LD 1020 has passed a vote in the Senate and will now go to the house for vote. In my opinion this is a slippery slope. Wording in the bill if passed allows marriage between any two consenting adults. Think about this for a moment.
Two brothers? A sister and brother? A father and a daughter?? It may sound ridiculous but how, if passed, can anyone be denied the supposed "right" to marry????
The marriage scenarios are not lawful (yet) they are not lawful because of societies moral code. One that is based on the view of traditional marriage that states marriage is between one man and one woman.
During Clintons presidency he passed the DOMA which is short for the defense of marriage act. He is a democrat. Part of the democrat party platform is that they believe in any two consenting adults RIGHT to marry. Should the democrat party be charged with false advertising?? Perhaps.
You may also ask yourself what Clinton felt marriage had to be defended against. I think the answer is clear. Like many democrat ideas they never consider the law of unintended consequences. If this bill passes the slope becomes a very slippery one. In my opinion if passed the State of Maine will be in fact creating a right of marriage where one has not existed previously. Is that what we elect them to do? I do not think so.
My issue with the same sex marriage debate is that the proponents have portrayed themselves as victims of an easy target. The oft villified "religious right". Religion is a protected right. Marriage is not. I also think people ought to rise or fail on their own merit not that of group victimization that has been carefully orchestrated by yet another victim group that collects big money in the form of donations. This is not a grass roots movement. Alot of out of state money has been dumped into this effort. Incrementaly boiling that frog.
Like all good victims they need someone to victimize them, unfortunately in this instance its the protected right of Christians to live by their own religious mandates. I do not consider myself a Christian but I do believe that violating the protected right of Christians to practice their religion is another slippery slope of unintended consequence. I also do not agree with the role of victim being potrayed by the same sex marriage crowd. They are more the aggressor in this instance and now that they have backed Christians into a corner I do not feel they should be shocked that Christians are fighting back. I have no problem staying out of peoples bedrooms...but in return expect people to keep their bedrooms off the news, out of the legislature, and off the streets. Is that to much to ask?? Apparently so.
Equality Maine had a list after this past election cycle of all of the gay marriage supporters in the Maine senate and house of representatives. I hope that because I do not feel that the majority of Mainers support this, that those voters will remember who voted for and who voted against. Our district 30 Senator Elizabeth Schneider supports gay marriage according to Equality Maine. Funny I never saw that on any of her campaign literature. I have that list from the Equality Maine site "screen shot saved" in case it ever disappears. Anyone who would like a copy can contact me and I will provide it. I can not post it in the blog because its too long...one thing that anyone with a lick of sense can see however is that Equality Maine and the Democrat Party have incremently brought this to our state. Boiling that frog. Elizabeth Schneider(D Orono) voted "ought to pass". I guess Equality Maine knew that she did support them. Its unfortunate that she didn't feel the need to make her opinion known to voters.
Lets hope it does have an unintended consequence for them in lost seats in Augusta come next election cycle. Remember folks, after 35 years of majority in Augusta it was time for the Dems to deliver to the gay rights agenda. Lets not assist them in meeting their campaign promises. I urge you all to contact Elizabeth Schneider with your opinion.
My prediction is that the democrats will pass this, then there will be a citizens inititave to repeal it. That will let the dems off the hook and will pit the gay rights activists against the Christian right and opponents. Why??? Cause thats how "they" do things in Augusta.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Involvement
I attended the Maine Republican Liberty Caucus Leadership Conference today in Augusta. It was well attended and very imformative. If you remember at our meeting in March we were fortunate to have Vic Berardelli give a presentation about the MRLC and the conference.
A lot of useful information was presented by several different speakers including Vic B. who talked about effective communication and campaigning strategies, Dean Scontras of the Republican Project, and Rep Rich Cebra from Naples who spoke about the importance of involvement on a local level. Adam Mack gave a presentation that was deemed "mini campaign school" which unfortunately I missed as I had to attend the Maine Republican State Committee meeting*.
In my opinion the MRLC, the Republican Project, and grass roots involvement may be the corner stone of turning back the blue tide that has flooded this state for the last several DECADES! It is imperative that we all get involved. We all have different talents and strengths that should be fostered and encouraged.
