If I were President Obama this is what I would tell America at the State of the Union.
Hello. Firstly we must thank the troops still protecting this nation and its freedoms wherever they may be. Their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere have been exceptional as always. Now, to the matters of this year's agenda.
Every tax that was approved in the past 12 months I will make an effort to repeal every single one of them. The TARP funds will not be recirculated into job creation as the past year has proven the government can not create jobs.
As for health care reform it is clear that the current bill serves no one's best interest. A simple approach banning pre-existing conditions and obvious issues with Medicare should be the initial stages of health reform and I propose a simpler approach rather than our original idea of a complete overhaul of a system which is still the best in the world despite the drawbacks.
Any new bill that is longer than twenty pages will be automatically vetoed. The sad reality that some members of Congress not reading the seventeen pages that provide the foundation for our nation's existence leads me to believe without a doubt that they do not read the 2,000 page bills they have been bringing to my desk.
Any bill without a majority of both Democrats and Republican support will be heavily scrutinized by myself and the American public. That is true bipartisanship and the past year has shown a failure of that concept by both myself, my administration, and the Democratic leadership overall. The efforts of Republicans will hopefully be equaled to provide a real middle ground representation of the will of the American people.
As for the issue of equal rights for all this past year has seen little movement towards a goal of equal in the eyes of the law. While I support same-sex marriage or any true equivalent the issue of don't ask don't tell in the military is a regrettably necessary aspect of our armed forces. It guarantees that the front lines have no distractions for our troops.
As for the war in Afghanistan we are no longer going to tolerate a Pakistan who sacrifices its forces lives against the Taliban while it also funds the Taliban efforts in Afghanistan. The message will be clear also to Karzai's government that continued corruption will result in a heavier American control of the situation if he is unable to provide the leadership the people of Afghanistan both want and need.
As for immigration reform an initial amnesty for illegal immigrants in the country more than ten years shall be granted as long as they accept a fine and the beginnings of the process of citizenship. For the rest the enforcement of U.S. law shall apply in full. No longer will businesses be allowed to overlook U.S. citizens for jobs in order to circumvent adequate labor standards by unfairly using illegal immigrants at sub-standard wages to make law abiding competitors lose American workers to stay in business. I request that a bill to this, and only this effect be passed in Congress as soon as possible.
Barring any further economic failures I feel this is an agenda suitable for the nation in 2010. I know all sides of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives will look to my statements with disbelief or anger. I want all Americans regardless of political persuasion to know that the change needed was not more government as I believed but more common sense.
Thank you, goodnight. Good bless America.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Afghanistan Confusion
Pakistan claims strategic victory, Afghanistan says the Taliban are on the verge of defeat, we say the Taliban are preparing a major offensive, and the basic facts on the ground show the Taliban are advancing in territory and capturing towns.
I really don't know what the status of the Afghan war is but I know this: the allies need to get on the same page.
I really don't know what the status of the Afghan war is but I know this: the allies need to get on the same page.
Rosa Scarcelli Jobs Proposal
I've been thinking for over a week of how I was going to summarize her approach. It is extensive, detailed, and to the point. So lacking any way of actually breaking it down I will recommend you take a read of it yourself when you have time:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/Maine_Rising
However there is a positive thing to report in regards to Rosa Scarcelli: Her connection to voters. She wants your ideas and gladly wants you to let her know what they are:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/ideas
She has a drawback though: her reliance on the federal government. She has good statements in her plan for jobs but then basically throws those out the window if you read her news section. She wants TARP money (the bailout for the banks) to go for job creation in Maine even though it is clearly written in the bill that created TARP that those funds are to be placed directly to debt reduction. She also says Baldacci is making the best of a bad situation with the recent budget cuts. It is partially because of Baldacci that the state has had yearly budget crisis after budget crisis. Not only that but she is glad to promote an endorsement of her campaign by a PAC. No politician should ever brag about such an endorsement as a special interest rarely has the full circle best interest of the people at mind.
