The 2010 Paul LePage Republican Party platform, page 4, under the heading of "Promote Family Values," reads "Parents, not government, are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children, whether disciplinary, educational, or medical." Conservative bloggers have written glowingly of this platform's plain English that anyone can understand.
Well, what does that plank mean?
First, that parents are the sole deciders of what is best for their children; government has no role. Second, that it means all parents — no distinction is made between loving and caring parents and bad parents; between mentally unstable and mentally stable parents.
If implemented, that plank places any child in Maine at risk. If government has no role, a large body of law disappears and along with it Child Protective Services and the role of family courts. If parents believe that beating their children is in the children's best interests, well that's OK. OK?
Such an extreme result must be a misinterpretation, but is confirmed by the plank calling to "Reject the U.N. Treaty on Rights of the Child" (the U.S. is the only country not to ratify this treaty), which is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children.
Apparently LePage thinks children have no rights.
We must protect Maine's children. Defeat Paul LePage and extremism.
Jonathan Albrecht, Dixfield
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Is LePage a dangerous radical?
Will LePage slash social spending. Well here's what is says. "My three top reform prioritites are general assisteance (welfare), government regulations, and education." "Our entire welfare system is designed to breed dependency." Source: Mr. LePage's campaign website. Oh it is. Then we have nothing to fear because welfare is a monumental failure because people rarely stay on welfare for a year unless they are permanently disabled or children.
Most disturbing is this comment from Mr. LePage's positions website - "recipients with disabilities would be required to perform community services within the scope of their respective abilities." I visited Mississippi some years back and got a very good view of what Republicans mean by "respective abilities". I visited "workshops", public run businesses (apparently not socialism), that contract work with for-profit companies where disabled folks are forced to work to get public assistance. All disabled people. Those missing one or more limbs; mentally unstable, can't walk, even quadripelgics. Have you ever watched a quadripelgic try to screw two metal plates together holding the screwdriver in his teeth. I did. It was within his respective abilities.
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I think that in some cases, it is unconscionable to put the disabled to work. Yet, I have seen some that claim to be disabled due to back injuries and such, collecting checks, while working under the table. They were doing construction, and then riding away on their motorcycles at the end of the day. I have seen the same people receiving disability checks for back injuries, yet have no problem going speed boating. It's quite amazing how some people are only in pain when it comes to working....or as a means to get ahead financially. I have seen some receiving medical assistance, food stamps, low income housing, etc., while working under the table, selling their food stamps for half the amount that they were worth, inorder to be able to buy beer, marijuana and cigarettes. The children go without food, so the parents can self-medicate. But, I do not believe this is always the case...these are just some that are abusing the system. I have also seen families that made a career living off of welfare. These same people, once their children were of age, turned to the disability system. They are now collecting because of obesity, drug addiction, and alcoholism. We do need reform. Perhaps the state could keep a closer eye for this kind of fraudulent behavior. Those that are scamming the state, know all the in and outs...perhaps it is time to throw a wrench in their works.
I understand why the working class often gets angry. I just hope that no one cuts aid to children, it is not their fault. I believe, that the state has to start showing up unexpectedly from time to time. I believe only then will they discover just how much scamming is really going on. Again, I am not speaking about everyone that is receiving aid...I am speaking of those that are scamming the system.
This should not be a Republican verses Democrat, or Democrat verses Republican agenda...it should be everyones agenda.
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The democrat platform calls for a raise for all Legislators.
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This mother has been seeking help for her child from day one. There is no help in this state for pyromaniacs. This mother did not give up. She took it to the community. YOU, Candiceanne, ridiculed this woman and tried to blame her as the cause for her child being a pyromaniac. Go re-read your own posts! Perhaps more parents would seek help in attaining tools in rearing children, if they did not have to worry about being condemned by vicious people like YOU! YOU, CANDICEANNE are a gossip, and you should be ashamed of yourself!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Madeleine
It was revealed that the children had been burned with cigarettes which you yourself sight here and I concur is child abuse. It was revealed by the agencies who she authorized to release information that she had NOT filed the necessary paper work to get the services she claimed her child desperately needed; that would be neglect. Not my definitions yours and the states.
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At no time did I advocate abuse of any kind though I did suggest A spanking would have been appropriate. I also discourage rewarding bad behavior. As for DWilson, I do not know the individual and only recently learned from postings on SJ that this individual is female. I would say that DWilson also did not advocate abuse of any kind. She advised on converting the child's room into a fireproof room, removing all cumbustibles, all fire generating means and strip searching the child before putting him in at night and securing the door from the outside. She also advised on safe supervision during waking hours. I believe mental health, fire, and law enforcement professionals commented that DWilson must be a professional in one of those or similar fields and all her advice was correct, none of these measures constituted abuse and would increase public safety if the child is a fire setter.
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Candiceanne, You just stated that DWilson must be a professional in one of those or similar fields ?
This is what DWilson had to say,
Ya, ya, ya, blah, blah, blah someone now has to be up 24/7 to make sure the little SOB doesn't get lonely and burn the place down killing you, one of his delightful welfare collecting siblings, your latest fella or the neighbors.
DWilson doesn't sound like a professional anything to me!...I don't care who endorsed her/him.