I suggest you check out these links to learn more about the RLC and the Republican Project- http://www.rlc.org/ http://www.republicanproject.org/
Every day people like me and you are becoming more and more involved and its important for this to continue. Regardless of the group, we are all working towards the same goal. The ME GOP also wants your involvement. So get involved and stay involved. Talk to your family and friends and try to engage them as well. Together we can make a difference.
*I will give an update at our next meeting in regards to our State Committee meeting.
A lot of useful information was presented by several different speakers including Vic B. who talked about effective communication and campaigning strategies, Dean Scontras of the Republican Project, and Rep Rich Cebra from Naples who spoke about the importance of involvement on a local level. Adam Mack gave a presentation that was deemed "mini campaign school" which unfortunately I missed as I had to attend the Maine Republican State Committee meeting*.
In my opinion the MRLC, the Republican Project, and grass roots involvement may be the corner stone of turning back the blue tide that has flooded this state for the last several DECADES! It is imperative that we all get involved. We all have different talents and strengths that should be fostered and encouraged.
I suggest you check out these links to learn more about the RLC and the Republican Project- http://www.rlc.org/ http://www.republicanproject.org/
Every day people like me and you are becoming more and more involved and its important for this to continue. Regardless of the group, we are all working towards the same goal. The ME GOP also wants your involvement. So get involved and stay involved. Talk to your family and friends and try to engage them as well. Together we can make a difference.
*I will give an update at our next meeting in regards to our State Committee meeting.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Maine Gay Marriage Legislation hearings today
You can listen to them live at
http://www.maine.gov/legis/audio/civic_ctr_apr.html
make your thoughts known to the committee at judiciary@legislature.maine.gov
re: LD 1020 and LD 1118
http://www.maine.gov/legis/audio/civic_ctr_apr.html
make your thoughts known to the committee at judiciary@legislature.maine.gov
re: LD 1020 and LD 1118
Monday, April 20, 2009
For our friends in the Unorganized Territoy
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009
ATTENTION RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERSOF THE UNORGANIZED TERRITORY!
Mark your calendar. Important land use legislation to be heard on April 22!Speak out and don't let LURC decrease the value of your land.
Finally, the time has come to make your voice heard in Augusta.
With your help, we can change the direction of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan so that it recognizes the people who live, work, and own land in the jurisdiction. Maine's Comprehensive Land Use Plan should benefit Maine's rural economy, the forest products industry, and sportsmen alike.
There is a movement afoot to take away the rights of rural landowners. As you know, there has been an ongoing conflict between rural landowners and the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) over language in the draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which is now in the redrafting stage and expected to be presented for approval in coming months. More recently, legislators heard testimony on LD 1333, a piece of climate change legislation that would strip rural property owners of their ability to manage private forestland and maintain financial value. Under the guise of preventing climate change, this bill even proposed to change the definition of subdivision in the LURC jurisdiction, or 2 in 5, a measure that would significantly decrease the value of land in the Unorganized Territory.
The Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has scheduled public hearings for April 22 to hear testimony regarding the Land Use Regulation Commission's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. On the Committee's agenda are several pieces of legislation, including:
"¢Â      LD 413-An Act To Clarify Land Use Regulation in Unorganized and Deorganized Townships. This bill establishes that residents and property owners have rights that must be recognized.
"¢ LD 474-An Act To Clarify Land Planning in the Unorganized and Deorganized Townships. This bill places approval of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan in the hands of elected officials.
"¢ LD 516- An Act to Require that a Majority of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission reside in the Commission's Jurisdiction. This bill would require that LURC Commissioners must have a closer association with the LURC jurisdiction.
"¢ LD 558- An Act to Amend the Notification Procedures of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission. This bill would require that LURC notify all property owners prior to changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
"¢ LD 1370- An Act to Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority within the Unorganized Territories of the State. This bill would eliminate LURC and place more land use planning and control in the hands of county government.
