Maine governor: remove labor mural from labor dept.

Posted March 23, 2011, at 10:56 a.m.
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AUGUSTA, Maine  — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has ordered the removal of a 36-foot mural depicting the state’s labor history from the lobby of the Department of Labor headquarters building in Augusta.

In addition, the LePage administration is renaming several department conference rooms that carry the names of pro-labor icons such as Cesar Chavez.

LePage spokesman Dan Demeritt says the mural and the conference room names are not in keeping with the department’s pro-business goals and some business owners complained.

The mural was erected in 2008. It depicts several moments in Maine labor history, including a 1937 shoe mill strike in Auburn and Lewiston and “Rosie the Riveter” at the Bath Iron Works.

The Sun Journal newspaper says some worker advocates feel the move is a “mean-spirited” provocation.

 

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  • Anonymous

    That’s just friggin ridiculous! What’s next…shut down days 3 days a week? Come on now! They could at least be doing some ACTUAL work instead of removing parts of Maine’s labor history off a wall.

    This is going to be a LONG 4 years….=/

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QDYD5E76EYEGQ2AWAMRV6W4ZI4 Scott

    i think may be woulda left the picture up if it was a shoulda bought it when i saw it sighn from mardens :)

  • http://twitter.com/metalligimp metalligimp

    so wait….if enough people complain, will he remove himself from office? That’d be amazing.

  • Anonymous

    I wonder if we. the people, will be able to remove his picture as governor, once his term is up?

  • Anonymous

    Yes, what is happening in our state IS ridiculous!
    This website may be of interest.
    http://www.MainesMajority.org

  • http://profiles.google.com/lubedude1944 Jim Moore

    Who’s going to pay for this? The taxpayers or the Koch Brothers?

  • http://profiles.google.com/lubedude1944 Jim Moore

    Who’s going to pay for this? The taxpayers or the Koch Brothers?

  • http://profiles.google.com/lubedude1944 Jim Moore

    Who’s going to pay for this? The taxpayers or the Koch Brothers?

  • Anonymous

    Finally!!!

  • Anonymous

    Good

  • Anonymous

    Ready to be corporatized, privatized, itemized, skin packed and barcoded?

  • Jollyroger

    The Nazis did this. The Chinese did this. Many, many despots did exactly this.

    Be afraid, be very afraid. If you’re not afraid, you’re not paying attention.

  • Anonymous

    This is why “People before Politics” is a ruse, no big deal, how bout we put “People before Corporations”

  • Anonymous

    that’s what I said in November…

  • Jollyroger

    Next, they’ll come for the Native American art, and the feminist art, and the GLBT art.

    Then, they’ll shut down the Maine Commission for the Arts. And when their boots are on our throats, they’ll shut down all of the opposition.

    Because that, my friends, is their definition of “democracy.”

  • http://profiles.google.com/crosbykw KW Crosby

    What say we start removing him now?

    So is he saying that the Department of Labor is an arm of Maine business now? Wouldn’t “pro-business goals” indicate he is planning to undermine labor rights in general, even further than he’s already announced? Can we look forward to elimination of the 40 hour work week? abolishment of minimum wage? perhaps child labor? Maybe employees could be required to pay for all of their insurance, sick days, vacation out of their paychecks. That would be attractive to business, wouldn’t it? Maybe we could end corporate taxation entirely. That would certainly bring some nice responsible corporations to Maine to insure that more of us have poverty wage jobs.

    Did I miss where LePage was voted in by actual corporations? Were there any human beings that voted for him? You know, people who have to work for a living and support their families and pay their taxes?

    At what point do the citizens of Maine say no?

  • Anonymous

    that’s not history, it is just a picture depicting a strike. these unions need to get over themselves and open their eyes and see they are killing america. Good for the governor

  • Anonymous

    For anyone interested, I came upon this Facebook page. Hey, it’s a start!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Impeach-Governor-Paul-LePage/147906221930210?ref=ts

  • Anonymous

    For anyone interested, I came upon this Facebook page. Hey, it’s a start!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Impeach-Governor-Paul-LePage/147906221930210?ref=ts

  • Anonymous

    Hey Jabba the Nut…

    Labor built your Blaine House
    Labor built the halls the murals are hanging in
    Labor built this state

    (Unfortunately your mother went into labor too)

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for posting this.

  • Anonymous

    My suggestion for the governor’s first t.v. program is : I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.

  • Anonymous

    My humble list for the conference room name changes are: The Bernard Madoff Room, The Kenneth Lay Room, The Charles Keating Room, and Jeffrey Skilling Room.

  • Anonymous

    It’s pretty clear he’s just trying to get national headlines at this point. More money for his campaign and pockets.

  • Anonymous

    Chavez room? Give me a break, pick a Mainer for the honor or give those rooms numbers.

  • Anonymous

    Why remove this tribute to the epic struggle that working people endured to get the 40 hour work week, the weekend, the end of child labor, and other great advances:

    http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/05/top-five-things-unions/

    Labor unions achieved a great victory for decency over avarice. Why dismantle evidence of how big business has taken advantage of the common people for centuries?

    This is a petty act that steps on the history of the Republican party, once a bastion of labor, as well as being passive aggressive and just ridiculously authoritarian.

  • Anonymous

    To Governor LePage- Its a mural.

    To all the people screaming about Nazis, Over handed Government- Its a mural.

  • Anonymous
  • StillRelaxin

    He needs to remove the mural because it’s currently the only space large enough to actually hold a full image of a human of his immense girth. All the normal slots available for a governor’s framed paintings would only provide space for his lovely face. There may even be space left here to paint in 41K Lauren peering loyally over his shoulder.

  • Anonymous

    Wow, 216 people like this!

    When it gets up over 216´761 be sure to let us know. I´ll be getting ready for the next ice age in the meantime.

  • Anonymous

    The Penguin is mentally ill.

    Something also says that he doesn’t really have either the power, or right to go frigg’n around with the state buildings. They don’t belong to him, but the people.

  • Bobo

    Shut down:
    National Endowment for the Arts
    NPR/PBS
    The Maine commision on the arts.
    The Department of Education. (Bring back local control)
    The Office of National Drug Control Policy
    The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Sell Amtrak)

    We can start working on and finding more departments wasting the taxpayers money, this is just a jump off point to get started with.

  • Anonymous

    7613 people that like this website. When it gets over 216’716 people please be sure to let us all know.

  • Anonymous

    Kinda like the Taliban blowing up those giant statues of the Buddha when they took over.

  • Anonymous

    God Forbid that a childs parents make sure they are doing well in school and can handle having a job during the school year. My parents made sure, but hey they were really nuts now that I think about it. They wanted me to learn what it was like to work in the real world, earn my money. My grades had to be good, and I was limited in the hours I could work. They made the rules, not the State of Maine.

    I know just how bizarre that must sound.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DK2NSO2GYJSIRQOPYAXLKVEIA4 James

    Based on what I am seeing, Governor LaPage will indeed create thousands of new jobs in the State of Maine. I just hope that we don’t suffer from the “China syndrome,” meaning that he can draw work to Maine, if the price of labor is right. Killing unions and replacing every labor mural in the state house, gives a pretty good indication that labor unions are out, which will reintroduce sardine factory wages with benefits comparable to our chinese brethren. It’s up to the people of the State to decide if sweat shops are better than no shops. History will be repeating it self if this happens, and it’s all documented in the history books, unless they are replaced.

  • Anonymous

    It also has a mural depecting the strike at the Jay Paper Mill.

  • Anonymous

    There is no “labor” remaining in Maine, the liberals chased it all out so they could return Maine to its pristine natual beauty. Face it, we’re vacationland for rich visitors, even the new graduates know enough to leave Maine to start their careers, you may not agree with LePage, but the truth hurts, we are going down the drain thanks to decades of liberal rule.

  • Anonymous

    This Governor is pathetic….petty, vindictive. It gets worse all the time.

  • Anonymous

    Absolutely heartbreaking.

  • Anonymous

    Maybe he is saying that it is a partisan work of art that doesnt belong in a state building.

    I dont think the Governor has the power to abolish Federal Labor Laws. Saying that a 40 hour work week and minimum wages are going to be done away with is a bit of a stretch.

  • Anonymous

    People will scream about a mural being taken out of a state building. Those same people wont say much about the Pledge of Allegiance, or Nativity Scenes in Public, or offering a prayer before a football game for the safety of the players.

  • Anonymous

    You are so right SalArg……

  • Anonymous

    How exactly is Governor LePage going to repeal Federal Laws that apply to child labor?

    Maybe we can stop reading Partisan Opinions and actually go to the Maine Department of Labor website and get some factual information.

  • Anonymous

    Do you not realize how insulting the concept of pledging your allegiance is to the very ideal of being an American? Loyalty oaths are for fascist dictatorships, not the land of the free. You can’t have both.

  • Anonymous

    pppllease pppasss the pppottttatooesss.

  • Anonymous

    How about the Jack DeCoster Room?

  • Anonymous

    How about the Jack DeCoster Room?

