Evasion and Hypocrisy from the K J

EDITOR:

I received a hypocritical answer to my email to the K J, saying that my reply could not be printed.

Here is their reply,

Dear Mr. (Here they spell my name wrong) proving they did not read the letter.

Thank you for your letter to the editor. Unfortunately we can’t publish it
for two reasons. One is that you are out of our circulation area and the
second is it appears that the letter, which arrived along with many others
with the same wording and the same message, is the product of an organized
campaign.

Sincerely,

Naomi Schalit, Opinion Page Editor
Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel
Central Maine Newspapers
274 Western Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04330
Direct line: 207-621-5649
EMAIL: nschalit@centralmaine.com

Click on Naomi's email address to tell her how you feel about the K J refusing to print "the rest of the story".


In my reply I asked if they were only suggesting that State Employees in their coverage area take a cut in health.
Obviously Naomi did not read my letter if she said that it was just like all the others.

The K J is just trying to sell papers by practicing hate speech and creating a class that it is OK to hate.

There is good news the K J won't print, click here.

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Kennebec Yellow Journalism

As reported on the MSEA-SEIU web site the attacks have begun again. Cut State employees jobs. Cut their health care. When you talk with anyone that believes this ask them if they would give their car or truck back to Chevy of Ford because the car companies are having a tough time.If you don't think that is a fair comparison remember they already paid for the car it belongs to them. We have paid in advance for our benefits. We have made less real money for years by taking increases less than the rate of inflation. The State has always justified this by telling us we were paying for our health care! We paid and the promises should be good.
We need to start the next contract bargaining NOW or by the time we get to the table there will be no choices the legislature will have taken the money and sold the program to the public.
I wrote my letter to the Editor of the K.J. This is hate speech, rhetoric to give an excuse to hate. The right wing needs to blame anyone but the Republicans and their failed policies that have been in control in Washington for the problems of the economy. Maybe failed is the wrong term if you are among the richest 1% in the US the past eight years have been an endless Christmas of tax breaks, anti labor law and war profiteering.

Letter to the Editor.
Cut State employee health care. Steal what has already been paid for. State employees have been taking pay cuts for ten years, any increases have been smaller than the rate of inflation. We have paid in advance for our health care. Our terms of employment were based on wages and promises. Your proposal would make the word of the State worthless.
I remember Mainers as keeping their word.
State Employees with health care set an example that shames the right wing and embarrasses well funded corporations. State Employees work in their off time and with their Union dues to help find ways for other Mainers to achieve good jobs, and security.
Proposing a race to the bottom is not the way to save money it is only a way to save face for the selfish on the right.
This is the devil making rhetoric that is always used by the top to enrage the mob and divert attention. Blame the Union, blame the Jews, blame the immigrants. Your reason for this article is transparent. More sales, more money for the owners of your paper. Any student of history can see the pattern you are following to foster hate and create a class of those it is OK to hate.
http://www.unionmaine.blogspot.com/

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Mileage Rates Why can't Maine and the Union pay Federal Rates?

E.T.I. 2009
The State and the MSEA-SEIU have one small thing in common. They don't think anyone needs to be paid a fair rate for mileage. The Union says it is because the members are sacrificing to build the Union. You can just write off the difference on your taxes. The State says they can't afford to pay the mileage, but you can. You can just write off the difference on your taxes.

The Union needs to realize that the Federal Mileage rate is way below what it costs to actually run a vehicle, so with Federal mileage rate there is still plenty of suffering to go around. The State has to stop the hypocrisy, they charge daily for each vehicle whether it moves or not and when they lease vehicles the agency pays 100% of the gas.

The Union must take the lead and show the way. We can not ask the State to pay a fair rate if the Union is setting the example of unfair reimbursement.

Check this excerpt from Oregon

Mileage Rate Changes

State.or.us Wednesday January 31 2007

From the State Controllers Division Travel Coordinators: The General

Services Administration (GSA) has announced that the private vehicle mileage reimbursement rate will be 48.5 cents per mile, effective February 1, 2007 for Federal agencies. Our intent in State Travel Policy is to mirror those federal rates. This change was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2007

...... "Effective 2/1/07, vehicle mileage is 48.5 cents per mile. State mileage rates mirror the federal rate and change automatically when the Federal rates change." The HRSD Labor Relations Unit...notified employee union representatives that the rates may go up on January 1, 2007 and that the union would receive notice if the anticipated increase in the rate occurs. ...Union representatives (AEE, IAFF, KFAFFA and SEIU) about the rate change and effective date.

