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7/2/09
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Editorial More Jobs, Lower Taxes
The gaggle of gubernatorial hopefuls for 2010 has a very simple path to win the hearts of Maine voters. All candidates have to do is convince voters they will create more jobs and reduce state taxes. Piece of cake, right?
Two pollsters working in Maine say their surveys have found voters want to see job retention and creation, while also seeing state spending cuts. Energy prices and the faltering global and national economy also are high on the list of voter concerns.
As candidates for governor (and at least one for Congress) step in front of reporters to make their pitches, it’s easy to separate the neophytes from the veterans. The neophytes explain how easy it will be to cut taxes. State government is bloated, they say, and someone just needs to be strong enough to make the tough decisions.
What, specifically, would you cut? Well, those details will come later. If they watched the current governor and Legislature cut more than $500 million from the state budget, they would do well to drop the claim that cutting is easy.
Candidates also would do well to tone down their rhetoric on job creation. Maine’s economy is, and has been, hampered by factors no governor has the power to change. Our cold weather, which results in high energy costs, is one. Geographic distance from markets is another. The lack of population centers and the high median age are two more.
A governor can work to create a climate for economic growth, through tax incentives and investment in education, transportation and economic development. But that involves spending money. And the governor can’t help depressed regions of the state by, for example, moving the Department of Health and Human Services office from Augusta to Eastport, or relocating the Department of Environmental Protection to Ashland. Those moves would create jobs in those regions, but would hardly be seen as fiscally efficient or wise.
And this leads to the inverse relationship between jobs and the taxes that pay for state government. When jobs disappear, as they have over the last year and will likely continue through the end of 2009, and when those with jobs are earning less and businesses are seeing smaller profits, state government gets less revenue. Then there is a hue and cry for cutting state spending.
When jobs return, more money will flow to Augusta. And it is then that a governor’s mettle will be tested. Experience that shows the ability to resist the growth of government, to turn down worthy new programs should top a candidate’s resume.
The only jobs a governor creates are within state government. But a willingness to at least consider how laws affect business is essential.
Fortunately, candidates have time to refine their messages.
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This will be long so if you don't want to read a long one just thumbs down me now. Ok so if you are still reading let me just say I love this state, but there are a few sad truths that must be acknowledged.
The truth is that no matter how much people want to turn their heads, we keep electing bozos to the legislature who are either too cowardly to spend the money on what is needed or to cowardly to cut what needs to be cut. Prime example every year we spend go-zillons of dollars on road repairs knowing full well that in 5 months Maine winter will demolish them. Nobody will suggest cutting road repairs and nobody will suggest spending the money to fix the roads right.
The truth is that Mainers (generally speakin) are terrified of drastic change. Prime example Baldacci wants to consolidate schools to make them more efficient, and most of the state lost its mind. This would in the long term save the state millions but its not the way we have always done it and that scares people here.
The truth is Mainers (generally speakin of course) are old and don't want to invest in projects that will not benefit them very long or maybe wont benefit them at all depending how close to the grave they are. Prime example the Bangor Arena situation, nuf said.
The truth is Mainers are blue collar hard working folk and blue collar jobs don't often pay six figures and never will.
The truth is Mainers can't afford to give tax breaks to bring businesses with high paying jobs because the taxes are high enough as is.
The truth is Maine can invest all the money it wants to bring educated young people here but until we have jobs for these people that will pay the big bucks they will continue to leave and continue to not come.
The truth is a lot of Mainers are morons. I would give prime examples from these boards but this is a long one and if it gets deleted I just wasted a lot of time.
The truth is Maine is the way life should be and if you don't agree you know where the Kittery bridge is don't let the door hit you on the way out. The sad thing is that that is the answer, a good portion of the state leaving. Then we will only have the sound minds left and then we can stop electing morons like Josh Tardy,Joe Perry, Susan Collins etc.
This will be short.
We The People need to take back our State and Country! If you agree, please join our grass roots solution at www.MaineTaxpayers.com,
and now on Facebook. BTW, the mission of ‘Maine Taxpayers United’
is to reduce the Maine tax burden and promote prudent government spending.
Tax reduction wil NEVER happen in Maine! Too many with their hands out. Face it and just leave like the rest of us have done. I love Maine but can't stand their politics. Too many uninformed and lazy people voting for the same ole' mess.
