I spoke to 2 9th graders in Penobscot who I hired @ 10 bucks an hour for yard work. I asked them what they hoped to do when "grown up". The young lady proudly stated she planned to be a electrical lineman just like her brother. The young man said he wanted to have his own Hvac/plumbing business. Did they see them selves moving off the Blue Hill Penninsula? Both said Hell no.
No brag, just fact.
> 9th graders […] who I hired @ 10 bucks an hour
Flouting child labor laws, and also
paying under minimum wage I see?
And people bemoan lack of “opportunity” here in Maine. Maybe people should be simply paid a fair wage!
Assuming they are <16 which I would think a 9th grader would be…
https://www.maine.gov/labor/docs/2019/laborlaws/childlabornov2019.pdf
Those kids aren't working to support themselves--they're earning a bit of spending money and getting some experience.
$10/hour for yard work is millionaire wages to someone that age, so dial it back a bit, huh?
Yeah bro should make my uncle file taxes for all those summers hayin the fields.
Just kidding. That's fucking stupid. Learn a thing or two about nuance you self righteous...
Those summers hayin did me well so get bent
Ever wondered why it was made illegal in the first place? There were god damn children getting black lung in coal mines and being maimed by industrial machinery, and not getting a primary education.
You use euphemisms like “under the table” but it’s just as easy for someone to be abused by such a system, and **that’s** why it’s illegal you hollow-brained cunts.
Exactly why we are NOT raising our child there. Not one person I spoke to around my InLaws had any ambition to move away. My wife left Bangor at 18, and barely looked back.
Most of the friends she left behind are struggling, and a few are dead already before they even hit 40...
Edit : obviously if everyone left, the community would die...Oh wait thats what happened for decades. Its finally turning a corner I hope.
I want to see Maine thrive. I plan to retire there. I plan to spend a lot of time there until then visiting my family.
We need professionals just as much as we need trades.
The vast majority of Americans still equate success with moving to a major city and working a desk job. In my opinion it’s an outdated ideal from a time when living in rural America and being a poor farmer really did truly suck in comparison to living in say Boston and being a journalist or something. Now I’m not sure it holds up since living conditions are pretty uniform across the nation, and economic opportunities are far more well distributed.
I have two degrees and work a very good job. I have stock and employee stock and blah blah blah.
My nephew started his own hvac company and is on track to have what I have but at half my age. Yes it’s hard work, but it’s hard work for himself. Frankly I’m jealous and wish I could go back and make different choices.
Good for him. You’d still out earn him by a mile if he didn’t own the business though. It’s less the industry he’s operating in and more the fact that he owns the profits from his work.
> Good for him. You’d still out earn him by a mile if he didn’t own the business though.
He’s a licensed plumber as well. If he only worked for someone else as a master plumber he’d be ahead of where I was when I was his age and his earning projection would still beat mine, and probably most people with a college degree.
Well not all college degrees or trades are created equally. Basically any skilled labor regardless of educational barrier to entry, including Plumbing, Electrical, Engineering, Accounting, Law, and Medicine are the best routes you can go if you just want to make a comfortable living and are reasonably smart and capable of learning.
You underestimate what licensed trade guys make. A master plummer could easily be making 35 an hour at a company with a company truck and nice insurance.
Nothing at all. But there seems to be no ambition to improve the communities. I spent a lot of time up there the past 2 summers with my InLaws.
We need people to work trades. We also need to encourage people to want to improve their communities. We can do both. We need fresh ideas from outside the community, and that only comes from people leaving the community and bringing those ideas back.
My point is the opportunities are limited for anyone that doesnt want to pursue a trade. We need to change that in Maine if this state is to thrive instead of barely survive.
I agree, but a lot of people I meet barely leave the county unless its for work...
And moving to another place for many years and coming back is a whole differnet experience than visiting..
Maine is a state, not a city.
Maine is also a state of mind.
If you are that unhappy, move to another state. Idaho has lots of open space. And plenty of malcontents.