  • Anonymous

    Bully, I say – just Bully! Celebration time, boys – belly up to the Bully Bar boys, the wrecking crew’s in town!

  • Anonymous

    I remember my heart sinking when that happened.

  • Anonymous

    My loyalty is to my country. I always pledged allegiance to the United States of America and said the words, with liberty and justice for all why doing it, not to any president or any other individual. I suppose the President taking the oath to defend us from all enemies and to uphold the Constitution is truly an awful thing as well.

    I did hear the song the school kids were singing about Obama though. I also saw the video of German schoolchildren singing songs about Adolf Hitler too. What do you think about that?

    Of course there are some folks that believe our flag has no meaning and that we really are the worst nation on the face of the earth.

  • Anonymous

    How was the mural paid for to begin with? Could the State-Taxpayers afford to pay for it or was it just typical overspending on bs stuff?

  • Anonymous

    Who was Governor when this mural was installed.?

    Something says that they didnt really have either the powere, or right to go frig–n around with state buildings and decorate them with things he thought were nice. They dont belong to him, but the people.

  • Anonymous

    And there it is, School Children in America singing a song about equality for all, and the first black president is the EXACT same thing as children singing a song of praise to Hitler. No wonder our country is in such dire straights. People are incapable of focusing on REAL problems and worry about drivel like this.

  • Anonymous

    If he could he would. If he can he will. Next time you are in Marden’s, ask any employee how the were treated by him, persoally and as employees. You will be shocked.

  • Anonymous

    He is frightened of so much. Just as any bully. This is petty and pitiful…

  • Anonymous

    How about the Harold Alfond room. Somebody who was a great Maine Business Person who did wonderful things with his earnings for all Mainers?

    How about the Shep Lee room?

  • Anonymous

    This has to be an antic, a caper, a prank, a trick, a quip, a witticism, a gag, a bon mot.

  • Anonymous

    You left out the Koch romm, the Terran Bragdon room, the Maine Heritage Policy Center room………

  • Anonymous

    349,781

  • Anonymous

    349,781

  • Anonymous

    But he cant so he wont and we all know that he cant, so to say that he is going to is nothing but irrational instigating.

    As far as Marden´s employees-

    In interviews they would all have nothing but negative things to say? That has to be at least over a thousand employees.

  • Anonymous

    Soon you will be able to sing one about your hero Lepage. They are writing it now at the Maine Heritage Policy Center. Bragdon will be releasing a CD of it soon.

  • Anonymous

    Soon you will be able to sing one about your hero Lepage. They are writing it now at the Maine Heritage Policy Center. Bragdon will be releasing a CD of it soon.

  • Anonymous

    The most important act that Gov. Lepage has done since entering office was submitting his budget. To my great surprise, the budget was reasonable and responsible. (Remember he increased spending by tens of millions of dollars – the Tea Party crowd must not be pleased with that)

    However, the mix of idiotic statements (i.e. “bearded ladies”) and moronic symbolic acts (i.e. removing a piece of artwork honoring laborers in the Department of Labor(of all places!!!)) shows me this guy has is nothing more than a complete embarrassment to this state.

    How could the Democrats had nominated the worst possible candidate to oppose him? I lay the blame on them, not so much the 38% who actually voted for Mr. LePage.

  • Anonymous

    If kids are going to be singing songs about Presidents(or people running for President) then maybe they should be singing them about the ones that worked hard to create our nation and defend it from our enemies and did something that really made us a better country. Im thinking a song about Abraham Lincoln perhaps. Or to honor minorites that have run for President we can sing songs about JFK, or Hillary Clinton.

  • Anonymous

    Except here is the thing- I wouldnt ever sing a song about any political leader with the exception of one person-
    Jesus Christ.

  • Anonymous

    What???? The Labor Movement has saved countless lives. This guy is beyond being an ass.

  • Anonymous

    And is the removal of a mural a real problem?

  • LibsAreCommies

    “renaming several department conference rooms that carry the names of pro-labor icons such as Cesar Chavez.”
    WTH? How did they get named for him in the first place?? Is this still America?

    There are now labor laws that protect workers.
    Unions have outlived their purpose and have become the greedy thug problem from which society needs protection.
    Outlaw labor unions.

  • LibsAreCommies

    Nazis?! Commies?! Blahblah! WHAAAAAAAA!!!!!! [tremble]

  • Anonymous

    Hi Sal,
    I would like to answer your question. I think it is wonderful you heard the Obama song, and saw the Hitler youth video. I believe you enjoyed them. Good luck on your future viewing and keep us posted. Sal, you are the best!!!

  • Tea42

    Le Page is a daily recurring flashback to the 30s, when one man decided what the people should see, read, and listen to.

