Reform of red tape, an Audit of Idiocy. In who's Interest?

     King Lepage  "mecuttum" the red tape has spent the last 25 days making disparaging remarks, inappropriate e-mails and poor choices for the State Of Maine. While Barons are spending money traveling around to talk to about 1000 businesses. Now, I believe and I 'm sure you do as well that all of these business people have computers, phones and Internet connections. How much money could be saved if a survey is sent out? Ask the questions, get a response, analyze it and like magic instant "idears." But no, the King needs to make a spectacle of the State and himself, to pretend this attack on his subjects is justified and warranted, it is not. No amount of red tape cutting is going to increase job growth in this State. This is an end-of-the-line State. Things come in, they go out, but are not stored, nor mass produced. Look at his majesty's airport, is it a hub? No. Why? Come on just ask yourself why. The population of the kingdom is small and in the northeast corner of The Country, it is bordered by one state, another country and the Atlantic Ocean. The Northern border has been neglected for so long that Canada takes the Kings logs to Canada, and Our jobs to Canada. The kingdom has woods, water, fish, fisherman and loggers. In the kingdom there are still  some farmers and wood product manufacturers. There are Insurance companies, Hospitals and Banks, a few Shipping companies, bringing in chemicals and taking out Parcels. There are many small businesses  as well. How many of these people brought up BPA? How in the name of all things unholy does BPA really slow, stop or hinder Business in Maine?            It doesn't!

Press release from the Environmental Health Strategy Center: LePage Favors Toxic Policies

by MPBN Capitol Connection on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 8:12am

PRESS STATEMENT Contact:                                      
Will Childs (207) 951-7478;JANUARY 26, 2011


Gov. LePage Advances Chemical Industry Attack on Children’s Health

 Public Health Response:
 BPA (also known as bisphenol A) is a hormone-disrupting chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles and sippy cups and in the linings of infant formula cans and baby food jar lids.  Last year, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection declared BPA the first of two priority chemicals required by law to be listed by January 1, 2011.  More than 200 independent peer-reviewed scientific studies link widespread BPA exposure in babies to increased risk of brain damage, reproductive harm, breast and prostate cancer and obesity.  Nine states, Canada and other countries, and major product makers have taken action to prevent children’s exposure to BPA.  There are no federal EPA or FDA standards because the governing U.S. law, the so-called Toxic Substances Control Act, has not been updated in 35 years.

The Maine BPA rule that the Governor and chemical manufacturers want to repeal does three things: (1) requires safer alternatives to BPA in all reusable food and beverage containers including baby bottles and sippy cups. (This restriction was provisionally adopted and will come before the Legislature for approval soon as a "major substantive rule"), (2) requires an assessment of the availability of safer, cost-effective alternatives to the use of BPA in the infant formula and baby food containers, and (3) requires reporting by manufacturers if BPA is added to child care articles, toys or tableware.
GOV. LEPAGE WANTS TO GUT LAWS ON TOXICS IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS! The Governor Recommends:  "Review all regulation of consumer products and consider revisions to prohibitions of chemicals and materials in products.  If the state is going to regulate consumer products at all, it should only do so when clearly justified on risk-benefit or cost benefit basis."

Public Health Response:
 The Maine Legislature and past Governors have approved a series of laws to protect public health from dangerous chemicals in consumer products over the last ten years.  Common sense and strong science dictated that we replace mercury thermometers (2001) and arsenic-treated wood (2003) with safer alternatives. Toxic flame-retardants in couches (2004) and computers (2007) were phased out in favor of other materials that provide equal fire safety.  Maine ended the use of lead in toys (2008).  Following unanimous recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Safer Chemicals in Consumer Products that met for 18 months, the Maine Legislature passed the Kid Safe Products Act in 2008.  The work of internationally acclaimed Maine scientists and many others supported these policies.
After a few short weeks in office Governor LePage wants to reverse the course of history ignoring science in favor of poisonous political pandering to out of state chemical industries. Rather than requiring the chemical industry to demonstrate the safety of its products he suggests placing onerous handcuffs on government action to protect Maine people.  These same constraints were proposed by the chemical industry and rejected in a bipartisan consensus by the Legislature in 2008.

GOV. LEPAGE WANTS TO LET THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY REGULATE ITSELF!

Public Health Response:
 Why should Maine race to the bottom to compete with Mississippi and others for the weakest minimally required federal standards?  Federal requirements establish the floor, not the ceiling, for environmental health protections for clean air and safe drinking water.
    For toxic chemicals in consumer products, there are virtually no federal standards.  That’s because under the badly broken federal Toxic Substances Control Act, only some uses of 5 dangerous chemicals have been restricted in 35 years.  Yet 62,000 chemicals were grandfathered in without any restrictions when TSCA passed in 1976.  Conforming Maine standards for toxics in products to the federal requirements means no protections at all from most dangerous chemicals!

Ignores Science and Common-Sense Protections from Toxic Chemicals


This week Governor Paul LePage called for an end to dozens of protections for the health of Maine people and our air, water and land.  Three of his thirty-six proposed rollbacks take direct aim at Maine’s law to protect children's health from unnecessary dangerous chemicals in everyday products.

