Debunking The Controversies Of Maine's Governor, Paul LePage, In Under 5 Minutes
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Debunking The Controversies Of Maine's Governor, Paul LePage, In Under 5 Minutes

Examining the reasoning behind his controversial acts

16
Debunking The Controversies Of Maine's Governor, Paul LePage, In Under 5 Minutes
Politico.com

Paul LePage, the governor of Maine, is currently serving his second term in Augusta. Throughout his time in office, he has been at the center of many comments, thoughts, and opinions widely considered negative and unjust. For the next couple of minutes, I would like to break down three of these events and explain why Paul LePage is not in the wrong, and should not be the target of these unfavorable remarks.

When Paul LePage Asked Chellie Pingree to Resign (Early 2017)

Chellie Pingree is Maine’s only democratic representative on Capitol Hill. When asked, she said she would not be attending the Inauguration due to strong disagreements with Trump’s opinions and his attitude. Paul LePage came forth saying that if Chellie Pingree does as she says, he believes she should resign because she would be ignoring her constitutional duties by not accepting the presidential election results. While I don’t necessarily agree with his reasoning of why she should resign, I do believe he is making a good point. The people on Capitol Hill, whether we like it or not, are the ones responsible for ensuring that our country runs as smoothly as possible. To many, these influencers and lawmakers are role models. Is the impression you would want to leave, if you were Chellie Pingree, that it is okay to disrespect the President of the United States instead of doing your best to accept that it happened, and work closely with him to change America for the better? No. LePage was spot on when he mentioned President Obama in his argument. Many Republicans were scared to death when Obama took office--both the first and second times--, but there was significantly less discourse about it. Now, two months after the election, it is time to move forward and work towards a better America. Pingree, however, is only harboring childish rhetoric. LePage’s response to Pingree was perfect and it needed to be said. If Obama can be cordial about Trump taking office, at least in the public eye, Pingree should be too.

When LePage Attacked the “D-Monies” of New England (Early 2016)

Early in 2016, LePage made national headlines for stating comments that out-of-state drug dealers were coming into Maine to sell their heroin--and impregnating some of Maine’s white women at the same time. He approached the argument by giving these dealers names such as “D-Money”, and other street names. People took these nicknames as racist attacks against drug dealers, implying that they are of a certain ethnicity or color. While many people will not agree with me, or LePage, he has a non-racially charged point. I am not a druggie, nor a drug dealer, but I knew people that were involved in some fashion with these types of people. Regardless of race, there is an intense heroin problem in Maine stimulated by drug dealers coming from more southern sates. For those that don’t know, heroin has become an increasingly larger issue, especially in southern Maine, over the past couple of years--even to the point that "safe needle deposit boxes" needed to be placed on trash cans in Portland. I closely associate LePage to Trump, in the sense that he will say what needs to be said, whether it seems inconsiderate or not. Remember how I said he said younger white women? Well, whether it is exclusive or not, Maine is approximately 95% white, so he wasn’t off base. Maine, in its democratic bubble, needs a governor that isn’t afraid to say the truth, and LePage did just that in this incident.

When LePage Got Questioned by the N.A.A.C.P for No Reason (2012)

After recently being elected to his first term, LePage decided to not be in attendance at some Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, due to scheduling conflicts. The N.A.A.C.P. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) jumped on this and ran with it saying that they felt slighted and that his decision to not attend showed that he was not going to pay attention to their interests. His response was simple, yet worked in the way it needed to. He said they could, “kiss my butt” (NYTimes). I stand with LePage wholly on this. Like honestly, did the nation decide to all become pre-schoolers at once? "Oh, he didn’t have time to come see me so I need to be sad and hurt." This is politics people, not kindergarten! I get it, he has made some controversial comments. One such being the fact that he told some fisherman he would tell “President Obama to go to hell” (NYTimes). So, naturally, it would be okay for the N.A.A.C.P. to initially worry about what his policies would look like. However, he has a black adopted son, so it would be absurd to automatically assume he is racist. Secondly, they weren’t arguing that he was acting corrupt, they were mad that he did not come to a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. Please America, climb out of the hole we seem to be in, it's time to start a new era of understanding, and leave the ignorance in 2016.


Sources:

http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2017/01...

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/01/07/lepage-accus...

https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/...

https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/mai...

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47452
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30072
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954174
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

170343
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments