It's POLITICS, pffft!
"Maine blazes a trail in funding; Clean election system popular" by Sasha Issenberg, Globe Correspondent | March 29, 2010
BANGOR — A system created to banish big money from politics has created a class of candidates who must first fixate on small money. Those who choose to “run clean,’’ as Mainers call it, say that their top priority early in the campaign is reaching that $16,250 goal....
Maine’s system has gained in popularity since its introduction in 2000, with more than 80 percent of legislative candidates now participating. The system extends to gubernatorial candidates but not to congressional seats. This year, Maine could have two major-party nominees for governor relying only on public funds for the first time.
The program, approved by voters in a 1996 referendum, has inspired other states. This year, Connecticut will for the first time make a robust public financing plan available to its gubernatorial candidates. (Massachusetts voters approved a public financing plan in a 1998 referendum, but legal and political machinations killed it.) A bill to create a federal program has 151 House sponsors.
Well, we know who rule$ in Ma$$achusetts now.
That is why it is such a shit state.
“They have probably the strongest program in the country,’’ Arn Pearson, a vice president of the voter advocacy group Common Cause, said of Maine. “Maine has a pretty good tradition of innovative policy and civility, and both parties, candidates, and the public have nurtured it and improved it.’’
Good move, Bonnie.
Campaigns can finance their small-dollar fund-raising operation by collecting up to $200,000 in “seed money’’ from contributions of $100 or less but have to shut down the account at the time they qualify for public money.
Candidates who run clean will then receive a lump-sum payment of $400,000 for the June primary, with the opportunity to receive $200,000 more if they face high-spending adversaries. (Five Democrats and seven Republicans have qualified for the ballot, and they face at least one serious independent contender in the fall.)
You know, I'm actually bothered by public money being used.
We don't have any to spare, and now the politicians want us to pay for their campaigns so they won't be corrupted and will do what they are SUPPOSED to do -- represent the PEOPLE?
Maybe LESS GOVERNMENT is the answer, huh?
If he or she wins the nomination, the candidate running clean receives another $600,000 for the general election and up to $600,000 in further funds if he or she faces excessive spending by the opposition — either a rival candidate, party, or political action committee.
The amount of paperwork demanded by the Ethics Commission — including the requirement that each contribution be certified by a town clerk to ensure it was from a registered voter — is arduous, but the payoff is immense. If they follow all the rules, candidates can leverage $56,250 in private money into as much as $1.8 million in public funds.
Did you KNOW WHAT YOU WERE VOTING ON, Mainers?
NOTHING BETTER TO DO with almost $2 million dollars, huh?
“The clean election system is both a sword and a shield. The sword is the money they give you, and the shield is the protection against someone outspending you. That’s very powerful,’’ said state Senator Peter Mills, the only Republican gubernatorial candidate running clean this year. “That’s the thing that lures people into the system, even if they don’t like it very much.’’
But it's a great success!!!
The commission accepts contributions through a clunky Web interface, but it is offline social networks that have proved to be crucial. Former House speaker John Richardson has enlisted unions that endorsed him — including state troopers and police, plumbers, and pipe-fitters — as a source of fund-raising manpower. Gubernatorial candidate Libby Mitchell’s son received checks from more than 150 members of his Portland bowling league.
Conservation commissioner Pat McGowan traveled to Fort Kent, near Canada, to solicit from spectators at the Can-Am Crown International Dog Sled Race. The campaign set up phone banks so volunteers could schedule a time to visit voters at home and make a pitch in person.
“It’s one thing to ask for someone’s support, or vote, but another thing for $5,’’ said Brandon Maheu, McGowan’s campaign manager. “Someone needs to be engaged face to face. In these tough economic times, it’s still $5 from somebody’s pocket.’’
I'm sorry, I don't have $5 to spare with no income.
Even in person, the process is so arcane that it forced an awkward ending to Mitchell’s Bangor event: a 14-minute discussion about the protocols of the $5 contribution. Four of the dozen attendees ended up giving.
One of them, a Democratic activist — so knowledgeable about state politics that he interrupted Mitchell’s talk to identify the chairs of legislative committees she mentioned — donated only after learning, to his surprise, that he could contribute to more than one candidate.
