So here we are again ready to concede our right to that of big business bullies that believe they in their own right are just. Would the truth need to be hidden from the people if the acts were just? Would the People feel that their idea of life in Maine was hanging in the balance if the people's work was being done? How in one month's time can a man cause such distain and disgust in a people. To state that "the Governor's transitional team was not involved in government business," is a flat out lie. To deny the public access to the documents that are now at work on public policy is criminal. Worse yet, to Govern a State to only further a party and one's personal agenda is tyrannical.
People are measured by their words and actions; these two show a hidden truth. People who choose to spread fear, should be feared. The very idea of telling a population "the problem is worse than he thought" is to spread this fear, that the people will concede their State to his will, deeming it just. When a fireworks bill is presented as an emergency piece of Legislation, look out- the real emergency is to run you over before you wake up! King Paul's new reform of the Pension fund is more of the same theft practiced by 'Joc' Mckernan. This is by design to steal money from it rather than make it solvent. Adding the supposed $63 million to education from this theft is a bone to the dogs, for them to fight over. All the while large black marks will be left upon the backs of the people of our State. All money saved by reforming the State Retirement System must by law and right be put back into that system for solvency. This money is not general fund money. All of this money will have been paid for and by State workers, yet will not be paid into the fund; It will be kept in the general fund. $524 million! Then you, oh blessed Mainer, get a whooping .6%, that is one sixth of a percent tax cut. I say keep it. This is another rancid bone thrown at you, in hopes that it hits you squarely in the head, thus rendering your thoughts useless.
As I sit here and write this our economy seems to be on the rise. What was the blackest night seems to be settling out into a deep gray. Through all of our present National problems Maine fared better than the rest of the country. How can that be if we are in such dire-straights? King Paul's "Shared Sacrifice Plan" has only the state worker, the retiree and the poor sharing the Burden, while the top will benefit greatly from even the smallest tax cuts. It appears that the idea of "trickle down" economics is still in the minds of some, but this does not work. To give the wealthy money is to patronize them. They feel and act as if better than you. They do not use free money to invest in jobs. No. It is not until they are being squeezed for money, that they try to create new cash flow; New jobs!
Where is the motivation to go get, be, or create new jobs when you get your money from the government as an earned interest in keeping the people poor? The Governor said if you want to "get ahead, get a job," thusly implying you do not work. Ask him how long someone would have to work at Mardens to get ahead. How many hours would there be before the realization that the head was an ass for even thinking such a line could help. There is no doubt that we must work. That we work in earnest and toward a better richer life, with time for the enrichment of our lives, is the base need. This part your employers (all) deprive you of. And deliberately so, for if given the opportunity, you know their business better than they and out the door you would go, to compete against them. Where is the livable wage? Watch and wait for your trickle down. As you work harder, better, faster there is no more. Only you can provide for you. It is the very nature of Business to suppress cost and we are it! The cost of not having a livable wage has always been passed onto our Government and we can see the effects of it now in dramatic fashion. Yet, who gets the bailout? The War Machine, The Banker, The Sicocorp, The Insurer, the very thieves that would not pay in the first. For fear that you might better yourselves.
Please do not believe for one second that your Power, your Rights trickle down from above. You are the Government of Maine. Where there are lies demand truth! Where there is injustice, demand justice! Where there is work do work! It is always the pleasure of Business to reform a people rather than the business. It is as if the regulations are there to stop the business, not safeguard and encourage the people. As this big business, trickle down agenda takes affect watch Our State, for the deficit will grow, even in the good economy to come! Ronald Regan proved it!
Maine has been moved to pre-plan its attempts to save our State. The Maine Peoples Veto Alliance (now formally named The Maine Voters Alliance) has had its first official meeting and judging from the attendance people are angry, frightened, confused and down right pissed. Not a good place to be for a State.
I would like all of you to understand that as bills are passed into Law this session they do not go into effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends. That means pay attention, if you do not like a law when the Session ends, we have 10 days to submit the paper work to petition the law and 90 days to get enough signatures. In this case 60,000 to force the law unto the ballot where it will be voted on by the people of Maine. It is a pass or fail but in a last resort case it is the best option. I would urge all of you to contact your Representatives before any bill you do not agree with ever passes in the first place. That they will listen I can not say, but let your voice be heard.
