Ray takes issue with Rep. Glen Cummings' op-ed in the Portland Press Herald defending Maine Democrats against regular PPH columnist Ron Bancroft. But Ray says Cummings doesn't take ownership of the failure of Maine's legislature.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Talk back!
We want to know what you think. Your written responses to Ray's audioblog posts are encouraged. Click on the "Comments" tab in the lower-right-hand corner of every post for a chance share your opinion.
About Me
- Ray Richardson
- I live in Westbrook with my wonderful wife Dee Dee and our four children. We have been residents of Maine for a little over 22 years, moving here from Florida in 1985.
27 comments:
The OP Ed was right on regarding MERI which was what Cummings was talking about. I urge people to read it for them selves and not just listen to your synopsis, as "fair and balanced" as it is
Bruce,
Man, you gotta keep up. I read from it on the air.
The criticism of MERI is just another deversion tactic. Bob DuPlessie, former House Democrat Whip, used to tell me that they (MERI) don't look at all the issues they deal with the Legislature.
Bob was right. MERI is a reporting organization that tracks bills that affect the business climate and job creation. They even tell the Legislators ahead of time what bills they are tracking.
I don't hear Glen and the other Ds whinning about the environmental groups and their report cards when they are narrowly focused on environmental issues. Why? Because most environmental groups are proposing more spending on environmental issues and the Ds typically spend the money even when their is no proof it is effective.
The Ds don't like MERI and attempt to undermine its credibility because the MERI Report makes them look bad. They track pro-business, pro-job creation legislative bills and the Ds fail miserably in their support of such legislation.
Spin it any way you want, what I just said was the truth. I have waged this battle with the Ds over MERI for several years.
Legislative Maine Democrats simply do not support pro-job growth policies. Argue it all you want, but the evidence is clear.
By the way, I have never proported to be "fair and balanced."
I am "fair and biased." Fair because I allow the other side on, biased because I give my opinion of the issue.
Can't watch your whole show. Gotta drive to work. As you can guess, my radio is tuned to NPR and WKTJ
Haven't listened to WLOB since it's Zenith when Surfer Joe Shevenel was the DJ and they were THE rock and roll station
There you go, reading stuff to your audience again instead of letting them know where they can find it to read themselves.
"D's spend money even when there is no proof it is effective."
I would guess the money the GOP man in the Whitehouse is spending on Iraq is the biggest example of that.
Come to think of it I have never heard you say you were Fair or Balanced. I'll give you that one
Yasterday I learn you have a thing for men in uniforms and today that you use hair conditioner. Isn't that something a pretty boy liberal would use.
Hope none of your NRA friends were listening.
God luck tomorrow with your protest.
I hope someone shows up with some anti war signs too.
Didn't see or hear much about the protest today on the news.
Anyone show up, or were they all working trying to pay their taxes to this god awful state?
Bruce,
Rally went well. Lots of energy.
This is not a God-awful state. It is, however, a God-awful government.
Oddly enough, no anti-war protestors but there were "pro-tax increase" protestors.
Actually the paper referred to them as pro-health care
not pro-tax increase
Good op ed by Broder today on Kennedy
Of course the media did. Health care proponents would only be correct if they were seeking solutions.
If Dirigo is so important, put it in the general fund.
This is about pro-tax people vs anti-tax people.
This is not a health care debate. It is a tax debate.
Dirigo and the word "solution" have no business being in the same sentence.
Right
Pro-tax Those who know they have to pay for services they get as opposed to
anti-tax those who get $400,000 plus worth of public education for their families,but don't want to pay taxes.
Maybe the tax reform plan that is being proposed for this session will help.
I know you are laughing now.
We want to be more like New Hampster?
Then raise our restaurant, lodging tax to 8% and double our turnpike tolls and increase our car rental taxesor actually make Kittery to Gray $6.60 that would make it par with NH figuring their $1.50 for 13 miles.
