"I personally do not feel comfortable making sweeping changes without understanding how they were recommended," Democratic state Senator Lisa Marraché of Waterville told the Portland Press Herald in 2007, after opposing modest ethical improvements proposed by a blue-ribbon commission.
Since the Legislature created the commission, figuring out how Marraché could have been unaware of its work remains a mystery on a par with how anyone could worship Bill Diamond's hair.
"What [the ethics legislation] needed was a lot of work for the committee to understand it," said Republican state Senator Debra Plowman of Hampden in the same story. "And there didn't seem to be interest in the bill to do that."
What part of the words "conflict of interest" Plowman couldn't understand remains something I don't understand.
In the wake of the failing grade on the national report, there have been some tepid comments from legislative leaders about the need to tighten things up. Unfortunately, they're usually accompanied by a disclaimer. After state Senate President Libby Mitchell told the Capitol News Service there were probably a few little loopholes that could be closed, she added, "But I do want to stress that I think we are pretty open. We are a small state and everybody knows everybody and people in a district know the people they elect and what they do for a living."
Translation: Don't bother me about ethics. I've got a flight to Argentina to catch.
Don't cry for me. But you can e-mail me at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
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I believe in having clear and achievable goals.
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In the “Talking Politics” column “Mass betrayal,” you attribute our state’s long, sad history of corrupt politicians to the culture of the State House. You’re probably right.
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There are some important qualities I'd like to see in the next governor of Maine. But they're all pretty boring. So let's get to what I wouldn't like to see.
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Your article, “ Gen X Goes to Washington ” (November 26, 2010) was great. I’m glad this topic is finally being discussed.
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In the midst of the new Republican majority's mania to reduce the size and cost of state government, I offer some advice and a warning.
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Over the next two weeks, New Hampshire will quietly transform into a proving ground for the Republican 2012 race to recapture the White House. At least 10 potential candidates, from heavyweights like Mitt Romney to obscurities like Fred Karger, are scheduled to visit this month.
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It was a good weekend for the president.
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On Saturday, Boston joins the national SlutWalk movement, demonstrating solidarity to fight "slut shaming," a common response to sexual violence.
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Early last week, US Senator Scott Brown claimed to have seen pictures of the dead Osama bin Laden, which he implied were shown to him in briefings. Hours later, his office put out word that the photos Brown had seen were not "authentic."
- Less
Topics:
Talking Politics
, U.S. Government, U.S. State Government, Politics, More
, U.S. Government, U.S. State Government, Politics, Ed Muskie, The Moody Blues, Margaret Chase Smith, The Center for Public Integrity, Debra Plowman, Lisa Marrache, Libby Mitchell, Less