We’re appalled that Governor LePage would take the extreme position that children's health should be sacrificed in order to satisfy out-of-state chemical companies desire to avoid regulation.

Maine’s Kid Safe Products Act was adopted in 2008 with overwhelming bipartisan support, passing in the Senate by a vote of 35-0 and in the House by 129-9, despite relentless opposition from the national chemical industry.  This is because everyone in Maine wins when we prevent disease, encourage business innovation, and reduce health care costs by replacing the most dangerous chemicals in everyday products with safer alternatives.

Not one single Maine business testified in opposition to the proposed law in 2008 or to the designation of two priority chemicals under the law in 2010!

The three proposals that would roll back the Kid Safe Products Act are included in Phase I of the Governor’s Regulatory Reform Proposals that target the Department of Environmental Protection.  Our response to his recommendations follows below.


GOV. LEPAGE WANTS TO BRING BACK TOXIC BABY BOTTLES AND SIPPY CUPS!


The Governor Recommends:  "Repeal BPA rule and rely on federal EPA and FDA standards."

For Immediate Release:          
                   
                            And here we have the latest Factoid for the Kingdom of IF:
 

Out-of-State Companies Behind LePage Push for Regulatory Reform

By Susan Sharon MPBN Deputy News Director    Gov. Paul LePage this weekend defended his proposed list of more than 60 environmental rules and regulations he'd like to see rolled back. T...

By: MPBN Capitol Connection

How much does it matter to the King that we have serious problems with our debt? Seemingly not at all. He would rather pander to the not so special interests of Business. Because as he said in his inaugural address, "profit is good"... And somewhere you can bet he is the one to profit from all this waste, deceit and anger, he has rained down upon the Kingdom.
                                       Well, Big business does not want to change, Which means it will not be moving here too soon. Politics does not want to change, it just wants its money for nothing and the Cronies to be pleased.              
                        So that just leaves us, the peasants, reading up on the Bastille. Be good,  God bless.
                                                                       Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page

Looking effective, does not look good. The Master Plan?

    So before the people' s work has even begun, we get Dan Demeritt, with his Master plan. The details do betray the devil.  First order of business: find a way to control the business so we remain in Power. Huh, that could have been done by doing good work. Work of the people. But you would rather think and act like a common Thug. Really folks it is after all not about you or me, or even the quality and effectiveness of Our Government; No, it is about gaining power, getting paid and running over US.
     Second order of business: "We are going to spend a lot of time making Heather Sirocki and Garret Mason look effective."  It is our time and money they will spend. Rather than be effective, they only wish to achieve the appearance of being effective. SO, rather than work for the people in a conscious way, in a constitutional way, This body politic will, deceive, deny, lie and scheme. Perfect. At least you know what your up against. Never in my life here in Maine have I seen such an Influx of ignorance to the State. Indeed a maelstrom of immorality is being unleashed. As I write this we have had Paul Lepage as a Governor for 24 days. In that amount of time He has Surrendered Maine to the Nation as a backward, stupid, hate filled, ignorant Monarchy. Where the people will submit to his "idears" on business. He can not even say Ideas.  
        In the beginning, we were going to see a lot of  King Paul telling Obama to go to hell, in reference to regulations (to the fishermen of Maine). Now in a complete reversal, Lepage is moving toward and for almost every Federal regulation he can find. His true motives are to weaken Our State's stand on the environment. As for the fisherman, well I'm sure you will still be stuck with whatever the Fed says about your catch limits, and fishing days. Too bad, as Maine fisherman are the best and brightest example of self regulation. Knowing their limited resource and loving their work has allowed a lot of forward thinking in Maine fisheries and I, for one, hope that can continue. Though as we look at some of the re-pollution plans of the Lepage administration I believe we will have further closures and more federal oversight on our Fishery to keep up with waste water runoff and toxins that will flow to all. 
    Now as a State we are about to witness the repositioning of the government working for the people to "The government working only with/for business." Heads of Hospitals will roll. Service agencies that help the people with government help, will close. Non-profits compete with real business, so buckle up and Find some private funding, for your tap will be frozen shut. Though if you can persuade the State that you are a Republican and fully represent the Republican party you may be able to keep your bureaucracy intact (though do not put it in an e-mail).  Friends, I have never enrolled in any party, finding always gross negligence from the mixed results often delivered up to us by our "elected" officials. I have never truly been represented by either party. The lack of forward planning for the People has always amazed me. They habitually steal from tomorrow for today. We as a people do it to Ourselves as well with the foolishness of Bonds. But just for the record, since I have been able to vote of Governor I have voted thus: Mckernan, King, Baldacci, Cutler.
                                                 Be well, good luck and Gods speed to the truth.
                                                                          Ms. Paula Page