Then maybe we could get the 6% flat income tax they are shooting for in the tax comm.
Or maybe we quit funding government programs that are failing.
You seem like an intelligent guy. If so, then you cannot possibly believe that every program we have is necessary and efficient.
The only program review done at the state government is "how do we con the people out of more of their money and make them feel guilty if they do not want to pay it?"
Dirigo, much like LD 1, could not work without mandates. I said it then and I will say it now, hundreds of millions of dollars later between the two.
I am not for government mandates, however, they won the right to govern and if they were going to go down this path, they should have had the will and courage to at least give it a fighting chance to work.
Instead, they did what cowardly politicians who only care about re-election always do. They watered it down to a point where it is a costly failure.
An idea like Dirigo could never, ever work unless you have universal health care where everyone is buying. That would bring down the cost because there is no charity care and the healthy would pay into a system they do not use.
I said this loudly throughout the debate, on air (saturdays at the time) and in print.
The reason I get so frustrated with these people is they lack courage. They need to be loved and are afraid someone will not love them.
Instead of being bold about their ideas, they are timid. They water them down to a point where they cannot possibly work and then we the people are stuck paying for them.
By the way, when my tax paying time is done, I will have more than paid for my children's education, your children's too I suspect.
You are so worried about people like me who are forced to send their children to government schools for an education, but seem to care little for those who suck off the system, never contribute anything to society and bleed us all dry.
Why is that? Why are you so willing to allow an able-bodied, able-minded man or woman to live on welfare simply because they are too sorry to take care of their family?
Don't tell me it does not happen. I have provided this info, concrete info to DHHS and they just say that this is a very small portion of all those that are really helped.
In other words, they are not interested.
Forced to send your kids to govt schools?
Whatever happened to home schooling or al the little christian schools popping up in these days of moral decay.
That is a right everyone has.
Sounds like you are for universal health coverage. Congrats on that.
I have no kids so I am not costing the state much. But I do not begrudge those with kids, because education is important , just as health is. I do not begrudge helping the less fortunate or the less fortunate's children with my tax dollars to make sure they have good medical coverage.
It is state and local taxes that contribute to education.
ased on the fact you say you have a modest home, Unless you are in the chips, I would say you would have to live to be 100 to pay back the $400,000 that it costs to educate your children. And that is not including if they go to the Univ of Me system.
So just say thank you to the state and the town of Westbrook.
It's ok to admit that you will get more back than you pay in. I don't mind. I am a liberal
Bruce,
I am forced to send my children to government schools. We all are. They do not give me a tax break because my children are not attending their schools.
In the era of $4 gas and $4.26 oil and the second highest tax burden in America, yeah these government people are making it real easy.
I support universal access to health care. I do not believe the government should drive it. This government in Maine and in Washington cannot do much correct.
Why would any thinking person want the government that cannot keep our roads up or pay the hospitals owed by the state, why would any thinking person want the same incapable people running our healthcare system?
In my life, I will have more than paid my share in taxes and I will have DEFINATELY NOT gotten more than I paid.
I am all for giving my fellow man a helping hand up. My family practices that approach.
I do not, however, believe that capable people should be given a pass.
If you do, why? Why should everyone else have to work a little harder and a little longer to allow a capable person to get government support because they are unwilling to take care of themselves.
Focus now, I said capable people.
We are not talking about the truly needy, those incapable of taking care of themselves.
I know they are the people liberals like to roll out and parade around. It is disgusting but nobody stands up to their non-sense so they get away with it.
Why do you support others working harder and longer to pay more taxes so CAPABLE people can get government support?
Ray
Give me a break "forced'
It is a monetary decision for you. You think you should get a tax break if you send your kids to a private school.
I do not think I should get a "tax break" because I do not have any kids. I guess that is one dif between a liberal and a conservative. We don't mind contributing for the greater good and you guys are all about you and what's in it for you and what do you get back.