The SEIU is starting to take the lead. In NH and in Maine this year the Union voted to study increases in the mileage rate paid to volunteers, committee members, and witnesses.

Here is NH
On November 17^th the 67th SEA Convention completed its business.

The Convention also approved an increase in mileage reimbursements to members who serve on Committees.

E.T.I. 2009

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Safe work and Fixing the CLIFF

Monday is a work day and while the notice is short, the effect could be large. This is a press release from Ethan Strimling's office. I don't usually print a straight press release but this one is filled with the information we need. Point one, Ethan Strimling is reaching out to Mainers, State employees, and workers all over the State that would be affected by minimum wage. This is not the type of audience that so many attempt to reach, not the rich and powerful.

This press release is not just so much Blah, Blah, Blah. If you want to know who to blame and who to give credit to, it is all here. Check it out and see if you see your representative and let them know either way exactly what you think. Read past the end to find out what you can do to fix the CLIFF.

Building trade and labor friends,


**Please Spread the Word!**

Hello from Senator Ethan Strimling’s office! I just wanted to give you all a heads up that the OSHA-10 work session is on Monday at 1pm! (November 26)

....in the Labor Committee room 220, Cross State Office Building. Augusta (287-1333)

Here’s what YOU can do to help us make sure we get this through!

1. Please- Call members of the Labor Committee to make sure that they are supporting this important bill. (Committee list is below with contact info.)
2. Please- Show up at the 1pm work session to talk to committee members 1 on 1 to ask for their support and tell them why they need to support the bill.
   

Additionally, the Minimum Wage hearing is also on Monday at 10am before the Labor Committee. If you could come and testify in support of that bill, it would be a huge help as well.

Many thanks for all of the hard work you do. Happy Thanksgiving.

Let’s get this bill through!


Ethan08- Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7488
Portland, Maine 04112

Ethan08- Campaign Office:
550 Forest Ave- (lower level)
Portland
Fix The Cliff!
To many readers here, the most important issue on Monday is the announcement on the MSEA web site.
FIX THE CLIFF ! I know Halloween is long gone but you should let them know you will be watching.

This is what your Union is trying to do for you!

.......L.D. 1693, “An Act to Restore Equity to the Maine State Retirement System.”

DATE: Monday, November 26, 2007
TIME:3:00 PM
PLACE: Room 220 Cross Office Building

THE PROBLEM
In 1993, the Legislature retroactively changed the retirement rules for all workers hired after July 1, 1983. The Legislature INCREASED their early retirement penalty from 2.25 percent to 6 percent.

THE SOLUTION
At the work session on Nov. 26, the Labor Committee will consider a proposal to REDUCE that early retirement penalty from 6 percent to 3 percent for all workers hired after July 1, 1983.

FUNDING
....we can fund this remedy from our own retirement fund, not from the State budget. The Retirement System. . . advised the Trustees that this solution would be fiscally sound.

..........By providing an early retirement option, savings would result as newer workers replace more experienced workers. Editor's Translation: The higher paid workers could retire and the spots coul be filled by employees starting on the bottom step.

Members of the Labor Committee

Senator Nancy Sullivan- D
Home Tel: 282-5594
Email: npsullivan@gwi.net

Senator Dana Dow- R
danadow@adelphia.net (home)
Home Tel: 832-4658 Bus: 832-6363

Rep. John Tuttle- D
Home Telephone: (207) 324-5964
Business Telephone: (207) 772-4459
RepJohn.Tuttle@legislature.maine.gov

Rep Troy Jackson- D
Home Telephone: (207) 398-4081
Cell Phone: (207) 436-0763
Home E-Mail: jacksonfor1@hotmail.com

Rep Herb Clark- D
Home Telephone: (207) 723-5746
Home E-Mail: clarkhe@prexar.com

Rep. Tim Driscoll - D
Home Telephone: (207) 856-7014
Business Telephone: (207) 879-3265
Home E-Mail: tdrisco1@maine.rr.com

Rep Anne Haskell - D
Home Telephone: (207) 871-5808
Cell Phone: (207) 712-1244
Home E-Mail: annehask@maine.rr.com

