Is Senator Susan Collins still a Republican?

Silly question?

Maybe.

But her recent political antics certainly provoke much widespread puzzlement and confusion. Either Susan is badly out of step with the Republican Party, or many in the Republican Party are out of step with Susan. As a very troubling symptom of Senator Collins political "pivots", the very left-leaning Portland Press Herald has been keeping her front and center in the paper on an almost daily basis, as she gives various Republicans a "black eye". It has kept most Republicans very unhappy!

These days Republicans come in many different "political flavors. There are:  conservative "Tea Partiers", Libertarians, Middle of the Road types, RINOs, and then there is Senator Susan Collins. Is she an Independent, or an-almost Democrat, or what?

In all fairness, Senator Collins has many years of admirable public service as a Maine Republican Senator. She used to be a fairly recognizable "middle of the road Republican", able to compromise on legislation when it seemed appropriate to get things done. This was compromise without "surrender" of core Republican principles. Now we are left wondering as she jumps ship on core Republican issues like Obamacare - repeal and replace. Senator Collins recently proposed a bill to rescind President Trump's decision to disallow transgender persons in the military. The president's decision recognized the difficulty of having a functional, combat ready military if there is an array of internal social turbulence.

Here in Maine, there is much Republican perplexity about Senator Collins "next political move". Will she run for Governor of Maine? On which party? Republican, Independent, or Democrat? When will she make known her decision? Some suggest it will happen within a month. There is considerable concern being privately expressed among some Republicans that a Collins run for Governor could be a "spoiler" for those Republicans who have already announced that they are in the gubernatorial race. The speculation is that, having offended Maine Republican leadership, and therefore  damaging her her chances in the Republican primaries, that she might enter as an Independent candidate. As an Independent, with great name recognition and with constant press approval of her rebellions against the Republican party, she might scoop up supporters from among more liberal Republicans and from a large number of Democrats, who like her attacks on Republicanism.

The word in the street is that over the years, Collins has accumulated a huge "election war chest" and doesn't need any financial support from the Maine Republican party. Furthermore, it is being whispered behind closed doors that she is hinting at helping with financial support for Maine politicians seeking Maine or national political offices. Loyalty to Susan Collins is the 'quid pro quo'. The "Collins marketing pitch": Imagine a "Republican Governor for 8 years. Imagine a Republican majority in the Maine House and Senate. Imagine an all Republican congressional delegation. 

Just "make nice" to Susan Collins in the primaries and it all could fall into place.

Has she "cooked her goose", as Gov LePage claims, or can she entice with "a chicken in every pot" for loyal candidates?

Public Comments on LR 2395 An Act To Amend the Marijuana Legalization Act.

THIS IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE: This is your one chance for your views to be heard in person by Maine's Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation. This is the only time that the committee will be hearing from the public.

This past summer the committee has been hearing from the lobbyist for marijuana industry.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED: 

The Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee will be hosting a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26. The purpose of the hearing is to take public testimony on LR 2395, An Act To Amend the Marijuana Legalization Act.

LOCATION:

specific room in the State House is To Be Decided, but probably, it will be the Appropriations Committee Room (it's big). Further details will be distributed by email and posted on the committee's website at  when they become available.

COME, SPEAK, BE HEARD:

It is always strongly recommended (but not mandatory) that in addition to spoken testimony, that you have written testimony (multiple copies- 20). Written testimony goes to each committee member, the policy analysts and the State House Law Library.

Will Medical Marijuana Undermine Municipal Sovereignty?

To: Senator Roger Katz and Representative Teresa Pierce, Members of the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee

From: Sidney Board of Selectmen

Date:  August 28, 2017

Subject: The Dan Walker Memo dated 8/4/2017; Re: proposed changes to medical marijuana laws


The Selectmen of Sidney have grave concerns about the concepts embodied in the Walker memo. The memo from Mr. Daniel Walker to Sen Katz and Rep Pierce appears to jeopardize Sidney’s Ordinance banning all retail sales/operations of recreational marijuana, passed at the Town Meeting in March 2017. As we read this memo it would, in fact, nullify our “go dry” ordinance as it relates to recreational marijuana. Can you clarify this for us?