We need you to take action and help us put an end to proposals that seek to take away the rights and opportunities of rural landowners. You may recall the draft CLUP set the basis for eliminating the exemption that allows a lot to be created, (2 in 5) without going through the expensive and time consuming subdivision process. You may also recall that landowners and residents of the LURC jurisdiction have no direct say in land use planning for their communities, the way municipalities do. It is time to make our voices heard through our state senators and representatives.
Recently, several members of the Maine Legislature requested  that people who are affected by LURC's Comprehensive Land Use Plan attend the public hearings on April 22 and explain to the Legislature why the current draft CLUP is such a bad deal for rural Maine and the Unorganized Territory.The Maine Forest Products Council will be testifying strongly in support of LD 413 and LD 474 mentioned above.
LD 413 would insert specific language into LURC's Scope & Purpose requiring them to balance the rights of residents and property owners in jurisdiction, as well as environmental considerations, which seem to take precedent in the current draft CLUP.
Currently, the only elected official with the power to approve the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is the governor. LD 474 would require approval by the legislative committee of jurisdiction (the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee), and the full legislature before final adoption of the plan by the Governor and LURC Commissioners.
Please join us on April 22 at 9:30 a.m. in room 206 of the Cross Building (just across from the State House) and tell the Legislature that you would like a voice in the future of your area and that it is time to bring democracy back to Maine's Unorganized Territory!
For more information, visit our website at www.maineforest.org or contact James Cote at the Maine Forest Products Council by calling 207-622-9288 or by emailing jcote@maineforest.org.
For contact information of the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, please visit here, or call 207-287-1312. For more information on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, you can call LURC at 207 287-2631.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.MAINEFOREST.ORG!
James CoteDirector of CommunicationsMaine Forest Products Council535 Civic Center DriveAugusta, Maine 04330
ATTENTION RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERSOF THE UNORGANIZED TERRITORY!
Mark your calendar. Important land use legislation to be heard on April 22!Speak out and don't let LURC decrease the value of your land.
Finally, the time has come to make your voice heard in Augusta.
With your help, we can change the direction of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan so that it recognizes the people who live, work, and own land in the jurisdiction. Maine's Comprehensive Land Use Plan should benefit Maine's rural economy, the forest products industry, and sportsmen alike.
There is a movement afoot to take away the rights of rural landowners. As you know, there has been an ongoing conflict between rural landowners and the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) over language in the draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which is now in the redrafting stage and expected to be presented for approval in coming months. More recently, legislators heard testimony on LD 1333, a piece of climate change legislation that would strip rural property owners of their ability to manage private forestland and maintain financial value. Under the guise of preventing climate change, this bill even proposed to change the definition of subdivision in the LURC jurisdiction, or 2 in 5, a measure that would significantly decrease the value of land in the Unorganized Territory.
The Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has scheduled public hearings for April 22 to hear testimony regarding the Land Use Regulation Commission's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. On the Committee's agenda are several pieces of legislation, including:
"¢Â      LD 413-An Act To Clarify Land Use Regulation in Unorganized and Deorganized Townships. This bill establishes that residents and property owners have rights that must be recognized.
"¢ LD 474-An Act To Clarify Land Planning in the Unorganized and Deorganized Townships. This bill places approval of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan in the hands of elected officials.
"¢ LD 516- An Act to Require that a Majority of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission reside in the Commission's Jurisdiction. This bill would require that LURC Commissioners must have a closer association with the LURC jurisdiction.
"¢ LD 558- An Act to Amend the Notification Procedures of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission. This bill would require that LURC notify all property owners prior to changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
"¢ LD 1370- An Act to Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority within the Unorganized Territories of the State. This bill would eliminate LURC and place more land use planning and control in the hands of county government.
We need you to take action and help us put an end to proposals that seek to take away the rights and opportunities of rural landowners. You may recall the draft CLUP set the basis for eliminating the exemption that allows a lot to be created, (2 in 5) without going through the expensive and time consuming subdivision process. You may also recall that landowners and residents of the LURC jurisdiction have no direct say in land use planning for their communities, the way municipalities do. It is time to make our voices heard through our state senators and representatives.