Candice this is what you had to say...amoungst ofther things.,
I DISAGREE WITH YOU THAT RAE HAS AN IMPULSE CONTROL PROBLEM, HE HAS A PARENTAL CONTROL PROBLEM. From experience, the best thing for RAE would be for the state to take him immediately, haul his butt to Brandon for as long as it takes, change his name and place him with a strict and active family that will promote his interests and propel him into a sucessful life.
Candiceanne, Have you ever met Rae? Were you ever assigned to this childs case? How well do you know his mother? And when did you ever see her neglect or abuse him?
You said: In light of the conduct of so many women today as interestingly put by another to behave as "Pez Dispensers,"
Have you ever known a woman that was married to an abusive man, divorced him and started a family with another man? Would you consider her a Pez Dispenser also? You are one vicious human being!
So long as the attention he is getting is happy rewarding attention he will keep this up.
Candiceanne, have you ever read that this child was being rewarded for starting fires? Is your idea of being rewarded, the absence of a good old fashioned child beating? What do you know about treating pyromaniac children? Does hitting them help?
Where do you get off ridiculing this mother and her child? YOU are the problem in todays society. You assume you know everything about this child and mother. You did not know any of the facts, because no agency commented. You made it your mission to defame this mother, which is not only abusive...but inhumane. You suggested taking a child from his parents, and changing his name, and hauling his butt to Brandon....and I suppose this is not abusive? Who are you Adolf Hitler? Don't you think that the state and all those involved would have removed this child if they thought he was abused or neglected? You are nothing more than a gossip and you dispay nothing short of unwarranted self-importance. :(
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It was not revealed by any agency that this child was burned with cigarrettes...what the heck are you saying? You are a vicious woman!
Although Foster gave permission for everyone connected to her son's case to discuss his situation, his psychiatrist and case manager declined to comment. Tri-County Mental Health Services confirmed Raequann has been treated for the past three years for fire-setting behavior, but would not say anything else.
http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/874457
What you read was a comment posted by a person by the last name of Briggs...and that comment was removed. This was not a proven fact! Stop spewing your hate for this mother. It is disgusting!
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Are you saying that government should control the parents deccisions and raising of ALL children?
Or just the ones that are in abusive situations?
And if they should control the raising of all children, just how would they do that? Do we need mandatory monthly inspections of all homes with children by DHHS?
How bout this? Would we have to give up our right to unlawful search as soon as our first child is born?
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I believe that if all parents received parenting classes, we would have alot less out of control parents and alot less out of control children. Allowing everyone to display self-control...instead of people losing control and beating children. I believe in abusive situations, someone has to step in to control the situation, and protect the child as well as the parent. Children do abuse their parents also. Restraining and hitting, do nothing but reinforce violent behavior...that's my opinion.
I believe hotlines, should be in place for parents that need a little guidance when faced with children that are on the wrong path, or perhaps in crisis. Parents that are losing control, sometimes just need someone to guide them thru a difficult situation with their children. I believe that intervention, would stop much abuse from occurring.
I don't believe we would have much of a need for DHHS intervention if parents had tools... so they could become the best parents they can be.
ajg 1959, you can be sarcastic, but it does not show you as being a creative thinker...it just makes you sarcastic. Sarcasim is not a good quality. :(
We are suffering from too much sarcasm.
-Marianne Moore
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I was serious as i can be in my post. These things I asked you about are the things that I believe we are headed towards.
Total governemnt control of our lives, and what better excuse to start than in the name of protecting children.
And honestly, you sound like you would be willing to take away all of the rights of all parents, and put all children under government control, and that you suspect every parent of being abusive.
I know you are a good person, and I know you have a heart for abused children, I just think your statements that imply that no parent can be trusted with their own children is extreme.
As far as education, do you really think that these monsters that do severe harm to children will change with education? They need mental help. They already know that it is cruel and illegal.....you cant teach them not to do it, they are gonna do it anyway. Their kids need to be rescued and they need to be locked up.
No, I meant what I asked you with all sincerity.
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I have to agree that we do have some people that have to be locked up. This is why I stated, I believe in abusive situations, someone has to step in to control the situation. Child abuse should never be tolerated, and consequences must be implimented. Yet, for a lot of parents, it is just plain not knowing how to be a parent. Most often these people are parenting the only way they know how, or the only way they learned how because of their own dysfunctional upbringing. We have others that have no coping skills...and no tools to becoming more patient.
I believe we should do something as a state, to afford all parents the education to becoming great parents, thus fore preventing child abuse. I believe that hotlines for parents that are in crisis, is the helping hands these parents need.
It's worth a try...thats my opinion, ajg 1959
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Talk to Paul, Madeleine, or are you just another closed minded bigot like Tron?
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That sort of post, from one of Paul's supporters...is far from being impressive and I doubt it will get him any votes. I won't hold it against Paul, how's that. :)
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Talk to Paul, Madeleine, or are you just another closed minded bigot like Tron?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."If you get to know the
"If you get to know the "real" Paul LePage? Are you saying there is a fake one, Govt2Big?"
Yes, there is a fake one, it is the one that his opposition is trying to create. Call Paul, or visit his website at lepage2010.com . Paul is honest and straight forward with his answers. No sugar coating or political speak. That is something refreshing.
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No sugar coating or political speak. That is something refreshing.
If that statement wasn't so sad, I would laugh. I believe we have heard this said, by most supporters of all politicians. It didn't make what they were saying the truth!
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Is this the same Madeleine who spent last weekend attacking me who took in 4 abused and neglected boys all the while defending a woman who was abusing her children?
