Have you ever tried watching the Windham Town Council on the local access channel 7? It is one of the most frustrating experiences I have had. First of all if anyone speaks at all it is almost impossible to hear them. Either the microphones are terrible or the councilors do not know how to use them. Liz Wisecup is the only one that seems to care if anyone can hear. The Town Manager can usually be heard but not always.
I have never seen a group of people who say so little about anything. I can honestly say that after watching a meeting I am never sure what anyone's position is. Either someone is late and misses a good portion of the meeting or they leave before important budget presentations. Then they are going to vote intelligently?? on the final budget? How does anything get done?
Then there is the issue of communicating with the public. I have left a very complete and very polite voice mail for Mr. Plante along with my phone number regarding an issue with Time Warner Cable that has affected approximately 200 families in the area and my call has never been returned. That was 2 months ago! I was told by the office staff that Mr. Plante was the person to speak to on this issue as he deals with the franchise.
I wrote emails to the Superintendant of Schools and a school board member and never even received acknowledgement that they received them.
I sent emails and written letters to both Senator Diamond and Representative Bryant on an issue that I was interested in and have never received the courtesy of a reply.
So what is going on? Do they not care that people have concerns that need to be addressed? Do they not care that someone has taken the time to get in touch with them? Are they so busy that they cannot respond to legitimate concerns? It really is rude behavior. I have been in a position where I had to work with town officials and the public and it was my policy to always respond as quickly as possible. I have always been supportive of local, state and national budgets and of progressive policies and initiatives that address the needs of the people. I also believe that is our obligation to be in communication with elected officials to let them know what we are thinking. I do this in spite of the perception by officials that we are ignorant and uninformed. We are informed and really do think about issues and care what is happening. Let me be clear, I am not usually a negative person but repeated incidents like those I have described can sure turn a positive person into a negative one.
This attitude seems to be pervasive among elected officials in Windham, the State of Maine and the nation. We faithfully pay our taxes, go to vote, contribute to campaigns and as soon as we do those things we are no longer considered important. When we do speak out we are treated as though we have no right to do so and are looked on as complainers.
It is time for a wakeup call to officials that they need to take the people seriously especially if they wish support for their budgets and policies.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
FYI
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois affirms my suspicions that "the banks own the Senate." Read my prior post at http://gigisthoughtsandideas.blogspot.com
Read the article to see what Dick Durbin has to say. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/dick-durbin-banks-frankly_n_193010.html
Call your senators and urge them to ignore the lobbyists for the banking industry.
Read the article to see what Dick Durbin has to say. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/dick-durbin-banks-frankly_n_193010.html
Call your senators and urge them to ignore the lobbyists for the banking industry.
Harry Reid is Caving in Again. This Time on the Bankruptcy Bill. Lobbyists Still Control Washington!
The United States Senate is now debating the bankruptcy bill that has been passed by the House of Representatives. Senate majority leader Harry Reid is again caving in to Republicans who are threatening to filibuster and prevent voting. Harry Reid needs to be replaced by someone who has the courage to take a stand and stick to it! I can honestly say that the Republicans have repeatedly denounced the Democrats for filibustering. If they did not like it then why do they try it now? They do it because they can and we let them get away with it!
The holdup is because the House bill includes giving bankruptcy judges the ability to lower a person’s mortgage payments under bankruptcy. Unfortunately it is called cram down which certainly gives it a poor connotation. But let’s face it, it is the bank lobbyists that are putting pressure on Republicans to remove that from the bill.
I have called both Senator Susan Collins’ office and Senator Olympia Snowe’s office to find out how they are voting. Both offices told me that the Senator has not released a public statement. I asked when they might be so inclined to let the people know how they might vote so we could be prepared for that. I was told that they would be happy to notify me in writing. I told them not to bother as it take 6-8 weeks to get a response and by then it would be too late to do anything.
I also asked if they would be part of the filibuster process to prevent this from coming to a vote. Collins office told me she rarely participates in filibusters and Snowe’s office said the Senator has not made a public statement.