Maine Moves to Civil Disobedience

     Our Government, here in Maine, and elsewhere, is the expected and accepted method for the expression of the People's will. Here in Maine, the people's will is being swiftly removed and utterly ignored. As a minority Party, and a minor Tyrant has decided to wage a war upon our very principles and Our State, it is up to the people of Maine to ensure equally swift and thoroughly expressed war for our State and the protection of the principles we hold dear as a State of like minded citizens.
  We cannot afford to wait till the damage is complete. The proof is already that this behavior will not end. I urge all people available to attend all open meetings in civil protest. Where Our new government meets, be there; share your undivided opinion of this reckless and unjustifiable course. Do not stand still and take this new order as the end all; We are the end all of Our State, Our Government. For we are the people, who are the business of Our Government.
           We should ask ourselves; what source of authority in Our State Constitution has King Paul Lepage found to declare war on our environment? What divine right has he endowed himself with that he can surrender Our State to his corporate minions? I can find none. We must move into our House chambers, our Senate chambers, indeed our Town Halls and Shopping Malls with A vocal defiance that cannot be ignored. The truth shall not go unheard. We have everything to lose. These "business" men having nothing, but control of our state to gain. This is a link to the sessions and workshops in the 125th Legislature. Here you can search by bill and sponsors up to 14 days in advance of what is going on where. This link shows the room numbers and whether it is a public hearing or workshop or closed.
      I would also direct you all to any public hearing that may appear in Our newspapers, or social networks. The red tape reform hearings are the ideal forum for us to make ourselves heard.  Be civil, but be heard. This is Our State and we should not move backward on our quality of place, our respect for one another and our belief in the importance of all the people in Maine.
Paying the bills of the State of Maine does not mean surrendering our rights.
Running state government does not entitle the Governor to do what he pleases.
Maine was polluted long ago by the same businesses with less people and poverty was still here. King Paul's ideas are ill conceived and morally deplorable. Stand up, Standout, Be heard.
               This is a call to action, please share it, modify it, add to it, spread the word
                                                                             Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page

The Lepage Business Model; Bill, Mary and Paul

   "If we just fix it they will come". Then we will allow Business to run our state, with their "equal voice" and added ability to out spend the citizens. "We can create a new Maine". One where people work and use government welfare. For Lepage's strategy has been to pay the majority of his employees as low as he can, thusly forcing them to use Mainecare, and Liheap (subsidized oil program), as well as regular welfare. You will see more jobs and an increase in the use of subsidy to make Maine work under King Paul's plan. Which is also the truth behind his "tiered Welfare plan"; "get 'em working for cheap and give 'em a subsidy'. "Pacify the asses".
     Meanwhile we have a new head of DHHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Mary Mayhew. Mrs. Mary has been billed as a Democrat, really, and a woman, amazing. She has already climbed the Lepage ranks from assisting with the interim budget, to being Paul's senior adviser on Health and Conservation, and now The head of the largest government service agency in the State of Maine. Here is the hook, Mary Mayhew is a lobbyist for Hospitals; she is/was the principle lobbyist for The Maine Hospital Association. She was also The vice president on government affairs for this company. She has stated that she believes Doctors and Hospitals should be able to litigate wrongful procedure. That is to say, If a doctor leaves a tool in you or cuts off the wrong appendage, and you think you should not have to pay for this unnecessary procedure, they should be able to prove that you should pay for their mistake. Looking at this makes me think 'pro-business', we can get our money one way or the other because medical insurance will not cover the lawyers. Wrongful procedure in a hospital is pretty cut and dry, indeed it is wrong or right. None-the-less, onward and upward with the best and brightest.
    Next, after fifteen years of good hard work bringing workers compensation for our state into a controllable, reasonable, functional place, Paul Dionne is stepping aside. He will be replaced with Mr. Paul Sighinolfi, An attorney who has made a practice of defending businesses from claims on workers compensation. Seems like another lobbyist to me. "Power to the Business," please try not to walk all over ME. Though if this man wishes to, he could be an asset to the people of Maine. Is this why he has been appointed? Probably not, but onward and upward with the best and brightest we can find.
   Our Chief financial officer has been in the hospital due to a chronic knee condition. Sawin Millet, is now being aided by Mr. Lowe, John Baldacci's financial guru. Sorry, Mr Millet about your condition, I hope you are well soon... but it is a chronic condition.     
  Anyone remember Mr. Bill Beardsley? Mr. Bill is to be our Head of the Department of Conservation. He ran against Pauly boy in the Republican primary. Yes, it is obvious he lost, but losers are regularly the best and brightest, in the pool of the limited and mindless. I hope the word Conservation means the same to Mr. Beardsley as it does to the rest of us. To conserve one must be careful, deliberate, and serving. Not conning the people you serve. Though in the new business model it probably means let the Cons out they are costing us too much money.
  Another quick side note, those of you who smoke and are on Mainecare may be denied benefits. To the rest of you on Mainecare surveys will be in the mail soon. We would like to know if you eat too much, take too much salt, go without sleep, take more than 2 aspirin a week, ect. For these are some of the other dis-qualifiers we will be looking at. Pre-existing conditions be damned, We are not paying for that!
  Now as for me, I read some where that a professor brewed a beer with 45 million year old yeast, I am going to find some of that. Talk to you soon, be well, keep thinking.
                                                                   Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page


 

Did Barack Obama just hand our keys to China?

