Tag Archives: Coronavirus

Maine needs a better way to welcome tourists this summer

So, I have a confession to make. I really liked Janet Mills’ inaugural address. That probably isn’t a huge surprise. Shortly after she gave the address, I applauded her in these pages. Her levelheaded, sensible approach was a welcome contrast to those offering soaring rhetoric divorced from concrete steps and, well, reality. The motif of […]

It’s time for Maine Legislature to get to work

“The powers of this government shall be divided into 3 distinct departments, the legislative, executive and judicial.” That is Article III, Section 1 of the Maine Constitution. Take a look at the order of the departments. As the pandemic has unfolded, we have seen plenty from the executive branch. Gov. Janet Mills has exercised her […]

Let the dentists and others return to work as we learn more about coronavirus

Last year at this time, a myriad array of left-wing groups had taken to the Maine State House. Their cause was encapsulated in a catchy slogan. “Dental care is health care.” Therefore, the ongoing “shutdowns” of dentistry during the coronavirus pandemic means the government is denying people health care. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.  Of course, that doesn’t […]

Don’t let coronavirus lessons go to waste

“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” That phrase was most famously said in recent history by Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s first chief of staff. In the wake of the so-called Great Recession, it became a clarion call built atop the Obama campaign’s “hope” and “change” slogan. So what did the […]

May Day brings a mayday for Maine’s Economy

It’s a mayday on May Day. Seven weeks ago, on March 15, Gov. Janet Mills declared a state of emergency related to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Her first steps were brilliant; there were no heavy-handed orders, just encouragement and suggestions. Mainers heeded the call and, working together, took necessary steps. The Legislature quickly […]

Use caution with COVID-19 statistics

There are lies, there are damned lies, and then there are statistics. That famous axiom takes on particular meaning when faced with a worldwide pandemic and economic disruption. Statistics are an incredibly powerful tool. But, borrowing Spiderman’s equally-famous maxim: with great power comes great responsibility. Headlines — and politicians — shout numerous stats. The mortality […]

Coronavirus turns economic theory into action

There is a scene in the movie “Independence Day” when President Whitmore and senior leaders take refuge in Area 51. They meet the wild-eyed Dr. Brackish Okun, who had spent years studying the alien’s technology. Okun was enthused; the arrival of extraterrestrials turned the crashed spaceship “on.” Caught up in the excitement of the science, […]

Nevertheless, Collins, other Maine leaders, persist during coronavirus pandemic

Susan Collins had her Elizabeth Warren moment this week. You may remember back in 2017 during the early days of the Trump administration. Partisan rancor continued unabated and seemingly every nomination the new president made was hotly-contested by Democratic minorities in the United States Senate. One nomination was then-Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general. […]