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Perhaps you should gain some reading comprehension skills. No one said this mother was an abusive parent. That was your determination, not fact! You were not defending anyones children...infact, I believe you were encouraging the abuse of children. That was my determination from your posts! You had an allie that even went as far as to call a seven your old child, a little SOB! I never attacked you...I was defending a child and his mother from your cruel attacks. You, dear girl, are a legend in your own mind...and I have no room in my life for such a display of ignorance.
I believe you did take in four boys, I also believe you are a control freak...thats my opinion. I don't believe you took these children in because you love children. I determined that from your cruel posts!
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Can you tell the Far-Left extremists are getting nervous about the fall elections? Although I do respect his rights under the First Amendment, the only real extremist in this case/LTTE is the author Jonathan Albrecht. In fact, if you do a simple Google search for his name and the word Maine, his association with groups like the infamous and ultra Far-Left 'Maine Can Do Better' is one of the first links - http://www.mainecandobetter.org/index.php?id=21
The Extreme Far-Lefties are clearly nervous that they are about to lose political power in the fall, but I truly hope most of the voters will recognize what they're doing. They are the true cancer that is destroying our quality of life in Maine. They are the true cancer that is sucking us deeper into a more socialist/communist state. They are the true extremists that must be defeated in November.
As for Paul LePage, please visit his website at http://www.lepage2010.com
- especially the position statements and informational videos. If you get to know the "real" Paul LePage, you will see that he is exactly what Maine taxpayers need right now.
** LePage for Governor 2010 **
http://www.lepage2010.com
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If you get to know the "real" Paul LePage? Are you saying there is a fake one, Govt2Big?
What a wee little part of a person's life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself.
-Mark Twain
I believe this is why the people make poor choices in the voting booths....no one truly knows any one elses true agenda.
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Madeleine, the only fake Paul LePage is that one being painted by Extreme Far-Lefties like Jonathan and tron.
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Paul Lapage, has made a case against himself, although I believe it was not his intention to do so. After reading the story about this man's childhood, and the atrocities he suffered at the hands of his own parent, I was over come with sadness...only to have him come out and say that parents not govt. should be responsible for making decisions. Not all parents are qualified in making healthy choices for their children. This man should know this better than anyone else! If this man's agenda is to cut services for children...these children are not the only ones that will suffer, their children will suffer also. Abuse often breeds abuse. Cutting services for the abused is a step backwards not forward. This man should know this, seeing as his childhood was far from being ideal.
“When I can no longer bear to think of the victims of broken homes, I begin to think of the victims of intact ones.”
-Peter De Vries
Child abuse does not discriminate, Mr. Lepage should know this better than most. Just because someone states they are a good parent, it does not make it so. That is exactly why we need govt. agencies to protect children. Perhaps, Mr. Lepage should of made his platform about educating parents in the rearing of children, giving these parents tools in child rearing...mandatory parenting classes for all expectant parents....perhaps he would have gained my vote!
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although i will not vote for lepage... i don't think that his parents vs. government was meant in a way where children (as well as those who are in need of help,etc.) would be at risk. it would take a lot more than this campaign to get away with 'all or nothing'.
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It would take a lot more than this campaign to get away with 'all or nothing'?
Never under estimate the power of one person. If you find that ludicrous, just take a walk down history lane. Every person in this world has the power with their actions, responses and agendas as to whether a child is humanized or de-humanized.
That is ' all or nothing'.
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This is the most reasonable and rational post I have ever seen you make. You are right, it is not all or nothing now, and I dont think it ever will be no matter how hard some folks try to make it that way. But us parents need to pay more attention to the political agendas that affect our children.
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ajg 1959, But us parents need to pay more attention to the political agendas that affect our children? We wouldn't be good parents if we didn't? Hopefully this is not something we should start doing...it is something we should have been doing right along.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Madeleine
Are you saying that since some parents abuse their children, that ALL parents should be forced to let the government raise theirs?
First off, there are no "perfect parents", we all make mistakes. But most of us do put our children first, and go to great lengths to make sure that we give them the best education and teach them the moral values that will make them productive members of society.
My oldest kids are aged 30 and 27. They are both college grads. One teaches middle school and the other is a clerk on the Naval base where her husband is stationed. I have 3 grandkids.
My youngest son just turned 5, but before he turned 5 he finished all of his Kindergarten classes. He reads on at least a 3rd grade level. (seriously he reads the SJ with minimal help). My wife will start him on first grade this fall. He gets constant attention and is never left unattended. And Lord help the person that lays a hand on him. He is my world. (Well my wife is a little bit of my world too)
Anyway, why should I have to submit control of raising my children when obviously I am having no problems on my own? The state needs to intefere in the lives of children that are being abused, and leave the rest of us alone.
And, for what its worth, when I was a teen, my parents got legal custody of one of my cousins that was being abused. That prompted them to take the classes and get certified as foster parents. They took in several kids a year for from anywhere to a few nights to a few months. All of them suffered from either abuse or neglect or both. So I do know a little bit about abused kids, and I agree with you, we need agencies to rescue them.
What I am trying to tell you is that just because I want the freedom to make the decisions in raising my own son, doesnt mean I dont realise that there are kids that need rescued from their own parents. And yes we do need government agencies to help these kids. I dont think anyone is arguing against that. I am just saying that law abiding, nurturing parents should not have to submit to more government control. Go after the bad parents and leave the good ones alone.
