This newspaper story describes bills in the Maine legislature to eliminate or curtail public funding for candidates for state office. The bill to repeal the program has already been defeated in committee, although the sponsor will try to put a measure on the 2012 ballot asking voters if they wish to repeal it. However, the article also mentions polling data which suggest that a large majority of voters, including Republicans as well as others, support the program.
Keep a close eye on Maine. Led by a Republican governor who won the election with less than 40%, a legislature controlled by the Republican Party in both houses will give the nation a good idea of what Republican rule will produce if allowed to run its full course. We’re about to make health insurance unaffordable for anyone over the age of 50 who is not filthy rich, or anyone who has any kind of serious illness.
The Republican plan for health care is simple – “If you ain’t wealthy, and you ain’t healthy – die.”
Our Republican legislators have rolled back laws designed to protect abuse of children in the workplace. They are preparing to roll back the bottle bill, for crissakes, even though the state is dotted with redemption centers employing Americans and participating in the 8th largest business (recycling) this country has, and even though Republicans claim to be supporters of small businesses and “job creators.” At least bottle redemption centers can’t ship jobs to Mexico or China.
Why do Republicans hate their won children?
Watch Maine carefully if you want to see what Tea Party/Republican extremism has in store for YOUR state.