I don't believe you when you say you will pay in more than you receive. Although I will not use the term liar like you do. I just believe you are so wrapped up in woe is me that you really believe that you, with 4 kids, are paying in more than you get.
I am not full of woe, that is a liberal thing. I am full of hope. I believe the Maine people have just about had enough of this failed government.
I believe they are very close to demanding accountability and efficiency from this government that has failed so often.
I am extremely hopeful that this tide is about to turn to its rightful place and end this disease known as "government knows it all."
No Bruce, you are wrong. I am very hopeful. Step one is well on its way to completion. Others will follow and the people will fully understand that they are NOT helpless against this incompetent organization we call Maine's government.
By the way, your speculation on my tax paying over the course of my life is typical liberal logic.
You have no idea what you are talking about, no facts to back up your statement, yet you are certain you are right.
I must be turning into a right wing talk show personality.
I apologize I had no idea you were that wealthy.
Unless you can prove otherwise, I stand behind my claim that you will receive more benefits than you pay in to our State.
I am very optomistic about my state, thanks to enlightened voters who are in the majority, or as you like to call them
"elite majority"
I still haven't figured out what that means. How can someone be bothe elite and many
In the PPH today
For your readers
"Health care advocates who oppose a petition drive to overturn new taxes to support Dirigo Health will speak out at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Portland".
Bruce,
Prove your claim. Make a statement of fact. Support it with actual facts.
You cannot. You know it, I know it.
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, yet it doesn't stop you from doing it.
Ahhhhhhhhh, liberal logic .... no facts, no substance, just emotional rhetoric that goes unchallenged.
I can factually back up what I say on air, here and in my column.
You may disagree with my take on it, but I can back up my opinion with facts.
Your statement about me gaining more from Maine's government in my lifetime than I pay in is simply a whimsical opinion that you cannot possibly back up, you know, I know and anyone who reads this knows it.
Let's stick to issues that you can at least form an opinion around and we can debate and disagree on what the facts actually say.
If you listened today, you know that I called your press conference a "pro-tax rally." I acknowledged that was my spin, but I can back that up with facts. These folks are saying that raising the taxes is worth the gain recieved for providing health insurance to a small group of Maine people.
At the end of the day, they support higher taxes, ergo, a pro-tax rally.
You may not like it spoken about in such a manner, but the truth is, they are advocating higher taxes so support a program they believe in.
Imagine the concept. Suppporting a tax increase to support a program that may not directly benefit you. Sounds pretty liberal.
Not just the benefit me and my friends conservative view.
$400,000 to educate 4 kids 13 years . Do you refute that figure with one of your own? Also add fire and police protection in there which you get. "You know, the union guys in uniform you like"
You are right, I do not know how much you pay in Ste income tax or prop. tax on your modest house.
So I will make my assumption stand on its own.
As for people in Maine having had enough. I think you are only talking about your followers not the majority of Mainers. Oh I meant the "elite majority" your special name for us.
So I guess when you support the troops at a rally, we could call that a pro tax rally also?
Folks Ray is pro tax, but only for the tings he believes in personally. Thank goodness he is in the minority and democracy rules here in Maine
Good luck with your petition. Hope it improves your ratings on the air.
Yes, obviously Bruce, this is a ratings stunt. Clearly, because I was never involved in such efforts before four years ago when I went on the air.
Of course, liberals are the only ones who do things because they believe in, of course they are noble with other people's money.
Have you read the MEA rant, excuse me, letter about protecting their benefits?
Yes, they are the good guys, so their efforts, while self-serving are noble.
Your days are numbered.
The liberals have run the economy into the ground in Maine and now with record high gas, oil and grocery prices, Maine people are really feeling the pinch because their incomes can not support the gas, oil, groceries and taxes.
People will not take easily to being cold and hungry for long.
If things continue as they are, this will happen and their is not enough government money to support all these people.
Time is definately on my side this time.
