Where is my Maine?

Election day is over here in the USA. The results are in and the banners and posters are coming down. During my second cup of coffee this morning I was more sure than ever that the world had changed. Will I become a "bitter clinger" that Obama has described, clinging to my Bible and my gun? Or will I get more involved in politics in a my own life? Or, should I turn off the media and simply get on with the more important things?

In Maine the state motto is "Dirigo" or I lead. It is simply a fact that we lead the nation into each new day, but we also lead in other ways as well. For years we led the nation in high taxes. We have led also in environmental protection and with our generous welfare programs. We do in fact lead, but down what path? Do we lead over the cliff of uncertainty, or do we lead on to a better tomorrow? It's our choice.

In the formative years of our great nation, "The Maine" as it was called was a part of northern Massachusetts. That was before the rise of liberalism that has crippled most of the original 13 colonies. Mainers, like Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine became famous for their tenacity and toughness under pressure. Local farmers and loggers were renowned for their strong work ethic and their independence. Preserving the "rural character" of Maine is one of the most important goals of most local planning departments. This character was what had set us apart, but I'm afraid no more.

Maine is now just another welfare state, with more than 25% of our residents on one kind of welfare or another. Work is no longer a solution to our problems, but has become a problem itself. Work and the income in creates will limit the public assistance that you may be "entitled to". Going to work is now more the exception than the rule. Let's hope something happens to get people back to work and to help Maine get back on the right track!