Late Friday, after the Senate Democrats were questioned by the press about closing the door to Tuesday’s evening caucus, the Dems reversed themselves and announced the caucus — to be held tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Sweet Chili Thai in Augusta — would be “open to the press.” But, since Maine’s Freedom of Access Act […]
Our View
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Maine should decline to build health exchange
We have had the endless debate. We have had the narrow Supreme Court decision and, now, we have had the election. Looks like ObamaCare is here to stay. Maine Gov. Paul LePage is now faced with the decision he hoped to never make — whether to build a health care exchange or leave it up […]
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Maine Senate keeping public in the dark?
Senate Democrats have announced that, on Tuesday evening, they will convene a caucus to “nominate and select leaders for president, majority leader, assistant majority leader, secretary and assistant secretary.” This meeting to select Senate leadership is closed to the public. To be convened behind closed doors. To keep the public in the dark. Maine’s Freedom […]
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OUR VIEW: Republicans don’t need much soul-searching
People in the media fancy themselves as independent thinkers, but there is way more herd mentality than original thought in the nation’s commentary business. Within three days of the election, national pundits — known in some circles as the chattering class — had seized upon two words and run them into the ground: soul searching. […]
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OUR VIEW: Here’s hoping optimism doesn’t become rhetoric
In his concession speech, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney urged an end to partisan bickering and pleaded with the Obama administration and the incoming Congress to “reach across the aisle” and work together. In his victory speech, President Barack Obama promised to do just that, and assured us — with the long campaign now over — […]
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We hope — and demand — our leaders act
Explaining how he got involved in politics, Maine’s newly elected U.S. senator left us with a telling quote when he visited our offices several weeks ago. “I like people, I like ideas and I like getting things done,” former Gov. Angus King told the Sun Journal’s editorial board. While we are certain King alone cannot […]
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OUR VIEW: Money now flooding state’s political process
Commentators warned that we would see money pouring into the election process after a 2010 Supreme Court decision opened the door to big, anonymous political contributions. This year represents the first full-scale election since that decision, and the results are eye-popping. Maine Citizens for Clean Elections recently put together preliminary numbers for Maine. As of about […]
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The power to help others and ourselves
Business owners on Long Island are delivering hot meals to families stranded by Superstorm Sandy in Hoboken, N.J. Retired people are volunteering to make sandwiches at public shelters throughout the metro New York area. Volunteers are helping ambulance crews move the sick and injured to nursing homes and hospitals all along the East Coast. Public […]
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Here comes the tidal wave of garbage ads
The little witches, ghosts, goblins and vampires were out on Wednesday night, delivering feigned evil along with a laugh. But some adult evil-doers began playing tricks long before Halloween and will churn themselves into a howling fury between now and Election Day. We’re talking about the “super PACs” that are spending unprecedented amounts of money […]
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OUR VIEW: Crafting better government in Andy County
When voters in Androscoggin County go to the polls on Tuesday, they will be asked to approve the adoption of a proposed — and inaugural — Androscoggin County Charter. We encourage passage of this document, which has been carefully drafted in response to voter demands. The administration of Androscoggin County is currently performed by a […]