Letter to the Editor: In Janet’s hands

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Great leaders have empathy, vision, talent, good judgement, determination, and humility. Anyone earning my vote must embody those qualities, defend my rights, and guide us to a brighter future. Although it’s clear Janet Mills is most qualified, people ask “Is she personable enough? Progressive enough?”

Here’s the Janet I know:

My grandmother-in-law, Nelda, resided in assisted-care alongside her longtime friend Kay. Nelda admired Kay’s family, supporting her children in political endeavors regardless of party. Although Republican, Nelda voted cross-ticket and knew Janet as a gracious, trustworthy public servant.

Kay’s visiting children said hello, but Janet came in Nelda’s room and took time to really talk. Nelda began hospice care immediately after Kay died; I was touched by Janet’s ability to set aside her own grief and visit. Janet’s good humor cheered us, easing Nelda’s anxiety as her health deteriorated. Nelda respected Janet’s grit and accomplishments, and from our talks—if given the opportunity before her death—would have gladly voted Janet for Governor.

It takes inspiring vision to develop the Action Plan for Maine’s Economic Future; a compassionate, courageous person to detail how to battle the opioid epidemic, saving lives; a capable, steadfast fighter with foresight to tackle the diverse issues Janet has.

I know what Nelda knew: Janet’s attitude, ability, and experience are key to a prosperous future for Mainers.

I remember Janet squeezing Nelda’s hand before leaving as I put what is most precious to me—my child, his future—in Janet’s hands. Janet’s earned my vote!

Gwen Doak
Wilton

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13 Comments

  1. Janet is obviously a very nice lady, but we need a business person with lots of business experience to run the
    State. Our current governor has ALOT of business experience and knowledge and has done a stellar job of
    Managing the state. Many debts paid off, alot of wasteful spending ended, and many hundred million dollars
    in the rainy day fund. No one can deny that, even all the progressive and socialist democrats who hate him.
    The Dems are itchin to get in power and spend all that excess money on every layabout and immigrant that
    Puts their hand out. For heavens sake people, think about this before you vote. Think back to the 40 years of
    Democrat control before Governor Lepage was elected. Think back the the huge budget deficits and unpaid
    Debts and waste in the welfare programs. Please vote for the person who will keep us moving in the right direction. In my opinion, the best choice is Shawn Moody. And vote for every republican in the house and
    Senate races. I am not saying these folks are perfect by any means, they will certainly waste money too and
    Create more red tape to hinder businesses. But maybe, just maybe, they will keep us moving in the general
    Direction that Governor Lepage has us moving now.

  2. MD: “keep us moving in the general
    Direction that Governor Lepage has us moving now.”

    Maine State spending 2008 was
    * Total: $7,278,509,249.11

    Maine State spending 2018
    *Total: $7,719,503,047.29

    A difference of about 450.000.000.00 give or take a few tax$$ Looking at the Maine Open Check Book page and you will see that the Governors office really liked to spend spend spend. Almost 5M in office fees last year. Pretty good life.

    Myth buster? Just saying. . . Janet is not just “a very nice lady” but an experienced Justice. Her hard work and experience Trumps any businessman for a public office.

  3. People far too often choose a candidate based on the letter next to their name or on some superficial aspect like gender. When it comes down to the details of the platforms it is clear that Janet Mills has the best plans for the state of Maine and unlike other candidates she will do what is right rather than what is partisan.

    If you care about saving the healthcare of your children, spouse, yourself and those you love, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you care about your small business, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you are an outdoorsman or someone with asthma or another chronic breathing disease and clean air and water matter to you, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you are disgusted that child poverty in Maine has QUADRUPLED and you want that to stop, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you care about the right to be in charge of your personal medical decisions, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you support well funded schools and lowering property taxes, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you believe that Maine needs a new and creative path for job growth that is unique to the special needs of our state, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you believe Maine should be at the forefront of renewable energy which brings good paying and sustainable jobs, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you know someone who has been hurt by the opioid crisis, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you support Maine’s rich agricultural history, vote for Janet Mills.

    If you care about our veterans and armed service members, first responders, and members of the LGBTQ community, vote for Janet Mills.

    Most of all if you’re tired of what you see happening on the news every night, cast your vote for a better Maine. Vote for Janet Mills.

