Thoughts on a tragedy

Ray reflects on the Omaha mall shooting.

A case for FairPoint

FairPoint Communications CEO Gene Johnson was a guest on The Fox Morning News this week to discuss his company's bid to take over Verizon's landlines in Maine. Ray thinks Johnson made his case and that the Public Utilities Commission should accept the deal.

The crunch is on

Maine is facing a serious financial crisis, and yet the legislature keeps expanding the budget. Rays says we need to start holding the folks in Augusta accountable.

The state treasurer speaks

State Treasurer David Lemoine came on the Fox Morning News on Friday to talk about the state's $20 million investment mess. Ray weighs in on the fiasco.

Bridge report

The Maine Department of Transportion's "Bridges To Watch" list notes nearly 400 bridges that are in need of repair or replacement. Why hasn't the Maine legislature made this state's transportation infrastructure a priority?

Why protect the status quo?

Ray questions why the unions are against the Verizon-FairPoint deal.

Irony is king at the Legislature

Raise the minimum wage while cutting lottery sales commissions to the businesses most impacted by the minimum wage hike .... Ray asks, "Where have the pro-small business elected leaders gone?"

All Ray is asking is, Give Fairpoint a chance.

Ray expresses disappointment over the staff report recommending the denial of the sale of Verizon to Fairpoint. He believes they should have given approval with conditions.

Looking for bright spots

Ray reflects on Tuesday's election, taking comfort in the extremely narrow margin by which two of the bond issues passed. Maine people are waking up to the fact that bond money isn't free.

Kudos to Jenkins

Ray congratulations Auburn Mayor John Jenkins, who, in a historic vote, won re-election as a write-in candidate.

No on Question 1

Ray explains why a racino is too big a gamble for Washington County.

World Series Report #4

It's the third inning and the crowd is getting wound up.

World Series Report #3

Ray brings you some fan sounds:

World Series Report #2

It's the top of the second inning and Ray talks to two dedicated Red Sox fans who drove up from New Jersey.

World Series Report #1

Ray audioblogs from Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park.

Portland School Committee cancels 10/24 meeting

Although the school committee meeting was cancelled this evening (Wed. 10/24), there will more opportunities to express your outrage over the King Middle School birth control pill controversy.

More Information Comes to Light

When he stopped by The Fox Morning News on Monday, Portland School Chair John Coyne clearly stated that 11-year-old girls who have gone through puberty would in fact be able to receive birth control pills through the clinic at King Middle School, contrary to what many other officials have claimed in their comments to the media. Ray has a few thoughts on what that means:

What are you prepared to do about it?

Ray provides details about an upcoming school board meeting in Portland to discuss the controversial birth control pill proposal. He urges you to attend so concerned parents' voices can be heard.

More than they can chew?

Ray has it on good authority that the Portland School Committee is getting a lot of heat over its approval of a plan to provide birth control pills to King Middle School students. People of Portland, you still have a chance to do something.

And The Beat Goes On:

As more information rolls in, it is obvious that the King Middle School birth control proposal is more about government intrusion into parental rights (can you say... Nazi Germany) than it is about the health and well-being of 11 - 13 year old girls.

Portland Makes National News

Ray weighs in on a Portland middle school's plans to hand out birth control to teenage girls.

MTA: Out of touch again

The Maine Turnpike Authority is at it again. Fortunately, when the Maine people become aware of their European adventure, this will probably kill the talk of new tolls on 295.

What are you willing to do?

American patriot Sam Adams once said, "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority willing to set brushfires in the minds of their fellow citizens."

Government being accountable: What a novel concept

Ray asks the question, "What are the politicians afraid of and why won't they conduct an independent audit of government services and programs?" Internal, government driven audits are nothing more than the fox guarding the hen house.

What's this country afraid of?

Ray is so sick of the politically correct movement. A school in Chicago is banning ham and Jell-O because Muslim children might be offended. What a joke!

Laura Ingraham: Power to the People

Talk radio host Laura Ingraham (a recent guest on Ray's show) has new book, Power to the People, which is #1 on The New York Times bestseller list. In this post, Ray praises the book as a powerful exposé about what ails America.