Here are several other questions the Walker Memo raises for which we request answers from you:

1. What would be the impact of the proposed changes in status of medical marijuana dispensaries in the Walker memo on Sidney’s current "go dry" ordinance?

 2. Would this establish 'de facto' marijuana shops, clubs and manufacturing under the medical marijuana license, and avoid the need for such businesses to contend with Sidney’s "go dry" ordinance?

 3. Does the Walker proposal subvert the intent of "local control" regarding municipal marijuana commerce?

 4. Who would regulate this commerce if it were transformed from medical marijuana to a multi-dimensional commerce, including recreational marijuana?

• Local cities and towns, the state?
• Department of Human Services?
• Who would have oversight, do inspections, assure product quality, spot check license (and other) violations and prosecute them?

 5. Who would handle law enforcement? Department of Human Services, State Police, Sherriff, local police? No one?

 6. Does the Maine Marijuana Legalization Committee intend to seek direct opinion data from Administrators and governing bodies of Maine towns and cities about the "Dan Walker" proposal? Or is it up to cities and town to oversee where the committee moves on issues affecting municipal sovereignty?

7. Is the Maine Municipal Association being briefed by the committee on these issues?   In what form are these relevant opinions being sought – written testimony or opinions, interviews, other?

8. Has the Walker memo been circulated to Maine cities and towns for their in-put? Are there any other similar proposals with an impact on municipalities that will go out for evaluation and comment?

We look forward to your response to these questions prior to the announcement of any proposed legislation.

Sincerely,

John Whitcomb, Chair; Kelly Couture, Laura Parker, Sandra Tibbitts, Tim Russell

Town of Sidney Selectmen

A note to Hollywood

Dear Hollywood celebrities and actors you only have a place in my world to entertain me. 

That’s it.

You make your living pretending to be someone else. Playing dress up like a 6 year old. You live in a make believe world in front of a camera - and often when you are away from one, too. Your entire existence depends on my patronage.

I don’t really care where you stand on issues, and I laugh at how you think your threats to leave our great nation could hold such a value that would inspire someone to change their vote. To be bluntly honest I value the opinion of the common citizen which you could only relate to through your in character moments on stage. 

Lastly I am thankful that those electoral voters stood up to you and your bullying and kept their integrity when they voted. You see, you aren’t real. I turn off my TV or shut down my computer and you cease to exist in my world. 

Once I am done with you, I can put you back in your little box until I want you to entertain me again. I hope you realize that the only words of yours that matter are scripted. In my world, you exist solely for my entertainment. 

PURE ARROGANCE!

RepubliCAN of Maine cannot take credit for writing this piece - but I think it speaks to the arrogance that Hollywood displays. These actors live in a life that is far from the reality that many of us have to experience daily. For them to tell us how we should live our lives is an insult - especially when they fail to practice what they preach.

Here is How You Can Help Richard Bennet Cast Electorial Vote

Friends,

We need your help.

We have planned a rally and march from our office at 9 Higgins Street (just a short walk from the State House) – in order to surround Chairman Bennett with strong supporters before he makes history and casts Maine’s first split Electoral Vote.

Now, I don't think it's overly dramatic to say that I do not want to see him having to wade through a crowd of protesters without a strong contingent of proud and strong supporters by his side.

So please, help us help Chairman Bennett as he makes history casting Maine's Electoral Ballot for Donald J. Trump.

I know you have probably seen the news coverage about the flood of emails and phone calls Chairman Bennett has received trying to convince him to change his vote. It is not happening.

Chairman Bennett is an honorable man who respects our republic and the people that comprise it. He WILL cast his historic vote for President-Elect Donald J. Trump, and no amount of protest will persuade him to go against the wishes of Maine’s Second Congressional District.

Please come rally, march, and stand by Chairman Richard Bennett's side this Monday, December 19th.

google maps route to state house

We will start at our office, 9 Higgins Street in Augusta, with coffee and cocoa at 1 pm. Then, we will march together to the State House and accompany Chairman Bennett into the building so he can cast our historic Electoral College vote.

