Category Politics

Feb 9 2014

Betrayal

 

 

When The Maine Conservative Voice was started, it was my desire to be just that, a voice.  The hope was to make political leaders, both statewide and nationally, aware that the conservative movement was not dead in Maine, but alive and well.  What a humbling experience it has been to have so many people in rural Maine shake my hand and say thank you for lending a voice to their beliefs and convictions.

The hope has always been that conservatives across Maine would unify in one force and work together to set Maine free from the tyranny of liberal and socialist agendas.  Time has passed and TMCV has been able to have some influence, along with other groups, on Maine’s political landscape.  Still, progress has been slowed and marred by competing egos and personal agendas.

My greatest fear when I began this column and blog was that eventually I would grow numb to the corruption and become a silent observer.  While there are some positions that I hold where ethics require silence, still my passion to expose unscrupulous behavior remains undaunted.  But what if the betrayal comes from leaders you have worked closely with and supported?  What then?  How could I retain the integrity of the ideals I set forth with if I remained silent?

I understand compromise and that it is a vital part of our political system.  What I do not understand is calling yourself a conservative yet forming an alliance with one of the most liberal members of your party.  I cannot comprehend campaigning across a Senate District touting your support of the Governor’s agenda to secure conservative votes and then joining political forces with the one man who has worked tirelessly to subvert the Governor’s policies and conservative ideals.  I am astounded that a man can campaign as a social conservative and then join forces with the very man who has fought to subvert everything social conservatives stand for.  But this is what we find in the latest revelations from the political soap opera that is Senator Doug Thomas.

Senator Roger Katz of Augusta recently held a fundraiser for Senator Thomas in his law office in Augusta.  For those who don’t know, Roger Katz and the Pretentious Eight, as I have dubbed them, wrote an infamous op-ed against the Governor in an attempt to undermine his leadership at the very onset of his administration.  Roger Katz has repeatedly opposed many of the initiatives the conservatives have put forth.  It was Katz that spearheaded a move by liberal Republicans to help Democrats overturn the Governor’s veto of a budget that raised taxes on the Maine people.

And Doug Thomas is breaking financial bread with him?  In political speak, fundraising for a candidate is a statement of allegiance.  There are no political favors without one in return.  Conservatives had been uncomfortable with the various sightings of Thomas and Katz at public functions, but there was no way to verify a betrayal until now.

It’s no secret the Roger Katz has been maneuvering for power in the legislature to build his campaign against the Governor.  Obviously, he has found that the “Honorable” Doug Thomas can be bought, easily.  Katz wants Thomas’s vote for leadership and rumors have a way of materializing. Doug Thomas is selling out his fellow conservatives and the Governor for money.

TMCV has worked hard in the past to support and elect Doug Thomas into office.  I have written many columns in his behalf.  That ends now.  I have grown tired of the duplicity.  I will not look the other way and be silent.

When confronted on his behavior, Senator Thomas responded that it doesn’t matter and the people don’t care.  I was told that I don’t understand how business is done. Actually, I do understand and I’m tired of business as usual.  I will not be silent.  I will be a voice for truth.  We must stand for what we believe if we truly want to Set Maine Free.

Dec 13 2013

One Trick Pony

 

 

Ah, to be young again.  Why the nostalgia you ask?  Is it the season, the holly and the berries?  No, quite frankly, it’s the nuts, the fruitcakes and the bologna that has me wandering down memory lane.  Specifically, I remember a trip as a boy to the fabled Santa’s Village in Jefferson, N.H.

There I stood entranced by the jerk-stop movements of the animatronics elves as their mouths squeaked and groaned in motion only a half-step behind the lyrics they were supposed to be singing.  It was a wonderful mechanical, robotic choir singing the great songs of yuletide, clanging and grinding each painful note for their young breathless audience.  One song, I particularly remember was a song by an elf, who was an Elvis impersonator, named, yes, …Elfis.  There is a rumor that the originator of that idea was also the engineer behind the ObamaCare site, but that’s just a rumor.