I also asked if the Senators even got the comments from people who call in. Of course I was told that they carefully consider them. To be honest I have my doubts about that. I was very open about my feelings that this bill needs to be passed and that it is time for Congress to stop listening to the lobbyists that represent the banking industry which got us into this mess in the first place and to begin listening to the people and thinking about the people who are being hurt the most by this economic crisis.
I also asked what their positions are on the confirmation of Dawn Johnsen to head the Office of Legal Counsel and was again told that they have not released a public statement. While the Republicans have been critical of Johnsen, in an article on Huffington Post dated April 22, 2009, Neil Kinkopf, Professor at Georgia State University of Law refuted each point in the criticisms of Johnsen by stating facts about her opinions and ended his article with this quote,” Dawn Johnsen is an outstanding choice to lead the Office of Legal Counsel. It is not surprising that her critics have resorted to basing their arguments on fiction. We can only hope the Senate will see through this and quickly move to confirm her nomination.” His article can be read at the following site http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-kinkopf/correcting-the-record-on_b_190009.html.
I also mentioned that I was very disappointed that the Obama nominations were being held up and that most of the people who are delaying these nominations could not pass the vetting process or the confirmation process themselves.
So I have done it again! Sometimes I wonder how much effect one person can have and think I am crazy to keep trying but I know that if everyone raised their voices we could see change. So I will keep on trying as it is not an option for me to keep silent when so much is at stake.
The holdup is because the House bill includes giving bankruptcy judges the ability to lower a person’s mortgage payments under bankruptcy. Unfortunately it is called cram down which certainly gives it a poor connotation. But let’s face it, it is the bank lobbyists that are putting pressure on Republicans to remove that from the bill.
I have called both Senator Susan Collins’ office and Senator Olympia Snowe’s office to find out how they are voting. Both offices told me that the Senator has not released a public statement. I asked when they might be so inclined to let the people know how they might vote so we could be prepared for that. I was told that they would be happy to notify me in writing. I told them not to bother as it take 6-8 weeks to get a response and by then it would be too late to do anything.
I also asked if they would be part of the filibuster process to prevent this from coming to a vote. Collins office told me she rarely participates in filibusters and Snowe’s office said the Senator has not made a public statement.
I also asked if the Senators even got the comments from people who call in. Of course I was told that they carefully consider them. To be honest I have my doubts about that. I was very open about my feelings that this bill needs to be passed and that it is time for Congress to stop listening to the lobbyists that represent the banking industry which got us into this mess in the first place and to begin listening to the people and thinking about the people who are being hurt the most by this economic crisis.
I also asked what their positions are on the confirmation of Dawn Johnsen to head the Office of Legal Counsel and was again told that they have not released a public statement. While the Republicans have been critical of Johnsen, in an article on Huffington Post dated April 22, 2009, Neil Kinkopf, Professor at Georgia State University of Law refuted each point in the criticisms of Johnsen by stating facts about her opinions and ended his article with this quote,” Dawn Johnsen is an outstanding choice to lead the Office of Legal Counsel. It is not surprising that her critics have resorted to basing their arguments on fiction. We can only hope the Senate will see through this and quickly move to confirm her nomination.” His article can be read at the following site http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-kinkopf/correcting-the-record-on_b_190009.html.
I also mentioned that I was very disappointed that the Obama nominations were being held up and that most of the people who are delaying these nominations could not pass the vetting process or the confirmation process themselves.
So I have done it again! Sometimes I wonder how much effect one person can have and think I am crazy to keep trying but I know that if everyone raised their voices we could see change. So I will keep on trying as it is not an option for me to keep silent when so much is at stake.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Susan Collins Does It Again!
Well, Susan Collins has done it AGAIN! She and Arlen Specter managed to get $900 million dollars designated for pandemic flu preparedness in the Stimulus bill cut out before the bill was passed. They did not see that it would create jobs. They never gave any thought to what a pandemic would do to the economy. Just look at Mexico and see the empty streets, stores and arenas and you will see what a pandemic can do to an economy.