“It appeals to me because I like the idea that there will be a limit to what will be spent,’’ said David Weeda, who operates an off-the-grid bed and breakfast in Bucksport. “Candidates should be running for the issues and not for the dollar.’’
Yeah, and SO FEW DO!!
For the clean candidates, it’s been all about the Lincolns. When Mitchell earned the endorsement of former president Bill Clinton this month, she did not ask him to record a television spot or host a $100 per-head fund-raiser for her seed-money account. Instead, Mitchell got Clinton to sign off on an online appeal for $5....
I wouldn't want his endorsement.
Qualifying for the clean elections program can prove so lucrative that it has inspired a genre of petty election crime.
Yup, PUT PUBLIC MONEY OUT THERE and WATCH THE VULTURES CIRCLE!
Two legislative candidates have been jailed for submitting real money under inaccurate names. In one case, the donors were deceased; in another the signatures of living voters were allegedly faked.
In Augusta, rumors abound that campaigns have paid canvassers as much as $10 for each small check they collect.
Getting DIRTY ALREADY, 'eh, Maine?
The ethics commission frowns on the practice but can not find anything improper about it.
Gee, somehow, I'm not feeling that great about public financing after that agenda-pushing, page-one, one-day wonder.
And look who paid you a visit to pimp his health tax!
"Overhaul a job-saver, Obama tells Maine" by Susan Milligan, Globe Staff | April 2, 2010
PORTLAND, Maine — An ebullient President Obama pitched his newly-minted health care law to Mainers yesterday, casting it as a job-saving plan, ridiculing those who predict a disaster, and daring opponents to try to repeal it.
Oh, he has the SAME ARROGANCE that BUSH SHOWED!
Some change.
Related:
"lawmakers on both sides acknowledge any repeal would be highly unlikely as long as President Obama remains in office, as he could veto any such legislation"
Oh, he's a real tough talker, huh?
Yeah, I'm not taking that repeal talk seriously.
Just more MSM turds to chew on, Amurka.
“This is the reform that some folks in Washington are still hollering about. And now that it’s passed, they’re already promising to repeal it. They’re actually going to run on a platform of repeal in November,’’ Obama, in mock incredulity, told a raucous, cheering crowd at Portland Expo Center.
“My attitude is, go for it,’’ the president said. “I want these members of Congress to come out of Washington, come here to Maine, and tell [small-business owners], we’re going to take away your tax credit. If they want to do that, be my guest,’’ Obama said. “If they want to have a fight, I welcome that fight, because I don’t think the American people are going to put the insurance industry back in the driver’s seat!’’
As if his s*** health tax supplanted them?
I'm SO SICK of SHIT BAG LIARS for presidents!!!!!!!!!!
The speech reflected a newly confident tone by the president....
Yeah, the BILL SAVED HIS POLITICAL HEALTH, that's all!
Since Obama signed the overhaul package last week, he has displayed a public energy and sureness rarely seen since the campaign trail in 2008. Yesterday’s speech was more like an election rally than a presidential address, with Obama telling jokes and then reaching out to shake a line of outstretched hands after he finished.
Yup, it's ALL POLITICS, folks!!
And WE KNOW THEY ALWAYS tell the TRUTH!!
At one point, he chided opponents for talking about the law in apocalyptic terms after its passage. And he reminded the audience those same foes had once peddled reports that the bill would create “death panels’’ to determine the fate of the elderly.
“Nobody had lost their doctor. Nobody had pulled the plug on granny,’’ he said with a chuckle.
Really?
Related: Paul Krugman Government will save a lot of money with death panels
If the costs outweigh the potential benefits it sure seems that way!
So Obama is just as big a liar as the last guy, huh?
The president thanked the state’s two Democratic House members, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Michael Michaud, for their “yes’’ votes on the package. And Obama singled out Senator Olympia J. Snowe, a Republican, for her work on the bill, calling her his friend even though she ultimately voted against the health care package along with Senator Susan M. Collins, a Maine Republican.
Yup, politics.
That's why I don't take any of the shit fooleys presented to us by the agenda-pushing papers seriously.
