This Democratic candidate has made accessing her website easier than the other candidates not on the Republican ticket (Alex Hammer, I mean you!). Here is the link to her issues page: http://www.rosaformaine.com/splash/Issues
Now, some say the colors are bold, and indeed they are. However, who cares? On to the actual issues. Lets take an excerpt:
State government can’t create jobs, but we can create a climate for businesses to grow and expand – and support the businesses that are the backbone of Maine. We do that by continuing recent efforts to make our tax rates more attractive, and by making state government more cost effective and efficient in order to have the needed resources to make strategic investments in education, workforce development, health care, transportation and alternative energy to lower our heating costs for homes and businesses.
Excerpt over. That is the clarity I have been looking for in a candidate. Knowing the limits, but also giving a plan (tax rates lower, better government) and what to do with the gains made by that plan. All in one paragraph. However, the detail I've been looking for is lacking.
I want to be clear, this is not perfect. However, it condensed the big thinking and philosophy other candidates always have, into a single paragraph. She continues:
We can offer the world what no other state can. That means focusing on our natural resources. We can embrace and revive our great traditions in wood and wood products, boatbuilding, agriculture, seafood, and recreation – but do it smarter and better than in the past, with new technologies, new products and new techniques.
Excerpt ceased. We have plenty of trees, but I doubt we can revitalize our logging industry to compete with Brazil. Otherwise this is a good statement. If only it had details. Her website lacks even facts to support having knowledge of the current situation in Maine.
The education segment and healthcare segment lack details and make a good speech. It however only gives a philosophy to a solution that isn't complete.
She does urge energy independance through weatherization. Otherwise she has little plans other than proposing green energy solutions. This could be hamsters on a wheel or solar energy, she just doesn't say.
Then a twist. She urges the promotion of eating locally grown foods and increasing farm production (and thus jobs, while using less energy transporting it.) This is the first I've heard of making the growth of farming in Maine as an issue of its own. She finishes by giving the clean air, water, earth line of every politician since "The Jungle".
Note: Still searching for other candidates websites. I check once a week. If it doesn't exist with an issues page, I don't bother. To Alex Hammer: give up already. You are the Al Gore of Maine's governor elections.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
"Maine Human Rights Referendum"
In 2010 there is going to be a referendum on the ballot in Maine. Despite speaking for human rights, it proposes that the following occur:
1. Clarify marriage law limiting the institution of marriage to one man and one woman.
2. Forbid the establishment of civil unions.
3. Clarify adoption law to allow only one person, or a married couple, to adopt.
4. Remove the designation "sexual orientation" from the Maine Human Rights Act.
5. Eliminate funding for the Maine attorney general’s school civil rights team program.
From: http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Maine_Human_Rights_Referendum_%282009%29
Seeing the efforts of a civil rights team this year address obesity, and homelessness (even having a successful fundraiser for the shelter) along with numerous other racial issues I know the importance they have in Maine. There is discrimination and hatred in Maine and this group brings awareness to such problems in our public schools by having students who see it first hand be the ones to move for a more civil society.
A teenager a few years ago was killed in downtown Bangor because he was gay. His sexual orientation was the reason he was killed. Crimes of hatred should have stronger punishments and the MHRA provides for that.
The new rules for adoption would have prevented me from growing up in the best family in the world. I was adopted by two women. (They are simply lifelong friends, not lesbians; it is like the Golden Girls.) Preventing such adoption would remove so many options kids need to have in order for the best chance to grow up in a loving, providing family.
Not only preventing equal marriage, they would take away the provisions that allow some recognition to the love that same-sex couples have in the law. This vote places a civil society on the line from one of respect and equal opportunity to one of discrimination that permits hatred. This referendum must fail. Every point it makes is an insult to the cause of human rights.
The name itself could be misleading to those who vote. Seeing the title one has the internal gut reaction to support human rights and could vote yes without knowing it will actually remove rights that citizens in a country where all men are equal deserve.
This is not to be confused with the referendum this year to repeal the law which allows same-sex marriage. My views on same-sex marriage are posted months ago, but I will clarify and refresh memories soon.
