Rural Maine and its people have been described in many different ways.  The varied descriptions, sometime colorful, do have one constant that threads vibrantly through the many views often expressed on the fabric of rural Maine.  That constant is common sense.  Maine people do not have the corner on the market for common sense, but it does seem that this time-honored attribute is more prevalent in states that have a large rural population.

The stark reality of survival in this rugged North Eastern state demand its inhabitants embrace common sense.  Without common sense, individuals are doomed to repeat failures unable to comprehend the impact of their consequences.  In rural areas, which typically have limited means and limited resources, a pattern of repeated and costly missteps is unacceptable; therefore, common sense must take preeminence in the rural Mainers daily thought and decision-making process.  Not so in Augusta.

Recently I had a conversation with Bob Emrich who is running for Representative of District 25.  Much of our time talking was consumed by a discussion of common sense, or the lack thereof, in Augusta.  As I talked to Mr. Emrich, it became more and more apparent to me that he was a man of sterling character, deep conviction, and resolute will.  Most impressively, these attribute were all grounded in Maine’s most prized resource, common sense.

Te next few paragraphs, I want to pass on some of the thoughts Bob Emrich shared with me.  I think his heart for the future of Maine will be clear.  Maine needs Mr. Emrich’s proven leadership in Augusta.  Let me show you why the Maine Conservative Voice wholeheartedly endorsed Bob Emrich for Representative District 25.

The ministerial history of Mr. Emrich reveals a pattern that will benefit him greatly in Augusta.  Throughout is Pastoral life he has chosen positions not based on the salary, but rather on the challenge.  The more difficult the situation the more attractive seems to be to that situation.  He is undaunted by the odds or the naysayers.  His stellar leadership of the latest fight against the gay marriage law could not better exemplify this.

When I spoke with Mr. Emrich, he had just finished meeting with a group of fifty or so men he said had more common sense than any of the Democrats in Augusta.  He voiced his frustration that these hard-working Mainers have to balance their own checkbooks, but the Democrats who are in power refuse to do the same.  One could feel his angst as he spoke of these local residents who know enough to buy only what they can pay for, yet the Liberal “elites” continue to spend our state into bankruptcy.

Bob Emrich spoke quite candidly that Augusta needs “to slow down, take a breath, and make the difficult choices” to bring spending under control.  He said Legislators need to decide what “we really need” and then begin to eliminate all other wasteful programs and bureaucracies.  The words common sense were repeated and over and over again as he spoke of Augusta’s ineptitude.  He used for an example, road building. The one thing government is supposed to do it cannot do.

Common sense is not a term to be used lightly.  Those who posses this attribute will scrutinize your actions carefully to measure them against your words.  Bob Emrich’s actions speak louder than his words, but thankfully, they back up his words emphatically.  He has a history of fighting the right battle, the hard battles, and winning those battles.

Finally on a different subject, we at the Maine Conservative Voice would like to inform those who attended the Debate in Dover-Foxcroft and any others with an opinion, to take part in our poll at www.meconservativevoice.wordpress.com. The MCV would like to get a feel for the pulse of Conservatives on the primary candidates.  Also, don’t forget to go to www.redcountycaucus.com and read the candidates questionnaires.