Now that Democrats have 59 members in the Senate, one short of the 60 needed to break any Republican filibuster, Obama will need to peel off support from moderate and independent Republicans to pass more elements of his agenda. Snowe could be a swing vote on some issues, Senate observers say.
Related: Massachusetts Senate Vote Irrelevant
Another s*** fooley, huh?
Also see: AmeriKan Emergency Room
Yeah, and they keep repeating and repeating it.
The president emphasized the most popular parts of the health care law....
Selling s*** just like the last guy.
He also promoted the law’s tax credits for small business, which overwhelmingly dominate Maine’s economy.
“This health care tax credit is projobs, it’s probusiness, and it starts this year,’’ Obama said.
Some Mainers are unconvinced. Outside the Expo Center, a group of about 100 people protested the health care law, calling it unconstitutional and an unwarranted power grab by “big government.’’ Across the street, thousands of Obama supporters and ticket holders were lined up outside the center, some carrying such signs saying, “Thank you’’ and “Health Reform Patriots.’’
A RIGGED CROWD, just like what BUSH USED TO DO!
Many of the ticket holders had lined up for hours to receive the tickets Wednesday, with a handful waiting overnight in torrential rains.
Related: Liberal Warnings of the Growing Fascist State
No, not no, not when it's a DemocraP fascist in the White House.
The two sides generally ignored one another or interacted civilly....
Yeah, I ignore liberals and DemocraPs now, especially when they open their mouths. Nothing but lies flow forth.
Maine officials are assessing how the health care law would affect residents and businesses. David Clough, director of the Maine chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, called it a “mixed bag’’ for business, saying owners of small establishments were closely watching to see how the new law will affect them. The result, he said, is critical to Maine. “If it doesn’t work for small business, it doesn’t work for Maine,’’ he said.
Yeah, Obama is out there pimping it and they don't even know what is in the law yet!!
But you know, save the BAD STUFF for the LAST HALF of the agenda-pushing PoS!!
The tax credits cover up to 35 percent of the premiums small businesses pay for employee health care; that subsidy grows to a maximum of 50 percent of premium costs in 2014. The White House estimates the credit could save small businesses $40 billion by 2019.
But Clough said employers were nervous about minimum coverage standards that could drive up premiums, even with the tax credit. “What we’re in now is the phase of, what’s really in there? How’s it going to work?’’ Clough said.
Hey, Obama is pimping for his turd so how can it be bad for you?
Sharon Treat, a Democratic state legislator from Hallowell, said she was getting complaints from small-business owners about the law but many did not know the credit was available.
“I’m sure there are a lot of people who are very confused,’’ she said. “The attitude among many people around this health care plan is, let’s make it work and let’s make it work for Maine.’’
Well, when the thing was WRITTEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS with DEALS CUT ALL AROUND why wouldn't they be?
And that tax credit isn't going to cover the cost. We have ALREADY DISCOVERED THAT in Massachusetts!!!
Maine has its own health care program, called Dirigo.
So why do they need a heavy-handed federal plan that FORCES YOU to buy insurance from crap companies and that LEAVES THEM IN CHARGE!!?
Related: "some insurers might exploit a possible ambiguity in the health care law to deny coverage to some sick children."
But it is a FABULOUS BILL!
Considering ALL the TIME they spent on it one would figure they COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT BETTER!
Then again, maybe the vague ambiguity was intentional and the point.
And Repugs are ALREADY BAILING on the FIGHT, huh?
PFFFFFT!!!
But back to Maine:
That plan, which allows individuals to purchase a public-private plan, has drawn criticism for both its cost and because not as many people joined as expected.
Typical operation when government gets involved.
But since the national law includes some Dirigo elements — such as health care exchanges and minimum coverage standards — Mainers are in a better position to adjust than those in many other states, Treat said....
Yeah, it's a HUGE HIT that Mainers are going to love.
After his speech, the president flew to Massachusetts, where he conferred with emergency officials to discuss the extensive flooding, then met members of the Bay State congressional delegation, Governor Deval Patrick, and Vicki Kennedy, widow of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, at two fund-raisers in Boston.
Yeah, thanks for helping out with the carbon footprint (paid for by taxpapyers).
And HE WASN'T HERE to CHECK on the FLOODS!
He was here for $omething el$e entirely!!!!