They also never realized the extra jobs that can be created in preparation for a pandemic. This is due to the hiring of more biologists and lab workers to do research that could protect our people. Just think of the vaccines that need to be produced, masks and gloves that need to be manufactured and all of the other support type jobs that go along with all of these needs. How could they be so short sighted?
Now Susan Collins is speaking out against health care. As I have said before she will never have to worry about health care. We, the taxpayers, will be paying for her health care until she dies. How can she deny that for other people. For all the awards she has received for being bipartisan she most always walks the party line and in fact was a mouth piece for the Bush Administration on many issues.
All I can say is thank God I did not vote for her!
They also never realized the extra jobs that can be created in preparation for a pandemic. This is due to the hiring of more biologists and lab workers to do research that could protect our people. Just think of the vaccines that need to be produced, masks and gloves that need to be manufactured and all of the other support type jobs that go along with all of these needs. How could they be so short sighted?
Now Susan Collins is speaking out against health care. As I have said before she will never have to worry about health care. We, the taxpayers, will be paying for her health care until she dies. How can she deny that for other people. For all the awards she has received for being bipartisan she most always walks the party line and in fact was a mouth piece for the Bush Administration on many issues.
All I can say is thank God I did not vote for her!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Tea Parties And Taxes
Grass Roots movements can be very effective and can change policy and change the outcome of elections and that is good. especially if it is a true grass roots movement. However the whole Tea Party idea, which has been touted as a grass roots movement, has been promoted by FOX News commentators and by prominent wealthy Republican. As one blogger on the Atlantic Magazine's website said, "a real popular grassroots movement wouldn't need to rely on a corporation like Fox News to get its message out."
What people are forgetting is the fact that already 95% of working Americans are receiving tax cuts. They are seeing more money in their paychecks as a result of the Obama policies. The taxes have not been raised on ordinary Americans and in fact taxes have not yet been raised on the wealthiest Americans.
No one likes paying taxes but also what these people involved in the Tea Party movement are thinking about is the jobs that have already been realized by projects funded by the stimulus bill. All over the country workers are being called back to work or new jobs are being created in construction. Over 2000 projects have already been approved by the Department of Transportation. That represents thousands of jobs!
In order to track how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act money is being spent, the website http://www.recovery.gov/ is excellent. This website also has links to the various departments where one can see in more detail how the money is being allocated. Also the website http://www.whitehouse.gov/ has very up to date information on the President's policies and a very easy way to contact is office. I have taken advantage of the contact form quite a few times. It offers an easy way to allow your voice to be heard.
President Obama is having his financial team look at the very complicated tax code to see where loop hopes can be closed and how to make filing taxes easier. I don't mind paying taxes if I know everyone else is paying their fair share too.
So, I have a word to those who protested through the Tea Party events. Look around at your neighbors and at yourselves and see who is benefitting from this Recovery and Reinvestment money and stop being goaded into action by people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Shaun Hannity. They are using you for their own purposes and could be considered dangerous to your health with their rantings and ravings and innuendoes about revolutions and rearming America. They are promoting fear and one thing we do not need is fear of our neighbors. or of our government.
What people are forgetting is the fact that already 95% of working Americans are receiving tax cuts. They are seeing more money in their paychecks as a result of the Obama policies. The taxes have not been raised on ordinary Americans and in fact taxes have not yet been raised on the wealthiest Americans.
No one likes paying taxes but also what these people involved in the Tea Party movement are thinking about is the jobs that have already been realized by projects funded by the stimulus bill. All over the country workers are being called back to work or new jobs are being created in construction. Over 2000 projects have already been approved by the Department of Transportation. That represents thousands of jobs!
In order to track how the Recovery and Reinvestment Act money is being spent, the website http://www.recovery.gov/ is excellent. This website also has links to the various departments where one can see in more detail how the money is being allocated. Also the website http://www.whitehouse.gov/ has very up to date information on the President's policies and a very easy way to contact is office. I have taken advantage of the contact form quite a few times. It offers an easy way to allow your voice to be heard.