It has been decades since Maine has had a Republican elector, and Chairman Bennett is New England’s ONLY  Republican Elector. 

Let us celebrate peacefully, and stand strong together as a party united.

For our planning purposes, please RSVP on this Facebook event, or email Maine GOP Communications Director Nina McLaughlin at nina@mainegop.com if you plan on attending.

Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Jason Savage
Executive Director

Court Reform - Are Judges Truly Impartial?

The Maine Voices piece in the PPH is interesting for those who support court reform. John Massaro, the author, has a couple of excellent points with which many people would agree, and some directly political points which are unknowable, more speculative and therefore less meaningful for judicial reform..

Massaro is absolutely right that a legislative Judiciary Committee - either state or federal - should raise questions in committee about the politics and ideology of judicial candidates - both new appointments and re-appointments. Judicial ideology and political views are inescapable for anybody - judges included - and unavoidably bound to have an impact (for better or worse) on judicial decisions. The public and the oversight committees need to know how the ideological deck is stacked, and it needs to be in the record for future reference. 

Mr Massimo indirectly raises an important, often taboo question: are judges truly impartial? While the "bench" has standards for judges and political behavior, these are for the judges' public 'persona'- not the "inner judge". Knowing a judges partisan and ideological leanings, as recorded in an appointment hearing, might help litigants to decide about when to challenge a judge's impartiality, about bias or conflicts of interest.

In Maine judicial appointment hearings for the vetting of judges in the Judiciary Committee are truly woeful: a perfunctory, innocuous "white wash". The committee relies almost entirely on unpublished, unexamined Maine Bar surveys, used exclusively by the Governor's appointment advocate.   As a result committee questions for judicial candidates are beyond banal.  Almost at the level of: "Read any good books, lately?" "Think the rain will ruin the rhubarb?" Judicial vetting function in public by a committee of the legislature is vital and badly in need of repair with more serious evaluation of judicial candidates.

Lawn signs......

...don't vote. At this point, all that matters is making sure Republicans and conservative voters get out and vote.

Friends,

I was hoping to get your attention. I just need a few moments of your time.

This election is on a razor's edge. It is so close nobody knows for sure what is going to happen on election day – but I know one thing, we are going to fight until the last poll closes.

One thing I love about Donald Trump is his plan to 'drain the swamp' in Washington D.C.

Let's be clear, this is long overdue. As Wikileaks and the FBI reopening their investigation show, Washington D.C. HAS become a swamp of corruption. It IS time to drain the swamp.

It is also time to make sure the Supreme Court is NOT stacked with people who will attack our rights. 

In 2010, Augusta, Maine was in a similar situation. The Maine Turnpike was out of control, and Maine Housing was wasting enormous sums of money funding pet projects for special political allies of the director. 

Bloated welfare spending, with some fraud, along with a ton of other waste and unsustainable spending for special interest groups was bankrupting the state.

Republicans came in, looked around, and said, it's time to drain this swamp. 

Bruce Poliquin was right there with his sleeves rolled up, and he got to work.

Now, in 6 days, voters have a choice to make. Is it finally time to drain the swamp in Washington? We think so. And we can vote for Republicans Donald Trump, Congressman Bruce Poliquin and Congressional Candidate Mark Holbrook as our team to do it.

Mr. Trump has the plan to drain the Washington swamp; Congressman Poliquin has proven experience draining a swamp of corruption;  and Dr. Mark Holbrook has smarts and ambition to make sure the job is done right for the people.

But, this only happens if, right now, you are willing to pledge to join the fight with us.

In 2014, I sent an email like this, and I compared our election fight for Governor LePage to the story of the '300', who knew they were outnumbered, but fought valiantly for what they loved. In the end, though, we won.

So this election, let me frame it like this for you:

There are already hundreds of people getting involved in this election.

We are no longer on defense.  We are on offense. 

We are storming the beaches this election cycle, but the fight is tough – it is brutal.

The opposition is pulling out all the stops. They are telling lies, and even stealing and destroying lawn signs and other property.

But if we do our job, all their dirty tricks are too little, too late.