    One day he sticks up a ridiculous sign on Maine’s doorstep – “Open For Business” – and the next, he’s decided that an artistic mural is not fit to be seen by the people. It does not represent HIS ideology.

    Remember when they burned the books because they clashed with one man’s ideology?

    What brazen action is next?

  • Anonymous

    I prefer to think positively. It is less than 4 years now. Pretty soon it will be “a little more than 3 years”….and as always – it is “just one term”. Yes, a relatively long 4 years, but just ONE term.

  • kcjonez

    Some enterprising business person could probably bring some jobs to the state pasting LePage’s picture on dart boards.

  • Anonymous

    He is taking the murals out as they upset the feelings of a few. Isnt that really just a page out of the liberal playbook? Maybe its allright when it is only Democratic Politicians doing it.

  • Anonymous

    Hi again Sal,
    I believe I understand what you are saying. I must admit,..I use to sing about Davey Crockett when I was much younger. I know he doesn’t match Jesus Christ, but he did give up his life up on the top of the Alamo. And I use to sing the banana song using President Lincoln’s name. My parents made me stop. Lincoln, lincoln, bo bincoln, banananana mo mincoln…..
    ……… Born on a mountain top in Tennessee…..Sal,..thanks for getting me singing again….you are the best!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Hi again Sal,
    I believe I understand what you are saying. I must admit,..I use to sing about Davey Crockett when I was much younger. I know he doesn’t match Jesus Christ, but he did give up his life up on the top of the Alamo. And I use to sing the banana song using President Lincoln’s name. My parents made me stop. Lincoln, lincoln, bo bincoln, banananana mo mincoln…..
    ……… Born on a mountain top in Tennessee…..Sal,..thanks for getting me singing again….you are the best!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Your comment makes me think you probably approve of Bill Maher’s recent comment about Sarah Palin. Disgusting that you both feel the need to degrade a person to feel better about yourself.

  • Anonymous

    It was absolutely appropriate to remove the mural and change the names. We should not be glorifying just one segment of our workforce. If we want to glorify workers then we should glorify ALL workers. Union and non-union alike.

    You want to celebrate union history then place an exhibit in a museum.

    We have to change the status quo of Maine. We are not just about unions. We are much bigger han that.

  • Anonymous

    I had forgotten about Davey Crocket. There is a song about Andrew Jackson down in New Orleans too.

  • Anonymous

    Well, there are federal child labor laws and then, in addition, there are the state child labor laws. However, I sincerely doubt he plans on changing the state version, although I must admit to not having read anything about that recently.

  • kcjonez

    The Taliban did this to Buddha.
    Nelson Rockefeller did this to Diego Rivera(“Man at the Crossroads Looking with Hope and High Vision to the Choosing of a New and Better Future.”–just in case you are interested.)
    Most religions destroy the art of their antecedents.
    I guess it’s like dogs pissing on everything to mark their territory.

  • Anonymous

    It must really bother you when you hear the degrading things that have been said about the President, and the former Governor of Maine? Distressing, isn’t it.

  • Anonymous

    And if the Unions went away right now… we would still have labor laws, and laborers would still build things. Les expensively. Get over it.

  • Anonymous

    What we’re seeing is only the beginning, LePage and crew are taking the same path as Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Make no mistake about it we’re witnessing an orchestrated power grab that is focused on minimizing the influence of unions and strengthening the impact of the Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United ruling and making our vote an illusion of choice.

  • Anonymous

    Oh no….only “his” people, don’t you know. He never said he would be the Governor of “all the people of Maine”….or did he…..

  • Anonymous

    Excellent question.

  • Anonymous

    Since Gov Lepage has taken office all I have heard is whining from the left. The question I have is was this state under the rule of the liberal left for the past 30years in that good of shape? If you can honestly say yes than you either need to stop drinking the kool aid or move somewhere like MA where the socialist dream is still alive! Get over it!

  • Anonymous

    What are you talking about? loyalty oaths are for fascists? That’s almost the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Generations have pledged loyalty to country, land , flag, Faith, to each other. Native Americans pledged oaths to one another and their tribes. Holy men have pledged oaths of honor. Men of valor have pledged oaths for country and died heroically.

    You liberals love throwing around the word fascists. You sound ridiculous.

  • Anonymous

    Let’s leave the Hitler video for him. Who would want to see it. Why is Hitler being discussed here, anyway?

  • Anonymous

    The Nazis had murals of Maine history? Again the left responds with fear mongering!!!