I blog, you think, we agree. Have a good day.
http://rosaformaine.com/home/Maine_Rising
However there is a positive thing to report in regards to Rosa Scarcelli: Her connection to voters. She wants your ideas and gladly wants you to let her know what they are:
http://rosaformaine.com/home/ideas
She has a drawback though: her reliance on the federal government. She has good statements in her plan for jobs but then basically throws those out the window if you read her news section. She wants TARP money (the bailout for the banks) to go for job creation in Maine even though it is clearly written in the bill that created TARP that those funds are to be placed directly to debt reduction. She also says Baldacci is making the best of a bad situation with the recent budget cuts. It is partially because of Baldacci that the state has had yearly budget crisis after budget crisis. Not only that but she is glad to promote an endorsement of her campaign by a PAC. No politician should ever brag about such an endorsement as a special interest rarely has the full circle best interest of the people at mind.
I blog, you think, we agree. Have a good day.
Bruce Poliquin Website Ideas Examination (for lack of a better title)
The first thing in regards to Bruce's campaign website is the citations for the information he uses. So far only him, Matt Jacobson, and Rosa Scarcelli actually give credit where it is due in regards to the facts they use on their issues pages. I personally prefer the Japanese method of citation but the post-script and in-linked forms are tolerable for me. Yes, I did just make those terms up. Anyhow, on with the analysis. As already stated we will begin with Bruce Poliquin. I will just use notable quotes to avoid my own bias:
[Occasionally I will speak within brackets. I have also removed the citation numbers which you can check on his website.]
1. Jobs
While our business economy has been shrinking, our public sector has been growing. It should be the other way around.
As a percentage of population, Maine has the least number of citizens under the age of 18. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have the 6th highest percentage over the age of 65.[3]
...This demographic trend is fiscally unsustainable without our burdensome taxes rising still higher. I refuse to let that happen.
[While he clearly knows the problem and its effects, Poliquin doesn't state on his website a direct solution to this problem.]
To attract businesses and jobs we must: tax less, spend wisely, simplify regulations, lower energy and health care costs, complete our infrastructure, and improve education. Some initiatives can be implemented relatively soon. Others are longer-term. It will take common sense, hard work, and competent management.
[Note the common sense aspect of this. Those of us who took economics in high school know it makes sense.]
Our State government needs a new positive attitude toward business development and jobs.
2. Taxes
[He already said he would lower them I know, but Bruce always steps up to explain why, unlike other politicians who make statements such as "There are so many things the public doesn't know; nor should they. That's why they elect us." I don't think I can ever get over that quote by our very own Pat Blanchette, since it is so very un-American.]
Maine government taxes our businesses and workers at much higher rates than most other states. It does so to pay for the excessive spending on programs and services. These higher taxes drive away businesses and jobs.
Augusta taxes our companies at the 9th highest corporate income tax rate.4 We all pay the 16th highest gas tax in the nation, 30c per gallon.5 That’s $6 to Augusta with every 20-gallon fill-up. It costs $600 in excise tax to put a new $25,000 car on the road just for the first year! We pay $438 for the second year.6 Connecticut residents pay $38 per year. New Yorkers pay $24. It’s no wonder why so many Mainers drive older, less safe, more polluting, and less fuel efficient cars.
Lowering taxes across-the-board at least to levels comparable with other states will be a visible and important step to that end. Doing so will also immediately put more money in the hands of our struggling workers and their families.
Reducing state taxes is crucial to relieving the financial burden on our families. It will also help build a positive business climate to attract jobs[.]
3. Spending
By any objective measure, our government spends too much on programs and services compared with other states. Taxes have been raised to uncommonly high levels to pay for this bloated spending.
State spending on education is the largest outlay in the proposed 2010-11 biannual budget, consuming 47% of all taxpayer dollars.2 From 1979-2006 the number of K-12 students decreased by 16%. During the same period the number of K-12 teachers increased by 32%, and administrators and staff by 52%. 3 Maine has the 7th highest cost per K-12 student in the nation.4 Although our taxpayers spend plenty on K-12 education, the results are disappointing. For example, Maine’s high school graduation rate is average, and the college matriculation rate is below average. In the fall of 2007, nearly 51% of first-year Community College Sysytem students enrolled in remedial courses because they were not “college ready.” 5
[That is an entire segment. This style appeals to me because he explains it in a straightforward explanation of the facts with the results. The numbers after a sentence are the citation. Politicians when talking about health care ignore the facts, and go straight for the sob stories. Bruce gives it straight. That might by why he reached his goal of 24,000 dollars a week early.]