  Stating that the U.S. considers China, a friend and vital economic partner, President Obama discounts the American people's stand against human rights abuses. China is a friend to Corporate America. The people who only want profit from cheap toxic goods and care not if the entire United States is owned out right by Communist China, that is as long as they still have consumers willing to by their cheap crap. The American People worked to clean up after the Industrial Revolution made it quite clear our health, physically and environmentally, could not be sustained with such practices. The American Corporations just moved out, to continue exploitation on which ever nation would allow it; China did. Now China and those Pseudo-corps pretending to still be American have all the money. You and I?- A busted government ready to borrow more money from China if need be. Well I think they have enough of Our money.  It is time to cut our programs, cut our government, pay our bills and cut off the AmerChi-corps. These companies are not friends of America, they still exploit our infrastructure, and still seek our protection. They seek tax breaks on money that never manifests in Our country. They whine and win at your expense for they have the lawyers, guns and money.
                                        I hope China will protect them now.
   The New World Order is upon us, like it or not. Holding our Government responsible is only a blame game; they should not have played the game. Believing that American Corporations were American and thus loyal and entitled to citizens' rights was ludicrous. In a world where Capitalism is King, whomever has the capital is the king. Corporate America took all of America's capital and gave it to the world, to sell you the cheap and tawdry. If the people who have the wealth of this Nation don't mind my saying so, I think you should probably move to China now, before the Communist Government gives away the good spots to someone less deserving.
   What ever Will of the people is left in Washington, should be mustered as a militia to work together and save this great Country from the abyss we are so ready to jump into. Stop your infighting, stop your waste, Wake up to the truth or you have failed - the good, the right, God and Country. Your failure is the failure of the Nation, indivisible.  "In renminbi we trust" ?
                                                                  Not me, but what is left to trust anyway?
                                                                            Ms. Paula Page

Fear and The Art of Dodging Issues

   Many of you have expressed your fear that we have a Governor with an IQ lower than that of G.w., It may be worse than you think. Ignorance has no intelligence. Politicians 'use' the Media with deliberate outcomes. The fall out from this last bulwark has taken Our State far off the point of State. We can if we choose to, get all caught up in the Lepage character flaws, or we can pay attention to the details of Our State. In turning our heads to look at the words, we might just miss the fact the entire landscape has been changed, and without our approval. We are being distracted from the issues our state faces while a silent takeover of our State continues. Please, hold your local press accountable for true reports on local politics. One of this Governor's first moves was to stop Us from getting information about Our State. I could care less about Paul Lepage's personality short comings, they are many, and he is base. I care that we need good leadership in Maine, as these are times that require truth and action, a Shipload of hope and a state of mindful vigilance. We do need to pay our bills as a state. We do, like the rest of the country, need more jobs that pay a livable, taxable wage in this State. At the same time we need Our Government intact and fully functioning. I would suggest that all our Appointments be made and all our departments get to work. 

   We do not need to surrender our constitution to the same people who say they will defend and uphold it. Gutting the Constitution of Maine does not and will not create one job for the people. It will not and does not represent the people of Maine. Long has the fight been waged to find ourselves with a representative body politic. You have no right, or reason, to remove any part of Our voice from the State Of Maine. According to our latest census figures Maine grew 4.2%.  That means there are more people in our state to represent. If you successfully change Our State Constitution and limit the representatives in Our Legislature and our state continues to grow the people lose. (HP33) (LD40) and (HP83) (LD97) should never see the house floor. Please research these two proposals, and call Your State Representatives, while you still can. Let them know you value your voice in the state as well as their voice on Our behalf. Another odd proposal in Our State is (HP49) (LD56); this would allow waterfront property owners to fish without a fishing license. I think this could really take away much needed revenue from the State. Not to mention that this group of people has the best access to the water, and the fact that the State stocks these same waters. Mr. Governor shall we cater to the special interests of these few people?


    While Maine has not been an economic powerhouse since the first wave of Fisheries and Forest exploitation, we have always been creative and contributory to our people, and our Nation. We should not want, nor should we seek to ever be the industrial complex of the Ohio River valley. We should not seek to be as large a port city as New york, or Massachusetts. We should seek to keep our identity as a friendly, clean, caring State. A place where you would love to vacation and raise your children. Our slow and measured growth is quite maintainable and acceptable to me. What is the rush to judgment that suddenly we are a jobless State? Compared to the rest of the country Maine has held up fairly well. Most of Our Government's cash flow problems stem from the ridiculous bonds that are passed no matter how many times I vote against them. Responsible legislation would be not to tempt the people with that they cannot afford. People cannot resist temptation, good leaders know this. No more bonds on the ballot until there is real money somewhere. I would be all for repealing many of these dumb wastes of Money. Hey Maine did we really want to finance Dentists? They are after all a private business, and they do well for themselves. The last time I looked everyone was being born with the ability to grow teeth. Where there is need there will be Dentists without Our State's money.
     This National Recovery has been and will be a slow process. Gross, knee-jerk reactions can only exacerbate the problems of Our State. The same forces that robbed America are the 'Business' forces being applied in Our State Government. I agree that our bills as a State must be Paid, and we are in a real mess. But I also believe that the Governor's job is only to figure out how to pay for the government The people of Maine want, not the Government he would like.
                        Have a great day, keep thinking, all the best, Ms. Paula Page

Politics before People, Profits before People or People before Politics?

