Maine Policy Review

Volume 28 Issue 1

2019

Local Politics from Away

Matthew Bourque [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Bourque, Matthew. "Local Politics from Away." Policy Review 28.1 (2019) : 6 -7, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol28/iss1/1.

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Local Politics from Away

by Matthew Bourque

he prairie wind whips and whirls example and someone any Mainer can Congress of one party unseats the presi- Tthe falling snow outside the coffee look up to. In the early 1950s, Margaret dent of another party for essentially shop windows. Inside, I sit writing and Chase Smith led the resistance political reasons.” Senator King’s respect listening to a family argue over foot- to McCarthyism. Senator Joseph for the American tradition of rule of law ball. The parents are wearing purple McCarthy’s witch hunt against alleged above the partisan clamor for action or Vikings jerseys, the father also sporting Communists and Communist sympa- inaction is indicative of Maine’s political a Minnesota Wild winter hat. It’s a cozy thizers was in direct contradiction to tradition.1 winter day in small-town Minnesota, America’s long-valued political freedom. Of course, there are caveats, and but my thoughts are drifting home to Smith stood up for the entire United Maine is not entirely immune to the Maine and the smell of the snow-laden States and its history of political thought divisive political atmosphere plaguing pine trees that cover our vast state. and freedom in her Declaration of our country. Most notably, former Even more than 1,500 miles away, I Conscience, which directly challenged Governor Paul LePage was infamous for remain attached to Maine and stay McCarthy and his House Un-American his harsh statements on political enemies, informed on local politics and the state Activities Committee. perhaps reaching its apex in the profani- of the economy. As our nation enters an In today’s toxic political climate, ty-laced voice mail he left for Democrat era of divisive politics, characterized by a Maine’s politicians continue to stand Drew Gattine of Westbrook.2 This distaste for compromise and demoniza- out. Senator , a Republican, behavior, however, is the exception and tion of the other, Maine emerges as a is regarded by the Lugar Center as the should be condemned if Maine is to safeguard for political civility. Mainers most bipartisan politician in the US continue its more moderate political away from home should look back Senate. Our current governor, Janet tradition. proudly on the strength and character of Mills, used her inaugural address to Maine’s youth diaspora’s relation- Maine’s political tradition. Our state has establish a platform based on unity and ship with our home state is complex. We a history of independent thinking and compromise, stating, “We are all in this are more connected, mobile, and support for such thinking. Compared to together. We all want Maine to have a educated than the generations before us. other states, Maine has voted for a beautiful environment; happy people; As such, many of us leave Maine higher number of Independent politi- and prosperous communities.… We are searching for better jobs and successful cians, from former Governor James Republicans, Greens, Democrats, and meaningful careers. In leaving Longley to current Senator . Libertarians, Independents, and many Maine, temporarily or for an extended In the current , five more besides.” Independent Senator period, however, we are trying to find representative seats are held by Angus King advocates for the greater financial stability, not trying to avoid the Independents, second only to Vermont, benefit of Maine and not party. He has home that shaped us. We are proud of which currently has six Independent most notably fought against policies that our Pine Tree State for a myriad of representatives. Passed in 2016, and reaf- could hasten the impending dangers of reasons. From the winding Kennebec firmed in 2018, our state has also enacted , an issue to which coastal River, to the peak of Katahdin, and to ranked-choice voting, a system that Maine is especially vulnerable. the working waterfront along the coast, advocates claim will help launch Concerning the recent chaos of the Maine is host to both a beautiful land- Independent candidates into office and Mueller investigation, King has resisted scape and a down-to-earth population. break the divisive dialogue that accom- the high-tension atmosphere, claiming, At home, we are immersed in a culture panies a two-party political system. “I don’t think that there’s evidence yet defined by close community ties and a Maine is also host to many politi- available to the public where there sense of pragmatism. Away, we are cians who have courageously put ideals would be more or less a consensus that known for our genuine and honest and home over party. Senator Margaret this was an appropriate path….We don’t personalities, coupled with ambitious Chase Smith is perhaps the greatest want to create a precedent where work ethics many of us developed early

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in life. We look back proudly on the Matt Bourque home that formed us into the diligent is a current polit- and respectable people we are known to ical science and be across the United States. So, we of the social studies Maine diaspora should continue to take education double pride in this bold political tradition. major at St. Olaf These values of hard work, courage, and College. His inter- the determination to do what is right ests range from that were exhibited by Senator Margaret international Chase Smith continue to influence and domestic politics, to the strategies of Maine politics and represent the values running road races. After graduation in Mainers espouse wherever we live. - May 2019, Matt hopes to become a teacher and encourage the future generation, just ENDNOTES as his teachers encouraged him. Though 1. Senator Collins’s bipartisan rating Maine is always home, Matt currently comes from “2017 Senate Scores,” resides in Northfield, Minnesota. The Lugar Center – McCourt School Bipartisan Index, http://www .thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan -Index.html#Bipartisanship. Janet Mill’s inauguration speech is available on the ’s website: https://www.pressherald.com/2019 /01/03/read-janet-mills-inaugural -address/. Information on Senator King comes from a Maine Public story: Jennifer Mitchell, “Sen. Angus King Says There’s Not Sufficient Evidence for Impeachment Inquiry,” (December 9, 2018), http://www.mainepublic.org /post/sen-angus-king-says-theres -not-sufficient-evidence-impeachment -inquiry 2. Scott Thistle, “‘Prove I’m a Racist’: LePage Challenges Westbrook Lawmaker in an Obscenity-laced Voice Mail,” Portland Press Herald (August 26, 2016), http://www .mainepublic.org/post/sen-angus-king -says-theres-not-sufficient-evidence -impeachment-inquiry.

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