–the majority of Mainers thinks lepage is a crude classless boor
And since were talking corruption, and should you like to investigate a real case of government corruption, check into Pingree’s and her new husbands connections to BDN.
It is called “Free Market”. Got a problem with that?
Waaaa , Waaaa , Waaaa…Crybabies always offended by something…Grow or borrow a spin and thicker skin…
This is a test.
Conservatives in Maine that use Waaaa, Waaa, Waaa, in their comments have no cerebral function. Brain dead, low information, unwilling and unable to learn.
Now that is probably insulting to a large group of conservatives that believe in their world view. They would be right to be insulted.
If you don’t get the point, I won’t be surprised.
his job is to cut the fat from the state -he is doing his job. anyone notice the corrrupt people getting charged?