Paul Lepage will keep the press busy, that is a sure bet, though spreading hate may slow down Maine's Tourist economy. Tourists can be considered a special interest group. All non-profits, organizations and groups of people are special interests, just so you know, Mr. Governor. Our collective Government is a special interest as well and we the People Of Maine are especially interested when someone comes along and starts throwing Our State into civil unrest with narrow, sleazy rhetoric. What could possibly compel you to not care about all of Maine? Maine's Traditions and people matter, more than you seem capable of comprehending. For a long week our entire nation has been in a discussion about civility in leadership and about crass political rancor. Did someone not give you the memo? Please, pull a Palin, end your Governorship now! Perhaps, you could go with Mrs. Palin on tour of Afghanistan, or get a job with Fox News. They appreciate the fairly unbalanced. "Politics before People" that is the true Lepage message.
As to Governor Paul Lepage's mouth full of nothing but hate, He shall throw Our State the necessary rope for the impeachment he already richly deserves. Stay hopeful, keep thinking and be well.
                                                        Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page 

A Business As Our State? Business in Our State? What is the Difference?

   First I would like to say, a business is a beautiful thing. A business works to sell. A business works independently, usually, accept when a business violates anti-trust laws. A business works to make a profit. A business often keeps trade secrets and unless forced by Government, it keeps its secrets.
Even non-profits, which are a business, turn profits. Non-profits take the profit and turn it into a service, donation or, as often is the case, payroll. A business is always a profit seeking concern. In business profit has precedence over personal considerations. A business as long as it is compliant with all current laws needs not share a damn bit of information. Of course if it wishes to stay in business long a business will share what relevant information it must about its product, service, ect. What a business will not say is "Our CEO is a drunk" or "We only hire attractive women." It is just not our need to know until someone files a lawsuit or something gets leaked to the press. That is enough on businesses.
   Let's move-on to a State Government, namely, Our State Government. For Governor Paul Lepage to even consider running Our state as a business is UnConstitutional. If the CEO of a company wants all the information vetted that is one thing, but in the State's case, You are the Owner, you are entitled to the truth as fast as it is thought of, not after it can be massaged in to a good looking spin (which is most often a flat out lie). To hog tie Our Representatives is business, not Government. First it was out with the Rules and now it is out with the information. What next - out with the people? Are we just in the way of business? This State of Maine has been set up to be "Of the people, By the people and For the people." But if we continue to accept this direction for Our Government, I must cede that it is a newly established Monarchy. Being born of and in this State of Maine, I will not yield to a king. Include the people in all the information, include the people in all the rules being thrown out and all the rules being made for them. So far all I have seen, is The king's new rules, or writs. "Make no rules" and "pass no information."
       Sorry folks but that is how it feels so far to me. I am still trying hard to hold out. I've been looking for my "benefit of doubt" for a day or two. I know I put it here somewhere. I'll be back to finish this post later. In the mean time, Have a great day, keep thinking, Maine needs you all more now than ever.
                                                                  Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page

Rules, Edicts, Bills, Is Maine on the move?

 A wonderful new executive order has been handed down. A Rule on Rules. You have to take a look at it: Six months without new rules, until the rules are reviewed. No rule shall make it to the public for review or comment, until it has been to the Governor's office and the said "rule has cleared the rule for publication." We may not see any rules for a long time and as far as public comment or review, I think it is safe to say there will be none. The Red Tape removal audit has already found around 200 rules that need to be removed according to Governor Paul Lepage. Lepage also stated that special interests had been making some of our rules. What? Who let them write the Laws? Did they sneak in at night? Is this going to end up being a Rulegate break in?  And if, as has been stated, our state workers have been making their own rules, they should be fired. But I cannot believe this is the case.  It's hard to say where all this is going, but it has been a long time since we looked at all the rules of every part of Our State Government. I just hope that when we finish with the shedding of rules, we still have the People's Laws in place to protect us. What I am getting at is the fine line between rules and laws in government, they are almost the same.
  Speaking of rules and laws, a new bill is being put before the Legislature.The sponsor of the bill is (R) Rep. Lance Evan Harvell, of Farmington. This bill is designed to reduce the size of the State House of Representatives. The bill (hp33) LD40 , an Amendment to the State Constitution, is a Republican sponsored bill designed to remove 20% of OUR representatives and put the politics and power further away from the people. This move might be sold to you as something that would save us money, so look out. It is a plain old power grab, and it is your power they want to take. The Idea is simple: remove Representatives, redistrict, add 1250 people or more to each new district, and you can see the republican eyes rolling back like an alligator at feeding time here, then you have expansively, consolidated your base to control more of the electorate. This is a waste of our money, and a lousy thing to even consider in these trying times. So, Please speak up for OUR state before this bill ever has a chance to pass. When politicians have all the power, we become powerless.
 (Rep. Lance Evan Harvell can be reached at home: 207-778-2981, at cell phone 207-491-8971.)
   Another recent bill being put before Our State is about the practice of Nepotism in the State of Maine. This bill would not make it illegal for the Governor to hire his Family and Friends, but it would force Our officals to prove the canidates are at least qualified for the positions they are appointed to. This bill has been put forward by (D) Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth. She can be reached by phone at : 207-767-7197 or e-mail at: rep.cynthia.dill@gmail.com 
From what I read on the Nepotism link above it appears that this problem may go further than the Governor's office. It may just be that staffers' parties and many other functions are being done Family style in Our State, that is employees hiring their wives, husbands, friends and family to do work that should be open for all of us to bid upon. We shall see, and soon I hope.
Friends, we are moving as a state, but where is the question. Hang in there, things will start to sort themselves out in a couple of long months. In the meantime, this is Maine, we have snow on the way, go outside and play in it a little. Enjoy. All the best to you. Keep thinking and Please call the people above, let them know you are thinking and not just giving them the free pass that got us here.  
                                             Praying for the Great State of Maine, Ms. Paula Page