Taxpayer-funded health care is the second largest expense category in the proposed state budget, accounting for 32% of all spending. MaineCare is our state Medicaid program originally designed as a health care safety net for the poor and disabled. During the past 30 years, however, our elected officials have eased the eligibility requirements such that, today, the program enrolls 275,000 of our citizens, or 22% of the population. This is the highest enrollment rate in the country. 6 Our politicians have also expanded MaineCare benefits to include services beyond traditional health care, such as meals, transportation, and housing.
[It is indeed true. I am on Mainecare, yet I certainly could go without it. However I know people who have called to cancel their MaineCare and were told it would be easier just to keep the status quo. I would rather not waste time arguing with someone about how I don't want a service I don't need. When they tried to give me more services in a new program it took me two weeks to make certain I didn't get that. Bruce is willing to tell you the status quo is unsustainable and I think deep down every person in Maine knows this.]
4. Health care
[Seems like we were just here doesn't it? Well, that is because Mr. Poliquin has probably read the MainePage in the Bangor Daily News and was able to connect the dots as a kid. Sadly, they took connect the dots out. Random thought: liberal conspiracy at work?]
Unfortunately, our state government has created a private and public health care system which is broken. Many individuals and businesses paying for their own health care can no longer afford the costs. Our less-fortunate citizens receiving health care paid by Maine taxpayers are given no incentives to control the costs. The system is no longer fiscally sustainable.
[Those who are friends on my personal facebook might remember a while ago when I said the word of 2010 will be unsustainable.]
Today, MaineCare enrolls approximately 275,000 people, 22% of our population, the highest rate in the country.3 The generous benefits and easy enrollment are making our State a magnet for non-Mainers seeking unfair access to taxpayer-funded services. We can no longer afford this. Difficult decisions must be made regarding who can enroll and what services are covered. Otherwise, our taxes will continue to rise and jobs will go elsewhere.
Competent management by our State government can provide better health care to our less-fortunate MaineCare patients at less cost to taxpayers. These fellow citizens have a responsibility to take good care of themselves in return for taxpayer-funded health care. Chronic illnesses such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes are preventable and/or treatable. MaineCare beneficiaries should be required to be treated by family physicians for long-term primary care, rather than extremely expensive hospital emergency rooms for common ailments. Wyoming has introduced a disease management program for 7,800 disabled health care beneficiaries. Taxpayer costs have fallen while services have improved.4
The huge, expensive MaineCare program is a primary reason why private health care insurance premiums are 3-4 times the costs than in neighboring New Hampshire.5 Low payments to doctors and hospitals for providing services to MaineCare patients force those same doctors/hospitals to charge uncommonly high prices to patients with private insurance. Insurance companies are then forced to charge inflated prices for those private policies, or leave Maine altogether. There are 9 insurance companies writing individual health care policies in Connecticut, 11 in New Hampshire, 21 in Massachusetts, and only 3 in Maine.6 This lack of competition leads to incredibly expensive private insurance policies.
[I examined the facts of this segment and found that indeed, while companies have a wider selection, an individual in Maine who wants to buy and pay for their own health insurance has only three options.]
Maine’s primary welfare program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It provides cash and other assistance to low-income, able-bodied families. It sets no time limit for receiving the benefits. It imposes no strict requirements to find a job or further an education as preconditions to receiving the taxpayer assistance. There is no period of residency requirement to start receiving benefits.
The cycle of dependency continues at great cost to our less-fortunate citizens, and to the taxpayers who foot the bill.
5. Education
There are three lasting gifts we can give our children: unconditional love, a moral compass, and the best education possible. The happiness and well-being of our kids are directly related to their education. Once acquired, it can never be lost. It’s their ticket to higher income, better health, and more fulfilling lives. Businesses want to hire educated workers, skilled and eager to contribute. An improved state education system will help build a better economy.