Rep Rick Burns- D
Home Telephone: (207) 698-1526
Home E-Mail: burns_for_145@hotmail.com

Rep Brian Duprey -R
Home Telephone: (207) 862-5785
Home E-Mail: repduprey@hotmail.com

Rep James Hamper -R
Home Telephone: (207) 539-4586
State House E-Mail: RepJames.Hamper@legislature.maine.gov

Rep Richard Sykes - R
Home Telephone: (207) 583-2958
Home E-Mail: rksykes@verizon.net

Rep Doug Thomas -R
Home Telephone: (207) 277-3017
Business Telephone: (207) 277-3017
Home E-Mail: firewood@tds.net

Senator Nancy Sullivan- D
Email: npsullivan@gwi.net

A link to this post was sent to every member of the labor committee asking them for their position. The answers or lack of answers will be posted next week.

Not next week! Representative Burns set a new world record and sent in an answer withing ten minutes or less! Click HERE.to see his answer.






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The Republicans Can Run On Their Record

The Democrats need to get a clue. The Republicans are running on their record. After all these years and with a two term president they only need to run on their record.

Just picture it: George Bush standing in front of the White House, the flag waving and the national anthem playing in the background. No,pressure only a list of high points rolling across the screen.

"Bring 'em on!"
No Child Left behind
You're doing a great job, Brownie".

Smoke 'em out
I'm the Decider
We Do Not Torture
extraordinary rendition
waterboarding

IRAQ
Katrina
Schiavo
Abu Ghraib
Gas Prices
Housing Bust
Dollar Drop
Wiretaps
Torture
Perjury
Plame Leak
Bribery
Sex Offenses

Wide Stance

Bridge to nowhere
Indefinitely without charges
Habeas corpus
Extraordinary rendition
CIA Leak
Faith-based Initiatives
Axis of Evil
Preemptive War
Homeland Security
Partial Birth Abortion
Death Tax
Prosecutor firings

"Phony Soldiers"
"We just want Jews to be perfected"
"Feminazi"
Mission Accomplished
Alberto Gonzalez
Rush Limbaugh

Glenn Beck
Sean Hannity
No warning was ever received in regards to an imminent attack on U.S.
Compassionate conservatism
Tom DeLay
Rick Santorum

$100.00 a barrel oil

With a record like that how could there be any debate on how you will vote?

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Straight answers from Ethan Strimling

EDITOR: I won't vote for a candidate based solely on party affiliation. The readers of UnionMaine asked questions and Ethan Strimling has given his answers. Whether you agree or disagree you need to judge one thing first. This is a candidate for office and you can actually understand the answers. He invited questions and by answering clearly and not in platitudes shows that he respects the voters of Maine. Candidates must tell us where they stand, because we should never vote for someone if we have to hope or guess what they will do. Respect for the Voter, it feels good. Thank You, Ethan Strimling. Hello UnionMaine Readers, Thank you for all of the great questions. I've done my best to give you straightforward, and succinct answers. You can always find out more about me and my positions at www.Ethan08.com, or you can email me at ethan@ethan08.com. I always welcome your questions and your input, and I would certainly welcome your support in this campaign. Sincerely, Ethan Strimling Answers Below:
1. Social Security Offset State employees that have contributed to the Social Security system are punished by the Social Security offset. As a member of congress, will you work to repeal this unjust law? What will you do? Yes, I will work to repeal the law. The issue is funding and in Congress I will work to re-prioritize our government spending to free up money to end this injustice.

2. Describe what you would do to improve the Department of Labor and how you would make it friendlier to labor. The most important thing we can do to make the Department of Labor friendlier to labor is to elect a Democratic President who will appoint a Commissioner that honors workers and unions! You can bet that I will work hard over the next year to make sure we elect a President that will make labor a priority. Will you support a card check law on the Federal level? Yes. Support and Enforce prevailing wage across the country? Yes.

3. Unions believe in the right of workers to organize and to bargain collectively. Will you work with Unions to extend and return collective bargaining rights to Federal workers that have been denied bargaining rights? Yes. In fact I worked tirelessly to give state workers the same right here in Maine. As Chair of the Labor Committee, I got this bill through the Committee before it was eventually defeated in the Senate. I will continue this fight in Congress.

