Tag Archives: Republicans

Infrastructure funding will determine whether Maine is not Washington

Well, at the very least, things are consistent. Just over a year ago, I wrote that Democrats — in Augusta and Washington — are a study in contrasts. It’s still true today. In the past 10 days, we saw two traditional ceremonies take place. In our nation’s capital, a procession of House Democrats marched to […]

A new bipartisanship in Augusta? Not really.

Now that Democrats are in charge in Augusta, everything is hunky-dory. Right? After all, that is the gist of a recent headline appearing in the Bangor Daily News. The gist of that reporting, by Maine Public, suggests former Gov. Paul LePage was a grump, and Gov. Janet Mills’ administration offers a sunny new approach to […]

We should be united as celebrate America’s history

Psst. I’ve got a secret. There are a bunch of wealthy white men having a closed-door meeting. Rumor is they are conspiring to overthrow the government. Sounds spooky, right? Well, your perspective probably changes depending on what details are added. What if I told you that the group was the Cabinet members of President Donald […]

Collins shows her money. Will her opponents?

Show! Me! The! Money! While the line is popularly associated with the Tom Cruise film “Jerry Maguire,” it probably can also apply to Federal Election Commission filings. At the end of March, candidates raising money for the 2020 election are required to file disclosures showing people the money they raised. Sen. Susan Collins had a […]

In sickness and in health in Augusta

Sometimes, politics is a sickness. Wait, strike that. Reverse it. Sickness is making politics, at least this week. Paid sick leave continues to make headlines. This Maine Legislature’s “LD 1” — the trophy proposal of Democratic majorities — deals with preexisting medical conditions and other parts of “Obamacare.” And, lest it be forgotten, the debate […]

Listen to Joe Biden: Barr will make a fine attorney general

Here we go again. Although I was lambasted for the suggestion, I’ll offer Washington Democrats the same advice I gave Augusta Republicans. The Constitution gives the elected chief executive the right to appoint the men and women they want to offices of state. If your legislative party is in the majority, the natural tension built […]

Democrats won, but voters still hate taxes

For all the (not incorrect) talk about “blue waves” and “Republican rebukes” in the election results, there is one undertow which has been under-reported: Voters still hate taxes. In Maine, one of the biggest winners on Nov. 6 was not Angus King. Or Chellie Pingree. Or Janet Mills. It was the “No on 1” campaign, […]

Shooting the messenger

“Ready, aim, fire!” “We’ve done it, sir. The messenger has been shot.” That seems to sum up the current state of political discourse. This past week, a libertarian-leaning think tank released a report about Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare For All” proposal. The bottom line of the study? “Medicare For All” would cost the federal government […]

Skip the extensions and pay your sales taxes

Tax day hath cometh and goeth. I hope you sent your paperwork to the IRS, or got an extension. Meanwhile, the state Legislature is no longer meeting. Maine law requires them to adjourn their “short session” by April 18, or get an extension, which they failed to do. Like the proverbial college student, they waited […]