Elfis, yes, Elfis “sang” his version of “Blue Christmas”.  The lyrics being “I’lla hava aha bluuuuu Christmaaaass without me,” much to the laughter of those of us in the audience. Why is this very odd and strange memory coming back to this columnist?  Well, it was prompted by some very odd and strange behavior coming from our old friends, the Democrats.

You see Democrats are, if anything, consistent – the one trick pony.  No matter the situation, no matter the problem, and no matter the event, it is really all about them.   So I have decided to start a yearly tradition like none other.  Inspired by the photogenic leader of the Democrat Party, I hereby announce the First Inaugural Presentation of The Maine Conservative Voice Selfie Awards.

 

The First and Magnanimous Selfie goes to the Selfie-and-Chief himself, Barack Obama.  There is not a camera you don’t like and not a moment that shouldn’t be about you.  Thanks, Mr. President, for being our inspiration.

 

A Dopey Selfie to the people of South Africa who used the funeral of a revered leader to boo the U.S. President, George W. Bush, who worked with Mandela to initiate the PEPFAR program, and spent millions to eradicate aids in South Africa, and then cheering the U.S. President, Barack Obama, who defunded the PEPFAR program and cut millions of dollars to aids research worldwide.

 

A Regal Selfie to Maine’s own monarch, Angus King, who is showing his “independence” to Mainers by joining a Democrat taskforce, emphasis on force, to “sell” ObamaCare to the people, because whether you want it or not, Obamadoesn’tCare.  He also voted with Democrats to kill the filibuster and violate the rules of Democracy.  He also doesn’t seem to mind that his windmill conglomerate now has a waiver from Obamadoesn’tCare to kill Bald Eagles, the National Bird.  It’s always been about the King, hasn’t it?

 

A Wholelotta Selfie goes to the one and only Justin Alfond.  There have been so many selfie moments in the mystical reign of the Senate President, but the grandest of all must be his most recent claim that the Democrats are responsible for paying the hospitals back, not the Governor.  Wow!   Other Selfie moments include blocking a bill to aid victims of sex trafficking because it wasn’t an emergency, but promoting his bill for wine tasting because it was…?

 

A Wingman Selfie to House Speaker Mark Eves for being Alfond’s partner in crime and pushing for MaineCare expansion, while a company he represents will directly benefit from those monies.

 

A “Wha..?” Selfie goes to N.H. Representative, Ann Kuster, who didn’t want to talk about Benghazi because she was there to talk about the Middle East.  She also receives a complimentary geography class from the local fourth graders.

 

A “Whaaat?!!” Selfie to Maine State Representative Brian Bolduc who sent an expletive laced email to announce, in no uncertain terms, that truck drivers do not have brains.  As a former truck driver myself, I am so pleased to announce he will receive, in addition to his selfie, a complimentary blast of the air horn every time a truck driver passes his house.

 

A “What the…?” Selfie to the Maine Democrat Party for sitting by silently while a member of your Party railed against and insulted the hardworking people of Maine.  Your silence was deafening. You waited to hear what your advisors and strategists had to say before doing the right thing and standing up for the people of Maine?  Once again, to the Alfond led Maine Democrats, thanks for absolutely nothing. It’s all about you and your selfies, isn’t it?

Nov 26 2013

Response to Ric Tyler’s Attack on Paul Davis

 

I wish that I could have responded while Paul was on the radio with Ric Tyler but I was trapped in the cab of my pickup on the way to a Dr’s appointment with no phone, no computer, left only to yell at the radio and pound the dash of my truck.  Now home, I will attempt to engage in a far more constructive means of communication and debate.  There are several things Mr. Tyler needs to be aware of:

 

First, I am one of the several individuals that Senator Thomas called immediately after his conversation with Paul Davis at the Blaine House barbecue to use our friendship and influence with Rep. Davis to ask him to run for the Senate seat.  Doug explained to me that he was tired of the demands of the Senate District, which before redistricting was the largest east of the Mississippi, and felt also that it was important that Paul stay involved in politics.  Doug Thomas also told me clearly that Doug had told Paul that he was willing to step aside if Paul wanted run for the new Senate seat, District 4.