[Bruce Poliquin connects the dots. He knows Maine and a little bit of common sense economics. That makes him very different from most Democrats and several of his Republican challengers.]
The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has identified other reforms to strengthen our education system and save taxpayer money. They include standardized diagnosis for special needs students; consolidated negotiation of some system-wide contracts; reduction of administrative overhead; and more sharing of resources across school districts.3
Maine is one of only ten states which doesn’t allow state-funded charter schools. Maine students should be given the same opportunities as other children across the nation.
6. Energy
Approximately 80% of our homes are heated with oil, more than any other state in the county.
In 2007, 102 independent power generators in Maine produced 16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. Our residents and businesses consumed 12 billion kwh. The remaining 25% was exported. Although Maine generates plenty of power, our electricity cost is 48% higher than the national average.2
Once constructed, a generating plant produces electricity at a cost dependent on the fuel burned. Hydroelectric dams produce cheap, clean, and renewable power. We should find other ways to accommodate migrating fish and recreational users of our rivers before removing any more dams.
[When asked roughly six months ago about what these other possibilities would be Bruce did not have the answers but did make a point that he has faith in the Maine people to be able to use our resilience to come up with a workable solution to such a problem.]
Today, commercial wind, solar, tide, current, and geothermal technologies contribute a small amount of our energy needs. However, our state government should do everything possible to support their continued development.
Recently, there has been discussion about the possibility of discovering natural gas in the Gulf of Maine. If that happens, our State should facilitate its environmentally safe development.
[Environmentalists can still focus on complaining about wind power (yes, the environmentalists are protesting the wind power facilities in Maine) if Bruce gets elected.]
Maine belongs to the “New England Power Grid,” a network of power producers, substations, and transmission lines crossing the six states. There has been debate about Maine leaving the Grid and going-it-alone. This would be a mistake. Businesses want reliable electricity provided by the security of a larger power grid.
Our state government, along with Washington, should explore ways to help the private sector complete and upgrade our power grid. This could result in the importation of that cheap, clean power from Canada. Maine might also be able to provide energy corridors to transport this plentiful power, along with natural gas, directly south to the Boston hub.
[In this way Bruce is connecting Maine to the entire region which shows a big picture awareness that has been lacking in the Baldacci administration (think LNG port).]
Lower energy costs will help build a positive business environment to produce jobs.
7. Environment
Our next Governor will be responsible for better balancing the economic needs of our families and preserving our environment. Our abundant natural resources provide many sustainable jobs in industries such as forest products, fishing, and tourism. These natural resources also provide expanded opportunities for green jobs. We can have both: increased prosperity and a preserved natural environment.
[In this section he has the boring yet for some reason necessary political story (for Mainers at least) of how he grew up in Maine and appreciates the environment. I just saved you thirty seconds.]
8. Regulations
I’ve experienced first-hand many of the problems with our business regulations in attempting to create jobs in Maine. One housing project consumed 2.5 years of design, engineering, and permitting before one worker was hired. While managing the project, I navigated the maze of separate and redundant local and state requirements. This lack of coordination between the layers of government is slow, expensive, and an impediment to business growth and jobs.
Companies, and the jobs they produce, naturally locate in states with business-friendly climates. Our elected officials have created a regulatory environment which discourages business investment. I have lived through the process. As Governor, I will understand the importance of simplifying and streamlining business regulations.
[I know how he feels. When preparing my stunted run for city council in Bangor I examined the city code on the elections. There was a page and a half of regulations on what a street sign could be, how environmentally friendly it had to be, time restrictions, and other truly boring things to have to read through in legal-speak. The entire campaign regulation packet I printed out was fourteen pages long in very small print (I like to save paper).]
9. Infrastructure
[Summary: Expand telecommunications throughout the state by having Time Warner or whatever it is choosing to be called this month hold up its end of the bargain.