They might take our lawn signs, but they'll never take our freedom, to talk to our friends, neighbors, and every voter who will support our candidates, and drain the swamp.

Right now, we NEED YOU to come in to reinforce us. 

Will you hit the street this weekend and help us win your neighborhood by making sure all your Republican and conservative neighbors vote?

Will you fire up your computer and cell phone to make calls to Republicans for our candidates?

Even if you only have one day, or a few hours, you could make a difference.

Our Presidential and Congressional elections could come down to a razor thin number of votes.

I promise you, some seats in the Maine Legislature will be won or lost by less than 20 votes.

All we have left is to prove to the radical left that, while they may take our lawn signs, they won't take our freedom to protect our country, and our principals, from the corruption of the Clinton machine.

So please, go here right now and sign up to make a difference in your community. 

http://mainegop.com/gotv/ 

We have our field team standing by to get you plugged in and working as soon as you are available.

Let's send a team to drain the swamp and begin the work of Making America Great Again.

We know which candidates will do that work, and we know what it takes to deliver victory for them.

We hope to work with you this weekend, as one force, determined to make a better America for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Jason Savage
Executive Director
Maine GOP

 P.S. Please don't close this email if you really believe in fixing our country and winning this election. Go here now and sign up to do what you can: 

 

http://mainegop.com/gotv/

Maine GOP  9 Higgins Street, Augusta, ME 04330

See what's happening on our social sites

        

Emily Cain: Hillary Clinton “person of good character”

In light of bombshell news from a few days ago that the FBI has reopened their investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails, we just wanted to share this clip with you.



ME02 Emily Cain on Clinton Oct 26 2016

When asked if Hillary Clinton is a person of good character, Emily Cain offered an unequivocal YES.

Help us give the voters of Maine this insightful look into Emily Cain's judgement. This video was provided to RepubliCAN of Maine by the Maine GOP.

RepubliCAN of Maine supports those conservative candidates running for various offices.

Is Wiki Leaks Interfering Or Providing Unbiased Information?

While we slept, the US government has morphed into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Clinton foundation that has a controlling, meddling  finger in everything. The Julian Assange situation is a case in point.

Julian Assange is not "interfering" in US elections, he is providing the public with a unique informational media service, the only unbiased, uncensored information about the scandalous corruption of the Democratic party, the gross manipulations, the behind the scenes election fun and games and the Clinton's sordid wheeling and dealing in their own interest.

Shutting down Assange by probable US pressuring of his Ecuadorean refuge hosts has the smell of flagrant repressive censorship of a type seen more often in totalitarian dictatorships.

Let's make America Great Again! Before it's too late.

RepubliCAN of ME supports unique means of providing information to the public as our media sources appear to offer biased news reporting.

Is It Religious Bigotry?

It is not "snobbishness" on the part of Clinton's aides and associates. It is raw, old fashioned, religious bigotry. And these religious bigots occupy a place at the right hand of the Democratic presidential candidate and are exchanging views with her. Nice, eh.

It is about hate and disdain for religious principles that don't fit their left-wing, elitist notions. More to the point it is about ACTING on this bigotry to produce religious hardship for believers and to block legal accommodation. It is also about the projections from the depths of their own warped psyches that these friends of Hillary believe that Catholics are faking their beliefs for political purposes! It is utterly sick.

It is why we desperately need change. Trump may offend the "dainties" on the left and right with his 10 year old remarks, but one conservative Supreme Court justice is worth several utterances of "p--sy" or "f--k"!

RepubliCAN of Maine supports the ideas that Donald Trump is pushing. A candidate that speaks for the people and is anti-establishment.

Make America Great Again - "Rump" Pence

"RUMP" Pence

Today it was pointed out to me that there are quite a number of Trump/ Pence signs being defaced.

"RUMP"

The "T" being blocked out

Wish I had a photo of one of the political signs which was defaced by.....

RUMP - Is this the best that liberals can do? RUMP... This is the mind set of a 5 year old.

Earlier this summer we saw the same kind of behavior being displayed by the left towards Trump. In Chicago for instance democrats came out to heckle and obstruct Trump supporters. At one point major roads were blocked by left supporters - halting traffic and making the lives of those who happened to pass by at that time a living hell.