President Obama is having his financial team look at the very complicated tax code to see where loop hopes can be closed and how to make filing taxes easier. I don't mind paying taxes if I know everyone else is paying their fair share too.
So, I have a word to those who protested through the Tea Party events. Look around at your neighbors and at yourselves and see who is benefitting from this Recovery and Reinvestment money and stop being goaded into action by people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Shaun Hannity. They are using you for their own purposes and could be considered dangerous to your health with their rantings and ravings and innuendoes about revolutions and rearming America. They are promoting fear and one thing we do not need is fear of our neighbors. or of our government.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Cell Phones and Texting in Schools
Easter can be a time of revelation in more ways than one. As families and friends gather and conversations flourish lots of information is passed along. I had no idea that students in schools can have cell phones although they are not supposed to use them except at lunch time. However many students text all through their classes. How do they learn anything? Where are the teachers and why don't they care?
Now I realize that in case of an emergency students having a cell phone with them could be extremely helpful but that is the only use they should have during the school day.
I have worked in schools and I have negotiated both support staff and professional staff contracts and have argued against merit pay for some very good reasons. However, I am coming to the conclusion that merit pay is needed and administrators need to be more involved in actually observing what is going on in the classroom.
It is no wonder that the United States is falling behind many other countries in educational achievement if students are busy texting instead of being engaged in the learning process. Our dropout rate is increasing and the percentage of students going on to higher education is decreasing.
I believe that the No Child Left Behind has weakened our educational system by taking away the creativity of really good teachers. Instead of inspiring students to want to achieve and be innovative and imaginative learners they are constantly having to teach to the test.
Now I might have digressed from my original intent in this post and you might say what has all of this discussion have to do with cell phones in school. Well, there is a disconnect between the students, teachers administrators and parents that allows this type of behavior. Where is the pride in seeing our children become active, engaged learners? Where is the desire of teachers to have control of their classroom so that all children can be active learners? Where are the administrators who are supposed to make sure that the rules are enforced for both teachers and students?
DOES ANYONE CARE ANY MORE????
Now I realize that in case of an emergency students having a cell phone with them could be extremely helpful but that is the only use they should have during the school day.
I have worked in schools and I have negotiated both support staff and professional staff contracts and have argued against merit pay for some very good reasons. However, I am coming to the conclusion that merit pay is needed and administrators need to be more involved in actually observing what is going on in the classroom.
It is no wonder that the United States is falling behind many other countries in educational achievement if students are busy texting instead of being engaged in the learning process. Our dropout rate is increasing and the percentage of students going on to higher education is decreasing.
I believe that the No Child Left Behind has weakened our educational system by taking away the creativity of really good teachers. Instead of inspiring students to want to achieve and be innovative and imaginative learners they are constantly having to teach to the test.
Now I might have digressed from my original intent in this post and you might say what has all of this discussion have to do with cell phones in school. Well, there is a disconnect between the students, teachers administrators and parents that allows this type of behavior. Where is the pride in seeing our children become active, engaged learners? Where is the desire of teachers to have control of their classroom so that all children can be active learners? Where are the administrators who are supposed to make sure that the rules are enforced for both teachers and students?
DOES ANYONE CARE ANY MORE????
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Free The Grapes Explanation of Consumer Wine Bills before the Maine Legislature
If it becomes law, LD 1008, the Free the Grapes bill, will significantly expand consumer choice in wine by allowing you to purchase wine directly from in-state and out-of-state wineries licensed to ship to Maine consumers. Thirty-five states have passed similar, reasonable legislation (the “model direct shipping bill”) which was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and has been supported by state alcohol regulators, consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission.
On the other hand, the politically connected wine wholesalers are supporting a direct shipping “poison pill” that promises that Maine will remain one of just 15 states that bans shipments. LD 1025 is a “wine connoisseurs’ permit” bill that requires consumers to purchase a state-issued license! Similar statutes, like the one in Montana, have proved totally unworkable. In fact Maine, repealed its statute because no consumers signed up for the permit! If that weren’t enough, LD 1025:
• Requires that you pay $75 per year for a state-issued license – there is no precedent for this in any other state;
• Prevents you from purchasing more than 12 cases from all wineries;
• Limits the wines you may purchase to only those not in wholesale distribution in Maine; • Requires that you physically visit the winery premises before placing an order.