Then there is the East-West highway to Canada. A unique proposal that truly makes Bruce an outside the box thinker with proposals that will defy the standard mold of political thinking.]
Canada is our largest trading partner. Still, there is no quick, safe route to truck goods east - west across Maine. Such a highway would efficiently connect Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes to our western border en route to Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit/Chicago. It could also serve as a utility corridor to transport, for example, electricity and natural gas. This project would generate hundreds of Maine jobs for several years. It would also facilitate increased international trade across our State with untold new businesses and jobs. Our next state government should closely examine this economic development opportunity.
[Expanding the flights to other major destinations such as Quebec is another priority. Overall I personally see Bruce looking to expand business in Maine by turning the state into the entry/exit hub for Canada and U.S. trade, businesses, jobs. Big picture thinking and long-term thinking is what Maine needs to end our annual festival of the fiscal crisis. Bruce has the mind-set and experience that gives him the big picture view for Maine.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now I want to point out something Bruce Poliquin mentioned a lot:
Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
The reason this makes him unique is because no other candidate notices that Mainers have become so used to the corruption and scandal of Augusta that a non-government solution is almost heresy. I hear so many people listen on the news about anything and everything and say the following:
Why doesn't the government do something about that?
In Maine it seems thinking of a business as anything other than "a place where we work for a rich guy who does nothing and I do all the work" makes you a rich guy yourself who doesn't care about the poor. Trust me, volunteering with Amnest International and the Civil Rights Team at Bangor High (until my transfer to the Alternative Ed) surrounded me with people with that thought process. When we lined up for a political spectrum self determination liberals were at the window and conservatives were near the door. They ran out of room by the window and were three rows deep. I was in the hallway. I never heard the end of that one.
So what is Bruce doing proposing such a thing? He is preparing us for a better system. The government system hasn't worked, and he is bringing in a business system. Yet in order for it to work we have to actually believe it will work. While government supporters need to pull heart strings, use name calling and threats, and incorrectly spell Colombia when talking about free trade agreements in order to prove their points Bruce Poliquin only uses common sense.
While common sense may not be so common, it is easily acquired. That is why he only needs to emphasize a positive attitude about businesses development and jobs. The rest is common sense to most people. Yet, if it isn't said most people just won't think of it and when they go to the ballot box won't know which candidate truly represents common sense.
The results so far: success. Bruce has such appeal based only on common sense that I've got people saying they will vote Republican for the first or second time in their life because of Bruce Poliquin's honesty and common sense.
Now, for those of you seeking more information you can go to his campaign website at:
www.bruceforme.com
Those waiting for the Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal I am doing some further research of my own to determine if some of her ideas are suitable for the current economic climate. Overall she is very impressive even if on the other side of the political spectrum.
[Occasionally I will speak within brackets. I have also removed the citation numbers which you can check on his website.]
1. Jobs
While our business economy has been shrinking, our public sector has been growing. It should be the other way around.
As a percentage of population, Maine has the least number of citizens under the age of 18. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have the 6th highest percentage over the age of 65.[3]
...This demographic trend is fiscally unsustainable without our burdensome taxes rising still higher. I refuse to let that happen.
[While he clearly knows the problem and its effects, Poliquin doesn't state on his website a direct solution to this problem.]
To attract businesses and jobs we must: tax less, spend wisely, simplify regulations, lower energy and health care costs, complete our infrastructure, and improve education. Some initiatives can be implemented relatively soon. Others are longer-term. It will take common sense, hard work, and competent management.
[Note the common sense aspect of this. Those of us who took economics in high school know it makes sense.]
Our State government needs a new positive attitude toward business development and jobs.
2. Taxes
[He already said he would lower them I know, but Bruce always steps up to explain why, unlike other politicians who make statements such as "There are so many things the public doesn't know; nor should they. That's why they elect us." I don't think I can ever get over that quote by our very own Pat Blanchette, since it is so very un-American.]
Maine government taxes our businesses and workers at much higher rates than most other states. It does so to pay for the excessive spending on programs and services. These higher taxes drive away businesses and jobs.