Why

Who knows. Maybe the left feels that their entitlement is being threatened by a candidate who is anti establishment.

RepubliCAN of Maine supports the candidacy of Donald Trump as someone who is running counter to the establishment.

Is This Election about Bad Manners and Being Politically Correct?

It's about the courage to focus on defeating the Democrats. It's about the courage to confront the oft-mentioned "educated suburban women" and say, this election is more important than gender sensitivities. It's about the need to fully recognize that you are voting for a president, a vice president and one or more lifetime "Supremes", who will rule (unobstructed) from the bench. It is the courage to recognize that bad manners and a vulgar mouth should NOT block the overwhelming need to end the economic, social and political devastations of the Obama reign in its proposed Hillary incarnation!

The myth that retreating this one and coming back in super strength in 4 years is crazier than voting for Donald Trump.  No one will vote for a whipped party or a party that is like a corpse risen from the grave!

Get over it!


RepubliCAN of Maine supports Donald Trump in his bid for President. He is not a career politician and as a result is not polished like Hillary Clinton.

Four More Years of the Same? Or Are We Ready for a Change?

There are absolutely no surprises with Clinton, 4 more years of a carbon copy of Obama's left wing agenda: more regulation (of everything), more assaults on freedom of religion (kill it!!), more taxes, more government (except for a  poorly funded, strangled, castrated military) and a more entrenched federal bureaucracy.  Plus, Hillary will continue Obama's nationally polarizing disdain for opponents (known to this administration as "enemies"). Obamacare will collapse and taxpayers will be forced to pay for a single payer plan. 100% predictable.

Trump is certainly far from predictable, but "talks the talk" and offers plausible alternatives. Most important, he takes our security seriously.

Then, last, but by no means least, there are "The Supreme's", governing from the bench. Filling the  current empty seat can't be held off for 4 years. It's Clinton vs Trump. An enduring legacy that could last 20 + years. 

The choices couldn't be clearer.

RepubliCAN of Maine supports the current Republican candidate and any candidates who endorse the Republican candidate running for President.

There is "No need to campaign locally" says Republican official

For months we have been waiting with anticipation for our local republican candidates to ride the wave of change that has rocked the national scene.

But

By the comments from many republican leaders leads one to believe that this election is in the bag for our candidates.


"No need to campaign locally, everyone has pretty much made up their mind about how they'll vote".

With that kind of thinking the voters will make up their mind alright. Very good chance that those on the line will vote for that candidate whom they have seen the most activity. That may not be the local republican candidate.


"No need to "market" our candidate, there is already good "name recognition"".

The good name recognition can always be improved upon as the other candidate is working to improve and expand their good name.


"We don't need to meet locally to work on this campaign, everyone is so busy just now".

You reap what you sow. Put little time and effort into the campaign and there will be little to no name recognition.


"We don't need advice or consultation from Republican party headquarters on getting the word out to our voter base. We've been doing this for years".

With so much at stake why wouldn't you want help and the resources that could be provided. The other candidate is getting that help.


"We don't want to put up public signs for national Republic presidential candidates; people will think we are mean-spirited, racist."

That is an irrational fear. A sign does not denote racism or whether or not you as a person is mean spirited.


"Even if our Republican candidates lose this election, it's not a crisis. We just wait 4 years and come back with dynamite candidates and win with a BANG!".

How do you know that in four years the Republicans will bounce back? Don't assume you will have my vote in four years. I want a fighter not someone who quits. The other side didn't quit maybe my vote should go to them.


"I don't know about using modern media (Facebook, twitter, etc). I'm not familiar with it and can't see how it would help our candidates in this town."

Obama won the last election with the effective use of social media. Donald Trump - if he can stay off of twitter - is able to communicate to the masses. Social media i an inexpensive way to be in touch with your current and future constituents. By ignoring these methods of conveying your message you are limiting the audience you reach.


"Things are not THAT "dire"!"

Things are.


RepubliCAN of Maine encourages you to become involved with local politics - especially in this election cycle. Please feel free to comment.