“Everybody thought our chances of progress were doomed,’’ Obama told about 800 supporters concerning the health care bill, at the first fund-raiser at 60 State Street. He was alluding to Republican Scott Brown’s surprise victory in January, when he took the seat Kennedy had held for 47 years.
Yup, whatever.
We now know that meant s***.
You got RECONCILIATION instead!
“The sky was falling. But what did we do?,’’ he asked. “We did what Teddy would have done. We kept up the fight.’’
By CHANGING the RULES?
Related: Mass. Hypocrisy in Full Flower
Ted and Massachusetts got what they deserved!!!
And it only cost you $7.2 million, Bay Staters!
But hey, you didn't need that money for anything, did you?
I f***ing hate politics now. Nothing but BULLSHIT!!!!!
And this was NOT IN MY PRINTED PAPER!
WTF?
The president also had praise for Patrick, saying, “He’s the governor who’s going to keep leading Massachusetts into the future.’’
Yeah, for about seven more months save a stolen election.
Obama also took time to thank the rowdy crowd, who took pictures and cheered.
“It’s good to be back in Beantown,’’ he said, as someone in the crowd yelled, “We love you, Mr. President!’’
“I love you right back,’’ he said, grinning.
At the Boston Opera House later, where guests paid $30,400 to rub shoulders with Obama, the president talked about the flooding....
But he is ONE of the PEOPLE!
Are YOU EFFIN' KIDDING ME? Paid over $30,000 to rub shoulders? I never even made $30,000 a year when I was working, readers.
This is an INSULT, and I can see why the printed paper sent out here to Rubesville cut it now.
Other items about Maine the Globe has presented recently:
"Body of missing NH mother found in Maine
Police believe a woman who disappeared from her New Hampshire home in December died from exposure to cold weather in Maine, but they'll have to wait a while longer before they know for sure. The Maine state medical examiner's office couldn't reach a definitive conclusion Monday about a cause of death for Sarah Rogers after performing an autopsy. Further studies have been ordered. Rogers fled her Barrington, N.H., home Dec. 13, leaving behind her husband and 2-year-old son. Her family says she suffered from bipolar disorder. Her body was discovered Saturday near Interstate 95 in Clinton, Maine. Her mother says things might have turned out differently if police had acted swiftly on the family's warnings that Rogers was a danger to herself.
--more--"
"Maine issues first red tide warning
The Maine Department of Marine Resources has issued its first red tide warning of 2010, banning the harvesting of mussels and surf clams from Harpswell to the New Hampshire border. Red tide has been a growing problem with major outbreaks in three of the past five years. Red tide taints clams and mussels, making them unsafe for people to eat. State officials already warned of the prospect of widespread red tide outbreaks this spring and summer that could force hundreds of miles of clam flats to be closed. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine said she's sponsoring a bill that includes, among other things, more funding for next-generation buoys that can monitor for red tide.
--more--"
Yup, a SIGN of POLLUTED WATER but "GLOBAL WARMING" is more important!
And just for the record, readers, I had to dig to find those briefs. In my printed paper, but not on the website version.
These I found easy enough:
"More than 1 in 5 children in state poor
A report by a national charitable foundation says 22 percent of Maine children under age 5 live in poverty. In a report released yesterday, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kid’s Count report also said that nearly 17 percent of all Maine children under 18 live in poverty. The report also has a brighter side: The percentage of children who have access to a family doctor has risen from 58 to 66 percent over the last four years. The report said 6 percent of Maine’s youngsters are uninsured, which is half the national rate (AP)."
Hey, don't worry. Uncle Obama has taken care of it all.
"Sick leave proposal killed in House
A weakened bill that would have required Maine employers to offer paid sick leave is dead. Senate president Elizabeth “Libby’’ Mitchell proposed the sick leave requirement as swine flu was reaching a peak. The Vassalboro Democrat later scaled back her proposal to prohibit Maine employers from firing workers who take paid or unpaid sick days. The bill, which encountered opposition from business groups, was killed in the House Monday (AP)."
I'm feeling a bit sick myself.
Also see: Around New England: Keeping an Eye on Maine
Around New England: Cutting Off Maine
Around New England: Maine Makes MSM Monitor See Red