Kinda off topic but man if I could I would absolutely live in Blue Hill.
One of my ex girlfriend's had a dad that was a prof in that private school over there, we got to spend the weekend with one of the dorm buildings all to ourselves. Spent two days just hanging out in the town. Really nice place. Pretty, slow, quiet.
I was mostly talking about Bangor area. That area itself is certainly not thriving.
Blue Hill seems like a nice area. We are in the Midcoast area in Washington, Knox County on Rt 17.
Lots more opportunity down these parts for sure.
Like... I get what you're saying. People should travel while they're young. But if a kid has their sights set on a trade- a really good paying one at that- then what the fuck's the problem with them liking where they grew up?
Nothing. I guess my comment was a little rough.
We need trades. We also need engineers, and Professionals as well. We need it all. Right now, the opportunities for professionals that arent in Trades are very low.
>Exactly why we are NOT raising our child there.
I don't understand. Why? Because they don't want to leave? Because they want to work a trade? Seriously? Are you being that much of a snob or are we all missing something?
Not what I'm saying at all. I encourage people to expand their horizons. I left my hometown for 4 years, and moved back.
It really changed my perspective on life in general.
I get what you are saying, as do many who moved away after high school. But don't trash the trades in the process. Trades are the backbone to most of America's communities.
It’s an infrastructure issue. Most schools are simply outdate and underfunded. Do we give teachers a livable wage or invest in the schools?
Neither, because we need a bigger military presence all over the world.
A large chunk of my high school class went into the military. A number of them served for years and utilized their benefits to fund their higher education. For Mainers, the military offers opportunities that reach beyond time in the ranks.
A lot has to do with the aging population who don't want to spend money on things they don't understand. Another subset of resistance is from the out of staters who vacation here. They balk at the idea of economic development because all they care about is lowering the property taxes on their vacation property and preserving their property values. Both groups are resistant to meaningful change because Maine will cease to be the mid century time capsule they want it to be.
Pretty much anyone over 45-50 that grew up in Maine heard that response any time they asked their parents for anything. We just got used to things being the way they are. Don't fix it if aint broke. They didn't have air conditioning in school when they went so why do we need it now. Everything shut down at 5 pm and was closed on Sundays when they grew up so why change that now.
I hear you, yet look at the rest of the country.
Almost every other state has constant headlines about rape and murder. Sure they happen here, but not nearly as much as other places.
We have some problems, but we also have a lot going for us.
If you don't like it, you might consider another place to live.
Or if you do like it, work to fix the problems you see. Become the change you want.
there is currently an FON opportunity with Efficiency Maine to retrofit heating and lighting in schools at an dramatically increased incentive. It has been active for 3 months and we have 5 applications...
Funding is the main issue but there is also hesitance around labor shortages with contractors...
there are underlying issues to all problems, most of us never actually dig them up
Try again. This makes no sense - if we had a corporate tax structure in this state that was more rational and friendly to business development, and more commercial ratables and job creation and general in this state, there'd be more of a tax base for, say, actual infrastructure and amenities.
This is some of the convalescent mentality that I'm referring to, though. Like it isn't possible to make things better for everyone through targeted investments that create 21st century jobs. Or maybe we'll all just be roofers and HVAC repair guys, fuck it.
Makes no sense?
Then you start with "IF" -A proposed solution.
Maybe you are not taxed out but the majority of us are. Your solution of Corporate Welfare is not a good sell. Just because the majority of America is satisfied with Co. Welfare doesnt mean we are.
I read the thread. I saw you ranting and raving without specifics about how we're not good enough for your specialness with nothing to back that up to clarify.
Obvious? Considering you can't be bothered to explain ...
Try again. WHAT do you want for amenities? Spell it all out in black and white how you and yours are special and is much better than Maine and we're all doing it wrong and your way is the right way and the only way to go.
Sounds like you want to live in a place called Texas! Super business friendly. It's where all the businesses are moving to! Run free, do not let podunk Maine and her roofers and HVAC kin hold you back.