Race baiters: Their financial gain while they cause societal pain

Race baiters enrich themselves financially, but do little else for society.

Tastes like chicken

A trip to a fast food place helps Ray understand why this country has so many problems.

Another hat in the ring

Ray comments on state Senator Ethan Strimling's announcement that he's joining the race for the first district congressional seat that was vacated by Tom Allen's run for the Senate.

Walking the walk: Connors and Tardy

House Republican leader Josh Tardy and Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors proved their dedication to Maine's prosperity by acquiring the recently closed Moosehead Manufacturing.

Media Bias: Although often used as an excuse to fail by Republicans, it does exist on a national level

CNN shows once again why it is known as the Clinton News Network.

As if there were any doubt, these Democrat Senators do not support the troops

Twenty five Democrat U.S. Senators refused to condemn the terrible Moveon.org ad in the New York Times on Thursday, showing their true colors for all to see.

Fairpoint Communications: A good move for Maine

Fairpoint Communications is offering Maine an opportunity to improve its technology infrastructure and Ray believes the Public Utilities Commission should support this proposal.

Tom Allen: Missing in Action

Rep. Tom Allen has missed 19 House floor votes this week because he's off fund-raising for his Senate campaign. Ray questions Allen's priorities.

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MoveOn.org should move on out of here

Ray says MoveOn.org has finally crossed a line with its New York Times ad calling General Petraeus "General Betray Us." Even traditional liberals won't support this.

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Props to the governor

Ray is often at odds with Gov. Baldacci's policies, but today he applauds the governor's vigorous support of school consolidation, significantly cutting the cost of education for Mainers.

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Playing politics

Ray reflects on how the major political parties in this country have drifted from their original ideals. Men like Jack Kennedy and Harry Truman would not recognize today's Democratic party; and men like Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln would not recognize today's Republicans. What happened?

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Curiouser and curiouser

The Maine legislature is going after your dogs. The state of Maine says you've got to buy a license if you're going to sell puppies. What's next?

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Six years later

Ray doesn't feel safer six years after the 9/11 attacks, and he finds himself doing things he never would have done before 9/11.

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'A disgrace'

Ray has some choice words for Sen. Snowe and Sen. Collins, who just voted to allow funding to organizations that provide abortions in foreign countries.

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Nothing beats a good cigar

What business is it of the Maine legislature what kind of cigars Mainers enjoy? No business at all, you'd think, but Ray reveals that the legislature is banning the sale of flavored cigarettes and cigars.

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Sticking it to Maine oil dealers

The Maine State Housing Authority and its director Dale McCormick are penalizing Maine oil dealers just because they can.

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Another hat in the ring

Ray's thrilled that Fred Thompson, "the right man for America," has entered the Presidential race.

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Rudy Rudy Rudy

Ray has more to say about Rudy Giuliani, and why he can't support his Presidential bid.

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That is the question

Ray reflects on whether or not embattled Senator Larry Craig should go through with his resignation.

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Outrage over driver's licenses

Do you have to be a Maine resident to get a Maine driver's license? Nope, says Ray, and people are getting mad.

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Wake up

Wages are down. Jobs are scarce. Health insurance is largely unaffordable. Ray has something to say about it to the legislature in Augusta.

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When will they ever learn?

With the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Ray thinks politicians should learn: It's the cover-up that gets 'em.

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'Tis the season?

We may be in the humid throes of August, but in the Richardson household, all hearts and minds are focused on autumn.

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Primary thoughts

Ray weighs in on moved-up primary dates.

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Not a Snowe man

Ray reflects on Maine Senator Olympia Snowe.

Electric bill update

Ray gets a lot of great advice on his electric bill, including a suggestion that may have averted a tragedy.

Frivolous lawsuit

Ray weighs in on a lawsuit in Texas challenging the practice of holding a moment of silence in the public school classrooms to start the day.

Family matters

Ray relates a typical aspect of his son's daily routine. Parents out there, can you sympathize?

Priorities

Ray has something to say about the proposed Portland City Council resolution calling for the U.S. House to begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney and President Bush.

Speak up!

Ray Richardson weighs in on the power Maine citizens have to bring down the state's oppressive cost of public education.