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I am saying, that if you are a good parent...then you have nothing to worry about. Laws and guidelines have been set in place for those that know no bounderies.... those that call abuse, discipline. These laws and guide lines, these agencies are in place for those who raise their children in sexual abusive homes, and in filth, and call it a choice in life style. Ajg...please tell me how you feel govt. is trying to tell you how to raise your children? I really want to understand where you're coming from.
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First off, they are mandating things to be taught in schools that go totally against my morals. My only choice is homeschooling. We feel it is the best for our son overall, but I worry about him having enough interaction with other kids. He does have his Sunday School class, and this fall he will be able to go to either the library or on field trips with other homeschooled kids.
I dont believe in beating a child, but a good old fashioned spanking doesnt hurt them ( dont use anything but my hand, and spank him on the butt). Today, if your kid acts out in public and police get involved they will hold the parent accountable, which they should. Problem is, if you discipline your child by grabbing on to him to calm him down, or by spanking his butt with your hand, then the police will be called and you can be charged with abuse or assault. So, we are kind of screwed in public. If we dont discipline him we are wrong, and if we do we are still wrong.
There is more, but, he wants me to watch "Alvin and the Chipmunks" with him, so I will write more later
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ajg 1959, I am a Christian. I too do not agree with alot that is being taught in school. :) I don't like the idea that God was taken out of schools, but I believe that there are others that do not believe the same way I believe. I also realized that I can not keep my children from the world. So I opted to raise them with morals...and send them out as leaders. :) I sent them out, to be compassionate, kind, curteous, responsible, hard working, respectful, thoughtful, human beings. I sent them out to be role models, for other children that have none.
I did not want to keep my children from this world, I sent them out into the world with the hope that they would touch other children in such a significant way, that perhaps they would inspire others to do what was right. It worked. :) I reinforced values, and morals in my home, not only in my words, but in my example. I taught them to be good examples...and the rest is up to them. We will not always be able to follow our children. They will grow up and sometimes they stray from what they have been taught...it happens. We can only hope they someday return to what the were taught.
Yet, my children cannot stop the abuse of other children. We need govt agencies in place for abused children. The laws in Maine have changed greatly. You don't go to jail for spanking children, and to say that, is to not know the law.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine
[Maine Revised Statutes]
It is a crime for parent, guardian, or other person with care and custody of a child to cruelly treat a child by extreme punishment. 17-A Part 2, Chapter 23 § 554(1)(B-1) Endangering the welfare of a child. [Criminal Code]
Title 17-A, Chapter 5 § 106 — Physical force by persons with special responsibilities
A parent, foster parent, guardian or other similar person responsible for the long term general care and welfare of another person is justified in using a reasonable degree of force against such other person when and to the extent the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or punish such other person's misconduct. A person to whom such parent, foster parent, guardian or other responsible person has expressly delegated permission to so prevent or punish misconduct is similarly justified in using a reasonable degree of force.
I am glad home schooling is working out for you :) I hope your son will someday go out into the world and be the role model that others need. :)
"Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Set the example! :)
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Madeleine
Are you saying that since some parents abuse their children, that ALL parents should be forced to let the government raise theirs?
First off, there are no "perfect parents", we all make mistakes. But most of us do put our children first, and go to great lengths to make sure that we give them the best education and teach them the moral values that will make them productive members of society.
My oldest kids are aged 30 and 27. They are both college grads. One teaches middle school and the other is a clerk on the Naval base where her husband is stationed. I have 3 grandkids.
My youngest son just turned 5, but before he turned 5 he finished all of his Kindergarten classes. He reads on at least a 3rd grade level. (seriously he reads the SJ with minimal help). My wife will start him on first grade this fall. He gets constant attention and is never left unattended. And Lord help the person that lays a hand on him. He is my world. (Well my wife is a little bit of my world too)
Anyway, why should I have to submit control of raising my children when obviously I am having no problems on my own? The state needs to intefere in the lives of children that are being abused, and leave the rest of us alone.
And, for what its worth, when I was a teen, my parents got legal custody of one of my cousins that was being abused. That prompted them to take the classes and get certified as foster parents. They took in several kids a years for from anywhere to a few nights to a few months. All of them suffered from either abuse or neglect or both. So I do know a little bit about abused kids, and I agree with you, we need agencies to rescue them.
What I am trying to tell you is that just because I want the freedom to make the decisions in raising my own son, doesnt mean I dont realise that there are kids that need rescued from their own parents. And yes we do need government agencies to help these kids. I dont think anyone is arguing against that. I am just saying that law abiding, nurturing parents should not have to submit to more government control. Go after the bad parents and leave the good ones alone.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Wow....Wow...Wow!
"Parents, not government, are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children, ????? Mr. Lepage, what the heck? You know better than anyone else that a lot of parents are not able to rear children on their own! Your own father was an abuser! Thank God, that today their are agencies in place so that children do not have to sleep in an upstairs room at a strip joint.
Maine GOP gov candidate had Dickens-like childhood
WATERVILLE, Maine — Paul LePage was just 11 when another beating landed him in the hospital. At his bedside, he said, his father — a mill-worker whose blows had put him there — handed him a 50-cent piece.
“He said, ‘You’re going to see the doctor tomorrow. Just tell him you fell down the stairs,’” LePage recalled.
Right then, LePage decided he would run away.
