Maine needs tax reform, jobs, and universal healthcare. Mainers need small business and educational opportunities. One in ten Mainers is below the official poverty line, and too many of us are one serious illness away from losing our homes and our savings.
How did we get to this place? Is this the world we want for ourselves, our neighbors, and our children?
Are we upholding the time-honored Maine values of social and fiscal responsibility when we are letting so many of our neighbors fall through the social safety net?
How can we expect our Maine-based businesses to survive when the state jobs are exported as quickly as the private sector jobs? Thousands of Maine jobs have gone everywhere from Massachusetts to India. |
Over the last two decades we have lost 22% of our manufacturing jobs averaging nearly $40,000 dollars a year and increased our retail jobs by 73%. Those retail jobs yield about $15,000 dollars a year, requiring folks to work at least two of them to maintain even a minimal standard of living.
How many of us can work two jobs and still find time to see our kids, let alone coach little league or volunteer in our children's classrooms? These activities are proven to help keep kids out of trouble. Could this be one of the reasons for Maine's higher than average teen suicide rates?
There are so many questions we need to ask. So many answers that need to change.It's Time to Return to Maine Values
Are we building a sustainable future where our children can choose to stay here year-round, get a good education, and then look forward to a secure job at a livable wage?
There are people all across the political spectrum who are doing their small part to make Maine a better place. Unfortunately, the amount of change we can do as individuals is dwarfed by the amount of damage that is being done by the harsh realities of recent political policies.
If Maine's government won't give business to Maine companies, how can we expect the private sector to believe us when we say that "Maine is good for Business"? Exporting jobs is "penny wise and pound foolish." |
Many believe that only professional politicians can run the state, but look at the mess we are in. Are you better off now than you were a few years ago? Do you feel that your life, your job, your healthcare, and your retirement goals are more secure?
How can we expect our Maine-based businesses to survive when the state jobs are exported as quickly as the private sector jobs. Thousands of Maine jobs have gone everywhere from Massachusetts to India. If Maine's government won't give business to Maine companies, how can we expect the private sector to believe us when we say that "Maine is good for Business." Exporting jobs is, as my mom would have reminded me, "penny wise and pound foolish."
While no one can promise to make Maine number one in every Census category, those who know me will tell you that I will bring integrity, determination, and strong management skills to the job in Augusta. I will maintain loyalty to our state and its residents. I will put Maine first.
Let's work together to create new opportunities in our state. Maine values include independence, hard work, and decency. Mainers have a long tradition of strong ties to neighbors and community, and they know how to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. It's high time to put those values back into our government. Maine's future belongs to us.
announcing her
candidacy
Read Pat LaMarche's campaign kick-off speech, "Dedication to the People of Maine," as well as the enthusiastic response of Mainers to her campaign announcement.