  4. Gwen, Thank you for sharing this personal story. I have known Janet since I was a little girl, and there are few Mainers as smart, committed, compassionate, and qualified. The last thing we need is another petty, bigoted “business man” like LePage to mismanage the resources of this state. It is laughable that people feel he has saved us money–particularly when his obstruction on vital issues like our voter-mandated Medicaid expansion cost all of us money in the long run. And his failure to meet the state’s education obligation has meant struggling school districts and rising property taxes to compensate. There is no reason to be proud of your “rainy day fund” when you have systematically withheld resources needed by Maine seniors, children, struggling families, and our disabled and vulnerable citizens. It IS raining for too many in our state. Janet will seek compromise when possible to work with diverse interest groups, and will fight when necessary. She will be the leader we need for Maine’s working families, small businesses, education, and future!

  5. Shawn Moody is not running to represent the voices of the people in Maine. He is campaigning on repealing voter-approved laws.

    The people voted in favor of ranked-choice voting. Moody wants to repeal ranked-choice voting.

    The people voted in favor of Maine’s recreational marijuana law. Moody wants to repeal it. Moody stated: “If a repeal effort on marijuana (legalization) began, I would champion and advocate it!”

    The people voted to increase the minimum wage. Moody would like to slow or stop minimum-wage increases.

    The people overwhelmingly voted for Medicaid expansion. Moody not only would refuse federal matching funds for Medicaid expansion but has said he’d repeal the law.

    At the Republican primary debate June 7, Moody said, “I did not support the Medicaid expansion and … I would fight to repeal it.”

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    Mainers deserve a governor who will honor and listen to the people they represent. In his own words, Shawn Moody is not that person.

  6. In what universe has LePage done anything right? He’s continually embarrassed the state nationally, continually obstructed the stated will of the voters, and was elected by accident because of Elliot Cutler’s inflated ego. The absolute last thing Maine needs is would be another clone of the present boorish LePage. And vote for every Republican? Including the 4 with fairly lengthy criminal records who are on the ballot.

    And by the way, Mike, had your read about the bloated deficit or $779 billion created by the present Republican administration? Might this have come from a tax give – away for the already fabulously wealthy and corporations? It was said, the corporations would trickle down their windfall to us worker – bees. But that hasn’t happened. Instead the corporations spent it buying back their shares of stock. How are you spending your tax cut? Have you found it yet? And the Republicans latest plan to fix this mess THEY created with their pandering for votes is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Great plan. And now your leader is talking about more tax cuts (just before the election) — how’s that going to work out with the deficit?

  7. COME ON PEOPLE … what does it take for you to wake up and see that it takes a “business person” to
    shake up the government? Paul LePage has done a magnificent job for the State of Maine. Mary Mayhew
    did a fantastic job when she was in control of DHHS. Bruce Poliquin also did a fantastic job in controlling and
    handling the finances when he was State Treasurer … and he kept everyone informed of what he was doing.
    The Democratic party has consistently lead the State of Maine into deeper debt and just when we finally are
    beginning to see some daylight you want to take two steps backward! Stop playing politics and look at the
    individuals and what they have accomplished … and STOP listing to the political ads being paid for by out
    of state money looking to control the lives of Mainers. VOTE STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN!

  8. Sam, according to your numbers spending went up about 6% in ten years. Doesn’t seem that bad…I wonder how King and Balducci compare?
    True, Janet is a very nice lady, but running a business such as a state is much tougher than just hand holding.

  9. sorry, but since when is a state a business? must have missed that day in civics class…

    do we want to expect the same failure rates from states as we do from businesses?

  10. Someones been drinking the Kool-aid. Old Maineiac, if you vote for quality candidates instead of partisan rhetoric you may find important issues to your family, community, State, and Country get addressed.

    Let’s not add to the polarization. Vote for quality candidates. Vote your conscience.

  11. Its amazing how many people don’t understand economics. Running the state like a business means spending responsibly not emotionally. The budget shortfall the state is going to face is based on the additional spending approved by voters. They were duped into passing a referendum that wasn’t paid for. Expanding free health insurance is a great idea., but not if you cant afford it. Do you buy a car with only the down payment knowing you cant afford the monthly payment? We provide care for anyone that needs it. There is not a healthcare problem. Its a health INSURANCE problem. I agree that Paul Lepage says some stupid things. As does President Trump. Both of their policies however are reaping huge benefits in almost every measurable way. Look at the results not the crap you hear from either side. Anyone thinking rationally and not emotionally will vote Republican to keep things going in the right direction. Janet Mills, Jared Golden and Nancy Pelosi will bring us back to higher taxes and huge deficits. Maine cant afford them. America cant afford them.

  12. Kirstan forgot the biggest one,,
    If you want more taxes,, vote for Janet.
    C’mon Kirstan, your list comes with a price no one can afford except those on welfare….

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