He hustled on the streets, shining shoes, selling newspapers, begging. He slept at friends’ homes, at the stables at the fairgrounds, in an upstairs room at a strip joint. Eventually, kindhearted adults took him. He went to college, then became general manager of a chain of popular surplus stores. A Republican, he later became mayor of heavily Democratic Waterville.
http://blog.taragana.com/politics/2010/07/11/abused-runaway-by-age-11-bu...
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To all of you perfect parents that have afforded your children great lives. Thank you. It's great to know your children were never burned with cigarettes, never sexually torchered as infants and toddlers, pre-school or school aged, never had their bones broken, they were never left home alone in cribs while you went away. Your children were never beaten beyond recognition...and placed in cages. Good for you, how blessed your children were to have been loved, cared for, fed etc.
It's not that way for all children. And because we can't stop disfunctional people from bringing children into this world...it's not in our control who gets to have children and who does not! You need a licence to drive...but you need no licence to be a parent.
Thank God, we have gov. agencies to protect those children that haven't been afforded the luxury, of having loving parents. Yes, love is a luxury to those that have never known it, or never have been blessed to have it. Many times these children wait for someone to just come in and save them.
It may not matter to any of you perfect parents, whether there are agencies in place for abused children...after all it seems to be all about you! Well, it matters to the abused. They are not able to defend themselves. They are little children. Infact if someone does not report their abuse, these children can't tell anyone...because they can't speak yet.
There are all sorts of crazy ritual abuse that go on in this world. And yes, in this state too. There is the mutilation of little girls genitals...etc. These parents do not consider this abuse either...they consider themselves to be perfect parents....should it be a green light?
Me, me, me, it must be nice to be all about me. Just incase you didn't know...it's not all about you! There are children being abused daily and they need help...whether you believe they need a govt agency in place to help them or not. Like I said before, if you feel inconvenienced by this...too bad.
This is reality, and it happens in Maine too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5E2Nn3MxCs
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that chidren not be protected from bad parents.
The idea is to protect the children from bad government.
I dont share the same values with the goverment on many issues, and I feel my child needs to be protected from that indoctrination.
Just because a parent should have the right to make decisions for their children concerning education, religion, cultural and social skills/morals, and politics.....doesnt mean that the child is not protected from abuse, including denial of medical treatment.
There will always be parents that neglect/abuse their children, and these children have to be protected. However, the people that do raise their children properly should not be penalized and have to deal with unwanted interference and control, basically fear of the government, because of a small percentage of parents that shouldnt have had kids in th e first place.
It's pretty ignorant to think that its all or nothing on this issue, because its not. LePages platform will not allow child pornography, child slaves, or child prostitution.
You people saying it will dont have an ounce of intelligence in your head.
Sorry bout my rant, government control of child rearing really makes me angry, and the stupidity of some of these comments makes it worse.
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parents can deny their children medical attention, regardless of the situation. Untenable.
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Woody, parents can already deny medical attention for a child, thus they need to sign a release consent form before any medical services can be provided...Untenable would be the democrats who have never fixed that one in Augusta despite being in pwoer all these years..oh the humanity.
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Mom, thanks. I bet that you are a great mother and are teaching your four children morals,values and to take responsibility for their actions. I know that you are an intelligent woman and are doing the right thing. The ones that do the right thing are fed up with being punished because of the minority that don't do the right thing for their children. Maybe the government should step in and neuter offending males that beat their children and spay offending females. Remove the children remaining in the home and adopt them out to loving families. I guess that would stop the overpopulation of unwanted children and save the tax payers trillions in welfare checks.
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I too homeschooled my children which included comparative religion, the conservative you so fear that is not my belief but I certainly do not fear it and much more. I commend this plank for supporting my right and the right of my children, now grandchildren and all other children for the parents to make those and so many other important decisions in their lives and keeping the state out. We see almost daily accounts of criminal activity where the state has intervened in the criminal's life for many years with a ruined life the result at best.
As to Tron's ludicrous comment on suspending DHHS to give to the wealthy, I say "What wealthy"? Tron, Maine is, as I so frequently recite, the most heavily federally subsidized state in the country. For every $1 collected in federal income tax from individuals, state based corporate instate operations and out of state corporate operations within the state ie Nestle's Poland Springs, $1.79 is sent back to Maine. That means every federal income tax dollar from Maine is refunded plus 79 cents from hardworking people in other states is sent here. In addition to the federal funds, Maine has 4 times the national average of non-profits while being at the bottom when it comes to population. These non-profits are getting grant funding much of which comes from individuals, corporations, private foundations and family foundations outside the state. Tron, your claim that LaPage would be disbanding DHHS to give to Maine's wealthy is obsurd since Maine has no wealthy class to speak of.
Jal, thank you for bringing to everyone's attention Paul LaPages pro-family stand.
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I too homeschooled my children which included comparative religion, the conservative you so fear that is not my belief but I certainly do not fear it and much more. I commend this plank for supporting my right and the right of my children, now grandchildren and all other children for the parents to make those and so many other important decisions in their lives and keeping the state out. We see almost daily accounts of criminal activity where the state has intervened in the criminal's life for many years with a ruined life the result at best.
