It is unacceptable for our elected officials to favor big business, banks and oil companies over their constituents. This country belongs to all of us, not just a chosen few.
All lobbying should be abolished. These people represent special interest groups only. They lobby to get their way, regardless of the burden to others.
It is unacceptable to continue to pollute this planet without regard to present and future generations.
It is unacceptable to rely on oil as our primary source of energy. We need to be much more energy-efficient and independent.
It is unacceptable for politicians in Washington, D.C., to be far more concerned with which party they belong to rather than resolving the many problems and issues we are facing all across the country.
Our forefathers would cringe if they could see us now.
It is time for Americans to reclaim this country. If our present politicians refuse to represent us, they need to be voted out and those who will serve us voted in.
Peggy Belkenny, Auburn
Report a correction
David A Gagnon
Its hard competing against yourself and thinkingman for most uninformed man of the year. "lock on the turbines used for wind mills" Nope the chinese do not GE. But then you invent this classic smear - "The Gulf crisis could have been avoided, the technology and the know how was there, but he intentionally refused the aid and allowed it to get out of hand, in order to make his push for Cap and Trade." Only 7 words of truth in this conspiracy theory, "The Gulf crisis could have been avoided". Yes it could have had only BP followed their own procedures and not cut costs the gusher in the Gulf would have been a successful oil well. Obama never refused any request for aid from BP. In fact none was made because BP was trying to hide the gusher. He did not "allow" it to get out of hand BP did. Why bother hatred and thinking are incompatible.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Educate yourself.
"When a tax is levied on a business of industry, the money to pay the tax does not come out of thin air or some other miraculous pocket, we pay it in the form of higher prices for the goods and services that company is selling." Only if they are an illegal monopoly or a health insurer. According to even Republican false-economic theory in a free market profits are reduced.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.econ 101
okay, if a company charges $10 for an item that they paid $5 for. that is a difference of $5. now they have to pay wages, taxes, utilities, rent and so forth and let us say that is $4.75 that leaves a $.25 profit. now if you add a tax to the company or increase the taxes, the company has basically 3 choices, 1. add the amount of the tax to the price, keeping profits the same, 2. reduce payroll, by either reducing hours or staff, or reduce benefits, 3. if options 1 or 2 are not done, then it comes out of profits and for many small business that is the owners pay.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Today Mr. Lepage spent the
Today Mr. Lepage spent the day like he always does - working, and then out campaigning tonight. By contrast, Ms. Mitchell spent the day at a campaign fundraiser - even though she's a clean elections candidate she was at a Pac fundraiser hosted by baldacci and Stephen King..even worse - it was held in Boston which means no Maine businesses would benefit from the expenditures and most likely a portion of the money was also from out of state contributors. You've got to love democrats who not only run good businesses out of Maine but also prefer to support out of state businesses over Maine based companies. The voters will remember in November!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.hey tron, does the name
hey tron, does the name Jeffrey R. Immelt, ring a bell for you. He's the CEO of GE, the biggest beneficiary of Cap and Trade. He spends loads of time visiting Berry O. They not only have a lock on the turbines used for wind mills, they also have a ready made staff to man the carbon trade market if and when it opens. They stand to make billions because of the "close" ties to the Obama administration. You and your bosom buddy Voisine have been drinking the Berry O Cool Aid for to long. Even democrats are pissed at Berry now. The Gulf crisis could have been avoided, the technology and the know how was there, but he intentionally refused the aid and allowed it to get out of hand, in order to make his push for Cap and Trade. This speech tonight will be all about him and how he is going to fix the wrongs of big oil, when he is as much to blame as BP is.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.External World Here...
Also Sonof, how is it not the truth or a deflection when the central point was that Republicans were caught revealing what they actually think of the gulf spill, namely as a political opportunity? There's a difference between truth and something other then, and you either don't get that or prefer to reside within your own reality that isn't connected to any type of shared logic with the external world.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.must be a joke
this has to be a joke. you don't know how you are deflecting. it is a pretty straight forward question. where do you get your news?
let me guess, you blame bush for 9/11?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.SonOf
Sonof ... reread ... or did you read it in the first place?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What did Republicans Actually Do??
What did Congressional Republicans do from 1995 until 2007, and the Republican President from 2000-2008? Oh, that's right, they nearly drove America into another GREAT DEPRESSION, right? QUESTION FOR REPUBLICANS: What did the last Republican governor of Maine, Jock McKernon, accomplish? Oh, nothing but leaving a budget in tatters? Let's see, the Brave Republicans will likely say it's totally different, or they will offer the excuse that McKernon couldn't enact any decent cuts because too many Democrats were in power. Is that right Brave Republicans? Yes, it is. So what's different with LePage? How is he going to accomplish all of the brave things you are saying he will achieve? Or will this just be another instance where LePage will blame Democrats for his failure, just as Bush blamed his economic failures on "the recession" left by Clinton while absolving his Republican Congress...