This editorial must have been written by a third grade class. It is pointless and full of the liberal excuses for Maine being what Maine is. Maine's slide coincides with the reign of democrats in Augusta. It will end when we have people smart enough to elect some people with common sense, ie no more democrats. This newspaper shows on a daily basis that its editorial writers are nothing more than mouth pieces for the Maine Democrats and for the Democrat National Committee.
Well there! From the list of comments I have heard that "The truth is a lot of Mainers are morons", "Too many uninformed and lazy people voting for the same ole' mess." and "It will end when we have people smart enough to elect some people with common sense"
So am I understanding this correctly? If we all weren't so lazy, dumb and (from the article on the front page) fat, we would be doing alright here in Maine? :) Geez!
On 7/2/09 at 6:37 AM, howbri - We actually agree on something? Are you feeling ok?
cm113's got it right.....Maine never has been a place to make a bunch of money, that state is south of here. We still need to turn this thing around.
Peter Vigue may be our next governor and I'd be happy as a Dem to vote for him, but it'll still be a slippery slope for him...
"gaggle of gubernatorial hopefuls"?....odd way to describe GOP 2010 candidates for Governor
The funny thing is, the government is not smart enough to realize that in order to bring more income into the state we have to start by reducing taxes. That means it will hurt for a couple of years. But once you reduce the taxes businesses will come in once the businesses come in more people will be working. Once more people are working the state income will increase. But by the time they realize this they will be in so deep that we won't be able to turn it around. Now is the time to start getting rid of stupid regulations, cut welfare big time, and put the money needed into the infrastructure. Once we start getting income and business is growing in the state, then you can start working on re-establishing some of the welfare. If people who have their hands out are not getting them filled, they won't stick around. When businesses can afford to prosper in this state they will come in droves. How hard is that to figure out?
Gravel roads are 1/10th the cost of asphalt roads.
ParkAveJoe, and who will pay for all the windshields? They aren't realistic. What needs to be done is the roads need to be rebuilt to modern standards. that will cost money, but the roads will have a much longer lifespan and they will last for a much greater period of time and upkeep will cost a fraction of what it does now. Romans built roads that have lasted 2000 years. No reason we can't either.
mAineAc - We agree on something, maybe I should go to the doctors first howbri says something I agree with now you?
Mainers need to vote out EVERYONE regardless of party that has votes consistantly for raising personal and corporate taxes. Corporate taxes keep industries out of the state, but for some reason Democrates don't seem to understand that. When businesses stay out of state, people stay on welfare, and that costs more tax money to cover.
Maine should be the first state to abolish all income and payroll taxes and implement the Fair Tax. Maine should reduce corporate taxes to 5% or less and open the state for the many companies that will want to move in and put people to work. Maine should protect these companies from federal greed with special laws or contract guarantees (don't ask me how....that's a politial and legal matter).
Welfare in Maine, and all other states, should be limited ONLY to those that honestly need it. Welfare has become a way of life for far too many people.
Tourism should be promoted and those that come to Maine should not be fearful of high prices, tax add-ons, or hidden costs. It used to be a great place to vacation, and it can be again.
Retirement should be promoted in Maine. I would love to have a summer home in Southern Maine, but cannot afford all the taxes and crap the government has added to the price tag.
Finally, only true American Patriots that love the state should be voted into office. There are far too many elected officials that couldn't care less about the state, the country, or the people that depend on them. All they want is a paycheck, a picture in the paper, and enough lobbiest and special interest money to retire on at a young age.
Oh, I almost forgot. Term limits. Snowe and Collins have done more than their time and need to go home. Term limits from the bottom to the top.
The so-called "tax reform" plan of LD 1495 will result in higher tax payments for almost all Mainers, so it's critical we reject this lousy piece of legislation. Join the solution with Maine Taxpayers United, www.MaineTaxpayers.com
and now on Facebook too! We The People deserve better than what our current "state leaders" are dishing out.
EJ PARSONS FOR GOVERNOR! Many are on welfare because they receive more benefits than working. Cut the welfare and we won' t have to depend on migrants harvesting maine farms....And have restrictions that you have to be a resident in Maine for 90 days before you can receive benefits. I bet maine is 1st in the most unfriendly state for business.....then they wonder why there's no money to run the state
IF WE LAY OFF ALL THE SMART PEOPLE IN STATE GOVERMENT MAKING MORE THEN THE GOVNOR THEN THEY WILL BRING THEIR BRAINS AND ENERGY INTO THE PUBLEC SECTOR AND PUT THE STATE BACK ON ITS FEET.
OR STARVE TO DEATH