Augusta taxes our companies at the 9th highest corporate income tax rate.4 We all pay the 16th highest gas tax in the nation, 30c per gallon.5 That’s $6 to Augusta with every 20-gallon fill-up. It costs $600 in excise tax to put a new $25,000 car on the road just for the first year! We pay $438 for the second year.6 Connecticut residents pay $38 per year. New Yorkers pay $24. It’s no wonder why so many Mainers drive older, less safe, more polluting, and less fuel efficient cars.
Lowering taxes across-the-board at least to levels comparable with other states will be a visible and important step to that end. Doing so will also immediately put more money in the hands of our struggling workers and their families.
Reducing state taxes is crucial to relieving the financial burden on our families. It will also help build a positive business climate to attract jobs[.]
3. Spending
By any objective measure, our government spends too much on programs and services compared with other states. Taxes have been raised to uncommonly high levels to pay for this bloated spending.
State spending on education is the largest outlay in the proposed 2010-11 biannual budget, consuming 47% of all taxpayer dollars.2 From 1979-2006 the number of K-12 students decreased by 16%. During the same period the number of K-12 teachers increased by 32%, and administrators and staff by 52%. 3 Maine has the 7th highest cost per K-12 student in the nation.4 Although our taxpayers spend plenty on K-12 education, the results are disappointing. For example, Maine’s high school graduation rate is average, and the college matriculation rate is below average. In the fall of 2007, nearly 51% of first-year Community College Sysytem students enrolled in remedial courses because they were not “college ready.” 5
[That is an entire segment. This style appeals to me because he explains it in a straightforward explanation of the facts with the results. The numbers after a sentence are the citation. Politicians when talking about health care ignore the facts, and go straight for the sob stories. Bruce gives it straight. That might by why he reached his goal of 24,000 dollars a week early.]
Taxpayer-funded health care is the second largest expense category in the proposed state budget, accounting for 32% of all spending. MaineCare is our state Medicaid program originally designed as a health care safety net for the poor and disabled. During the past 30 years, however, our elected officials have eased the eligibility requirements such that, today, the program enrolls 275,000 of our citizens, or 22% of the population. This is the highest enrollment rate in the country. 6 Our politicians have also expanded MaineCare benefits to include services beyond traditional health care, such as meals, transportation, and housing.
[It is indeed true. I am on Mainecare, yet I certainly could go without it. However I know people who have called to cancel their MaineCare and were told it would be easier just to keep the status quo. I would rather not waste time arguing with someone about how I don't want a service I don't need. When they tried to give me more services in a new program it took me two weeks to make certain I didn't get that. Bruce is willing to tell you the status quo is unsustainable and I think deep down every person in Maine knows this.]
4. Health care
[Seems like we were just here doesn't it? Well, that is because Mr. Poliquin has probably read the MainePage in the Bangor Daily News and was able to connect the dots as a kid. Sadly, they took connect the dots out. Random thought: liberal conspiracy at work?]
Unfortunately, our state government has created a private and public health care system which is broken. Many individuals and businesses paying for their own health care can no longer afford the costs. Our less-fortunate citizens receiving health care paid by Maine taxpayers are given no incentives to control the costs. The system is no longer fiscally sustainable.
[Those who are friends on my personal facebook might remember a while ago when I said the word of 2010 will be unsustainable.]
Today, MaineCare enrolls approximately 275,000 people, 22% of our population, the highest rate in the country.3 The generous benefits and easy enrollment are making our State a magnet for non-Mainers seeking unfair access to taxpayer-funded services. We can no longer afford this. Difficult decisions must be made regarding who can enroll and what services are covered. Otherwise, our taxes will continue to rise and jobs will go elsewhere.