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Republicans Never Wanted Middle Class
Disenchanted, this expresses a typical Republican line of argument: Taking union dues money and sponsoring political candidates and philosophies the membership does not support is wrong. RESPONSE: it's only wrong because you're a Republican, right Disenchanted, and you hate that Democrats benefit from union support. Are you against large multi-national companies giving more money to Republicans than Democrats? Oh you're not? So you're against union dues going to benefit Democrats but when big companies donate to Republicans that's somehow different? You'll likely say it is different because as a union member you might not support Democratic candidates who benefit from Union dues, right? But how about if you're a share holder who despises that the company that you have invested in turns around and gives large sums of money to Republicans? That's ok and somehow different? Republican: We're hypocrites!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Why Republicans are Anti-Union
Disenchanted: Let's face it, Republicans hate unions for the same reason they are trying to demonize ACORN, because both organize people to vote against Republicans. Unions not only contribute to a living wage middle class, but they generally improve the quality of performance in many ways, beginning with the many programs for education of union members. Union steel workers for instance have some of the highest standards at every job site because of their emphasis not only on safety but a tiered education system. Republican: No middle class for us!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Republicans Were Outed, That Was the Point
SonOf,
In your ZEAL to protect the Republican party at all costs, you overlooked that it was the REPUBLICAN party that was caught revealing its attitudes about how it is viewing the gulf spill: re: for pure political gain. Again, an unthinking Republican who can't process reality is outed. Republican: Ignorant. Irrational. Angry.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.deflection
voisine, nice deflection. i'm not trying to defend the republicans. what i'm defending is the truth, something your post lack.
so where do you get your news?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Conservatives Live in Denial
You often wondered why conservative bloggers are incredibly inflexible, delete posts, and can not accept evidence that disagrees with their mindset? By observing the psychological makeup of such people, this should explain why.
I've often struggled to understand why some 'type' of people believe the way they do. There must be a psychological profile that defines religious right wing conservatives. Many don't realize that they are in fact authoritarians. Why they rely on faith instead of reason, dogmatism instead of critical thinking. Why it is impossible to form a debate with such people who already have the 'divine understanding' based on a sense of "the good and moral us" vs. "the bad and immoral them". This could explain why debating with such people is so difficult, why their level of denial is so great, why such bloggers strictly moderate their posts and don't hesitate to delete "inconvenient truths."
This also explains the nomination of LePig for governor.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.voisine on personal attack
it is obvious that voisine realizes the mitchell is going to lose to lepage in the fall. why else would he make a basely person attack on mr. lepage by calling him "LePig".
voisine again shows how little class there is by those on the left.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Fox Reinforces Narrow Views
DWilson,
You would give Fox more cedibility than MSNBC because you are the perfect Fox viewer, you don't want news, you want your narrow views confirmed. There's plenty of analysis about what Fox actually panders to and you're it.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I don't watch either Fox or
I don't watch either Fox or MSNBC or any other network or non-network television news for thay matter. I pulled the plug on the BOOB TUBE fifteen years ago. Did not want the trash spewing from it in my life. Much better verifiable information is found away from television.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.so ...
You're SERIOUSLY going to try to convince us that the SEIU isn't in the Democrat tank? They OPENLY (and emphatically!) endorse Democrat candidates, for cryin' out loud!! ACLU; ACORN; Teamsters; AFL-CIO; ... need I continue?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.again
again, voisine shows the ability to copy and paste the same thing from post to post. what he fails to realize that "Fox Channel 8" is not fox news. that is like saying channel 13 news is part of cbs news.
hey, voisine, what do you watch for news?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What to Republicans Give to America?
This is what Republicans are doing, trying to use this disaster for political gain! This also shows that Fox "Republican" News isn't a credible news organization, it is nothing more than the media wing of the Republican party
PROOF: Republican communication strategists in Washington and Louisiana are thrilled at the press coverage of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, according to e-mails from GOP officials accidentally sent to the Huffington Post. The specific news report that had party operatives celebrating was a local Fox Channel 8 report on an event held by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal calling on President Obama to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling. "Watch the video -- you can't beg for a better package than that," writes a top Louisiana GOP spokesman to a communications staffer at the Republican National Committee. "Good perspective on moratorium from the gov and locals."