Posts and staffers starting to show up for Lepage Administration

    Well people are finally being rounded up to be part of the New Maine. Governor Lepage has chosen  Norman Olsen for the Department of Marine Resources. Some of Norm's bio states he is a former commercial fisherman, a former federal fisheries regulator and, of all things, has experience with foreign diplomacy on counter terrorism to peace in the middle east. This is as good as it could possibly get, a man who not only can fish, regulate the fishing and plan to fight off the pirates at sea, but works for our state government, Incredible. Next we have Philip Congdon. He has accepted the post to The Department of Economic and Community Development. Phil is an engineer with many U.S. patents to his credit. He has worked for Texas Instruments (93-98) and was the V.P. of Optical Switch of Dallas from 2001-02. Phil, it is stated, also has a background in research and development in business. Perhaps, Mr. Philip Congdon can patent a new way to develop Maine's economy, with it's community in mind; because the guy at our next post is going to need that Patent quick. For our next Post we have Mr. Darryl Brown. Anyone remember this guy from the legislature? No. No one. Neither does he. He never mentions it anywhere on his resume. He was in the state legislature from 1979-1986. You should really take a look at his voting record, especially on the environment. Wow. Let's hear it for nuclear waste. Anyone care to interject? Democrats of the state? Greens? Oh, that's right they are a myth. Independents? None of you are going to speak up and say "Hey, wait a minute this guy did not seem to mind nuclear waste in Maine." Or, "This is the guy that's was mad because he was not allowed to blow up mountains to build houses on the steep slopes." Nobody. Huh? Must be short term memory pills in the water. One thing for sure about this appointment - The Department of Environmental Protection has been remade in one swift movement, it should now be called the Department of Economic Protection. This has to be a knife to the nuts (or equal female part) of environmentalists. Well, more work for them, part of the Master Plan. See, as environmentalists get mad, they get to work. Even if there is no money in it, at least it's work. Master Plan - create jobs, even if they do not pay. We will all get busy, or bitter. The other conflict with Darryl Brown is the fact that his business has been hired by Black Bear Entertainment to do the site development for the new casino in Oxford. It has been stated that Mr. Brown will recuse himself from his business while he serves, and has a lawyer working on the paperwork. Well, it is still his business, president of it or not. This just does not look good, or does it?
The Governor has also appointed two staffers. Mary Mayhew has been selected to be the senior adviser on health policy and conservation (does not sound like the two go together but that's what my notes say). And though we have no Head of Education, the senior policy adviser on Education will be Steve Bowen from the Maine Heritage Policy Center and he is also another former legislator. Our Best and Brightest list must be short and shallow with all this recycling of same-old-people going on. Anyone know someone qualified to work for the State of Maine that has not already done so? I don't believe Maine has a law to stop these people from the double dip pensions that happen everywhere else. But that is a blog of a whole different color. For Today rejoice my friends, our department heads are arriving. Soon Maine will be open for Business under the big beautiful Lepage Umbrella.
            God bless you. Please keep thinking. All your thoughts count, and only you can have yours.
                                                 Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page

