And So The Beat Goes On

Ray calls the Market on its fickleness, as the Down Jones Industrial Average shoots up just one day after a record point drop.

Whom do you trust?

Not to minimize the seriousness of the Wall Street crisis, but Ray wonders if the situation really is as calamitous as people are claiming. With all sides putting their own political spin on the $700 billion bailout proposal, it's hard to know whom to trust.

RIP Paul Newman

Ray was saddened to learn of the death of actor Paul Newman, a man he admired for his acting ability and his monumental charitable efforts.

Ray Says 'Yes on 1'

Ray makes his case of the People's Veto of Maine's beer, wine, and soda tax.

Let Her Loose!

Ray says it's time for the McCain campaign to take the shackles off of Sarah Palin, the campaign's "biggest weapon."

Ray Says 'No on 2'

Ray explains his opposition to the Oxford County casino effort, and invites everyone to look at the specific language of the casino referendum.

Optimism and Pessimism

Ray reflects on the optimism about our country that he perceives in people, and the pessimism he perceives about the current crop of candidates for the House, Senate, and Presidency.

Just How Urgent is This?

Ray remarks on the sense of urgency that's being conveyed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson regarding the Wall Street financial crisis. He wonders if Congress really needs to act right now, or if a bailout is being pushed through quickly before too many questions are asked.

Dispatch from the Cumberland Fair

Ray calls in a live report from the 137th Annual Cumberland Fair.

Something is Broken

They used to say, "As Maine goes, so goes the nation." Now (unfortunately), it's more like "As California goes, so goes the nation" -- which Ray says we need to worry about because a California appeals court has ruled that homeschooling of children is illegal unless their parents have teaching credentials from the state. What makes the goverment think it knows better than us what's best for our children?

Beyond Philosophy

Ray is fundamentally opposed to the government interfering in the free market. But since we're beyond that philosophy and into the reality of a Wall Street bailout, Ray weighs in on how that should be handled.

Just How Free is the Free Market?

Ray weighs in on the Wall Street crisis and the $700 billion bailout that's being considered in Washington D.C.

Idle Threat

Ray weighs in on the Portland City Council's approval of a new plan limiting the time drivers can leave their vehicles idling.

Don't Panic!

Ray identifies the trouble spots in our economy, but says we must not talk ourselves into a recession. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. That hasn't happened yet. Let's not make more of this than it is.

Buyouts, Bailouts, and Downturns

Ray weighs in on Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, and the Wall Street crisis, wondering why some industries receive government bailouts and some don't.

The Blind Leading the Blind

Last summer, Maine lost $20 million in a bad investment recommended by Merrill Lynch. With the return of that money this summer, State Treasurer David Lemoine declared that Merrill Lynch was back in good standing with the state. But as news breaks of Merrill Lynch being bought out by Bank of America, Ray thinks the state's relationship with the troubled Wall Street institution must give us pause.

Reckless

Ray has some words for all the residents who refused to evacuate before Hurricane Ike hit and are now pleading for help from first responders.

Seeking Energy Solutions

State Senate candidates Russ Pack and Corey Troup were on the morning show this morning to talk about the Maine Energy Solutions for America (MESA) Project, dedicated to finding alternative energy solutions for Mainers.

Where's the Judgment Come From?

Ray has something to say about Charles Gibson's interview with Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, marveling at what he calls Gibson's "condescending demeanor."

Seven Years Later

On the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, Ray recalls where he was and what happened on that fateful day.

Stop the Flow of Illegals

Ray shares his thoughts about illegal immigration reform, and what should be done to secure our borders.

Fears and Smears

Ray casts a skeptical eye on Barack Obama's claim that if John McCain were elected President, he would outlaw abortion. He also questions Joe Biden's answer to the abortion question.

Spotlight on Sarah Palin

Ray says it's not the media's job to vet Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. It's ours.

Stop the Madness

Trish Riley, Director of the Maine Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance, Maine State Sen. Libby Mitchell, Maine House Majority Leader Rep. Hannah Pingree, Maine Gov. John Baldacci, and many more state politicians are all advocating for the retention of the beer, wine, and soda tax to support the Dirigo health initiative, a program Ray says has failed miserably. He says that claims that a repeal of this tax will cause Dirigo to go away are lies.

Incomes Flatlining

The Maine Center for Economic, a liberal think tank, has reported that incomes in Maine for 2007 are indistinguishable from incomes in Maine in 2002. When you factor in the high cost of gas and heating oil, Maine people are going backwards. Ray asks why we keep sending the same people back the the state legislature over and over again, despite the fact that they're not helping Mainers.

Time to Get Serious

At the conclusion of both conventions, Ray assesses where both parties stand, singles out what he thinks is the best line of all the speeches, and reflects on the media's response to the Bristol Palin pregnancy story.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Ray asks what Barack Obama has done in his career that qualifies him to be President more than Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Out of the Park

After Sarah Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention, Ray's feeling electrified -- and he predicts the rest of the country will soon follow.

Prescription for Savings

When the price of simple prescription seems preposterously high, Ray calls his doctor and makes a surprising discovery.

What Really Matters

Ray reflects on the frenzy that has surround the nomination of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as Sen. John McCain's running mate.

4-Day School Week?

State Senator Nancy Sullivan has proposed a 4-day school week in the state of Maine. Ray hasn't had a chance to look at the nitty-gritty details of the proposal, but he's intrigued by the idea.

Astounded by the Ignorance

Ray challenges a caller's assertion that Republicans are salivating over Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin only because "she has a womb."