First of all I loaded all the websites at the same time for the Democratic candidates 5 times to determine which websites were most advanced or dial up friendly. The rank from fastest to slowest loading website is as follows:
*Note: I will never endorse or encourage a felon, particularly one who has committed felonies in relation to political campaign funding. That is why Peter Truman is not going to be examined in this.
1. Donna Dion
2. Libby Mitchell
3. John Richardson
4. Rosa Scarcelli
5. Steve Rowe
6. Dawn Hill
--The Websites--
-Donna Dion-
Donna Dion's website has an opening page requesting we give her money so that she can qualify for more money from the government (I.E. those of us who don't want to give our money willingly). Her ideas are not outstanding. To quote a summary of her ideas:
We can build from the blueprint to form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens forward to a better tomorrow.
Excerpt over. To clarify for those who can't pick it out:
We can form a strong State structure that will carry all citizens to tomorrow.
Clarification over. If you still don't see something wrong with that, move to Europe and live it for a few years.
She starts listing her ideas on the "blueprint for success" page and seems to get bored towards the last few making short three word issues. There are no actual proposals. As I read her website I see a running theme of the government controlling the workforce via schools and taxing of businesses.
-Libby Mitchell-
Libby Mitchell's website has no page for her ideas, never mind her proposals. It has a news and bio page, and a volunteer page. Her campaign is also taking government (I.E. our money) funds.
-John Richardson-
I often read, but find little value in the bio pages of candidates. John's page is long, and the part I find most interesting is the entire page is written in the third person.
His economic, environment, and alternative energy section focuses on preserving the "natural assets" of Maine. He gives no proposals on how to do so.
His ideas for small businesses is as follows: "I will reduce taxes on small business, contain healthcare costs, lower energy costs through new renewable energy sources, increase access to high-speed telecommunications and encourage innovation."
Now, lowering taxes is a good idea. Not a proposal. I inquire as to which tax should be lowered to candidates all the time and they say they will look at each when they get in office, or sometimes they stutter and admit defeat. However, it is an idea and a promise not often kept. The other parts of his ideas still have no proposals.
While saying he has a plan on health care, he actually doesn't give it.
The smarter government he proposes with no definition of smarter involves him examining how government works once he is in office. I say you should already know how government works before you get in office.
His ideas for school involve investing in teachers (with what? more money? more students?) and identifying the students with extra needs early on (with more teachers?). He never has any proposals on how to achieve any of this, and those questions I pose can be answered if he simply contacts me.
His transportation ideas revolve around investing in transportation. Investing here, and there, and everywhere is what his campaign seems to emphasize. Since he clearly hasn't seen the latest budget reports I feel he is not a good candidate for governor.
I was glad to see that John makes a point to let the readers know his ideas page will have more detailed positions soon. I shall keep you up to date when that occurs.
-Steve Rowe-
His page is appealing and direct to purpose. His website covers the most issues topically of all the Democratic candidates. However, this seems to be for nothing as while he is aware of the issues he has few proposals for them.
In agriculture a lengthy report is distinguished by nothing of substance. Perhaps the mentioning of agriculture as an industry to keep our youth in Maine after having them go to college is either a mistake or some form of unspoken enlightenment on his part. Unless the farms start paying six figures, a college graduate will not seek such a job.
In the choice section he supports abortion, yet considering it is a national standard set by the Supreme Court that is a non-issue for a governor.
His jobs and economy proposals are still non-existent. With repetitious talk of current industry as important assets while also saying we will move to the future seems flawed to me. One often thinks of the future as something different, rather than the same. Also mentioning cluster industry seems like a bad policy for such a rural state.
In education there is nothing new but politics.
Nor in Energy and Environment, Marine (fishing industries), Health Care, or Veterans pages.
He makes a point to encourage voters to vote No on 1, despite that election having come and passed.
He supports an increase in sales tax and lowering of income tax believing that most things purchased in Maine are bought by people from out of state. I'm sorry but the groceries are bought by Mainers.
Steve Rowe is a politician pure and simple. He does the lip service to appeal to whoever he wants to have vote for him, but is unoriginal and out of touch.
-Dawn Hill-
For some reason her website took forever to open on my computer in each of the tests, and it lacked anything of substance. There is no ideas page and it is the same as it was months ago with a promise to update soon.
-Rosa Scarcelli-
Note: I will report on her job ideas and proposals due to the amount of reading necessary to report on her page. It was very in depth. She has impressed me with the amount of thought and research placed into the reports she places forward. She is obviously not your standard politician. I will be giving my analysis sometime this week, but I instantly know her format is how politics should be: organized, transparent, full circle, and logical.
While she has only one report (Jobs) complete, the rest are previewed with standard political introductions. However, the opening sentences propose an outline of actual solutions:
-weatherize buildings
-cut the bureaucratic elements of education to make sure the money reaches the students (school consolidation without school closure it initially appears)
She stands out for several reasons:
-"Our goal isn't smaller government or bigger government, but dramatically better government."
Call me old fashioned, but I believe government should care for people and make their lives better.
-"I'm not one of those who thinks government is the sole problem or that everything government does is evil. But neither do I think that government has all the answers, or that it always does everything right."
That alone makes her one of the best candidates on the Democratic side of the election. She knows the limits of government and is not moving forward with a sense that government is always the solution or that business is always the solution. She is moving forward with common sense. While her personal belief favors the use of government she is willing to admit it has drawbacks. This is something I haven't seen from a Democratic candidate in Maine for a long time.
I encourage you to read further about the candidates and make your own decisions:
-Democratic Candidates-
Donna Dion
http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/
Dawn Hill
http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/
Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell
http://www.libbymitchellforgovernor.com/
John Richardson
http://www.johnrichardsonformaine.com/
Steven Rowe
http://www.roweforgovernor.com/
Rosa Scarcelli
http://www.rosaformaine.com/home
Peter Truman
I do not support felons involvement in politics.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192∾=PHnws
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4 comments:
I'm not quite sure why you are so opposed to the Clean Elections system in our State. It was passed by popular vote last decade and has worked well to help keep lobbyists and special interests groups at a safe distance by preventing their monetary influence into campaigns.
I believe more people should take part in our Clean Elections system, especially those seeking to be cheif executive of our State.
Disclaimer: I am supporting Libby Mitchel for a variety of reasons. But one of the many reasons is that impressed with her decision to run clean.
Sean,
I find it interesting that you address the Clean Election funds issue but do not address then substance of Randy's comments about her website, namely that:
"Libby Mitchell's website has no page for her ideas, never mind her proposals."
From my point of view, the lack of clearly stated plan/proposals is a much bigger strike against Mitchell than how her campaign is financed.
Amelia,
I would take your comments more seriously if I didn't know you well personally, and also know that you are on Bruce Poliquin's pay roll.
As for Libby's substance on her Webpage ... tt's Decemeber, only insiders and activists are engaged in this race right now and Libby has the longest political resume in the race. So if you're wondering where her positions and values are, they are readily available from her years of service and hundreds of votes in the Maine Senate, Maine House, and Vassalboro Town Council.
I know Libby will release plenty of position papers, plans, agendas, and what not through out this campaign. A website is a great tool for this. But I believe her efforts at this point are probably focused, as President of the Senate, on dealing with our State's $400 million dollar shortfall that is a result of a global economic recession caused by mismanagment and poor regulation of Wall Street and Corporations.
Good debate but Sean please read this post: http://rhkinc.blogspot.com/2009/11/barrier-manipulation.html
One's employment does not make someone's statements any less true. Find the facts and stick to them more than any politician or plan of attack.
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