Competent management by our State government can provide better health care to our less-fortunate MaineCare patients at less cost to taxpayers. These fellow citizens have a responsibility to take good care of themselves in return for taxpayer-funded health care. Chronic illnesses such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes are preventable and/or treatable. MaineCare beneficiaries should be required to be treated by family physicians for long-term primary care, rather than extremely expensive hospital emergency rooms for common ailments. Wyoming has introduced a disease management program for 7,800 disabled health care beneficiaries. Taxpayer costs have fallen while services have improved.4
The huge, expensive MaineCare program is a primary reason why private health care insurance premiums are 3-4 times the costs than in neighboring New Hampshire.5 Low payments to doctors and hospitals for providing services to MaineCare patients force those same doctors/hospitals to charge uncommonly high prices to patients with private insurance. Insurance companies are then forced to charge inflated prices for those private policies, or leave Maine altogether. There are 9 insurance companies writing individual health care policies in Connecticut, 11 in New Hampshire, 21 in Massachusetts, and only 3 in Maine.6 This lack of competition leads to incredibly expensive private insurance policies.
[I examined the facts of this segment and found that indeed, while companies have a wider selection, an individual in Maine who wants to buy and pay for their own health insurance has only three options.]
Maine’s primary welfare program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It provides cash and other assistance to low-income, able-bodied families. It sets no time limit for receiving the benefits. It imposes no strict requirements to find a job or further an education as preconditions to receiving the taxpayer assistance. There is no period of residency requirement to start receiving benefits.
The cycle of dependency continues at great cost to our less-fortunate citizens, and to the taxpayers who foot the bill.
5. Education
There are three lasting gifts we can give our children: unconditional love, a moral compass, and the best education possible. The happiness and well-being of our kids are directly related to their education. Once acquired, it can never be lost. It’s their ticket to higher income, better health, and more fulfilling lives. Businesses want to hire educated workers, skilled and eager to contribute. An improved state education system will help build a better economy.
[Bruce Poliquin connects the dots. He knows Maine and a little bit of common sense economics. That makes him very different from most Democrats and several of his Republican challengers.]
The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has identified other reforms to strengthen our education system and save taxpayer money. They include standardized diagnosis for special needs students; consolidated negotiation of some system-wide contracts; reduction of administrative overhead; and more sharing of resources across school districts.3
Maine is one of only ten states which doesn’t allow state-funded charter schools. Maine students should be given the same opportunities as other children across the nation.
6. Energy
Approximately 80% of our homes are heated with oil, more than any other state in the county.
In 2007, 102 independent power generators in Maine produced 16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. Our residents and businesses consumed 12 billion kwh. The remaining 25% was exported. Although Maine generates plenty of power, our electricity cost is 48% higher than the national average.2
Once constructed, a generating plant produces electricity at a cost dependent on the fuel burned. Hydroelectric dams produce cheap, clean, and renewable power. We should find other ways to accommodate migrating fish and recreational users of our rivers before removing any more dams.
[When asked roughly six months ago about what these other possibilities would be Bruce did not have the answers but did make a point that he has faith in the Maine people to be able to use our resilience to come up with a workable solution to such a problem.]
Today, commercial wind, solar, tide, current, and geothermal technologies contribute a small amount of our energy needs. However, our state government should do everything possible to support their continued development.
Recently, there has been discussion about the possibility of discovering natural gas in the Gulf of Maine. If that happens, our State should facilitate its environmentally safe development.
[Environmentalists can still focus on complaining about wind power (yes, the environmentalists are protesting the wind power facilities in Maine) if Bruce gets elected.]
Maine belongs to the “New England Power Grid,” a network of power producers, substations, and transmission lines crossing the six states. There has been debate about Maine leaving the Grid and going-it-alone. This would be a mistake. Businesses want reliable electricity provided by the security of a larger power grid.
Our state government, along with Washington, should explore ways to help the private sector complete and upgrade our power grid. This could result in the importation of that cheap, clean power from Canada. Maine might also be able to provide energy corridors to transport this plentiful power, along with natural gas, directly south to the Boston hub.
[In this way Bruce is connecting Maine to the entire region which shows a big picture awareness that has been lacking in the Baldacci administration (think LNG port).]
Lower energy costs will help build a positive business environment to produce jobs.
7. Environment
Our next Governor will be responsible for better balancing the economic needs of our families and preserving our environment. Our abundant natural resources provide many sustainable jobs in industries such as forest products, fishing, and tourism. These natural resources also provide expanded opportunities for green jobs. We can have both: increased prosperity and a preserved natural environment.
