We need an uncommon candidate who is tenaciously committed to the common good

I have lived nearly all of my life in Maine. I am extremely proud to be a Mainer and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to build my life here. From the bottom of my heart I love our great State and her amazing people. Yet, I am deeply troubled by what I see happening here in Maine, across our nation and around the world, as our federal government strays off course; away from the promise of our ideals. Like many of you, I am apprehensive when I think of the future that my children may face.

In 2007, in one of the wealthiest country in the world, it is completely unacceptable that working families are not able to meet their basic needs. It is unacceptable that quality jobs are exported in the name of slightly “improved” corporate profit to manufacturing centers that exploit both people and our environment. It is unacceptable that our students are not able to afford higher education. It is unacceptable that our health care system fails to serve nearly 50 million citizens. It is unacceptable that 100 million Americans live in or on the edge of poverty. It is unacceptable that our foreign policy seeks to exploit rather than to partner with the world, and that we wage war instead of peace. Many preventable and crippling struggles of our people and our nation are too often accepted as necessary, or beyond the reach of what we can overcome together.

I can no longer stand back and watch the slow deterioration of Maine and our Nation. We have lost sight of the societal fabric that binds us all together, the common good. We need leadership that understands all of the needs for this common good are interrelated, leadership built upon respect, and willing partnership with all people. We need leadership that believes in the promise of our ideals. We need bold action that is not beholden to conventional political wisdom and but rather built upon the common sense and genius of our people. Our national political dialogue needs the voice and influence of a someone who understands the struggles that American families face today. Our State needs a Senator beholden to no one except the people of Maine, completely dedicated and with unwavering commitment to securing the inalienable rights of every citizen. I will bring bold leadership to Washington by representing Maine in the U.S. Senate.

We need uncommon vision

Things have been tough. They have been extremely difficult for many, and even harsh for some. We seem lost as a people, our nation has no common vision. Serious problems are at our national doorstep. We all hunger for a better country, a better vision for our children and our grandchildren.

The realities of the struggles that are before us do not reflect the promise of our great nation, nor are they burdens that we must bear. Yet, these national and global problems demand that we act. Bold, unencumbered, visionary national leadership is needed NOW. We live in the greatest nation on earth, we can, together, create a prosperous and secure future. We need to recommit to the promise of America and decide together that we want to be a nation that holds the common good of its people as our first priority.

Our State and our Country need leadership that can see beyond how things are, and build toward what can be. I see that if we change course just a few degrees across a wide array of issues, we can empower our people, strengthen our communities, improve our economy and lead in the world again. I will remind our political establishment that, because of our interdependence, the most ethical decisions, those that best support our common humanity, are also the most financially profitable for society when all costs are measured. In the United States Senate I will represent the people of Maine with a commitment to keep the needs of our people at the heart of every decision, steadfastly immune to the political and corporate pressure that will seek to corrupt that commitment. There is no time for business as usual.

He will lead with a spirit of partnership

The drive of our political leaders to have enough money to win the next election has stifled political dialogue and leadership. Common political “wisdom” is to “lead” as little as possible for fear of alienating any interest group. Secrecy and deception have trumped transparency and honesty. The marketplace of ideas that once fueled politics in this country is suppressed, if not extinguished, and common sense, common ground solutions are few. We have become a nation at war with itself. We cannot accept this sad reality as the way things have to be. Jefferson said, “The sovereign of the people is the people.” It is time that the people nudge their government into remembering the power of partnership.

Maine needs a Senator that can transcend an overly political environment with an unwavering commitment to partner with all ALL people, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political party, economic status, or age. We to work to create the future that we want for our children and ourselves. The founders of our country, understood the wisdom and necessity of compromise and the power of collaboration.

As partners in the political process, Maine people want to be heard, and I will listen to them. As partners in the political process, Maine people want the truth and as their Senator I will always candidly provide it to them. In Maine, I see simplicity and beauty, while my heart knows there is truth and greatness within its people. The answers to all problems we face reside within the great, collective intelligence of our people. It is the birthright and responsibility of every American to help maintain the health of our democracy by participating in it. As a Senator from Maine in this new century, I will continually make time to engage the people of our State in genuine political dialogue. Together we will bring the wisdom of Maine to Washington.

We need to set a new course to reclaim the promise of our ideals

It is clear to me that our nation’s moral compass has become askew; too often we have failed to stay on the course of our ideals. Our plans are disconnected and too often our solutions are woefully inadequate. With an unwavering commitment to seek the common good, I will set a new course by making policy decisions based upon three guiding principles. All policy decisions will be made such that they consistently:

Account for the interdependence of Americans, and invest our wealth using fiscal discipline to reinforce the common good; empowering all Americans to be part of the solutions to our problems; and reassert the inalienable rights of all people so that no one suffers needlessly.

We will utilize these principles to address four broad policy goals to:

1. Empower our people.
2. Strengthen our communities.
3. Build a stable, sustainable economy.
4. Lead in partnership with the world.

Guided by our principles and focused on these goals, I intend to address root problems in our society by offering an integrated framework of bold, financially wise solutions. These will account for the interdependence of issues in our society across eight broad policy areas.

• Environment: Secure our future with decisive action to build a clean, renewable energy grid and energy stable economy.
• Commerce: Support our communities by measuring “profit” and cost accurately.
• Economy: Balance priorities for an equitable, sustainable, wealthier future for our people.
• Education: Develop the gifts and talents of all people for the common good in a new economy.
• Healthcare: Assure UNIVERSAL, equitable access to quality healthcare for all Americans.
• Welfare: Strengthen a safety net that works to lend a hand up to those in need in hard times.
• Foreign Policy: Assert collaborative international leadership to sow peace and environmental security.
• Defense: Defend our people against all true threats to their security.

We have set false limits on what we can do to help our citizens better meet the challenges of modern life. Instead, I see opportunity and abundance. I seek to change our course and to help lead our country toward its promise to protect and promote the fundamental rights of every citizen. We know that we can create the future that we want for our children and for ourselves, a future that supports the common good, rooted in equitable opportunity for all. We can revitalize the American Dream and guard the rights of every American. By reclaiming the promise of our ideals and creating conditions in which all can prosper, our country will be brought into balance and we will generate greater wealth and a greater sense of well being for our Nation. As a Senator from Maine, it will be my great honor to lead on this new course.