4. What are other major issues upon which your campaign is based? My campaign is and will continue to be based on economic issues and the squeeze middle class families are feeling as the gap between the rich and the poor grows wider and wider. I have worked by entire life on issues around economic justice. To that end, rolling back the Bush tax cuts would be one of my first priorities as your US Representative. Tax relief should go to middle class people who need it the most, not the wealthiest Americans who don't. I am also focused on ending our dependence on costly foreign oil. Our addiction is hurting our country on many levels; economically as the price of gasoline and heating oil climbs above what middle class families can afford. Environmentally, as our planet succumbs to the effects of global warming; and finally, our foreign policy is suffering as America enters foreign quagmires all in the name of oil. In Congress, I will fight to end our addiction to oil, as I have in Maine's state senate, working for two years to pass our state's first tax incentive for the creation of wind power. Finally, is my opposition to the war in Iraq. In my first year in the legislature, I introduced and led passage of a resolution that put Maine's senate on the map as the first statewide legislative body in our country to come out against the war. But I am even more convinced today that this war is senseless, and it is taking our attention away from what should be happening here at home- like focusing on the economy and our health care crisis. Getting our brave troops out of Iraq safely and quickly, and restoring our reputation around the world, will be at the forefront of my campaign's message.
5. What is your position on the war in Iraq and how soon it can be ended? I have been opposed to the war since before it began. I believe we should begin bringing our troops home immediately.

6. On the second amendment, do you believe your views are consistent with the majority of Mainers? Yes. Do you believe the second amendment is an individual right or a collective right? I believe it is both. Do you see the need for more gun laws or do you believe we should enforce the laws we have? I believe we should enforce the laws we have now. We should also re- institute the assault weapons ban and strengthen our laws around background checks.

7. Would you vote to allow undocumented workers to collect Social Security? Those people who pay into the Social Security system should receive its benefits.

8. What is your position on Bush tax cuts? I would repeal the tax cuts that went to wealthiest Americans. Then, I would dedicate that money to middle income tax relief and to meeting some of our vital domestic needs, such as the social security offset.

9. What role does the Federal Government have in helping to alleviate the health care crisis in this country? No question- the federal government should institute a single payer health care system so that all people have quality healthcare. In Congress, I would support any health care initiative that expands coverage to more people. Our country already has a system in place, Medicare, which covers all of our senior citizens We must do the same for all people and I would start by covering every single child. It is wrong that in the wealthiest country in the world, we have people sick and dying because they don't have access to affordable, quality healthcare. We know what to do- we just need leaders with courage to stand up and fight for it.

10. What do Mainers need to know about you that will help us to decide how to vote? For the past three years, I've been the Senate Chair of the Labor Committee. During that time I have led efforts to raise the minimum wage, expand unemployment benefits for laid off Mainers, and provide for workers who are injured on the job. I have fought to provide health care for Fire Fighters, enhance retirement for mental health and correctional workers, and stood up to General Dynamics when they wanted to outsource union jobs. I have always made fighting for the pocket books of Maine families my top priority Both of my parents are members of unions and as Chair of the Labor Committee for the past three years, working Maine families have been my primary concern. In Congress I will emulate Congressman Mike Michaud's record on labor and will be an invaluable ally to working families across Maine. For more info beyond labor issues, go to www.ethan08.com.

11. What does he think about cutting Medicare benefits that cover the cost of home health care for our elders? This is a program that pays for the health services an elder receives in their home. Like having a nurse go into the home to do a routine check up or having a physical therapist go into the home to do some physical therapy to help keep the person mobile. Is it better to put these people in a nursing home where those costs are high, the care is not that great? Not to mention that the elders would rather stay in their own homes and be comfortable. The work I do is not covered under Medicare. Home Care for Maine does not receive any Medicare money. HCM does not employ nurses that go into the home for these types of services. But a lot of the consumers that Home Care for Maine helps do receive these types of services from other agencies like Health Reach.
Thank you so much for your work. I am with you and I am opposed to cutting home health care benefits for the elderly. Two of my grandparents received home health care in many forms before they passed away. It was vital to their being able to enjoy the final years of their lives and live them with dignity. My family was very thankful for it. Is Mr. Strimling aware of PCAs and PSSs and the type of work we do? I can give him a brief outline. Please let me now if you'd like a brief outline of what a PCA/PSS does and I'll be glad to send it.
My wife is a Registered Nurse, but I would love to see your outline on PCAs and PSSs. Thanks for offering. You can email it to me directly at ethan@ethan08.com.>

UPDATE: This came in five minutes after I posted.
Ethan asked for a job description and here it is.

