Paul LePage Sinks to a New Low

I give up. I cannot pretend to find the good intent in this man. Paul LePage is a bully. He is a baiter. If he had been around in the fifties he would have been one of Joe McCarthy's cronies. Whoever is the boogeyman of the moment is who you will find Paul LePage taking shots at.

We could sit here and ask why a person who came from his background would be feel such anger and hatred toward those who are poor and disadvantaged. Maybe he is like some of the Jewish folks who when they fled Europe at one time or another for America when they arrived here Americanized their name and left and denied their faith and heritage. As if to deny it would make their past go away. Or maybe Paul LePage is just hateful.

For a sitting Governor on a Stage at a Convention to say " Get off the couch and get a job" is akin to talking about n****rs getting on the back of the bus in the South in the sixties. It is easy to understand the anger folks who work hard and feel themselves losing ground feel to those on welfare. I have felt those feelings myself. The problem is we all know folks who have gamed the system at one time or another and that can make us forget the countless people that are legitimately helped by these programs everyday.

It is strange to me that many of the people angriest at those who receive help of one kind or another proclaim to be faithful Christians. If I remember my Bible Jesus was clear, " When I was hungry you fed me, when I was naked you clothed me."

Anger is everywhere in our society and for a sitting Governor to give voice to anger such as this, to make such baiting statements that can only be divisive is wrong, unprincipled and inflammatory.

Preaching to the choir I am sure he was but just because people clap at what you say does not mean it should always be said.

Paul LePage crossed the line this weekend. His true prejudices and motivations were on display for all to see. It is not a sight that should make anyone feel proud of our Governor.