LePage on Corruption: Only Mine is OK

Everytime I try to give the Governor the slightest benefit of the doubt he does it again. This past week the Governor did it again.

Speaking in Newport Maine at one of his Capital in Your Town Promotions, LePage, in answering a question commented that " middle managers in State Government were about as corrupt as you could be".

Really? Seriously? I think I have figured out the whole mindset of our esteemed Governor. If you do not agree with the Governor you are someone to be bullied, called corrupt, or otherwise ridiculed.

Of course corruption might be a word for the nepotism that LePage has practiced in state government. His daughter might be very bright but I think her hiring, with her resume and experience, could be called into question. I believe a son in law or brother in law has recently gained a position as well that has been called into question. I might be wrong but I do not think Governor Baldacci had any of his siblings on the payroll. Corruption, I guess, is in the eye of the beholder.

In the last months the Governor and the State Employee Unions have been laying the groundwork for a battle that is yet to come. The Governor clearly is looking to the November elections to bring him more soldiers in his fight against the state employees. I certainly hope that he finds that those reinforcements do not come.

Statements like those made last week calling state worker middle managers corrupt will only serve as a shot across the bow to what is coming. LePage, like his brethren Kasich, Walker,Scott and Sister Brewer in Arizona, is determined to leave state employees as Sherman left Georgia.

It is hard to understand why? This man is a sea of contradictions. Growing up poor he wishes he did not have to help the poor, and while claiming a mission of his administration is to curb domestic violence he picks a fight over General Assistance funding. Evidently he fails to understand that in towns like Bangor this funding often helps women who have fled abusive situations.

My faith tells me to love my neighbor. I will continue to try to give the Governor the benefit of the doubt. Doubt the wise of us realize is God's way of giving us time to be sure of our actions. LePage has no doubt but one sometimes wishes he did.

Two Republican State Senators rebuked the Governor over his comments last week. This is a good thing, he may even mumble some sort of apology in the next few days. The Governor appears to be unable to make changes to who he is.

It seems inconceivable this man can get reelected. It seems likely that a good portion of Republicans would like to find a way to depose him before the next election. This would take an act of bravery we should not expect. As soon as November is over one suspects the biggest funding by Republicans will be for whatever Democrat challenges Elliott Cutler for the anybody but LePage vote. One suspects you might never see another election like the next one.