I do not believe in big expensive government, nor an ever expansive government. But I do believe in a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Regardless of the special interests, the people are the only interest. Maine is yours, stand up for it or live with whatever trickles down.
The choice is yours, it always has been. Be well, Do good work, God bless you and yours.
Sincerely, Ms. Paula Page
Showing posts with label Paul Lepage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Lepage. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
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:
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
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:
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...
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
Saturday, January 29, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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
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
Monday, January 17, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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
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
Monday, January 10, 2011
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
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
Friday, January 7, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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
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
Monday, December 20, 2010
The complex rules could keep Paul in check.
It is said "we don't make the rules we just have to play by them." Well King Paul thinks the rules are too complex, so much so that he wants to have legislators bring him the rules whenever they write a bill.
I am wondering if this is so he personally can rewrite the rules. Well, that is not the governor's job. The Governor either signs a piece of legislation or does not sign it. If King Paul wants to write the bills that come before the governor, perhaps he should have run for a state seat, representative Lepage sounds better anyway. In the Portland Press Herald article Lepage: Rules too complex, by Susan Cover today, Lepage is quoted as saying "If you want me to sign a bill, show me the rules and regulations, everything, and I will sign it."
Well I say to my fellow legislators keep these rules hard and tight and by all means complex, for the last thing we need is King Paul passing any laws without rules. Paul, every law is a rule. We don't call them rules though because they are more complex, and often times law requires a little more study than a simple rule. Regulation has only gotten more complex because business always find a way around a law. It has never been the people finding away around the law. We submit, we pay our taxes or lose our house. On the other hand, business goes more like "we put arsenic in the ground water? No we didn't." Then comes the good one "prove it," which is the start of the business just sucking away state resources as we spend to defend ourselves from poison. Last, comes the business generated report, "that the arsenic while at very high levels, and not previously noted, is natural and was always there." Lovely. That my friends is a sample of typical business. Without regulation, rules if King Paul likes the term better, not only will we be the lowest paid workers in the Northeast (which we are), we will be the most polluted and corrupt State. I'm all for Liberty and truly want more of it, but I'm not ready to let King Paul give his business cronies a free pass, to ride Maine into the ground, for their 'liberty without the rules'.
Well, I have to go, be back soon to finish this up and make it coherent, Please, have a good day, thanks, Ms. Paula Page
I am wondering if this is so he personally can rewrite the rules. Well, that is not the governor's job. The Governor either signs a piece of legislation or does not sign it. If King Paul wants to write the bills that come before the governor, perhaps he should have run for a state seat, representative Lepage sounds better anyway. In the Portland Press Herald article Lepage: Rules too complex, by Susan Cover today, Lepage is quoted as saying "If you want me to sign a bill, show me the rules and regulations, everything, and I will sign it."
Well I say to my fellow legislators keep these rules hard and tight and by all means complex, for the last thing we need is King Paul passing any laws without rules. Paul, every law is a rule. We don't call them rules though because they are more complex, and often times law requires a little more study than a simple rule. Regulation has only gotten more complex because business always find a way around a law. It has never been the people finding away around the law. We submit, we pay our taxes or lose our house. On the other hand, business goes more like "we put arsenic in the ground water? No we didn't." Then comes the good one "prove it," which is the start of the business just sucking away state resources as we spend to defend ourselves from poison. Last, comes the business generated report, "that the arsenic while at very high levels, and not previously noted, is natural and was always there." Lovely. That my friends is a sample of typical business. Without regulation, rules if King Paul likes the term better, not only will we be the lowest paid workers in the Northeast (which we are), we will be the most polluted and corrupt State. I'm all for Liberty and truly want more of it, but I'm not ready to let King Paul give his business cronies a free pass, to ride Maine into the ground, for their 'liberty without the rules'.
