It was sad to hear that Senator Olympia Snowe would not be running for re-election. She served our state with distinction for years, but the struggles and frustration eventually became too much for her. She remained true to her beliefs despite the temptations that Washington can thrust upon you. She voted with her head, she voted with her heart, and she refused to vote along party lines just to be accepted by her peers. She had become an exception rather than a rule.
We have become two countries, both acting like bickering siblings who can never get along. The Democrats want bigger government with more liberal individual oversight, and the Republicans want smaller government with more freedoms. Who is to say which party is correct? How about neither of them? Heaven forbid we compromise!
For 21 years I was blessed to be the President of the Maine Association of Police. MAP is the largest police organization in the state and we represent over 50 individual police associations across the state. We had to make decisions that would impact bargaining, arbitrations, our budget, and often individual careers. I’m sure that when the board sat around a table making these decisions we never polled the crowd to determine the political affiliations present.
We tried to make decisions based on what was right, what was fair, and what was in the best interest of the association. Novel approach I assume. I am so proud of my time with MAP and I wish some politicians would stop by a meeting and see how to infuse common sense into the decision making process.
I may actually support a candidate running to take Snowe’s seat in the Senate, but I need to find that person who exudes confidence, common sense, and the willingness to find common ground. I sure hope they’re out there! I’ll let you know if I find
