Out-of-State money in Maine

I was coming up the Maine Turnpike yesterday and what I saw was a lot of out-of-state money. There were cars from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and a smattering of other states all bringing money to Maine. You could see plenty of water craft on top or behind - kayaks, canoes, surfboards, speedboats; camping gear and trailers; plenty of bikes - all destined for a vacation in Vacationland. And it all translated into money. That’s what we need in Maine, money from out-of-staters. We love it. It’s good money! - But don’t bring the virus!

But there’s another kind of out-of-state money that people don’t like so much. It’s the money that’s going to the senatorial campaigns of Sara Gideon and Sue Collin. It’s an obscene amount of money. In July the Bangor Daily News reported that forty million dollars had been dedicated to the two campaigns; somewhere around $30.00 for every man, woman and child in the state; more than $50.00  for every actual voter. 

It seems like a major campaign issue is just how tainted-out-of-state money is. Collins says that the four-million-dollar anti-Kavanaugh fund was an attempt to bribe her in voting No in his Supreme Court bid. Gideon says her opponent is getting lots of money from far away PACS. Lord knows that the candidates will never raise that kind of money from Mainers alone. 

Why so much out-of-state money? It’s because the election of any senator in that closely divided body has national implications. Collins voted to save Obamacare, but she also voted for an ill-advised tax cut for those who needed it least. And for Justice Kavanaugh. And for most of what Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump want. In summary, she is a Trumpian enabler. The country doesn’t need her in the senate. Forget the money. Just vote!