by Dorothy Lafortune
The American public has awakened. If our ” elected representatives” would have upheld the Rule of Law, upheld their oaths of office, performed their duties as they were paid to do, we the people would not have been forced to obtain a free education. Although it has been time-consuming, we have obtained more education than would have by attending law school and receiving a college degree. It is a blessing in disguise that our “representatives” and “employees” (federal, state, county, local) have failed in their duties and forced the people to research and investigate the corrupt agenda of our so-called “representatives” and their “employee gate-keepers.” Gate-keeper: one who answers the telephone (secretary, aide) and denies us access to our “representatives.” Now it is up to those of you who have not taken this opportunity to a free education to do so. It is hard work and time consuming. You must realize that our “reps” will not make change, we the people will make change.
The “revolving door policy” has been in effect for decades. Maine, New Jersey and New Hampshire (let’s not forget Washington DC) have a great investment in “revolving doors.” It’s a great “product” to keep their agenda in place. It’s also a terrific “security tool” for “gatekeepers” of elected officials who will eventually climb the ladder to a higher position.
On January 5, 2011, when Paul LePage became the state’s first Republican governor in 16 years his pledge to Maine people was very simple: “It’s going to be people ahead of politics.” “The framers had it right.” LePage pledged “to listen and work constructively” with anyone bringing forth sincere solutions to the state’s problems. “We are going to get around and learn from the people of Maine.”
States Governor LePage, “Basically, it’s very simple. If I’m running my own business, I’d like to know what my employees are up to, and that’s all I’m asking. Let’s just have open communication.”
On March 18, 2011 I had the opportunity to speak with Governor LePage during his Capitol for a Day tour in York County. He had just placed a Maine’s “Open for Business” sign and I reminded him that his office must also be open for business, unlike past governors. I spoke to him about the loss (theft) of my business property and home due to corrupt bankers, officials and others, and rubber-stamped by a corrupt judicial system. I hand delivered him some documents and requested a meeting with him to detail which government entities/committees/commissions are a real problem for small business owners and residents. I believe that I have much to offer in assisting with his administration in moving forward and making the state of Maine a better place for business and its people. Governor LePage was very cordial, interested and receptive. He promised to meet with me. Unfortunately, a meeting did not happen with Governor LePage. However, the governor arranged a meeting with Ronald McKinnon, Dept. of Economic & Community Development, on Wednesday, May 11th. I attended the meeting with another person.
We presented several issues to Mr. McKinnon, some of which come under his “umbrella” and those that did not fall under his authority we asked that he bring to the proper channels, including Governor LePage. Relative to Maine’s business climate toward our small businesses, we presented problems we faced with non-compliance of the law, of policies, of rules and regulations by town/city officials and state employees within various agencies that are in place to protect us, but have failed us miserably and irreparably. We also presented documentation of the deceptive practices and “behind closed doors” tactics used by city officials, specifically Biddeford, Saco and Lisbon, in concert with specific individuals and financial institutions with their deceptive and unfair trade practices to steal not only our businesses, but our homes. The intentional burning of one’s home in Lisbon, followed by another loss of property in Topsham (determined as a result of arson, yet to be justified), the unlawful interference by local officials and rubber-stamped by Maine’ judicial system which only resulted in further economic loss and expense to the State of Maine and its taxpayers.
We brought forward the unresponsiveness of state officials, the “conflicts of interest”, poor job performances, lack of oversight and accountability that exist in some Maine government agencies/departments/committees/commissions which pose a real problem for small business owners and residents.
We also brought forth documented evidence which warrants investigations and/or audits into the following:
Bureau of Financial Institutions, Lloyd LaFountain
Bureau of Insurance, Mila Kofman
HUD
Attorney General’s Office (inc. Criminal Complaint)
Secretary of State
State Auditor, Neria Douglass (3 letters – no responses)
Department of Human Services (elder abuse, nursing homes, evidence of Medicaid fraud)
Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, Jonathan Wayne
Municipalities – Biddeford, Saco, Lisbon
Committee on Judicial Responsibility and Disability (the removal of judicial members policing justices will remove the “root” of the problems faced by small businesses and residents in this state.)
We requested Mr. McKinnon’s intervention in taking the necessary steps through the proper channels, including Governor LePage, to initiate investigations, audits and restitution as this is a matter of public interest and trust. After my July 17th request for an update, McKinnon responsed on September 14th with not so pleasant news. He had “explored this matter with people I trust and find no conspiracy or other unlawful acts on the part of any of the people and parties you have accused of illegal seizures of properties or persecuting actions.” What? We presented him with documented evidence, pictures, videos! Due to the vagueness of his McKinnon’s letter, I filed a FOA (Freedom of Access) request in which to provide the names of the people he trusts and reports. It took 3 FOAs for him to reply that he did not request any documents, responses, nor did he submit a report to the Governor. THIS AMOUNTS TO HEARSAY! McKinnon’s job performance is less than poor and obviously politically motivated. Who are these “trusted” people he speaks of? The same ones that our state legislators and other state employees talk to.
Through past administrations there has always been the excuse, including the Attorney General’s Office – top law enforcement agency in the State, that “there’s nothing we can do.” This being the case, it is MY opinion that the state has 2 choices: 1) replace the person in charge of an agency or 2) if an agency is not serving its purpose/mission, eliminate the agency. This would be fiscally responsible. Paying salaries of employees who fail in their job performance is a misuse of taxpayer money. Our elected officials also fall short in upholding their oaths of office and in performing their duties and obligations as the law requires. Are they incompetent, have a vested interest or have a motive to their madness? All of the above. But they do “get by with a little help from their friends.” Remember, they have “stock” in “Revolving Doors.”
With Governor LePage not realizing that he has surrounded himself with the wrong people, specifically (former) Governor Baldacci leftovers, his vision for Maine cannot, and will not, be achieved……”Maine, one where all of our citizens prosper now and into the future.” The crew is only as good as its captain.
LePage has said there are more welfare recipients in the state than income tax payers, seeking to drive home the point that the state’s systems are financially unsustainable. It only makes common sense that there would be more welfare recipients than income tax payers when people are losing their homes/businesses through fraudulent foreclosures or “behind closed doors” deals in city halls, being thrown out into the street like wild animals, and the legislature agrees wholeheartedly!
Maine is not open for business when our elected officials turn a deaf ear to the deliberate destruction of families, their constituents! For decades our representatives have refused to keep their constitutional promise to the people and have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the rule of law…..laws that they themselves created. This is when lawmakers become lawbreakers.
Governor LePage, it’s time for you to take this “bull by the horns.” The people will support you and pursuant to the Maine Constitution, Art. V, Executive Power, Section 12. Shall enforce the laws. The Governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
As manager of Marden’s, if customers reported to the supervisor(s) that people were stealing from Marden’s and the supervisor(s) did nothing, would LePage have fired his supervisor(s)? Would he take the word of his customers versus the hearsay of his supervisor(s)?
It was reported in the BDN that when LePage was manager of Marden’s they used “secret shoppers” to measure employee performance and to check on whether stores were implementing policies. The shoppers were company employees that posed as shoppers and developed valuable data for company management. “We need that in state government, “he said. “ We need to know what is really happening.”
Well, the Clarion Edict is the place to get valuable data for the state of Maine management.
Is a massive destructive political sunami ready to hit Augusta where state and federal laws are violated at the expense of our people, our lives/livelihoods, where elder abuse, police brutality, judicial misconduct, unfair trade practices, official corruption, and double standard of justice have become a way of life in the state of Maine? What happened to “people before poliltics?”
“The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
