tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post115133855554237961..comments2023-11-25T06:26:33.387-05:00Comments on Inside Zebster: Barbara Merrill, Independent for Governor of MaineZebsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684616018807468693noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1155672839036051152006-08-15T16:13:00.000-04:002006-08-15T16:13:00.000-04:00I hate it when a candidate is compared to someone ...I hate it when a candidate is compared to someone else just because they are also an independent. Of course, Barbara is no Angus King, they are two totally different people. The state of the state was also very different at the time he was governor. We should be concentrating on what a candidate will do once in office. Let's look forward and not backwards.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11743522065638704644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1153423213960290432006-07-20T15:20:00.000-04:002006-07-20T15:20:00.000-04:00Good hustle Newt (not a reference Newt (the Grinch...Good hustle Newt (not a reference Newt (the Grinch) Ginrich). Not every day one corresponds with candidates for governor in such thoughtful manner. I read Ms. Merrill's response and found it quite articulate and thoughtful. I have to confess that I didn't read the post yet. haha. Anyway, I am proud of Zebster for participating in the political process in Maine (you to MamaJoan). Maine is a great state is needs thoughtful, intelligent, and engaged citizens. (Someone has to do it, because I bailed to become a Masshole. lolTrotRockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449467845858288488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1153399305053320472006-07-20T08:41:00.000-04:002006-07-20T08:41:00.000-04:00I just wanted you to know I'm listening in and wil...I just wanted you to know I'm listening in and will check back once in a while so I can answer any questions which might arise.<BR/><BR/>If I could comment on a couple of points, I would like to say that I think looking closely at my experience as a lobbyist is very understandable. I was not a hired gun in the sense that I would represent anyone and am proud of the businesses and nonprofits which I served. But the question always follows, that now that I serve the public as a whole am I able to to seperate myself from this past work. I believe my record in the Maine House demonstrates that. I hope you all come to the same conclusion.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if you know this but Governor King once worked as a lobbyist before the Maine legislature. He lobbied for environmental groups. He also worked on the inside of government for a brief period as did I. His work was for the US Senate, mine for the Maine Senate. I think the fact the King saw the world as an outsider but had experience as an insider made him effective. I hope my similar experience will serve me as well.<BR/><BR/>Finally, mention is made of the fact that the state got into financial problems in King's second term and that things have improved under Gov. Baldacci. I agree with the former and strongly disagree with the latter. In King's defense, he was the first Governor elected after the Maine government shut down and as such was understandably worried about pushing back too hard on a legislature which wanted to spend more. Having observed this first hand, I have made clear that when I am elected, there will be no budgets passed by a simple majority and I will veto any budget which isn't fiscally responible. <BR/><BR/>It is very important to avoid any shut down of government services but it is even more important to fashion a government which we can afford which is managed soundly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151586519416657972006-06-29T09:08:00.000-04:002006-06-29T09:08:00.000-04:00Mom, I like Peter as well, having gotten to know h...Mom, I like Peter as well, having gotten to know him well when he was a client of mine. Having worked as a stenographer in a small state like Maine, you get to know a high % of the attorneys...the current governor included. Eric Mehnert was one of my best clients and good friend before he left for Mass several years ago.Zebsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684616018807468693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151576430232176612006-06-29T06:20:00.000-04:002006-06-29T06:20:00.000-04:00An Independent woman Governor for Maine sounds gre...An Independent woman Governor for Maine sounds great. But, of course you knew there would be but, She's no Angus King. It will take a lot of work for her to get known. It would seem that an Independent (I use upper case but as you probably know there is no recognized Independent party in the State of Maine) could work with both parties in the Legislature and get things done. I think King did this but left the State with fiscal problems. The Baldacci administration has gone a long way to remedy this. <BR/> I will be watching Merrill and checking on her views. It should be an interesting race. I do really feel bad that Peter Mills didn't win for the Repubs. If he did win, I would feel comfortable with him, being a fairly liberal Repub. Don't think Woodcock has much of a chance. He was conservative enough to win primary but not to be elected, which I feel is great LOL. Keep up the good work, MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151423445834193472006-06-27T11:50:00.000-04:002006-06-27T11:50:00.000-04:00Thanks for the support, Nancy. Email sent yesterd...Thanks for the support, Nancy. Email sent yesterday with a link to this blog. No response yet. Those questions would be at the top of the list.Zebsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684616018807468693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151419570336121262006-06-27T10:46:00.000-04:002006-06-27T10:46:00.000-04:00Zeb - I am so glad to see independents coming out ...Zeb - I am so glad to see independents coming out of the woodwork on Inside Zebster!!! By the way, I think a good litmus test for independent candidates is election reform. And, like any good candidate, they're subject to "lobbying", so when grassroots independents request support for political reform, a lot of times independent candidates will listen! I like the idea that you're using this blog to learn about Barbara Merrill - maybe you can contact her and see where she stands on political and election reform?<BR/>NancyNancy Hankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17428253702914703243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151418020422024632006-06-27T10:20:00.000-04:002006-06-27T10:20:00.000-04:00Yeah, that Robbie makes us look bad. He could dum...Yeah, that Robbie makes us look bad. He could dumb it down a bit.<BR/>Libertarians and Liberals have more in common than Libertarians would like to admit.<BR/>We're only 3 years from having zero kids around. Yippee.Zebsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684616018807468693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589113.post-1151417243238484912006-06-27T10:07:00.000-04:002006-06-27T10:07:00.000-04:00Hey Zeb!I did not realize when you commented on my...Hey Zeb!<BR/>I did not realize when you commented on my blog that you're another Independent... check! hehe.<BR/>Sometimes it doesn't feel that there are too many of us, even though many more people than who vote consider themselves Independents, wasn't it about 33%? I am marginally involved with Independent Texans as you might know, we have two people running as Independents. Having said that, I do think that the Libertarian candidate here has something good to say. I see you have my blogger pal Robbie listed (Independent Voices). He's pretty astute in his writing too. I'll try to stop by more often. I don't have 6, but I do have 2 kids and no summer camps so there is a bit more involvement that just doing my posts online that needs to be done. That said, off to swim lessons!<BR/>IngridIngridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543677729320023767noreply@blogger.com