  • Anonymous

    Sal. God Bless You!!!! You are absolutely right. I have your back my brother. (and I mean it)

  • Anonymous

    There is no need for anyone to degrade another person, no matter what the political persuasion. Argue a fact, argue a position, but there’s no need to attack the person. No president was ever degraded more than George W. Bush by the extreme left wing, and the not-so-extreme left. It was very disrespectful.

  • Anonymous

    What a total ass.

  • Anonymous

    It is sure looking that way.

  • Anonymous

    There are over 180 federal labor laws, The Labor Department. Maine has laws protecting workers as well. Fear not, what you predict will not happen.

    Plus there are man of businesses in Maine already where unions do not exist and that pay well.

    Your fears are unfounded.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t want anything about Chavez in my state house. I’m amazed you do.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, a “political” leader who cared about the marginalized people of society. He hung out with all , regardless of who they were. He would not put down those who were more disadvantaged, troubled,etc. Jesus would not be out promoting corporations, or promoting wealth as the main goal in life….and if you think so, there is some delusion going on. Of course, everyone interprets the Bible differently, emphasizing different parts over others. Someone being “literal” with the Bible is choosing parts to emphasize and disregarding others.

  • Anonymous

    And things were that good under Baldachi and his liberal regime? yeah right!

  • Anonymous

    That was my first thought….more bully type behavior. He must be very insecure ,deep down, as is the case with bullies.

  • Anonymous

    Why should taxpayer dollars pay for your special interest spending and propaganda? Pay for it yourself. If it is worthwhile, let the people who specifically want it support it. Don’t raid my wallet to support your programs.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, but I believe ultimately it will backfire on them.

  • Anonymous

    This state is going to be SO tacky from the moment people drive into the state through every nook and cranny. I can hardly wait for his propaganda television show. By the look of his bloated face these days I’d say his ego is really kicking. A man after power, money and glory.

  • Anonymous

    Sal is right. It’s a dadblame mural. You folks attach way too much importance to this thing.

    Start a museum for labor and quit your moaning.

  • Anonymous

    The legislature is considering changing the hours that teen agers
    can work, during a school day. I consider that a step backward.
    What is next?

  • Anonymous

    Yes, but you are biased as most people are. (human trait) You may have thought Bush was more disrespected as you like him (I don’t dislike him either), but for those who like Obama, we see the blatant disrespect thrown his way by many. I am not any more impressed by your right wing, than you are by those on the more left. So be it. And don’t bother to try and convince me that Bush was more disrespected because I was around and heard and saw.
    I just wish this Governor would show more respect in his words, etc. sometimes. I don’t see things the way you do , and I would not want to.

  • Tea42

    The ability and right of working class men and women to negotiate for pay and benefits is no different than people on the upper rungs negotiating a work contract.

    Unions installed a ladder with a step for the Middle Class. Without it, we would still be back in the 20s – remember? Long soup and unemployment lines, twelve hour days, seven days a week with ten minutes off for a sandwich – if you could afford the bread.
    We all benefited as hourly workers – union and non-union.
    Now the radical right republican wing, and its ultra right wing Tea Party are going to put us where we belong.
    As workers, veterans, family people, and taxpayers, who believe in democracy – don’t smear us as commies just because we have a different point of view.
    It is the commies and dictators who believe they are the only one’s allowed an opinion.

  • Anonymous

    Would that be J-Lo? She had hers insured for a million bucks! You are right she has it going on.

  • Anonymous

    No , he is not right.
    And, I do not take suggestions from you.
    Also, disagreeing with something does not necessarily translate to “whining.” Oh, but that is the same thing you use all the time. I find many of your posts critical of certain things…..guess you must be whining then. Too bad….

  • Anonymous

    Fear mongering, all you have to do is open a paper or turn on the TV and easily see Walker, Snyder, Kasich, Brewer and LePage and others of that ilk are singing out of the same hymnal.

  • Anonymous

    Well, this is the same legislature that thought it important to vote on whoopie pies, so that makes sense. However, do they want to add or delete the amount of hours they can work? I am all for allow teenagers to work, and I’m also in support of parents calling the shots, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have teenagers working even more hours. Life is too short, childhood doesn’t last forever. I think kids are way too structured as it is, with sports and work and clubs, etc., etc. They aren’t left with any time to just be a kid anymore. I used to work with teenagers and it was extremely difficult to find a time when they could be in an organization because they were too busy working.

  • Anonymous

    You don’t know me. I am not a republican. I agree that some make comments about Obama, but most of the time it is about his policies and lack of action. Not about him personally. Bush was accused of being stupid, illiterate, made fun of, etc. That’s different. That is disrespecting the presidency. I, too, wish this governor would show more respect in his words. Couldn’t agree with you more about that.