Maine Isn't "Sanctuary State", Lepage stops Don't ask Don't Tell

    What a first Day in office. Ewaste of Auburn fined by EPA $27,500 for taking apart computers; those Dam regulations.  Fairchild Semiconductor laying off 120 workers to improve productivity, and lower costs; less with more, for profit? That dam profit. Looking at the "Constitution of Maine," I cannot find the word profit once, but I'll keep trying. I digress, let's get back to the day. Contaminated seafood plants in Portland and South Portland, closed due to contamination by the FDA; again dam those regulations. Then we have the people of Gardiner stopping the town from allowing a local candle company to create 100 jobs in their town. Dam those people. Candles don't smell that bad. Compare it to chicken crap someday. On a higher note against the protests of about 30 people, LURC approved Trans Canada's wind development plan to expand on Kibby mountain. Funny thing though LURC Commissioner Edward Laverty stated that the State laws forced him to approve the plan. Dam those reverse regulations, or in the states case, Laws. Another, supposedly positive note Charles Colgan of the University of Southern Maine's Muskie Institute of Public Service, forecasts a whopping 1% growth in maine jobs this year. That ought to relieve some of the pressure on the department of Human Services.
       Our New Governors first executive edict has been made. Here I must say he has stimulated the work of more than a few, namely DHHS, and all the nonprofits concerned with human rights and poverty, which are just to numerous to list here.  King Paul's first writ removed Lord Baldacci's "don't ask if they are illegals" order. Which Lord Baldacci put into place so the State would not be violating the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, and this argument has been upheld in the United States Supreme Court. So, by King Pauls first act we are as a State in violation of Our Constitution. Dam regulations. Perhaps business has found a way around the Constitution, or maybe it never applied to business in the first place, we shall see.
     The top officers in the State of Maine, were sworn in yesterday as well. In a quasi election, for you and I do not take part in it and really have no say, the Republican majority elected: Charles Summers from Illinois to be Secretary of State, Bruce Poliquin former Wall St. Investment Manager is Treasurer and Our new Attorney General is Bill Schneider. Bill, that is Attorney General Bill, has already promised to waste State money joining the fight to remove the Health Care bill that was passed last year. Even though this battle is being fought by other states, and is going to be resolved by the Supreme Court, on its Constitutional grounds, with or with out US. So much for savings. I need another positive note. Oh, Poland High School, thanks to a Federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act and The Maine Forest Service who received $11.4 million, started installing a wood to energy boiler to heat the school. The grant was $636,372 not chump change. This heating system was badly needed as the main furnace had already failed. The use of this new furnace should help local wood product companies directly, though Poland has not signed a contract yet with any supplier for their fuel needs.
    Well as you can see a very busy first day. Even though its just the end of the first week in January,  things are really getting warm here in Maine.
                                                  Have a great day, all the best, Ms. Paula Page

 

Congratulations Maine, Welcome Governor Paul Richard (not Dick) Lepage

   The Coronation is complete, the paper has been signed. Our Legislature has had a single simultaneous movement in Augusta today. Perhaps, the last one for four years, we will see. All the  players were there. Former governors: Brennan, Mckernan, King and Baldacci stood side saddle, looking speculative at best. None-the-less, I am sure they support the new Governor of Maine, Paul Richard (not Dick) Lepage.
    The new Governor stuck to many of the same talking points of his election. His being a businessman first and foremost.The bloated state of Augusta, how our taxpayers pay for it. His "Red Tape Removal" audit to simplify business in the state. Governor Paul Richard Lepage also said he is "for strong protections for Maine and its people and regulations for business" but they should not make doing business hard, or rather the regulations should cooperate with business. He mentioned we need to find savings for business in utilities costs, licensing and basic cost overheads. Of course no other Governor has tried this. Lepage wants to deliver a competitive advantage to business so it will come to Maine. Easier said than done. Many have tried, we have all but given the state to companies tax free, still no deal. In almost one breath Lepage said I'm bringing back Mckernan's Town Hall meetings. Then "I'm not going backwards."
    On the education front the new Governor stated, "Standards must be higher, administrations leaner."
Our available resources must be "spent in the classroom, on the student." To that I say, "Hurray." But wait and see, I will. Paul also stated that you will hear him keep pushing for his 5 year school program.  High school graduates would receive an associates degree upon completion of their 5 years. Where we would find the money? I guess, we'll see. The Governor seems all for monthly meetings and said, "we will sit down with teachers around the state once a month, oatmeal and solutions will be on the agenda." Again, we'll see. Gas prices are pretty high right now. Paying for extra travel will be tough.
      I did like the 'Labels will not get in the way' speak, sounded like it was right off my pages. Republican, Democrat, Green, Independent, it will not matter; Good Policy is public policy for everyone said Paul. Oh, and I really liked the Profit bit, "Profit is not a problem." It's what grows the private sector he said. I do not remember anyone saying profit was a problem. Though on one of my recent pages this very subject was presented to you in this same way: What I said is, "The problem is that jobs are a byproduct of profit." Jobs are only created to keep up with demand and create more profit. If more can be done by fewer, or for less money, there will be no jobs created. It has always been thus and thus it shall be.
     There really is so much more from the speech we could address, and I should go over my notes again. But for now let's just look at the fact that not once was paying for anything mentioned. We are in very, very desperate times. To change any of the status quo involves money and unless our State can come up with some private corporate funding we are fe fi fo fu*k~#. Or, Maybe, and if I was a State worker I would prepare for this one, voluntary pay cuts. Then of course will come the furlough days, the broken contracts, the closing of the state and the desperate plea for federal help. Oh, crap I'm not a prophet, forgot myself. Anyway, we better hold on, it will be very bumpy. For today say "Congratulations Governor Lepage, I wish you the best of luck." We are all in this together, and believe me we're pulling for you. 
                            Have A Great Day, and if not tomorrow is another chance,
                                                                    All the best, Ms. Paula Page

So Far, So funny, So What's Next?