Well, I have to go, be back soon to finish this up and make it coherent, Please, have a good day, thanks, Ms. Paula Page
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tough Questions For Paul Lepage At Lyman Moore
While reading the article, Lepage Fields Tough Questions At School, in the Morning Sentinel, by Kelley Bouchard, http://kbouchard.mainetoday.com, Ms. Paula was startled by the statement that The state of Utah only spends $5,706 per pupil in their education system, while Maine spends $11,644 per student.
How could the discrepancy be so great? Are we really wasting that many resources? Well, Ms. Paula had to find out. Here is the truth according to the Utah state government, and the Maine state government. Utah in its most recent release of figures 2007-08 spent $8,224.00 per student. Up 111% since 1970. Maine in its latest release of figures 2008-09 spent $9,625 per student an increase of 2.5% over the last report. That brings the State of Maine within $1401 of Utah in its per student spending. Utah's total spending for education for the year reported was $4.42 Billion, while Maine's Total spending for education was $1.4 Billion.
Comparing these two states is ridiculous. Maine Ranks among the lowest in the nation with its per student spending. Maine is also the lowest spender in the northeast. I suggest that whom ever is giving King Paul his relevant data, supply him with relevant data sets. We are moving forward in a new administration that will need to find cuts everywhere, so please lets be sure to get the facts straight.
These facts came from: www.maine.gov/education/data/ppcosts/2009/geninfo
and: www.utaheducationfacts.com
Here is an update to this entry Sunday, Dec. 19th by: Ms. Paula Page, for some reason the link above now sends you to a Maine government page and the relevant page has been moved to the 2006-2007 document. Why? This link was in the right place and worked after the posting of this article. Now the State of Maine has hidden the 2008-2009 info in the wrong year. Well, here is the new link for this page: www.maine.gov/education/data/ppcosts/2009/geninfo.htm . Thank you, Mike for letting us know about this sudden change in state file placement.
To Ms. Paula education is all Maine has left to give it's children, even if they up and leave the state after we educate them. They become our ambassadors, for they are us.
Well, for today, I say "Be, think, Do" all of Maine depends upon you.
Bye for now, Ms. Paula
How could the discrepancy be so great? Are we really wasting that many resources? Well, Ms. Paula had to find out. Here is the truth according to the Utah state government, and the Maine state government. Utah in its most recent release of figures 2007-08 spent $8,224.00 per student. Up 111% since 1970. Maine in its latest release of figures 2008-09 spent $9,625 per student an increase of 2.5% over the last report. That brings the State of Maine within $1401 of Utah in its per student spending. Utah's total spending for education for the year reported was $4.42 Billion, while Maine's Total spending for education was $1.4 Billion.
Comparing these two states is ridiculous. Maine Ranks among the lowest in the nation with its per student spending. Maine is also the lowest spender in the northeast. I suggest that whom ever is giving King Paul his relevant data, supply him with relevant data sets. We are moving forward in a new administration that will need to find cuts everywhere, so please lets be sure to get the facts straight.
These facts came from: www.maine.gov/education/data/ppcosts/2009/geninfo
and: www.utaheducationfacts.com
Here is an update to this entry Sunday, Dec. 19th by: Ms. Paula Page, for some reason the link above now sends you to a Maine government page and the relevant page has been moved to the 2006-2007 document. Why? This link was in the right place and worked after the posting of this article. Now the State of Maine has hidden the 2008-2009 info in the wrong year. Well, here is the new link for this page: www.maine.gov/education/data/ppcosts/2009/geninfo.htm . Thank you, Mike for letting us know about this sudden change in state file placement.
To Ms. Paula education is all Maine has left to give it's children, even if they up and leave the state after we educate them. They become our ambassadors, for they are us.
Well, for today, I say "Be, think, Do" all of Maine depends upon you.
Bye for now, Ms. Paula
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Labor and Business in the same room?
Now that the "people before politics" campaign is over, the republican majority is set to move. First on the agenda seems to be the removal of the Standing Committee on Labor. Or as the republicans put it 'Labor will be combined with the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee.' It depends on who you listen to. According to Republican Senate Majority Leader, Jonathan Courtney, "it's too soon to say what it will look like, but we are going to be inclusive of both sides of the aisle."