    

Are We Witnessing The Fall of the US?

The Trump/Clinton phenomenon in our current American political scene is a fascinating one. My view is that it is more fascinating, if one steps back from the admittedly colorful players and looks a bit deeper. What on earth is going on? Has the US gone mad? Has the whole country succumbed to the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times"? I wanted to share a few thoughts that may be too extensive, but it is hard to be concise about this complex topic. At the risk of boring, herewith are my thoughts"

Regarding the interesting times in which we live - and they are indeed interesting! - it is very  challenging to sort it all out and to make sense of the "noise and confusion", as well as the competing views about the state of the nation. Are we in good shape, or on the brink? The press/media deluge us with many highly colored, 'ad hominem' tabloid dramas. Everything seems reduced to polarized contests between good guys and bad, or bad guys and bad guys. All of this colorful coverage never seems to ask why - or why now?

Being in the throes of reading Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, I am inclined to think (after Gibbon) that our present (US election) symptoms portend something bigger than two decadent personages competing for the US presidency. There seems to be a huge socio-cultural shift in the US (and the world) that goes beyond mere elections. The outcome of this US election (or any election) is unlikely to alter the socio-cultural trajectory that we are on. One factor, social media, alters (smashes?) all sorts of "boundaries" and reaches all sorts of people. Social media involve everyone in public discourse, if they feel so inclined. Suddenly, people who have never spoken "in public" have a "soap box" and their opinions appear as comments in electronic fora. Mobs can be put together electronically, and they can be motivated to take action. It has to require a certain toughness (hardness?) of character to play politics in this highly visible, highly volatile game.

Edward Gibbon saw the loss of "civic virtue" as the central cause of the Romans' "decline and fall".  It played out in many ways getting worse over time. There was the adoption of an increasingly soft, luxurious lifestyle, the loss of patriotism and a shift from public service as a form of highly regarded duty, to public service as personal opportunity for material advancement. In the declining days of the Roman empire, those who could avoid military service for themselves, or their children, did so. Initially, they yielded military service to the lower classes; then, used mercenaries to spare Roman lives. Religion and family life were given lip service, but were a less powerful force in the state.

For us, as for the Romans, there has been the growing problem of effectively governing a huge - and ever growing - increasingly diverse country. The size, scope and complexity of the issues urgently needing to be dealt with, challenge the political structure and functioning of our federal republic.  The US Constitution, designed when we were a recently liberated collection of small former English colonies with a relatively homogeneous anglo saxon population, is stretched to the breaking point.  Consensus on anything is hard (nearly impossible?) to achieve, and conflict gets increasingly polarized. President Obama has "experimented" with bypassing Congress and ruling by presidential decree on a number of pressing issues, like immigration. It is arguably a clear violation of our Constitution; it sets dangerous precedents, it changes the constitutional foundation of our rule of law. It solves problems, but…  at what cost? And it guarantees challenge in the courts as to its constitutionality.  Might one see this sort of presidential move is as a baby step towards future presidential autocracy, dictatorship, Caesarian power? Were similar sorts of dynamic forces at play in Rome on the eve of Julius Caesar.

There is the problem of taxation. Who gets taxed? For what? For whose benefit? Huge disputes: "bread and circuses" vs "my wealth". How are the rich and poor to be accommodated? Compromise is increasingly fraught in an Internet age when there is no place to hide for long. With social media onlookers wanting to see EVERYTHING, previously backroom political disputes disputes, where things got sorted out privately, today, with Internet players "supervising" can become a war against "enemies"; not a compromise between opponents in the course of parliamentary processes.

Like the later Rome described by Gibbons our population has become increasingly diverse. Roman citizenship became a near universal in the Roman Empire with a noticeable impact on previously shared values and standards of civic virtue. One of our political problems is with the social integration of immigrants, who are arriving too fast to allow for the "melting pot" to "melt" them into an American identity of any sort. More turmoil, more social unrest, no common values, more fragmentation more splits. There is also the variable economic impact of immigrants on lower middle and working class US citizens. Industrialists love them as cheap labor, non-union labor and make a virtue of "diversity".  Native workers see them as lowering the price of labor; thereby, lowering their standard of life, etc.  Free trade is a similar issue. Apart from slogans that market diversity, for whose benefit does it work and how?

