Maine State Senate and Legislature Elections in the Fall

This fall Paul LePage will not be on the ballot. Happily for him he has two years to continue to try to reshape Maine's state government. I will not comment on his plans, I have before. Instead Maine voters will be faced with the choice of reelecting the representatives that have by nature of a Republican Majority allowed LePage's successes.

Voting on the local level for Representative is always difficult. Poll after poll shows that most American have very low approval ratings of Congress as a whole but usually think their Congressman is better. I am sure that many folks who vote for Republican State Senators and Legislators in the fall will do so by thinking that most of those clowns in Augusta are not to be trusted, but my guy, I know him, I trust him, I like him.

In many cases they are right to have these opinions. In many individual cases the Republicans in the Senate and House are fine people who I believe are doing what they believe is right and are to be admired. Ken Fredette in Newport and Nicki Farnham in Bangor are two examples. These are fine, wonderful people, trying to contribute to society and make things better. Now I believe this because I am familiar with them. On the other hand a Senator or Representative from another area that I have no familiarity with I will call a toady for LePage or a clown but the folks who know him will think differently and vote accordingly.

This is how we end up with a Governor who garnered 39 percent of the vote, has low approval ratings, and constant foot in mouth disease getting much of his Conservative agenda through. These Republican folks that on the local level are individually admired ,and in most cases should be, as fine citizens have gone to Augusta and put the plans and policies of Paul LePage in place.

It is very simple. This fall when you vote just know this. If you approve of what Governor LePage is doing vote Republican in the legislative races. If, however, you are inclined to vote for your local person who happens to be a Republican, but, that you are sure is a sane alternative to the Governor's excesses, remember this. It is those Republican Legislators and Senators who have and will continue to enable the Governor's war on the poor, education, civility, unions, and as just one example the scandal in Millinocket. Without their support he would be neutered.

Admire your friendly Republican. Like him. Have him over for dinner. Do not, however, expect him to go to Augusta and put up a firewall of sanity in front of LePage's plans. It has been proven in the last two years that LePage's agenda is their agenda. They are just nicer about it when they come to your door to ask for your vote.