Who REALLY represents Maine?

Mike Michaud represents Maine's second district, which consists of the "other Maine"-the Maine that increasingly relies on seasonal and self-employment to support itself. Michaud debated his challenger, Brian Hamel, just a week ago. Despite the fact that Michaud is a Democrat and Hamel a Republican, on many of the issues, the two men seemed to agree. There is a lack of good-paying jobs in Maine. Many of the manufacturing jobs-paper and shoe factory jobs that supported many families for generations in Maine-have left the state in favor of locations that have lower tax rates, better workers compensation, and lower wage expectations. The jobs that have replaced these high-paying manufacturing jobs are primarily in the service sector and, as we all know, jobs in the service sector-whether they be retail or personal service-pay a wage of eight or nine dollars an hour. When both parents work, this equates to one good-paying job, which may or may not maintain their lifestyle.

Mike Michaud promotes himself as "one of us"-the working people of Maine. However, the truth is most people in the second district do not make the high wages that Mike made as an employee of a paper mill. A large percentage of the people in Michaud's district support themselves by lobster fishing, clam digging, wreath making, logging, and other resource-focused employment. Their employment depends on the weather, the season, and the luck of whether the lobsters come in or whether the clam flats are closed due to "red tide".

Neither Michaud nor his opponent, Brian Hamel, who has been involved in the Maine Community College system and the revitalization of the Loring Air Force Base, have any idea what it is like to earn the majority of your income during a three or four-month period, then have no work for the remainder of the year. These families do not earn middle-class wages during the time that they have work. They do not have the skills or education that lead them to leave the state in record numbers-as the majority of middle and upper class young people do. Instead, they remain in Maine, struggling to feed their families, to pay the high property taxes, and to keep their homes warm.

Who really represents these families?

Hamel's campaign ads talk extensively of the need to keep our children in Maine. Yet, he has not advanced a plan to help the people who already opt to remain in Maine. It is true that there are jobs in some areas of Maine, that people could work if they so choose--and most people do choose to work. But the jobs that are available to the average Maine citizen are jobs in retail, food service, and personal care--jobs that are almost always part-time and rarely include any benefits. Brian Hamel repeatedly mentions in his ads that he brought "Phish fans...and their wallets to northern Maine". But, is seasonal tourism the answer to Maine's crippled economy?

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