As to Tron's ludicrous comment on suspending DHHS to give to the wealthy, I say "What wealthy"? Tron, Maine is, as I so frequently recite, the most heavily federally subsidized state in the country. For every $1 collected in federal income tax from individuals, state based corporate instate operations and out of state corporate operations within the state ie Nestle's Poland Springs, $1.79 is sent back to Maine. That means every federal income tax dollar from Maine is refunded plus 79 cents from hardworking people in other states is sent here. In addition to the federal funds, Maine has 4 times the national average of non-profits while being at the bottom when it comes to population. These non-profits are getting grant funding much of which comes from individuals, corporations, private foundations and family foundations outside the state. Tron, your claim that LaPage would be disbanding DHHS to give to Maine's wealthy is obsurd since Maine has no wealthy class to speak of.
Jal, thank you for bringing to everyone's attention Paul LaPages pro-family stand.
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I never said LePage was going to suspend DHHS. What I said was I think he's going to slash the social safety network, in order to you and all your wealthy friends huge giveaways, disguise as 'relief.' I know he's probably hired you to sneak around and promote his agenda, since we don't see him campaigning anywhere, but please don't lie about what others say. Just regurgitate what your idol says to spout, to avoid letting people know what's he's going to do, just what people want to hear.
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"slash ALL social services"would be a more accurate description of what you typed...leading many to beleive you were saying cut it all together but knew that would never fly..so lets ask the question..if you slash all, whats left?
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and do not dictate to others how to raise theirs. It is not my purview, and I would step down from my position if it were a requirement. And lil, you are a waste of time.
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Apparently the goals of the UN treaty are way over your head.
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momof4, good post. Raising 4 kids must be fun, I only have one kid and I find it interesting (for lack of a better word).
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My 3 boys are doing quite well without government intervention....but then again those who don't have children wouldn't have a clue what it takes to raise them so no surprises here - and I agree some people should not have kids...tron included, well at least that one is safe...it would require female comapnionship.....(spell check engaged!)
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I know one went to a college he didn't want to simply because you bullied him, another is pursuing a course that pleases you, and a I've not heard much about the third, but I'm keeping my ears open.
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Dan, this isn't the place to go there.
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tron you truly are an idiot making moronic comments about things you have absolutely no clue about. My son chose a school thats was probably third on my original list (my son convinced otherwise) and ended up getting an incredible education and graduating with high honors, so you're totally backwards on that one (no surprise). My second son chose law enforcement, so now you'll try to make petty remarks becasue we all know how you feel about law enforcement - your idea of protection from supposed abuse is to report it to the newspaper...my third son is just beginning his junior year of high school and has not decided what his passion in life will be. Funny thing is that all of them already have more education than you - because I and they know the importance of getting a good education. We as PARENTS have supported every action and helped pay a considerable portion of their education to ensure they have a leg up in life. Oh and as to pleasing me, they all please me because its their passion that shines, their decision as to what they will do in college or otherwise. Now excuse me while I head to the office and work for the day.
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Bob, you need to can it with the personal attacks.
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Patty, if you did a better job monitoring the crap he writes, i wouldn't need to respond...he has continued to spread lies, make untrue allegations and yet you do nothing...I am at a loss for words to understand how he can come in and call people racist and bigots and you do nothing when your policy expressly says you will not tolerate racist remarks...can you explain how calling someone racist does not constitute a racist remark....or lets be honest here - is the only time you respond when you get a complaint, and if so, maybe we should make all the complaints known to everyone.....so the question is, do you actually monitor the blog comments or just respond to complaints...
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In a perfect world, with all good parents...I believe we could all say, we want government out of our lives and that of our families. Many believe that they are smart enough to provide for their children the necessary education that they need... No one wants to be a puppet, nor do they feel they need a government agency to tell them what to do. They also feel it is just another bureaucratic power grab by the government to intrude into family lives.
In 2007, 4,118 Maine children were confirmed abused/and or neglected.
The number of children abused and neglected in Maine would fill over 13 elementary, middle and high schools.
No one wants the state or others in their family business...especially those that abuse!
A man who thinks himself wise has no hope of change. Neither is there much hope for dolts, ... The fool's way is “right in his own eyes”
Reality!
50% to 70% of men who assault their
partners also abuse their children.
·75% of boys who witness domestic
violence have been found to have
demonstrable behavioral problems.
·The risk of sexual abuse is 7 times
greater for girls whose fathers batter
their mothers.
·Male children who witness partner
violence are 3 times more likely to
abuse their partners as adults.
·Research results suggest that battering
is the single most common factor among
mothers of abused children.
·In one study, 27% of domestic homicide
victims were children.
·When a child is killed during a domestic
dispute, 90% are under age 10, 56% are
under age 2.
The reason these gov. agencies are in place, is to protect children from abuse and in many cases...to save these childrens lives.
If some of you feel inconvenienced...too bad!
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a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.
Tron, and a few others on this site, fit the definition perfectly.
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I guess if you're against children's rights you must support buying and selling kids, child pornography, child prostitution, etc...
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great comment from the MasterBaster himself...har!
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By telling her that you, in fact, are government, and are raising four children.....
There goes her theory all shot to hell!!!!
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Beautifully said!
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So I guess that you think that the government knows better than the parent regarding raising children. I want the government out of my life and that of my family. I am smart enough to provide my children the necessary education they need . I am not a puppet and need a government agency to tell me what to do. This is just another bureaucratic power grab by the government to intrude into family lives. Why bother to have children at all if you are going to turn them over to the government to raise? The far left secular lazy liberal thinking and not taking responsibility for ones actions creates an atmosphere of dependency and leaves the door open for the government to raise a bunch of left thinking puppets that can't process a thought unless told what to do. I guess you can tell by reading the posts in here which people were raised by government intervention.