A Personal Support Specialist usually works with a consumer, right in the consumer's home. The work entails personal care like assisting with bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.

It might entail feeding a consumer. It maybe helping them take care of a colostomy or help them take care of a catheter.

It also involves doing things like light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry and taking the consumer to doctors' appointments, shopping, and on errands.

The best part of it is the interaction with a consumer. For the most part, they enjoy your visits and greatly appreciate the help they are receiving.

This type of work helps consumers remain in their homes, where they are most comfortable.

Most of the consumers at Home Care for Maine are elders, but there are a few who are younger and disabled from disease.

Personally, I enjoy working with elders. They have so much to offer with their life-long experiences. I love hearing their stories of times gone by.

Helen Hanson
President Local 771

Editor: This work is for low pay, no guaranteed hours, and they have not heard about benefits
Local 771 has their own website at 771 news.

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I don't want a raise. I don't want you to get one either.

E.T.I. 2009

I want to set the record straight. In the next contract I don’t want a raise. The State has had some rough times, but so have we. We have shared the bad years. The contract was changed to give us the “Cliff”. The early retirement penalty was more than doubled. We go year after year with small increases or no increase at all. Every year our buying power in real dollars has gone down because our raises have not kept up with inflation. I don’t want a raise. I want a COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT that will bring us back to what we would be earning if we had only kept even with inflation. Check the U.S. Gov figures here. Look at the annual figures from 1997. http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=CUUR0000SAM&output_view=pct_12mths

I don't want to get too financially geeky. Another little known fact is that the the Gov. changed the inflation figures a couple of years ago to remove the cost of gas and heating costs from the numbers. That way the inflation figures look smaller and wages that depend on a COLA could be cheated. I still have to pay for gas, and oil, you too? One of the things your dues buy is the smartest person in Maine for extracting information and presenting information in a completely honest way. Steve Butterfield has worked for the Union for about 2.5 million years and is still doing the best job possible. When the Union deals with the State both sides use real numbers. We have never lost an argument based on Steve Butterfield's figures. The State has refused to deal realistically, but we have NEVER had the State able to disprove Steve's numbers.

Compared to Inflation State employees have lost money in every contract for more than a decade and that loss is backed up by facts. In every contract for years the State and the Union have used the Consumer Price Index. Year after year we have been taking losses, not making small gains. It would be logical to ask what the Union has done for us. My answer is easy. I ask you to imagine your pay and your benefits at the mercy of a legislature that does not have to face an organized work force. I can just see it now. At every motor vehicles window when you get your plates you would hear "Ya want fries with that?"

Current Employees have lost over twelve percent in real purchasing power since 1990. While our contracts and benefits are used as political footballs by Union hating politicos the facts do not support their arguments. Our wages do not go up year after year. Our "raises" have been less than our sister states in New England, less than any big corporation in Maine, less than inflation. In Maine the general increase in wages has kept pace with or even out paced the consumer price index. State Employee wages have not kept up.

I don’t want a raise; I want a COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT. Make up for the losses of the last ten years. I don’t want to fight for a fair deal year after year. Implement contracts based on the same figures the retirement board uses. Get that ugly fight out of the way and we can all move forward. I want my pay to be Equal To Inflation in 2009.

E.T.I. 2009

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New Survey

E.T.I. 2009

Survey on Bargaining. The last contract negotiations team voted unanimously to start the whole process earlier. We never have enough time. The survey is on the left side. You can post comments here.

E.T.I. 2009

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Election 2009

On this site I try to present any point of view that comes forward. Any point of view will be treated with respect if not applause. I tried to reach a number of Republican office holders to ask questions and to understand their point of view on State and National issues.

I tried to discuss issues with the Republican representatives from to my own State legislature, both Republicans. I tried to reach Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. I will continue to try but I have to ask myself why they refuse to speak to this audience and another candidate will answer questions.

They don’t return emails. Honest, you can talk to a Liberal and it won't rub off. I know Democrats are not always right and though Republicans are always right they are not always correct.

We need to reach out to the other side. I wonder how long I will wait.