  • Anonymous

    Um, come out of denial. It is NOT just the so-called left. Hordes of conservative Democrats, Independents and liberal Republicans are also concerned. He just keeps getting more and more absurd with his egomania. Only those in denial can’t see it.

  • Anonymous

    You do understand that laws can be overturned do you not?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DK2NSO2GYJSIRQOPYAXLKVEIA4 James

    You err in judgement. Federal labor laws can be rendered non effective through worker intimidation, that was proven in the textile mills. Non union jobs pay well because of wage pressure from union contracts all over the State. Non union companies feel the need to keep their wages up to prevent unions from cropping up in their dooryard. If unions collapse, so do non union wages. You can bank on it. What I think doesn’t matter. These are unbiased facts.

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, did not mean to imply you are any one thing. I have been accused of being something on here and it was a complete misrepresentation. We have very limited views/knowledge of other posters (very limited) but I don’t have to tell you that. I do disagree though about remarks aimed at our President. (I do not listen or watch Fox “news” btw.) The remarks have been many, and very personal at times (and not about policy.) I guess you missed all that. Oh well. We can only follow so many things in the news (and sources) so we are not all going to be getting the same view/interpretation,etc. But, in the end, we make up our own minds (hopefully anyway!)
    Sometimes…just best to agree to disagree.

  • Anonymous

    Up to 230 since your post to me. It’s catching on! =)

  • Anonymous

    “Corporatism is sometimes considered a synonym for fascism owing to the corporatist structures created by Mussolini’s regime as well as in the latter years of the Third Reich under Albert Speer’s direction. Corporatism was viewed by some as an appropriate strategy to prevent worker unrest, as well as a potentially and effective economic strategy”

  • Anonymous

    I agree…it’s hard to “read” a person simply from a post or two. As you said, though, we make up our own minds…hopefully. Definitely, there are times when one just has to agree to disagree. Good to be able to debate, though.

  • Anonymous

    I agree…it’s hard to “read” a person simply from a post or two. As you said, though, we make up our own minds…hopefully. Definitely, there are times when one just has to agree to disagree. Good to be able to debate, though.

  • Anonymous

    Alas, though, sometimes there are people who can’t be civil and sometimes are downright disgusting. I’ve got someone else on another post writing very nasty comments to me. That’s the problem with sites like this, sometimes, but for the most part, even though I have differing viewpoints from some, I enjoy the discussions.

  • Anonymous

    Sorry to hear that. Maybe I will catch it, but have not seen it yet. There is no need for any of that, and you sure do not deserve that. You are one of the more civil posters. I don’t see things as you do, quite often, but that is not important. I do notice the civil tone, however. There are several (or more?) quite nasty posters. They accuse others of being that way, people who aren’t. I think when one is that way most of the time, they project onto others (if you know what I mean.)

  • Anonymous

    No thanks!

    Get bent back into shape…..

  • Anonymous

    I do know what you mean, and I couldn’t agree more! Let’s hope that cooler heads prevail! I appreciate your thoughtful posts.

  • Anonymous

    Paul LePage: History Revisionist

  • http://profiles.google.com/woodsmanken . Ken Weaver

    you progressives are really confused; it was WE THE PEOPLE who elected him and the Govenor of Wisconsin. You progressives are the ones responsible for Obummer and his gang of thieves.

    First you progressives hijack the name of the Democratic Party and trash it; now you ‘think’ you can use the name of WE THE PEOPLE????

    Well just wait and see what the real WE THE PEOPLE do to Obummer~!

  • Anonymous

    Maybe the sound of JOBS coming back is fearful to those who might then be expected to work for a living instead of living of the taxpayers!!!

  • Anonymous

    Alanzo Gomez sailed into Bangor in the late 1500s when I suppose only Penobscots were there. Can you tell me ………… What is a Mainer?

  • Anonymous

    What do you know about Chavez?

  • Anonymous

    Cesar Chevex is an American. Is it OK to be of French decent, but not Spanish?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Var-Enyo/100001058251205 Var Enyo

    Perhaps you can have it replaced with a nice business friendly mural of women and children working in a sweatshop environment.

  • http://www.facebook.com/pam.peltierdickinson Pam Peltier Dickinson

    Why on earth, are those wonderful eye-catching fine murals are being removed??? They ought to stay in!!! Please do not remove! Judy Taylor spent her time working on those murals only a few years ago and they ought to stay on infinitely as they are well deserved as part of history for Maine. This is truly injustice!!!