The Labor committee has always been the voice of the working people of Maine. Labor deals with issues like unemployment and workers compensation, along with many other issues. Paula is pretty sure they deal with Unions as well. Phil Harriman on WGAN Eye on Politics, with Ken & Mike said," Labor was always a consternation." Labor has always fought business, it always will, they are separate interests. One wants to make money for its work, and more money if you please. The other wants to make money off the work, off the product or service, off the taxes, at all cost, for no cost if you please. You can decide which is which. Labor is a cost of business. Hence, unit of labor. Product is a cost of business. Profit is economic development and research paying business back. The cost of business will always take a back seat to the profit of business.
On a related note, there are savings by reducing committees while not great, they exist, it will only cost a clerk job here a secretary job there. Which according to calculations on another page here somewhere comes out to about $80,000 for each position. So, while we can not get rid of the legislature, yet, we can save money in the state by cutting jobs. We've already seen this is good for business, that is if the State of Maine needs to show a profit. Well perhaps it is too early to see how this will pan out. But for me all this waiting for a shave and a haircut by King Paul is making me itch.
We will talk again soon, all the best, Paula Page
The Labor committee has always been the voice of the working people of Maine. Labor deals with issues like unemployment and workers compensation, along with many other issues. Paula is pretty sure they deal with Unions as well. Phil Harriman on WGAN Eye on Politics, with Ken & Mike said," Labor was always a consternation." Labor has always fought business, it always will, they are separate interests. One wants to make money for its work, and more money if you please. The other wants to make money off the work, off the product or service, off the taxes, at all cost, for no cost if you please. You can decide which is which. Labor is a cost of business. Hence, unit of labor. Product is a cost of business. Profit is economic development and research paying business back. The cost of business will always take a back seat to the profit of business.
On a related note, there are savings by reducing committees while not great, they exist, it will only cost a clerk job here a secretary job there. Which according to calculations on another page here somewhere comes out to about $80,000 for each position. So, while we can not get rid of the legislature, yet, we can save money in the state by cutting jobs. We've already seen this is good for business, that is if the State of Maine needs to show a profit. Well perhaps it is too early to see how this will pan out. But for me all this waiting for a shave and a haircut by King Paul is making me itch.
We will talk again soon, all the best, Paula Page
Monday, December 6, 2010
How sweet the sound of salary cuts. The Truth?
The State of Maine announced that pay cuts to staffers have been made. While there is a truth to this, it appears that only the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House have taken a pay cut. Great news, right? Please consider this: their respective salaries had been approximately $115,000 each, per year.This cut will apparently will save us $70,000 a year. Yet, this secretary and this clerk will each make $80,000 a year. This is the new approximate salary for these positions. How many secretaries and how many clerks make $80,000 per year? Not Very many I'm sure. Here are a few statistics:
* a Secretary to a chief executive- 25th% avg. pay is $57,357 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $86,629.
* a Legal Secretary 3- 25th% avg. pay is $43,255 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $61,957
* a Clerk at paralegal level- 25% avg. pay is $41,261 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $59,786
(* according to my salary.com)
These stats lead me to think that the pay rate for the state workers is very high compared to the rest of the nation. That though a pay cut may have taken place, it is not nearly enough.
Also, all of the Administration, top to bottom should be subjects of a massive pay cut immediately. This is the most sensible place to start. Then as the State of Maine begins to work down the list of cuts, we will have any savings from payroll cuts to reallocate if necessary.
I also believe that John Baldacci's state hiring freeze should remain in effect. The truth really seems to be that the state has always been able to create jobs for the state with our money. But, more people working in state offices does not pay the bills. State jobs drain off money for education and infrastructure. This resession has shown that all companies can do more with less, corporate profits are way up, employees way down. Pay rates, down even further.
Well that is all for now, Ms. Paula has a headache, bye
* a Secretary to a chief executive- 25th% avg. pay is $57,357 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $86,629.
* a Legal Secretary 3- 25th% avg. pay is $43,255 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $61,957
* a Clerk at paralegal level- 25% avg. pay is $41,261 nation wide, the high pay or 90th% is $59,786
(* according to my salary.com)
These stats lead me to think that the pay rate for the state workers is very high compared to the rest of the nation. That though a pay cut may have taken place, it is not nearly enough.