The right fears the positive results for Unionism if the Democratic majority in Congress also increases when the next president, a Democrat is elected.

The Democrats may win enough votes to block future Republican Filibusters or get so close that Republicans will be forced to go along in order to pass any of their own bills.

There is fear and loathing over the possibility that the recently filibustered Employee Free Choice Act (E.F.C.A.) may actually pass strengthening labor.

The E.F.C.A. is being characterized as political payback to organized labor and every Democrat running for office has promised their support.

The right has a list and that list contains anything that might affect the wages of the working public or strengthen labor in any way.

This article, http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/05/21/an_agenda_for_labor.php is the basis for the fears of the CEOs. The (Extremely) condensed version is listed below. Read the article and you will realize that Unionism is not dead. There are still a lot of dedicated intelligent Union supporters working for progress, not just for Union members but for America.

While you are cheering for the ideas here, realize that the same ideas are creating fear, loathing, and disgust in the minority party.

I want to ask them why they are afraid but they won't answer.

1. Enact the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

2. Enact the (RESPECT) Act and narrow the definition of exempt "supervisors" under the NLRA.

3. Allow union organizers access to employees on private employer property and/or during working hours in order to organize employees.

EDITOR: I support Unions but I can’t see how number three has any legs. A Union can not control the employer’s property.

4. Fix the trade agreements that have sucked the jobs out of this country. Ross Perot was right.

5. As in many State Unions, allow for the unionization of supervisors.

6. Repeal the federal allowance for state "Right-to-Work" laws.

7. Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act's ban on "secondary boycotts."

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Ethan Strimling Reaching out to Maine

This is my first post on this blog. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you, to share the reasons why I am running in June's Democratic Primary to represent Maine's 1st Congressional District, and most importantly, to begin a dialog with you about how we can together change the direction of this country.

I want to do on the internet what I have already been doing in person all around the First District- talking and listening to people. The internet not only affords an opportunity for more two-way communication between politicians and their constituents, but demands it. As a Senator in the Maine legislature, I have always seen myself as the facilitator of a collaborative effort between me and my constituents. On the internet, I can reach out and collaborate with more people than ever before. I hope you'll join me.

So now let me tell you about why I am running for Congress, and then I hope to hear from you about what you think we need to do, and about how we can do it.

In the months before I announced my candidacy, I traveled to towns all over Maine attending over 70 house parties in 70 different towns, and talked with hundreds of people. I did more than just say “hello” and shake their hands during a photo op. I sat in their living rooms and their kitchens, and one-on-one I heard their stories. The experience changed me.

Before doing that, I already knew what we all know: that most people aren't being listened to; that the middle class has been neglected and forgotten by Washington; that average wage earners are being hammered while the richest Americans and corporations are given extraordinary tax breaks; that the nation is pouring billions into the Iraq War, raising the income tax burden on the middle class and siphoning precious dollars from better wages, better health care, cheaper alternative energy, and college loan programs.

I knew those things, but talking with hundreds of people, and hearing from people from all walks of life, gave me a deeper understanding. Over and over I heard from Maine people who are struggling just to get by.

In Shapleigh, I talked with a retiree who had to go back to work because everything from taxes to health care are far more expensive than he had carefully planned for. In Saco, I met a man whose kidney cancer is now terminal; it was detected too late because he did not have health insurance in his hourly job and hadn't been able to afford physicals. I heard from a Portland couple who are struggling to pay a second mortgage on their house because their two boys are both in college.

I am running for Congress because I know it is wrong that the people I met and so many others just like them here in Maine are struggling just to get by. But I also know that it doesn't have to be this way. These struggles are the direct consequences of bad choices made by the leaders of our elected government who aren't listening to the same people I'm listening to.

I have always made fighting for the pocket books of Maine families my top priority. For the past three years, I have been the Senate Chair of the Labor Committee. During that time I have led efforts to raise the minimum wage, expand unemployment benefits for laid off Mainers, and provide for workers who are injured on the job. I have fought to provide health care for Fire Fighters, enhance retirement for mental health and correctional workers, and stood up to General Dynamics when they wanted to outsource union jobs.

So with your help, and with you behind me, I will go to Congress and I will fight every day to make taxes fairer, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bring our troops home, and increase wages and benefits for working families.