  • Anonymous

    At least he was here legally! I wonder what you think of how Mr. Chevez viewed Illegals?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Ch%C3%A1vez

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    -No, We the People-who-suckle-ick-Armey-and-the-Koch-brother’s-Tea-Party of which there was no plurality elected them. You may end up watching We the People unelecting them.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    Exactly. Pol Pot, even the much vaunted Saddam Hussein. Totalitarians get rid of education, rein in and subvert the arts and messengers (media) and then “control” the people. Ironic isn’t it, the middle east is waking up… suspect even Bahrain will have their hands full in the next few years, while we fall into an oligarchy.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    No the first round of people they disappeared were the artists, (learn something about history) the educators, the gays and mentally challenged. Then came the sympathizers and Jews. Fear is a wonderful thing, and ignorance a gift unto itself for despots.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    On has to wonder where they got the message, eh? Could it have been places like Freedom Works, or the sweet exclusive meetings like with the Koch brothers in February?

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    If we’re lucky. More than likely, though, he’ll shove enough of the agenda down our throats and Maine, which consists of middle class and the working poor, will RECALL his non kissing of butts butt. Time will tell, if he becomes the governor of the people, the people he CAME from or he’s a shill for the well-heeled interests, n’est pas?

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    Look to what Kasich is doing. They’re on the same friggin’ talkin’ point. AND KW didn’t you get the memo from the Souped up Sups? Corporations are now human beings and they count way more than the peon working.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    And he has the right to say that WHY? This is a public work in a public institution. He doesn’t HAVE that right or power. But apparently many people have no problem with nobless oblige.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    Do you even know what the meaning of history is, Matt? If it happened it was history. Did it happen? Unions made child labor laws, overtime and a 40 hour work week, equitable pay and collective bargaining on WORK CONDITIONS. If you’ve ever worked in a factory situation (I have) a corporate situation (I have) or as a kid (I have) you would know the benefits. Oh yeah, I’m a woman too, thirty years ago I was told numerous times my work wasn’t worth as much as a man’s because I didn’t have to support a family like a man did. The unions helped build the middle class.

  • http://twitter.com/agyw13 Agy WIlson

    Just like the price of everything has gone down when gas went down? Just like money was freed up when the Republicans bailed out the banks (sorry, Obama bailed GM, it was BUSH who bailed out the banks, so don’t pull the addled thing here, or everyone Google to see who is correct). Unions die, the middle class dies.

  • Anonymous

    My apologies but I was kind of interested in people who had been convicted of a felony or felonies. Now, I know that Ken Lay is still considered innocent since he died before he could appeal his conviction, but I’m assuming he would have lost his appeal.

  • Anonymous

    So what happens when he thinks he doesn’t like the Blaine House because it gives the impression that Maine is stuck in the 19th century and decides to tear it down and put up a double wide like his house in Florida, something more contemporary?

    Is that OK?

  • Anonymous

    If you took a moment you would most likely admit that you are going a bit overboard when you make the Blaine House Comparison. The Blaine House is also a National Historic Landmark, so I think it is pretty safe.

    Are people who live in double wide homes somehow not as good as you?

  • Anonymous

    If you took a moment you would most likely admit that you are going a bit overboard when you make the Blaine House Comparison. The Blaine House is also a National Historic Landmark, so I think it is pretty safe.

    Are people who live in double wide homes somehow not as good as you?

  • Anonymous

    Why did the Governor who authorized its placement have that right? If one Governor has the right to authorize a mural being placed in a State Building doesn’t another Governor have the right to authorize its removal?

  • Anonymous

    Everything its own good time!

  • Anonymous

    Did Jesus teach us that it was all right to rob Peter to pay Paul?
    Did Jesus teach us that we should rely totally on Government for our survival?
    Did Jesus ever say we should tax one group of people to subsidize the living of others?
    Does the Bible say that God helps those who help themselves?

    I think anyone that says LePage is only out for corporations, having people become greedy and turning a blind eye to sick and disadvantaged people is a bit delusional. I don’t think that is his message at all. Of course everyone interprets things differently.

  • Anonymous

    All those could be contradicted by other things in the Bible. That is where you run into ambiguity. The Bible is full of passages about loving thy neighbor, and doing onto others and on and on. You might like to consider the Golden Rule.
    But, will leave you to your judgments and all the rest so you can justify your philosophy.
    I do not agree with you on so much, and so be it. I don’t want to, believe me.

  • Anonymous

    Lets stop debating the bible and stick to the real issues.

    Let the Republican Cuts to Welfare and Social Spending happen and then show me the following-

    Please show me a disabled person, truly in need of state assistance who is being forced to live on the street, to go back to work for $3.00 an hour and be required to work 70 hours a week. Show me one person truly deserving of state support, who has frozen to death, or died of starvation.