Rome was able to integrate foreign religions into their existing pantheon of gods. The US handles this problem by the promotion of of "politically correct", which tends to supersede religion. All religions are of less importance than social "rights" - even if these "rights" challenge freedom of religion.  Government enforcement of social rights is in danger of becoming the new "state religion".

Into this caldron of turmoil, we inject two extremely defective candidates for presidency. Are they the result of the complex recipe for the "stew" that we've been cooking? Who but a severely compromised person would subject themselves to the human torture of being the center of a US presidential campaign? On a much larger scale, it resembles the politics of so-called "banana republics"! How it will end is impossible to say, but the actual election of either candidate is worrying. Can the US Constitution prevail despite dysfunction of the head of one of the three branches of government?

I may not have all of the "moving parts" in this scenario in the correct proportions, but I would suggest that any assessment that looked at these- or alternative dynamics might be of some interest, and worthy of thought.

Chairman Bennett issues a statement regarding Senate President Thibodeau's Press Conference

"I commend President Thibodeau for his steady stewardship of the Maine Senate under the Constitution and the proper rules of order.  As a former Senate President, I know the difficult role he has to appropriately lead the institution as a Constitutional officer and as the leading Republican in the Senate.

"President Thibodeau is right to call out the Democrat leadership for putting political advantage ahead of exercising their sober duties of office.

"President Thibodeau's measured leadership stands in stark contrast to the zealous efforts by Speaker Mark Eves and other Democrat leaders to have a costly, open-ended legislative session to re-litigate and overturn the 2014 election results."

The Maine Republican Party is the state’s premier political organization holding the State’s highest office, a U.S. Senator, a U.S. Congressman, and a chamber of the Maine State Legislature as well as many local elected municipal offices.

March 10 2015 - Veteran, Small Business Owner, True Mainer.

Last month, at the Republicans monthly meeting at the Tradewinds Motor Inn in Rockland, I met Jim Kalloch for the first time. Now after having been writing for him and after voting for him, to meet him and listen to him was refreshing.

Sure, I knew all the important bullet points of his life: the military career spanning over 30 years in both the Marines and the Navy, returning to his hometown to start a small business, the contribution to serving the youth of this area as a Boy Scout leader and to help both the young students and the taxpayer by serving on the local school board.

But what I didn't know was what a funny and personable man Jim is until I sat in the meeting last month and heard him laugh, talk and share stories of the how and why he wants to run again after investing time and money in the November election.

The reasons were sincere and heartfelt. They included love of the area, the people and the belief, as many of us have, that Jim can make a difference, an improvement that we would all like to see.

The fact of the matter is Jim barely lost and that the winner, Democrat Elizabeth Dickerson left, leaving an open seat in the Maine House and that means someone needs to fill that seat.

Why not the man who came so close to winning the first time around? The man who served his country faithfully for over 30 years? The man who came home to serve his area in so many ways again, why not him?

The man is Jim Kalloch and he wants your vote on Tuesday March 10th 2015!

For up to date information on Jim Kalloch find him on Facebook.

Hear Jim Kalloch speaking out to his future constituents.

March 10 Special Election: Hard Work Dedication Loyalty All In One Candidate Jim Kalloch

Jim Kalloch comes from ancestors that have deep roots in the mid coast region of Maine. There are records that show the Kalloch family settled in the Warren/St. George region of Maine in 1735. There is a genuine connection to this area that is inherently apparent in Jim Kalloch.

The name Kalloch is synonymous with hard work & service, and that is something that Jim Kalloch knows a lot about.

Jim Kalloch has lived in this area his entire life leaving only to serve his country in both the Marines and the US Navy. When Jim returned to Rockland he started a business, Penobscot Ferry and Transport and continued his dedication to serving others by becoming a Boy Scout leader and serving on the school board.

