When I was looking at the candidates for governor last year, the question on the ballot to me really wasn’t a question of party; it was a question of a vision for Maine. I’ve come to love Maine as a place of progress, of beauty, and of opportunity, and though we may be going through a tough time right now, I’ve always felt that Maine’s strongest attraction is what it can offer that other places can’t. From the beautiful coastline to its welcoming people, I think Maine is a place that can not be matched anywhere else in the world.
So when I looked at last year’s candidates, I was struck by the difference in opinion of how things should be done. One side seems to stress the potential of Maine that’s usually used in tourism materials: a beautiful, open, free state with lots of possibilities for recreation and for a great way of life. The other side seems to think that the solution for the state’s problems is near-completly business-centric, in that if we make it easy for business to come and stay here, the state will end up back on track.
I love Maine businesses, and I’m quite happy to say that we have more than a few really successful businesses in our state. But the problem with encouraging business unconditionally is that it impedes on the characteristics of Maine that make it special and unique. Over the first few weeks of LePage’s administration, I’ve realized that I was on track with my thoughts last year; while I honestly believe that LePage wants what is best for the state of Maine, I see his approach as misguided and short-sighted.
My biggest fear of the LePage administration is that they believe the ideal state of Maine is the political equivalent of Marden’s. They’d stress that a philosophy like that would make it easy and inexpensive to do business. Don’t get me wrong – I love Marden’s. But if you were planning a week’s vacation, would you want to spend it at Marden’s? I want to be sure that the promise of Maine as a unique state that offers attractions that nobody else can isn’t lost in a quest for rock-bottom prices and the ideal business climate. There’s plenty of space to build a landfill on Old Orchard Beach, but nobody likes to sunbathe on trash.
Maine can be a state that moves forward and embraces the future, or we can go back and try to live in the past. I want my rugged coastline. I want my trails through the woods. I want my neighbors to be free and equal and lead the life they should have the privilege to lead. I want my Maine to be an example to the rest of the world. I want my Maine to move forward instead of sliding back.
(I’d also recommend reading this article by Perry B. Newman in The Forecaster.)