I hope I can earn your support and that you will take some time to ask me questions, to learn more about me, and also to tell me your stories and ideas so that I can learn more about you. If you visit my website, you can learn more about my experience in the Maine Legislature, where I have served since 2002, and about my ten-plus years as executive director at Portland West, a nonprofit that helps at-risk and lower income children and families. You can also learn about my positions on other issues. I look forward to your feedback and comments on those as well.

Finally, I am proud and honored to count among my strongest supporters hundreds of workers and organizers from around Maine, including these Union members:

CJ Betit, Southern Maine Labor Council

John Bogart, American Postal Worker's Union Doug Born, International Alliance for Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 114 Sal Crisci, Maine State Employees Association - Service Employees International Union George Lawson, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Jim MacAdam, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Thomas MacLean, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 714 Zack Matthews, Business Agent AFSCME Council 93 Winston McGill, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 740 David Paul, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2327 Doris and Wayne Poland, American Postal Workers Union, Local 458 Stephen Quinlan, American Postal Workers Union, Local 458 Leo Todd, Maine Education Association

(Please note: Unions listed for identification purposes only)

Send me your name, occupation, town, and union affiliation, and I will add you to a list of Labor supporters that will be on our web site. Send it to labor@ethan08.com.

Editorial Comment:

The following questions are representative of the questions that have been emailed to this site. Other questions can be found in the comments on the post. Other candidates may choose to post and other candidates have been invited. Mr. Strimling received the first invitation and was ready to take questions and state what he believes in.
No candidate can provide specifics completely until they have gained the office and the information that a member of Congress has access to. But this candidate is willing to tell us what his goals are. What he believes is important to us. How he achieves them will be up to how much of a majority the electorate gives to candidates who support the same ideals.

1. Social Security Offset
State employees that have contributed to the Social Security system are punished by the Social Security offset. As a member of congress, will you work to repeal this unjust law? What will you do?

2. Describe what you would do to improve the Department of Labor and how you would make it friendlier to labor.

Will you support a card check law on the Federal level?

Support and Enforce prevailing wage across the country?

3. Unions believe in the right of workers to organize and to bargain collectively.

Will you work with Unions to extend and return collective bargaining rights to Federal workers that have been denied bargaining rights?

4. What are other major issues upon which your campaign is based?

5. What is your position on the war in Iraq and how soon it can be ended?

6. On the second amendment, do you believe your views are consistent with the majority of Mainers?

Do you believe the second amendment is an individual right or a collective right?

Do you see the need for more gun laws or do you believe we should enforce the laws we have?

7. Would you vote to allow undocumented workers to collect Social Security?

8. What is your position on Bush tax cuts?

9. What role does the Federal Government have in helping to alleviate the health care crisis in this country?

10. What do Mainers need to know about you that will help us to decide how to vote?

Editorial addition: A friend of mine sent the following question but as I have not yet gotten permission to use a name I have removed personally identifying information.

I have some questions for Mr. Strimling.
What does he think about the health care crisis in this country? It is not only the fact that health insurance is very expensive and for many folks unattainable, but it is also the runaway costs of getting sick! Simple tests like mammograms are now almost $200 when not that long ago the cost was about $75.

What does he think about cutting Medicare benefits that cover the cost of home health care for our elders? This is a program that pays for the health services an elder receives in their home. Like having a nurse go into the home to do a rountine check up or having a physical therapist go into the home to do some physical therapy to help keep the person mobile.
Is it better to put these people in a nursing home where those costs are high, the care is not that great? Not to mention that the elders would rather stay in their own homes and be comfortable. The work I do is not covered under Medicare. Home Care for Maine does not receive any Medicare money. HCM does not employ nurses that go into the home for these types of services. But a lot of the consumers that Home Care for Maine helps do receive these types of services from other agencies like Health Reach.

Is Mr. Strimling aware of PCAs and PSSs and the type of work we do?
I can give him a brief outline.

Please let me now if you'd like a brief outline of what a PCA/PSS does and I'll be glad to send it.



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Mouseland

Mouseland, almost as told by Tommy Douglas in 1944 This is not about Mickey.

Tommy Douglas brought universal health care to Canada, a system that costs less and covers more people than in this country. I have paraphrased his famous “Mouseland” speech because even over sixty years later it is relevant. Mouseland is still relevant because it shows the danger of thinking there has been any change between the Reagan Republicans and the Bush Republicans. We need an alternative. Mr. Douglas was called socialist, communist, a destroyer of the country. It was said over and over that the system could never work.