     Tomorrow, my, friends is the Coronation of King Paul and I hope you all will be attending. As to the Party, it's not a Ball. If you have not received your invite by now you are probably out of luck. Apparently no dancing is planned and, if any occurs, we are to believe it to be spontaneous. Seems to me they really tried hard to push this as a dull affair. It was also mentioned that there would be a cash bar, meaning you and I will believe the money for drinks came out of invitees' pockets. The Coronation will be aired on Maine Public Television, for those who would like to watch. I suggest keeping an eye open for the "red grin," you will know it when you see it. The Party will be potluck with Linda Bean supplying all the lobster, though it was called a donation. Not sure if that means deductible or not. I really do believe that the first official State party should be an open public event, after all it is our State. And Mainers know how to really throw a potluck dinner. The Last Person too have the party open to the public was Lord Angus King. He has gone to chase the wind. Do you think Lord Angus got an invitation after his last minute endorsement of Eliot Cutler? Probably, for politics it is said; "Makes strange bed fellows".
    Where are we so far? Well we have Sawin Millet, Lord John (Joc) Mckernans' financial wizard, back in at the same post for King Paul. Not to worry though, Sawin is older and wiser now and we don't have a $45,000,000 surplus to burn away.  King Paul had said he would have his entire cabinet in place by Coronation day but, only four of the sixteen appointees are in place, his daughter is not included in that number. It seems all of the Out-of-Staters King Paul has been trying to hire are either to expensive or to busy. Well that sucks. Maybe some of the best and brightest from Maine could be of service to Our State? Then again only about 38% would qualify and they are probably busy too, lobbying our newly Republican State. What a quandary, everywhere unemployment, yet no one to fill high paying positions. What is up with that?
      Our 125th Legislature is up and running. Their first order of business was too remove the Labor committee, or rather combine it with Business. Because labor and Business get along famously. Though for about 100 years we did not notice how well they fit together. The new committee is: The Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee. We are going to lose money just typing out the name of that committee. Another quick note, Our State Senate has 35 members, 20 Republicans and 14 Democrats with 1 unenrolled. 22 of these folks are native Mainers, while 13 are from away. Not surprisingly 2 are from Mass., 2 are from New York, and 2 are from New Jersey. There are 7 others each from a different place or state: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Virginia, Vermont, North Dakota, and lastly Ireland. These folks probably ran away from their respective states for "the way life should be". Though now they are working to make "the way life is".
      I will report all of the Stats on the legislature later, as to where WE come from. For now, enjoy your day.  For tomorrow It's Surplus and Salvage, with an MBA. God Bless us.
                                     To you, and yours Good day, Ms. Paula Page

Black, White, Red or Blue, Political Division Is Untrue

    Politics has become today so much sport, that it looks always like we have but to wait for some great champion to emerge from the game. New buzz words appear daily to describe the Players: Reds, Blues, Lefts, Rights, Neocons, Libs, Centerists, and on and on. We are foolish to believe these colorful words are to keep us in the game. Quite the contrary all of this babble is to keep us out of the conversation, and thus out of control. These labels are for hype and division; to sell. No knowledge or growth is created, no road to travel is revealed. We perpetually question where we stand, never finding the time to truly question where the representative Politician stands.
     I am of the belief that as a people we do still care about Our country, Our children's future, and one another. Perhaps today these thoughts are seen as polly-anne-ish, so be it, the labels are killing us. Once we peer just beyond the labels we see people, one another and our concerns. Are your concerns being addressed? Are we getting anything out of this ridiculous battle of pozer ego people we call our leaders? So caught up in their game, they play the strategy of the next election always before the country's needs. How long do Politicians intend to play a game with our country? To Bring Our nation to the brink, for their petty ego driven personal agenda, is criminal. Our acceptance of this behavior is gross incompetence, and further states our confusion with the facts. No person is on a winning side as our country digs itself to the bottom with its own distain for the truth. Forgotten today are all our mottos of country; Together we stand, divided we fall comes first to mind. How far are we willing to fall? Will blaming one another for our political failures be enough to carry us through the future? I do not think so.
    Brave, caring, courageous, intelligent people do reside amongst us; We must call them back out. Not to play the continuing game of politics, but to lead, to speak the truth, to yell stop, and call our country back to order. We can no longer afford to wait this out. Our country is being pillaged and plundered from within and without and our media continues to sell it as a sport. Please for God, Country, Child or Love, what ever it is that moves you, speak up with your concerns, where they are not being met. Our leaders have proven they are not trustworthy or capable of uniform thought. Truly they only think of themselves, for themselves or their sponsors. The Sponsors are no longer US.  Their game is afoot, in the ass of all of US.                  
         We are all in this together, let's pull together. Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page