    Right this minute I can show you a person who is disabled due to a fear of being in public. I will show a couple with a child who refuse to marry as it will eliminate their MaineCare qualification. I will show you a person who buys bottled water with an EBT card and then dumps the water out to get bottle refund money for cigarettes. I can do that today, I dont have to wait even 4 minutes to do so.

    So what are the Republican talking about, is it eliminating fraud and abuse or do they really just want sick, disadvatadge, poor people to die?

    There seems to be a lot of Democrat-Liberal talking points being put out there. Any attempts to reform welfare by Republicans are really attempts to outright eliminate people who cant help themselves. Attempt to create more business friendly enviroment really are nothing more to have kids go back to work for 5 cents a day and to have adults working 80 hours a week for slave wages. One Governor has the right to put up a mural but another doesnt have the right to take it down.

    Again, what is it? Are the Democrats really correct. Are we headed to an elite corporate run world where child labor is the norm and workers have no rights? Or is there something a bit more in the middle, a balance between workers and business trying to be created?

    You dont have to agree with me lynne, this is America. We are all entitled to our opinions. Thank goodness no one is reading these comments and deciding which one of us is wrong and needs to be reeducated!

  • Anonymous

    Maybe they could sing songs about Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers or Rosa Parks? People who really did something to create Equal Rights in this country. Did we sing songs about how wonderful America was when we elected JFK, the first Catholic President or Richard Nixon, the first Quaker President? Or what about FDR, the first physically handicapped president?

  • Anonymous

    I have nothing against Cesar Chavez. I was having a brain cramp! My mind went directly to the Venezuelan President, not the labor leader. I apologize.

  • Anonymous

    Always looking for the worst….emphasizing the worst (whether the person with the bottles,etc.) You can have it. No thanks. Maybe you can sell it to someone else.

  • Anonymous

    Are we speaking of the same Chavez? Cesar Chavez, who organized farm
    workers, is someone I deeply admire. Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan dictator,
    is not. I think the room in the Labor Dept is named after Cesar.

  • Anonymous

    I was not aware they were gonna kill the artists responsible for these murals…..My mistake!

  • Anonymous

    No. If you’ll see my post below, I had a brain cramp and when I read that my mind immediately went to Hugo Chavez, not Cesar Chavez. I apologize for the stupid mix-up! My bad, as they say!

  • Anonymous

    Politicians say that State Welfare programs are necessary and people start screaming that all welfare recipients are cheaters, and use examples like the bottled water incident. Those screams typically come from ultra right wingers that choose not to be rational and instead make ignorant statements.

    Politicians say that Welfare Reforms are need and people start screaming that they want people to freeze and starve and go into huge debt over medical bills. Those screams typically come from ultra left wingers that choose not to be rational and instead make ignorant statements.

    Both sides use make outrageous claims when the other side tries to create policies regarding the subject.

    I think that there are people who abuse welfare programs and that reform is needed. I also think that there are many, many people truly in need that cannot help themselves and we have an obligation as a society to help them.

    I don’t think that our Governor wants anyone to freeze, starve or be sick. Your opinion of what his reforms truly mean for the Welfare System may be different.

    Lynne, I can show you many examples of people leeching off the welfare system. I’m sure you might have an example or two yourself.
    I cannot show you a single person in true need that has ever been kicked out of the system because of reforms made to the system. Can you show me such a person.

    I don’t look for the worst. I look for middle ground and for people to make sense.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, there are abuses (everywhere) and those should be weeded out as much as possible. However, there are many people who are not “bad apples.” and need assistance . I have a very good friend who has a lot of insight into how these programs work, who is affected,etc. She has been doing this work for many years now. I will take her word about a lot of it over someone who is more on the “outside looking in” and focusing on those who someone judges is not truly in need.etc. I don’t know people’s personal situations so I don’t feel it is my place to speculate about it either. I was brought up to know you don’t do that. It is inappropriate to some of us.

  • Anonymous

    Some would say the same thing of the Gov’s decision to remove the ‘historical’ murals. Everyone entering the state of Maine now knows we’re open for business. You really think greedy corporate excecs are going to be offended? To them mill workers striking for rights and wages are just an old union joke.

    No I know plenty of people who live in double wides, but as homes they are are as tasteless as The Penguin. They sacrifcie artistic subtly for economics, cheap Chinese crap like they sell at Mardens over a quality USA product with an eye to design and durability.

  • Anonymous

    Is this how he creates jobs? Sad.

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