2010 is coming.
Gee, Bruce, I don't know what state you're living in (perhaps the "State of Denial) but I sure would like you to tell me where it is, so I can move me and my family there. You have to be in total denial not to realize that the people of Maine are getting fed up with higher taxes, home prices that are beyond stupid, unaffordable gas and fuel prices and having to pay for the living of a bunch of deadbeats which is DHHS sole reason for existance. I also know for a fact that I am paying much more into this state than I will ever, ever get back. The people are getting sick and tired of the bunch of elitists in Augusta who can't find their backsides with both hands, much less find a clue. It baffles me that those pro-tax increase knuckleheads time and time again ignore the voice of the people and keep reaching their greedy hands deeper into our pockets just so they can continue to fund their pet projects such as the dismal failure of a health plan called Dirigo and more DHHS provided benefits for the deadbeats. If I sound angry, you bet I am. At our so-called legislature and it's continued brainless postering and you ultra-liberals who just can't or won't get any common sense. By the way, since you are so willing to keep paying and paying to fund all this stupidity, how about paying my share, too. The state has emptied out my pockets.
Welcome back Les,
I do help pay for your services.
I have never had kids in the school system, sounds like you have. So you are welcome for my help in those costs.
I don't mind paying for something that does not directly benefit me because I am a liberal.
Suck it up, the "elite" as you call them are in the majority in our state, which makes me ponder the question once again that you and Ray use the term
"elite majority" Kind of an oxymoron don't you think?
Elite refers to a small select group who can push through their ideas etc. In case you don't remember, we are the majority (dems) in Augusta.
Get on it and change it this November if you can. Hope you've signed both petitions, they need those sigs.
Have a nice day and enjoy this wonderful state.
Thanks again, Bruce. If anything, you're consistant. I do enjoy the State of Maine. It has many wonders and attractions. Unfortunately, that doesn't include our state government. You are correct, the majority continues to elect the same incompetent officials, time and time again. But, you can lie to some of the people some of the time, but you can't lie to all of the people all of the time. You may not be able to see the change that is brewing, and I'm not talking about Obama's empty "Change" retoric. But, you know, I think I'll just kick back, take my wife for a ride on our American made Harley and enjoy some of the beautiful Maine countryside. I'll do my part to deal with the knuckleheads in Augusta in due time.
"The state has emptied out my pockets"
Enjoy the ride on the Harley.
I guess the pockets are not totally empty.
Don't worry, Harleys will be made in China some day too.
Nice try, Bruce, but my personal finances are none of your business, just as yours are none of mine. The fact remains that Augusta continually mismanages the state budget and then uses the same band-aid to try to fix it, raise taxes. This latest attempt of raising taxes on beer, wine and soda just so the Happy People in Augusta can continue to throw good money after bad to fund that albatross called Dirigo is insane. I must admit that I get a chuckle from the ads the pro tax increase knuckleheads are using to lie to the people of Maine. No health care if we don't approve higher taxes, that's just a lie, plain and simple.
Bruce,
You, like most liberals I know of, left out the important word in the phrase "elite majority."
The important word you failed to include was, "Elite Majority Democrats."
I do believe that is a small, but elite group who think they are better, smarter and holier than those they are supposed to serve.
Most of them are accomplished at two things, accepting some sort of government direct or government sponsored paycheck and creating programs that fail to accomplish their stated goals, all in the name of the common good.
They are suppressing a robust economy because its suppression keeps them in power.
There is no standard of measure by which their economic policies in Maine over the last 30 plus years can be deemed a success.
Somehow that group is able to convince the rest to go along with them. They must be wicked smart.
Maine is a nice place to live.Nice costs more.
The Pine Tree zone in Rockland and all these tiffs that counties and towns are handing out point to what you would call business friendly things. I call them bribes for businesses and dodges for towns and counties.
I do not feel that the state policies have hindered my ability to operate a business.
Post a Comment