Recently, several members of the Maine Legislature requested  that people who are affected by LURC's Comprehensive Land Use Plan attend the public hearings on April 22 and explain to the Legislature why the current draft CLUP is such a bad deal for rural Maine and the Unorganized Territory.The Maine Forest Products Council will be testifying strongly in support of LD 413 and LD 474 mentioned above.
LD 413 would insert specific language into LURC's Scope & Purpose requiring them to balance the rights of residents and property owners in jurisdiction, as well as environmental considerations, which seem to take precedent in the current draft CLUP.
Currently, the only elected official with the power to approve the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is the governor. LD 474 would require approval by the legislative committee of jurisdiction (the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee), and the full legislature before final adoption of the plan by the Governor and LURC Commissioners.
Please join us on April 22 at 9:30 a.m. in room 206 of the Cross Building (just across from the State House) and tell the Legislature that you would like a voice in the future of your area and that it is time to bring democracy back to Maine's Unorganized Territory!
For more information, visit our website at www.maineforest.org or contact James Cote at the Maine Forest Products Council by calling 207-622-9288 or by emailing jcote@maineforest.org.
For contact information of the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, please visit here, or call 207-287-1312. For more information on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, you can call LURC at 207 287-2631.
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.MAINEFOREST.ORG!
James CoteDirector of CommunicationsMaine Forest Products Council535 Civic Center DriveAugusta, Maine 04330
Friday, April 17, 2009
TABOR Now!
Lawmakers debate new version of tax cap
By FRANCIS X. QUINN, The Associated Press April 17, 2009
AUGUSTA — For the second time in three years, Maine lawmakers and residents are debating a citizen initiative that would let voters approve or reject tax increases.
The initiative would also require voter approval for state spending to exceed the rates of inflation and population growth and for property taxes to grow faster than personal income.
"It should be a right. Period," Sen. Douglas Smith, R-Dover-Foxcroft, said at a taxation committee hearing Thursday.
The Legislature could vote to make the initiative law but is expected to send it on to voters in November instead.
Gov. John Baldacci did not send a representative to the hearing. But in an interview with The Associated Press, he said he opposes the new measure for the same reasons he opposed a broader proposal in 2006.
"Too extreme," Baldacci said.
The governor noted that spending caps currently exist on state, county and local governments, and the state budget is already smaller than last year's and will be pared back even further.
To read more, please visit:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=251332&ac=PHnws
*also check out the link to TABOR Now -found in the links section. This is a topic we should all educate ourselves about so we can share factual information with our friends and neighbors-Traci G(mainepatriot)*
By FRANCIS X. QUINN, The Associated Press April 17, 2009
AUGUSTA — For the second time in three years, Maine lawmakers and residents are debating a citizen initiative that would let voters approve or reject tax increases.
The initiative would also require voter approval for state spending to exceed the rates of inflation and population growth and for property taxes to grow faster than personal income.
"It should be a right. Period," Sen. Douglas Smith, R-Dover-Foxcroft, said at a taxation committee hearing Thursday.
The Legislature could vote to make the initiative law but is expected to send it on to voters in November instead.
Gov. John Baldacci did not send a representative to the hearing. But in an interview with The Associated Press, he said he opposes the new measure for the same reasons he opposed a broader proposal in 2006.
"Too extreme," Baldacci said.
The governor noted that spending caps currently exist on state, county and local governments, and the state budget is already smaller than last year's and will be pared back even further.
To read more, please visit:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=251332&ac=PHnws
*also check out the link to TABOR Now -found in the links section. This is a topic we should all educate ourselves about so we can share factual information with our friends and neighbors-Traci G(mainepatriot)*
Welcome to Lincoln Area Republicans!
It is my intention to use this blog to attract attention to our group and upcoming events. It will be a nice addition as we only meet once a month currently.
Our next meeting will be held on May 30th. The focus of discussion will be property rights. We are fortunate to have members who are well versed on this topic and are willing to share information with the group.
I urge everyone to try and bring a guest with them.
Our next meeting will be held on May 30th. The focus of discussion will be property rights. We are fortunate to have members who are well versed on this topic and are willing to share information with the group.
I urge everyone to try and bring a guest with them.
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