Too many politicians,
following examples of Donald Trump and Paul LePage, respond to a reasoned
argument or respectful criticism or even just an explanation of a problem with
insults, name calling, or wild accusations about motives. The following is a transcription
of a taped conversation that took place at a meet-the-candidate gathering for
Tim this past Wednesday.
Tim: There would be lots of good paying jobs in that mining.
As long as they can promise to clean up after it closes.
Alice: I wonder if people understand how toxic that site is.
It’s one of the most toxic sites in the United States, that area on Bald
Mountain. And how much those toxins would be released. It’s really important to
understand the danger and the threat of pollution being released into
surrounding waters. A lot more jobs would be lost than would be gained. And
it’s a temporary business. There’s going to be an end to it. Even in the best
of circumstances, if there’s a boom, there’s going to be a bust that follows.
It’s really, really important that people understand . . .
Peter [interrupting]: Sounds like the liberals out of
Portland.
Alice: I’ve lived here most of my life. I was born and grew
up in Portage, Maine. I started my research on this issue with an open mind—hoping
it might be an economic boon, and it might be good for the economy. And the
more I learned every year, the more I understood about how toxic that site is.
It sounds to me, Mr. Edgecomb, with your reference to Portland liberals that
you’re trying to insult me. I don’t appreciate that. I come here to these
meeting trying to find solutions, and I don’t like being insulted . . .
Peter: Alice, you came here for one purpose, and I know what
that is. Have you ever voted Republican in your life? No matter what you say,
you’re not going to vote for a Republican.
Alice: I am a great admirer of many Republicans: Senator
Cohen, Margaret Chase Smith.
Peter: Alice, I know your background.
Troy: Many Democrats and Republicans in Ashland have concerns
about this. . .
Peter: Troy, do you want to help pay for this meeting. Feel
free to do that.
Troy: OK. Who do I write the check out to?
LATER as the meeting is breaking up, Peter approaches Troy
with open palm held out: I’ll take your money, now.
Troy: Glad to. How much? Being clean elections, it all comes
out of the same pot.
Shelly: Peter, I have properties in Mapleton and Portage. I
have a vested interest in these towns and a perfect right to be here. You owe
my mother an apology.
In another
incident that demonstrates political strategy, Troy found that flyers were
being put in mailboxes accusing Troy of being one of those Portland liberals
who doesn’t have the best interests in mind for this area. I believe that
unauthorized use of mailboxes is a crime. When Troy confronted Tim about his
actions, Tim responded that he was told to do that, that he just did what he
was told. As explained in Shelly’s LTE to The
Star Herald, when Tim was asked why he refused to participate in a forum or
debate with his opponent, he replied that it wasn’t up to him, that he was just
doing what he was told.
It is very
disturbing that we are voting into office candidates who do not understand the
issues that affect us all, that they respond with attacks when confronted, and that they depend on party leaders to tell them what to do. Some of these candidates use clean elections to do as they are told by party leaders who are
generously funded by major corporate interests.
Is it any wonder our trust in government is so badly eroded?