Also, all of the Administration, top to bottom should be subjects of a massive pay cut immediately. This is the most sensible place to start. Then as the State of Maine begins to work down the list of cuts, we will have any savings from payroll cuts to reallocate if necessary.
I also believe that John Baldacci's state hiring freeze should remain in effect. The truth really seems to be that the state has always been able to create jobs for the state with our money. But, more people working in state offices does not pay the bills. State jobs drain off money for education and infrastructure. This resession has shown that all companies can do more with less, corporate profits are way up, employees way down. Pay rates, down even further.
Well that is all for now, Ms. Paula has a headache, bye
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Lepage helps with breakfast out of the trunk
In a bid to prove cost cutting can happen in Augusta, Paul Lepage helped to free the legislative pastries from the trunk of a meeting organizer's car. He could have hired an intern, or better a caterer, but took this weighty mission upon himself. Ms. Paula's hope is that someone is paying for the pastries out of their own pocket, for the rest of us in the state are paying $3.49 out of our pockets for a loaf of bread. Subsidizing the meals of politicos at the state house in these tight times is unacceptable.
As the State of Maine heads into an era of eliminating programs, cutting off funding, and consolidating, we the people of Maine should not have to fund any food programs for politicians. Cutting should start right at the source. All meals and lodging, all trips, any and all expense account reimbursements should cease. The regular people of Maine pay for gasoline to drive day in and day out. We pay for all our meals out of pocket. And as far as the expense of flying to meetings, junkets, training, or Washington, most of this is excess that can, and should be, taken care of on the nearest computer.
On another note, upon Lepage's suggestion, the house has installed Bruce Poliquin as Treasurer. Let's see if he can keep Robert Nutting's hands out of the treasure. Nutting is the 'republicon' Speaker of the House, freshly back from a four year stint at the Waterville Walmart pharmacy. Nutting filed chapter 7 bankruptcy for his pharmaceutical company, to avoid repaying the State of Maine 1.6 million dollars. Speaking of Waterville notice a trend here? Lepage, Waterville, Poliquin, Waterville, Robert Nutting, yes, yes, Waterville. But How does Charlie Summers fit in? He moved here in 1983 from Kewanee, Illinois. Charlie gets to have his name on your license for he has been appointed, I mean anointed to the position of Secretary of State. Well it turns out that Charlie was an aid to Olympia Snow, and Olympia's first husband paid for King Paul to attend Husson College. Ahhh... the sweet beauty of the blossoming 'Republicon' reign in Maine.
Well good day, for now. Ms. Paula Page
As the State of Maine heads into an era of eliminating programs, cutting off funding, and consolidating, we the people of Maine should not have to fund any food programs for politicians. Cutting should start right at the source. All meals and lodging, all trips, any and all expense account reimbursements should cease. The regular people of Maine pay for gasoline to drive day in and day out. We pay for all our meals out of pocket. And as far as the expense of flying to meetings, junkets, training, or Washington, most of this is excess that can, and should be, taken care of on the nearest computer.
On another note, upon Lepage's suggestion, the house has installed Bruce Poliquin as Treasurer. Let's see if he can keep Robert Nutting's hands out of the treasure. Nutting is the 'republicon' Speaker of the House, freshly back from a four year stint at the Waterville Walmart pharmacy. Nutting filed chapter 7 bankruptcy for his pharmaceutical company, to avoid repaying the State of Maine 1.6 million dollars. Speaking of Waterville notice a trend here? Lepage, Waterville, Poliquin, Waterville, Robert Nutting, yes, yes, Waterville. But How does Charlie Summers fit in? He moved here in 1983 from Kewanee, Illinois. Charlie gets to have his name on your license for he has been appointed, I mean anointed to the position of Secretary of State. Well it turns out that Charlie was an aid to Olympia Snow, and Olympia's first husband paid for King Paul to attend Husson College. Ahhh... the sweet beauty of the blossoming 'Republicon' reign in Maine.
Well good day, for now. Ms. Paula Page
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