[In this section he has the boring yet for some reason necessary political story (for Mainers at least) of how he grew up in Maine and appreciates the environment. I just saved you thirty seconds.]
8. Regulations
I’ve experienced first-hand many of the problems with our business regulations in attempting to create jobs in Maine. One housing project consumed 2.5 years of design, engineering, and permitting before one worker was hired. While managing the project, I navigated the maze of separate and redundant local and state requirements. This lack of coordination between the layers of government is slow, expensive, and an impediment to business growth and jobs.
Companies, and the jobs they produce, naturally locate in states with business-friendly climates. Our elected officials have created a regulatory environment which discourages business investment. I have lived through the process. As Governor, I will understand the importance of simplifying and streamlining business regulations.
[I know how he feels. When preparing my stunted run for city council in Bangor I examined the city code on the elections. There was a page and a half of regulations on what a street sign could be, how environmentally friendly it had to be, time restrictions, and other truly boring things to have to read through in legal-speak. The entire campaign regulation packet I printed out was fourteen pages long in very small print (I like to save paper).]
9. Infrastructure
[Summary: Expand telecommunications throughout the state by having Time Warner or whatever it is choosing to be called this month hold up its end of the bargain.
Then there is the East-West highway to Canada. A unique proposal that truly makes Bruce an outside the box thinker with proposals that will defy the standard mold of political thinking.]
Canada is our largest trading partner. Still, there is no quick, safe route to truck goods east - west across Maine. Such a highway would efficiently connect Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes to our western border en route to Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit/Chicago. It could also serve as a utility corridor to transport, for example, electricity and natural gas. This project would generate hundreds of Maine jobs for several years. It would also facilitate increased international trade across our State with untold new businesses and jobs. Our next state government should closely examine this economic development opportunity.
[Expanding the flights to other major destinations such as Quebec is another priority. Overall I personally see Bruce looking to expand business in Maine by turning the state into the entry/exit hub for Canada and U.S. trade, businesses, jobs. Big picture thinking and long-term thinking is what Maine needs to end our annual festival of the fiscal crisis. Bruce has the mind-set and experience that gives him the big picture view for Maine.]
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Now I want to point out something Bruce Poliquin mentioned a lot:
Create a Positive Attitude Toward Business Development and Jobs.
The reason this makes him unique is because no other candidate notices that Mainers have become so used to the corruption and scandal of Augusta that a non-government solution is almost heresy. I hear so many people listen on the news about anything and everything and say the following:
Why doesn't the government do something about that?
In Maine it seems thinking of a business as anything other than "a place where we work for a rich guy who does nothing and I do all the work" makes you a rich guy yourself who doesn't care about the poor. Trust me, volunteering with Amnest International and the Civil Rights Team at Bangor High (until my transfer to the Alternative Ed) surrounded me with people with that thought process. When we lined up for a political spectrum self determination liberals were at the window and conservatives were near the door. They ran out of room by the window and were three rows deep. I was in the hallway. I never heard the end of that one.
So what is Bruce doing proposing such a thing? He is preparing us for a better system. The government system hasn't worked, and he is bringing in a business system. Yet in order for it to work we have to actually believe it will work. While government supporters need to pull heart strings, use name calling and threats, and incorrectly spell Colombia when talking about free trade agreements in order to prove their points Bruce Poliquin only uses common sense.
While common sense may not be so common, it is easily acquired. That is why he only needs to emphasize a positive attitude about businesses development and jobs. The rest is common sense to most people. Yet, if it isn't said most people just won't think of it and when they go to the ballot box won't know which candidate truly represents common sense.
The results so far: success. Bruce has such appeal based only on common sense that I've got people saying they will vote Republican for the first or second time in their life because of Bruce Poliquin's honesty and common sense.
Now, for those of you seeking more information you can go to his campaign website at:
www.bruceforme.com
Those waiting for the Rosa Scarcelli jobs proposal I am doing some further research of my own to determine if some of her ideas are suitable for the current economic climate. Overall she is very impressive even if on the other side of the political spectrum.
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