With logic, not fear he made his points. I wish we had someone like him to speak for us now.

One of his points is that any health care system run by private enterprise will demand profit and the investors will demand ever larger profits. The only way you can increase profit in that type of system is to deny care.

By way of a quick introduction here are some excerpts and condensations from the Wickipedia article on Tommy Douglas.

Here is the Wickipedia article

7th Premier of Saskatchewan 1944 to 1961

Thomas Clement Douglas introduced universal public Medicare to Canada. Kiefer Sutherland is his grandson.

When young, Douglas would have had a leg amputated but for a doctor who agreed to help for free. This incident began Douglas's belief that health care should be free to all. During WWI, his family returned to Glasgow. They came back to Winnipeg in 1919, during labor unrest in time for Douglas to see the police charging strikers with clubs and guns.

The Douglas government pioneered pro Union and Universal health care items, including:

• The creation of Canada's first publicly owned automobile insurance service.
• Legislation that allowed the unionization of the public service.
• A program to offer free hospital care to all citizens—the first in Canada.
• The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights, legislation that broke new ground as it protected both fundamental freedoms and equality rights against abuse not only by government but also on the part of powerful private institutions and persons.

  In Michael Moore’s SiCKO, Tommy Douglas was mentioned by a Canadian golfer who tore his biceps tendon while golfing in America and faced a $24,000 health care bill even with Canada's "out of country" insurance. Instead the Golfer returned to Canada, where all of his surgery and related expenses were free.

Mouseland

Mouseland. Mouseland was a place where all the little mice lived and played, were born and died. And they lived much the same as you and I do.

They even had a Congress. And every four years they had an election. They went to the polls and cast their ballots. Some of them even got a ride to the polls. And got a ride for the next four years afterwards too. Just like you and me. And every time on election day all the little mice used to go to the ballot box and they used to elect a government. A government made up of big, black, cats.

Now if you think it strange that mice should elect a government made up of black cats, you just look at the history of the United States and maybe you'll see that they weren't any stupider than we are.

Now I'm not saying anything against the cats. They were nice, they conducted their government with dignity. They passed good laws--that is, laws that were good for cats. But the laws that were good for cats weren't very good for mice. One of the laws said that mouse holes had to be big enough so a cat could get his paw in. Another law said that mice could only travel at certain speeds--so that a cat could get his breakfast without too much effort.

All the laws were good laws. For cats. But, oh, they were hard on the mice. And life was getting harder and harder. And when the mice couldn't put up with it any more, they decided something had to be done about it. So they went en masse to the polls. They voted the black cats out. They put in the white cats.

Now the white cats had put up a terrific campaign. They said: "All that Mouseland needs is more vision." They said:” The trouble with Mouseland is those round mouseholes we got. If you put us in we'll establish square mouseholes." And they did. And the square mouseholes were twice as big as the round mouseholes, and now the cat could get both his paws in. And life was tougher than ever. And when they couldn't take that anymore, they voted the white cats out and put the black ones in again. Then they went back to the white cats. Then to the black cats. They even tried half black cats and half white cats. And they called that coalition. They even got one government made up of cats with spots on them: they were cats that tried to make a noise like a mouse but ate like a cat.

You see, my friends, the trouble wasn't with the colour of the cat. The trouble was that they were cats. And because they were cats, they naturally looked after cats instead of mice.

Presently there came along one little mouse who had an idea. My friends, watch out for the little fellow with an idea. And he said to the other mice, "Look fellows, why do we keep on electing a government made up of cats? Why don't we elect a government made up of mice?"

What we have been doing has not worked. Medical care is growing progressively more expensive and the only "cures" offered by the administration are to reduce premiums for doctors by preventing them for being sued for mistakes. OOPS! Wrong leg, so sorry. Here is a crutch on the house. The other cure is to claim that health care is socialism. A national health care program would no more be socialism than fire departments, police departments, a national army or any other group where we band together for the greater good. We will be judged not by what we do for ourselves but by what we do for the poorest among us.

Google Tommy Douglas if you want a clip on Youtube, the speech as done by the CBC in a movie about Mr. Douglas' life will make you think it is in 2007 not 1937.

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