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.LOCAL vs NATIONAL
Fox Channel 8 is a LOCAL station providing local news with a local perspective. I would give it greater credibility though than MSNBC which is owned by GE which also owns Obama, most of the Democrats in Washington, Utilities, Utility Equipment Suppliers, Health Insurance Companies, Health Care Providers including hospitals and a whole lot more of REAL BIG BUSINESS. Does it get any more tainted than MSNBC?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.If Dems are generally inmmune
If Dems are generally inmmune from the influence of lobbyist, why would they feel the need to repay organized Labor for campaign contributions by repeatedly introducing such anti-democratic proposals as the ridiculously named "Employee Free Choice Act?" Neither party is entitled to claim the higher ground given that both routinely kowtow to whoever filled the coffer in the last election.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Wasn't it Democrats in
Wasn't it Democrats in Augusta that decided not to charge a tax to ski resorts and golf courses? Just pointing out the flaws in one argument posted here...
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.And to point out the flaws to THAT argument
it was republicans who do not want to tax anything, therefore they must be in the pocket of EVERY LOBBYIST around. So how much did YOU get when you were in office? Seems you take a lot of "vacations" out of state.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.As stated previously and
As stated previously and again now, I've taken zero dollars for campaigns or lobbying efforts. My vacations are personal family vacations each year for one week, and one week volunteering at a boy scout camp. Oh yes and a copuple of times my wife and i went away for romantic weekends, but again paid for from both having good paying jobs and rewarding ourselves. I hope this explanation answers your question. The only thing I "got" while in office was the annual stipend of around $2,500 given to each councilor.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.In the end John Q Citizen pays ALL taxes
Tron, do you just not get it? In the end, it is you and I who pay ALL taxes. When a tax is levied on a business of industry, the money to pay the tax does not come out of thin air or some other miraculous pocket, we pay it in the form of higher prices for the goods and services that company is selling. We pay in Maine when jobs leave the state because regulation, workers compensation, unemployment and corporate and personal income taxes are too high for a business to continue operating here and price their goods and services competitively. One way or another EVERY tax is payed by John Q Citizen.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.HAHAHA...
Dan, in the immortal words of Peter Griffin; "Tron, you and your drugs".
Ok, sorry 'bout that. Dan, do you really believe that only SOME "democrats sucumb to lure of money"? If so, why are they sooo intent on raising taxes every chance they get?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Ok tron, who is has sold out
Ok tron, who is has sold out to lobbyists? You might want to read theses articles.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64420A20100505
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/05/bp.lobbying/index.html
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.we have let it become this
we have let it become this way...
people will not change what they do not recognize, sadly. they are all about the money and power.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.As much as getting rid of lobbyist would be a
God send and a great boon for our country, our first amendment right means they'll always be with us. What we have to do is elect people who do not kowtow to such influences. That is easier than it looks. Republicans are a party bought and sold by lobbyists. Some democrats succumb to the lure of the money, but generally are immune from the influences for lobbyists. So do your research and vote wisely.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.WOW!!!
What alternate reality did you come from, tron? Oh, that's right; I forgot. The ol' Saul Alinsky playbook - keep saying some that's false is true and eventually it will be, right? Wow, you're in rare form today with re-writing history, dude.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Obama has been the king of lobbyists
As a DEMOCRAT I am both ashamed and embarrassed by the conduct, lies snd rhetoric spewed from Candidate now President Obama on this subject. He claimed to reject lobbyists,PACS and the like, he attacked his adversaries character incessantly in this area and continues to do so when he in fact is the most heinous purpetrator. Tron, do you know that while Obama was calling John McCain and George Bush Big Oil, he was collecting more in contributions from big oil than Bush collected in both the 2000 and 2004 elections combined? McCain received a small fraction of what Obama received in the 2008 Presidential election. And Obama is continuing to collect from big oil to this day at record breaking levels. It isn't only oil either. Obama has been backed by banking, insurance, energy, health care, the auto industry, unions, and on and on from the beginning of his campaign. Grassroots, little guy support my ass, he passed on public campaign funding because he had huge corporate funding for his campaign as never before seen. Big oil was not the only writing checks equal to or most often exceeding the combined 2000 and 2004 Bush Presidential support. And the money has continued to pour in. Who do you think paid for that huge advertising campaign promoting Obamacare? Insurance companies, pharmsceuticals and healthcare thats who, becase the wrote it! Obamacate is in their best interest. Who do you think is payng for all the Global Warming and Emmisions campaign pushing Cap and Trade? Big Oil, energy, and chemical companies because they wrote it for their benefit. Get over it Tron, it isn't the Republicans you should be slamming, you should be terrified of our own party the Democrats and Obama.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.