SUPPORT – LD 1008
OPPOSE – LD 1025 and LD 1308
Free The Grapes!
Help us Free The Grapes!
Free the Grapes! is a national, grassroots coalition of consumers, wineries and retailers who seek to remove restrictions on wine direct shipping. Our goal is to augment, not replace, the three-tier system with limited, regulated wine shipments from wineries and retailers to consumers.
Two bills have been introduced to the Maine state legislature, and a third wholesaler-supported “poison pill” was introduced more recently. Following this post is a post that more fully explains the different bills.
We need your help to:
SUPPORT – LD 1008
OPPOSE – LD 1025 and LD 1308
If made into law, LD 1008 will significantly expand consumer choice in wine by allowing you to purchase wine directly from in-state and out-of-state wineries licensed to ship to Maine consumers. Thirty-five states have passed similar reasonable legislation (the “model direct shipping bill”), recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court and supported by state alcohol regulators, consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission.
The two other bills are “poison pills,” supported by the politically connected wine wholesalers. Both of these bills promise that Maine will remain one of just 15 states that ban shipments.
Please let your legislators know how you feel by taking two minutes to personalize your message. We have the opportunity to replace an outdated, anti-consumer statute with one that is proven to satisfy consumers and regulators alike. If either LD 1025 or LD 1308 passes into law, it is likely to set back direct wine shipping in Maine for many years to come.
Thanks for all your help.
We need your help to:
SUPPORT – LD 1008
OPPOSE – LD 1025 and LD 1308
If made into law, LD 1008 will significantly expand consumer choice in wine by allowing you to purchase wine directly from in-state and out-of-state wineries licensed to ship to Maine consumers. Thirty-five states have passed similar reasonable legislation (the “model direct shipping bill”), recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court and supported by state alcohol regulators, consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission.
The two other bills are “poison pills,” supported by the politically connected wine wholesalers. Both of these bills promise that Maine will remain one of just 15 states that ban shipments.
Please let your legislators know how you feel by taking two minutes to personalize your message. We have the opportunity to replace an outdated, anti-consumer statute with one that is proven to satisfy consumers and regulators alike. If either LD 1025 or LD 1308 passes into law, it is likely to set back direct wine shipping in Maine for many years to come.
Thanks for all your help.
I have written to my state representative and my state senator. In addition to the wording suggested by Free The Grapes (http://www.freethegrapes.org/) I began the letter with my own words. The text of my letter is below. I hope many of you will also write and urge your representatives and senators to support LD1008 and allow consumers free choice.
Dear Senator or Representative,
Below is the text from"Free The Grapes" which I totally agree with. I have long been in favor of being able to purchase wine which I enjoy and cannot obtain in Maine. I certainly should not have to pay a license fee to do this. It is time that we, the people, have free choice in this matter and that our ability to choose the wines that we want should not be hindered by lobbyists for the wine wholesalers. I urge you to support LD1008 and oppose LD1025.
As an adult voter in Maine, I strongly urge you to support LD 1008 and oppose LD 1025.
LD 1008 is a Free The Grapes bill. It is based on legislation already working successfully in 35 states, was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court andhas been supported by state alcohol regulators, consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission.
On the other hand, the wine wholesaler-supported LD1025 is a poison pill for legal, regulated winery-to-consumer shipping. It will work against both wineries and consumer choice in wine because its provisions are arbitrary, onerous and have proven unworkable in Montana and even our own state.
I believe that consumers - not wine wholesaler middlemen - should decide what wines we can enjoy and how we purchase them - especially because a proven solution is working in other states. Support LD 1008 and oppose LD 1025 and let me know how you plan to vote on this consumer issue.
Sincerely,
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