This a special election that is being held on Tuesday, March 10th 2015. The last election was won by Elizabeth Dickerson who vacated her post to move out of state. That was a very close race indeed, the vote totals were 1,744 Dickerson to 1,612 for Jim Kalloch. To have invested his time, energy and resources once and to be willing to do it all over again, truly shows a desire to serve his area and the voters of District 93!

For current information on Jim Kalloch find him on Facebook.

To find out more about Jim Kalloch please follow these links:

2015-01-11 PHP Rockland state legislator resigns for move to Colorado
2014-10-13 PBP Maine House District 93 Candidate James Kalloch: Focus on energy costs, infrastructure, technical education
2014-07-28 BDN Rockland Republican re-enters Maine House race
2001-10-27 BDN State of Maine flies its flag, up to a limit

The special election which will be held March 10, 2015 has the following candidates running for the seat Jim Kalloch, Beebe-Center a Democrat, Ron Huber (Green), and Sean Levaseur (Libertarian).

Jim Kalloch - for State Representative - Special Election March 10, 2015

Jim Kalloch (R) of Rockland has decided his desire to serve the voters of Maine is worth another shot. After 30 years of serving his country in both the US Marine Corp. and the US Navy, Jim Kalloch came home to Rockland to open a small business, Penobscot Ferry and Transport and to serve on the local school board.

During his time on the school board, Jim knew that education through vocational and technical training were key to improving the lives of Maine's school children. Jim wants to help just as he did on the local level and to make a difference on a state level to open up opportunities that will help keep Maine's young adults here.

As most Mainers do, Jim believes that our roads need repairing and that can be accomplished through fees collected for auto registration and gasoline taxes, money sometimes rerouted for other purposes and that should go for what it is intended.

As a state, Maine needs to keep businesses here and attract businesses to call Maine their new home through tax incentives & a friendly business environment

Jim knows Maine needs a sound fiscal policy not a tax more and spend more mentality. Responsible taxation and spending accountability are key to a successful state.

When did Elizabeth Dickerson know that she wanted to move to Colorado? Who knows for sure besides Dickerson  What we do know is that Dickerson won the midterm election but not by much. The vote totals were 1,744 Dickerson to 1,612 for Jim Kalloch. And now with Elizabeth Dickerson resigning her post and a special election being held on March 10th 2015, voters have a chance to make it right.

Jim Kalloch is here to stay in the state he calls home. Jim would be proud to represent and fight for you and your family just as he has done all of his life.

Follow Jim and remember to vote in this special election on or before March 10, 2015. To find out more about Jim find him on Facebook.

Ulterior Motives Beyond Equality - Do All Lives Matter

A discussion on Facebook is taking place regarding the use of minority awards and scholarships and whether or not these awards and scholarships were still needed or even fair.  Do "black lives matter" as the current slogan that seems to be popular amongst the liberals is. Or maybe what we should be saying instead is "All lives matter". Lets keep color out. The following is a very real issue and one that maybe should be done away with:

The rationale for the separate minority awards and scholarships is that minorities were under-represented or overlooked. When Hattie McDaniel broke the color barrier at the Academy Awards, receiving top honors for Best Supporting Actress in her role as Mammy in "Gone With The Wind," no one seriously thought "Negroes" would be regular future recipients in 1939. Hattie, however, could not be ignored. One could make the case that for decades the separate awards and scholarships were appropriate. But we have come so far with integration (even electing and reelecting a Black president [actually half-Black]) that people are barely conscious of differences - unless that attention is imposed upon people.

I'll make one example, and see if you agree: After baseball became integrated and became well-staffed with Black, Latino, Asian and Caucasian players - based entirely upon their performance value to a team, do we still need a "Negro Baseball League?" I submit that many of these relics, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), are no longer needed to promote equality, rather to keep the wounds of the past open for some other gain or reparation, and they have been co-opted by the political left to exploit past grievances for contemporary political gain.

The modern welfare state was created to get and keep minorities in the Democrat party. Lyndon Johnson was famously quoted as saying: "I'll have those niggers voting Democrat for the next 200 years." Keeping people in a victim class and in government dependency hurts as much, if not more, than segregation. The need for parallel race recognition awards ended a long time ago.

#blacklivesmatter; #alllivesmatter