I received my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday from the Orono town clerk. Here's our cat Chase (named after a certain Republican senator) helping me vote.
One thing that strikes me about the ballot is the fact that I've personally met almost every candidate for statewide or local office, and have had good conversations with most of them. That easy access is one of the great things about living in a state like Maine.
The only candidates I haven't met are the woman running unopposed for register of probate and Valerie Carr-Winocour, the Republican candidate for state senate.
I always try to be a fully informed voter, so I looked up Carr-Winocour's campaign website. I almost didn't make it past her slogan: "Working for the rights of the average citizen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" but when I did I found this :
I am a hands on candidate who is there with you in the midst "LISTENING" and you don't even know I am there. I AM! I listen to what you say in a casual conversation when you are enjoying bean suppers...
I won't be voting for her, and I'm going to be looking over my shoulder to make sure she's not sneaking up on me.
Update: I'd like to apologize to Dan Billings for hurting democracy by mailing in this ballot.
Absentee Voting
I am a hands on candidate who is there with you in the midst "LISTENING" and you don't even know I am there. I AM! I listen to what you say in a casual conversation when you are enjoying bean suppers...
What do you take from that comment? I am a russian spy? It means that I listen to all the anger and heartbreak from ordinary people sitting down at bean suppers that don't cost a great deal of money because there's none to be had. It means that ordinary people don't need a person who is running for office to invade there tranquil space while trying to enjoy their neighbors. What people want "I believe" is someone who does listen to their worries and concerns about the tactics of our state government. A person who cares about them and who doesn't want to get their picture in the paper all the time for no reason. A person who actually cares about the other joe. A person who doesn't get caught up in agendas of lobbyists and special interests. A person who just wants our state to be held accountable to the best interest of the people. Now if you want to make something that you believe out of that comment then you have the right to do so because it is a free country to speak what you like but I have the right to tell my side. I am honest and I am not a politician but I believe in the right of the people to vote for what they want and not what these politicians want. I might not have been able to get to every door and meet every one of you, or I am not endorsed by special interest groups, or have any organizations that I can write down to impress you but I am a honest person with morals and integrity who is willing to stand up and fight for the best interest of the people. If that is wrongful thinking then so be it.................. I will not change who I am and will continue to fight for what is right.