 

I think the heated exchange between Mr. Tyler and Rep Davis on the East/West issue is in itself a flaming example to how this whole project was botched.  Because Sen. Thomas and Peter Vique brought the public sector into the equation with the feasibility bill, Conservatives are now caught in the confusing and awkward debate on whether to defend infrastructure and progress or stand against government intrusion into private business because the two have become entwined and not separated.  These heated debates are happening all over Piscataquis County right now, fracturing and weakening a very strong Republican bastion.  This mismanagement falls directly at the feet of Senator Doug Thomas.  Why was a feasibility study bill even needed when eventually the DOT would have done this very thing as a matter of course? Unless, Sen. Thomas thought this would be his own political crowning achievement; instead, it has become his political millstone.

 

Rep. Davis is right to be concerned that this project could end up on the backs of taxpayers.  Given its clumsy fumble out of the gate, the taxpayers should be wary.  The lack of transparency from the beginning has many strong republicans in the North Woods angry and distrustful of Sen. Thomas.  Paul Davis is right and wise to be running for this seat.  Simply put, the people of the 2nd district trust Paul Davis and they do not trust Doug Thomas.

 

Ric Tyler’s rebuke of Davis’ critique that Vique should have got his plan perfected in private before he went public shows a fundamental misunderstanding of good business.  I am a small businessman.  I can tell you that when I have a new business idea the first thing I am told by those I wish to present it to is that you better have all your plan in place, all your answers ready and prepared to handle the tough questions before you make your presentation.  Peter Vique broke the cardinal rule of business.  He wasn’t prepared for questions.  As a result Doug Thomas, Piscataquis County and Northern Maine are paying the price for being involved either by choice or not.

 

Presenting your plan before its complete and ready reduces the chance of transparency insomuch that as the confusion ensues from lack of information one cannot even begin to present their ideas.  All the time then is consumed by explaining and defending ill-informed attacks, putting out the constant fires of diversion, and all the truth is soon lost in the dust of contention.  This is the East/West highway failure.  Someone tried to expose the process before the product. Someones ego got ahead of common sense.

 

Finally, Ric Tyler’s foolish attack on Paul Davis that his questioning of the East/West debacle shows that Paul is anti-business is reckless at best and at worst a grotesque insult to the great conservative legacy that Paul Davis has firmly imprinted on the whole of the State of Maine.  Mr. Tyler needs to apologize to Rep. Davis for his thoughtless attack.  Spirited debate is one thing but groundless insults are another.  It should be noted that I had to enter the Dr’s office before the conclusion of the interview and perhaps Mr. Tyler composed himself and retracted those errant statements.  It should also be noted that I will be posting this email response on my website at The Maine Conservative Voice.

Nov 23 2013

MacDonald Endorses Poliquin

In a development that may well influence and decide the Republican Primary in CD2, the mayor of Lewiston, Robert MacDonald, who won his office by a 61% margin, has endorsed former State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin.  The city of Lewiston is the largest populace in the 2nd District of Maine.  Still basking in the glow of his dominating victory, the popular former police detective was quick to announce his support for his fellow Lewiston native son.

MacDonald declared emphatically his belief that Poliquin was “the best State Treasurer Maine has ever had”.  He also made reference to Poliquin’s family roots by stating, “He’s an honest and hard-working Franco-American whose grandfather was born and raised in Lewiston”.  Poliquin’s French Catholic heritage will certainly help him with the voting demographics of Lewiston.

In Lewiston’s last Republican primary, Kevin Raye defeated Blaine Richardson by a little over a hundred votes, but 14% of the remaining Republican primary voters could not bring themselves to make a choice for either candidate and opted, instead, to leave their vote blank.  MacDonald’s obvious popularity and enthusiastic endorsement bodes well for Poliquin’s campaign as they work to reignite a passion in the Republican base, which was sorely lacking in the last election cycle.

While it is a well-known fact that I am supporting the Poliquin campaign, I thought it would be interesting to filter these new political developments through our own several biases.  It would seem to me that the majority of the impact endorsements are lining up in ever increasing numbers with strong statements for the Poliquin camp.  The pattern seems to be weighted in his favor and I would wager more endorsements from conservative leaders and organizations are on the horizon. The coalition is forming and its gaining strength.