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You forgot to submit the rest of your stupid rant, you know, the part about how the Republicans think it is okay to cook their children in the oven???? How many times have you said THAT? I bet you chickened out because you know you are so off base and the readers would think you are a lunatic. Tell me something: did your parents let the government raise YOU? It would explain alot.
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GOP Platform = "A Modest Proposal"
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Another example of the same!
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One usually needs to use extremism to point out how others are extreme in their thinking. Mr. Albrecht has shown us that this is the case with his post. Let us all remember that it is only his extreme opinion of what another person's opinion is. Not much value there.
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tell us. Why do you think that the state can raise children any better than most parents? I did say most because we all know instances where some people should never have children.
Sorry, no diatribes about how it's all GWB's fault. No political whinning. Just tell us why you are so dead against parents having the right to raise their own children
You can answer this one too Dan (tron).
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No BDS? No whining? If those were the rules, we would never again hear from Albrecht, tron, xyz, veritas, lil, ...
The Master of the Universe has been on the thrown for more than 1.5 years. If that UN thingy was even on his to-do list, he could have long since rammed it through the compliant Congress. (There's another rule: No blaming "obstructionist" Republicans.)
But the debate is over, really. The "financial" reform atrocity allows the O to issue a royal decree, with no confirmation by Congresscritters, that some private enterprise must be nationalized and run by the all-competent government. It's not much of a stretch of the monarch's authority to proclaim that the nanny state is now truly in charge, and will raise all young-human-units in manners most beneficial to the kingdom. After all, it's been done before with rousing success. Remember the Hitler Youth?
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So the US government (liberals) does not ratify the treaty and yet conservatives are bad people for taking the same position? Go figure, only in a liberal world...
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Me I vote for La Page lets clean out the barn we need to start beating/whipping adults as well as children. Extreme times calls for extreme measures. Lets starts with the GOP since they are the problem and do not know it.
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No it doesnt.
I've been to the village, and I dont want them raising my child.
And the comment in the letter about beating children is out of line. Noone condones that. But the moral and cultural standards should be taught by the parents.
My wife homeschools my son. He is more than a year ahead of other kids his age academically. He is taught our religious beliefs, and he is not taught the liberal agenda that the public schools are teaching.
We have the right to homeschool him and we exercise it. I suggest that anyone else that doesnt want "the village" raising their kids might look into homeschooling also.
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In Mr. LePages case, it did take a villiage...as it does for other children too.
He hustled on the streets, shining shoes, selling newspapers, begging. He slept at friends’ homes, at the stables at the fairgrounds, in an upstairs room at a strip joint. Eventually, kindhearted adults took him. It was a different era and people helped Paul LePage after he ran away. He did errands for men at the social clubs on Lisbon Street, he said, and made money shining the shoes of Brunswick Naval Air Station sailors at a strip club.
Eventually, LePage found work assisting Pepsi delivery truck driver Bruce Myrick.
Myrick remembers taking LePage home one day, only to find that it was empty.
“They took the kids and the furniture and didn’t leave a forwarding address,” said Myrick, who now runs a motorcycle business. “So I lugged him home with me.”
LePage also began working at a restaurant owned by Eddy Collins called Theriault’s, which was next to his family’s tenement. After spending some time with Myrick’s family, LePage went to live with Collins. He’d help at the restaurant before breakfast, then go to school.
“We treated him like a son and we still do,” Collins said.
Back then, Theriault’s was a hangout for the local politicians. Myrick introduced LePage to the late Peter Snowe, first husband of Sen. Olympia Snowe, and Collins introduced him to Thomas J. Anthoine, owner of Anthoine Rubber Co. Inc. Both men offered to help with college, LePage said.
His English was poor and no college wanted him. But Peter Snowe encouraged him to seek an interview at Husson College, and he was allowed to take an achievement test in French, LePage said. At Husson, LePage earned the “Outstanding Graduate” award. Later, he received his MBA from the University of Maine.
I believe that Mr. LePage realizes that the village often are the ones that step up to the plate for may children. I hope he remembers this the next time he states, "Parents are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children."
Ajg 1959, you stated, "But the moral and cultural standards should be taught by the parents" You also said, about your own child, "He is taught our religious beliefs, and he is not taught the liberal agenda that the public schools are teaching." Ajg 1959, I'd like to know which religion teaches that spewing hate towards others is acceptable?
This was what you posted on another story.
http://www.sunjournal.com/oxford-hills/story/879932
You just confirmed by your words and actions, that some parents are not responsible for making decisions in the best interest of their children....Bigotry 101, is the disease of ignorance....and is not the curriculum that any responsible parent would teach their child.
“Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant."
-Thomas Jefferson
Kind people, Bruce Myrick, Eddy Collins, (The late) Peter Snowe, Thomas J. Anthoine and all others that took Mr. Lepage under your wing...Thank you. You were the village that made the difference. :)
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http://blog.taragana.com/politics/2010/07/11/abused-runaway-by-age-11-bu...
The whole quote...
“Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. education and free discussion are the antidotes of both.”
Thomas Jefferson
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This has got to be one of the dumbest letters that I have seen published.
What do you want? You want every parent to hand over their baby to the state at birth? You might as well if you dont allow parents to raise their own kids.