1. Clarify marriage law limiting the institution of marriage to one man and one woman.
2. Forbid the establishment of civil unions.
3. Clarify adoption law to allow only one person, or a married couple, to adopt.
4. Remove the designation "sexual orientation" from the Maine Human Rights Act.
5. Eliminate funding for the Maine attorney general’s school civil rights team program.
From: http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Maine_Human_Rights_Referendum_%282009%29
Seeing the efforts of a civil rights team this year address obesity, and homelessness (even having a successful fundraiser for the shelter) along with numerous other racial issues I know the importance they have in Maine. There is discrimination and hatred in Maine and this group brings awareness to such problems in our public schools by having students who see it first hand be the ones to move for a more civil society.
A teenager a few years ago was killed in downtown Bangor because he was gay. His sexual orientation was the reason he was killed. Crimes of hatred should have stronger punishments and the MHRA provides for that.
The new rules for adoption would have prevented me from growing up in the best family in the world. I was adopted by two women. (They are simply lifelong friends, not lesbians; it is like the Golden Girls.) Preventing such adoption would remove so many options kids need to have in order for the best chance to grow up in a loving, providing family.
Not only preventing equal marriage, they would take away the provisions that allow some recognition to the love that same-sex couples have in the law. This vote places a civil society on the line from one of respect and equal opportunity to one of discrimination that permits hatred. This referendum must fail. Every point it makes is an insult to the cause of human rights.
The name itself could be misleading to those who vote. Seeing the title one has the internal gut reaction to support human rights and could vote yes without knowing it will actually remove rights that citizens in a country where all men are equal deserve.
This is not to be confused with the referendum this year to repeal the law which allows same-sex marriage. My views on same-sex marriage are posted months ago, but I will clarify and refresh memories soon.
Russia's Navy in Syria
Right now there is a naval base in Syria with 50 Russian's currently operating it. Now there are plans to expand it. The facility, fully operational, can have up to twelve ships, what kind the article did not specify.
From: http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/07/21/Russia-to-upgrade-its-naval-base-in-Syria/UPI-25841248210937/
Meanwhile Sudan and Southern Sudan are closer to civil war in 2011. An international court ruling that certain oil fields are in Southern Sudan give economic reason for Sudan to ensure that in 2011 Southern Sudan does not secede. The reason 2011 is important is because in 2005 the two sides signed a 6 year peace deal after which, in 2011, a referendum on independance in Southern Sudan would be held.
Southern Sudan's government has been purchasing military supplies in a slow, but steady build up. In the past few years. So beward the unrest in Sudan in 2011.
From: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/world/africa/23sudan.html?hpw
From: http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/07/21/Russia-to-upgrade-its-naval-base-in-Syria/UPI-25841248210937/
Meanwhile Sudan and Southern Sudan are closer to civil war in 2011. An international court ruling that certain oil fields are in Southern Sudan give economic reason for Sudan to ensure that in 2011 Southern Sudan does not secede. The reason 2011 is important is because in 2005 the two sides signed a 6 year peace deal after which, in 2011, a referendum on independance in Southern Sudan would be held.
Southern Sudan's government has been purchasing military supplies in a slow, but steady build up. In the past few years. So beward the unrest in Sudan in 2011.
From: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/world/africa/23sudan.html?hpw
ALBA A Gathering Of Conspiracy Nuts
The continuous statements about an American empire that come out of South America are obviously false. However, they continue to claim we are trying to control them. Anytime something does not go in their favor, we must be behind it. This goes against logic, and clearly the leaders in the ALBA nations have become sheep, and fallen for the Chavez flock.
It is difficult to fight a conspiracy. Anyone who truly believes is going to believe and just expand the scope whenever they are given evidence to the contrary. This means eventually, except for the few who believe with them, the entire world is in on the conspiracy. Eventually it becomes a road of isolation and there is the possibility that the people will one day snap and lash out against the world.
I have absolutely no clue how close any of the ALBA leaders are to that moment of radicalism. I hope it is far, far from it. I fear it may be closer than any of us think. I know that I do not know.
It is difficult to fight a conspiracy. Anyone who truly believes is going to believe and just expand the scope whenever they are given evidence to the contrary. This means eventually, except for the few who believe with them, the entire world is in on the conspiracy. Eventually it becomes a road of isolation and there is the possibility that the people will one day snap and lash out against the world.
I have absolutely no clue how close any of the ALBA leaders are to that moment of radicalism. I hope it is far, far from it. I fear it may be closer than any of us think. I know that I do not know.
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