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I've sucked nothing from the system, thanks for trying. I understand that, you, on the other hand have a different story. I'm far from rich, can barely pay my bills. So, tron, I ask again...which rich benefactors? Also...I noticed you didn't try to spit your vile into any of my points. Hmmm because you know I'm right. Thanks! ;-)
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Now you're getting all bent out of shape because I don't respond to your babbling tripe? Pffff!
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but I am pretty sure that Tron was raised by the village.
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Help! Help! The sky is falling! Parents should be responsible for their children?? WHAT?? No way! I thought children already had a nanny...the state. How the heck can you argue against parents being responsible for their children? Abuse? Abuse isn't discipline, it is abuse! I do give my congrats to jalbrechtchtchttt for getting an editorial publish, however, this is absurd. It IS and always should be up to the parents. Leaving decisions in the hands of parents does not discount the need for DHHS. As I said, smacking your child around is abuse, not discipline...therefore it is not protected under the Republican platform. Stop twisting.
tron, what "rich benefactors"? The taxpayers of the state?
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you know the type, the ones that complain about others using the system, while they suck as much as possible from the system, while every-one's attention is elsewhere. We are wise to your game, if only we can get the voters to see.
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the right wing wackos will answer that the platform really doesn't mean anything, and that Mr. LePage is just a fiscal conservative without any interest in any social problems. However I think he plans to slash all social services and give money to rich benefactors. I said I think, because he's running a very low keyed campaign, not telling the Maine voter what he plans to do. He hopes to get in, then destroy the state as we know it.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.MAINE REFOUNDERS / Tea Party.
MAINE REFOUNDERS / Tea Party. Dedicated to Preserving the Constitution!
VISION
I am running for Governor because, as most of us born or raised in the state, I love Maine. It's people, communities, businesses and natural beauty are like no other place on earth. We face many challenges in coming years, and I want to be your voice, to represent you in our state government, and to protect your finances and individual rights from the encroachment of state and federal government.
Fiscal Responsibility: Fiscal responsibility starts and ends with the understanding that taxpayers have a right to keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible-not that government has the right to collect as much money as it needs. I promise that my first priority as Governor will be to ensure that state government spends every tax dollar wisely. I will not allow wasteful spending. Government tax and spend practices will come to an end, and I will fight to keep every dollar possible where it rightfully belongs, in your pocket.
Tax Reform: Our vision for Maine must include tax reform, repeal and excise tax reduction. As Mayor of Waterville I set a goal to ensure property tax reduction each year from the year after I took office. By seeking efficiency, applying sound business principals, and always looking out for the taxpayer, I have proven my ability to reach these goals. In my tenure as Mayor of Waterville, we have cut property taxes without sacrificing any city services. The city's fund balance has increased from $1 million to $10 million and our credit rating has been upgraded from A-Minus to A-Plus.Government needs to practice the same discipline and fiscal responsibility with the taxpayer's money that any responsible individual would practice with their own. I strongly support repeal of all new sales taxes.
Taxpayer Bill Of Rights: I am in favor of the Taxpayer Bill Of Rights. It merely limits the power of state government to increase taxes above the rate of inflation and population growth-without a vote of the people. As Mayor of Waterville, I have cut taxes several times while maintaining services, with no ill effects. As Governor I can show you how to do it for all of Maine.
Job Creation: Too often politicians and bureaucrats in state government make the promise that they "will create new jobs". At best this sort of statement shows a complete misunderstanding of the Maine economy. At worst it shows an eagerness to increase the size of government. The jobs that our state needs are not the kind that can be created by our governor, state legislature or any other government entity. The jobs that Maine needs are the kind created by intelligent, visionary entrepreneurs who will choose Maine as the place to start or grow their business. They will create new, higher paying jobs in industries where growth is possible. These jobs will stimulate our economy, bringing revenue into state coffers while reducing the burden on individual taxpayers. As Governor, I promise to work tirelessly not to "create new jobs" but to create an environment and public policy that promotes the growth of business, envision a landscape bounding with economic activity.
Limited Government: Never before in the history of our state or our nation have the individual rights of citizens been so openly under attack. Each and every Maine citizen has the right to live their life without the shackles of government. From over-taxation that is forcing some into economic slavery to excessive government regulation by bureaucrats who do not understand the industries they attempt to regulate, it is time to halt the growth of government. It is time to push back against this steadily growing interference into our personal lives, our finances, and our businesses.
Traditional Values: Family is the foundation on which civilization is built. I will oppose any effort to undermine traditional values in our great state. The traditional values that we hold dear are part of what has made Maine the exceptional place to live that it is today.
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tron you are just so "inciteful" to use your words....actually that misspelling fits well given how you always try to INCITE problems on here AND you clearly lack any INSIGHT into what is going on in the world. Just color me wacko, right wing, bigotted racist sheetwearing conservative and newly returned to the Republican party.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.tron, please feel free to
tron, please feel free to accurately point out where mr. lePage is on record saying he plans to slash all social services...it's not true but please keep spreading false rumors, it seems the more you spew off in here the more people swap to conservative ideals...I appreciate you and Jal helping tyhe conservative cause so much, I for one rejoined the republican party this week just to spite you. Oh and as you get no social services per your previous posts, why would you care if anything is cut? Yeppers, further proof you're worried something you're dishonest about getting might be cut or gone...,
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we've heard NOTHING from him since his nomination. He might win, but only because he doesn't let people know what he's going to do.
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