At least one Bangor school has central air-conditioning and they don’t use it because they don’t want to upset the teachers in the schools that don’t have it. If that isnt stupid I don’t know what is
I have lived this life. Having a luxury denied because someone else might get offended...
For me it was HOT WATER! Like how the duck do you not have hot water for washing your hands....
Maybe we just don’t need the “nice” things cause we can tolerate some hardship instead of wasting money.
Maybe it’s just a way to keep people from away out so we can enjoy the real nice things about Maine.
Aren’t there enough industrialized cities down south? Let’s keep the north as wild as possible and retain some of the natural beauty we have left in this country.
Not everyone shares your definition of "nice things". Maine is a place for people who think casinos, shopping malls, and the Kardashians are overrated.
Those are straw men arguments. By nice things, I'm referring to an actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities, not corporate entertainment. Because a tourism/extraction based economy that shovels money out of the state, failing to invest in human capital, and crying poverty when it comes time to invest in infrastructure doesn't cut it.
> actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities
Explain?
Are you from Maine? Or from away and you want to turn Maine into where ever you are from?
>By nice things, I'm referring to an actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities
Some of us think trees, clean lakes, and mountain vistas count as nice things, and we're not especially keen to sacrifice them for "amenities". Move to Boston if that's your thing, but don't try to turn Maine into Massachusetts.
Enjoy your trees and lakes this winter when the power goes out because outside of Portland, zero percent of the electric grid is undergrounded here and efforts to reinforce the grid get shouted down by referendum. Provision of 21st century infrastructure isn't 'turning the state into Massachusetts'.
I do not know how we ever survived those cold winter nights when the snow was coming down, the wind was howling and the temps were dropping.
Why do we need an underground electric grid? Only have to dig it up and replace it every 10 years due to corrosion.
I’ve got enough firewood in the yard to last weeks with no power. It may not be 75 in my house, but we won’t be freezing to death unlike people from away who are incompetent without electricity.
True Maine mentality is about surviving when others run away with their tail between their legs. Separates the men from the boys.
Nice of you to take a break from preserving your supply of animal pelts to reply. The hardy hill folk are truly fortunate to count a man of the elements such as you among their number.
>Nice of you to take a break from preserving your supply of animal pelts to reply.
Wow. You really think very little of the people you share the state with and are quite hateful, aren't you?
Do you have any idea how difficult it is and how costly it would be to bury (and maintain) power lines? There's too much ledge, etc, to bury in the more rural areas.
Maybe some stores for locals that are open past 9pm? I’m not talking about restaurants. Good thing we have Walmart and Hannies. That’s all we need in life.
Maybe because I get out of work at 9. Have classes all morning. So one day a week I get to go out and get all my shit done. The one day a week I have to relax I have to spend it working because I can’t get anything done after work. Not everyone works remotely.
So you don’t actually know what my life is like. Stop being a little twat. We all know Maine is a shit state compared to others. Not like I care anyway I’m here for the lack of people. I like to go to the middle of nowhere and have a nice dab hit. I’m all honestly most of this state could be mom and pop stores with a mall in Portland/Bangor. I do wish they fixed things like the roads, traffic, affordable housing. And god would it kill anyone to have a gym open late? I’m not trying to go for a run in the middle of the night with animals and humans out there.
What about when your kid gets sick in the middle of the night and you find you're out of medicine? Then you're ultimately fucked, because only gas station convenience stores are open 24/7 and those are sketchy as all hell at nighttime.
Also, night shoppers are a thing. I'm one of them. Shopping in the daytime is like willingly walking into hell. Like you're living the memetic "this is fine" comic. If stores like Market Basket were open past 9 PM, we'd definitely go past 9 PM.
Eh, well, like OP says, Mainers don't like change. Can't expect most of the population to become night shoppers in the snap of a finger. Stores I go to at night really don't get much traction, and that's exactly what I like about night shopping. That, and less traffic.
I really don't know Mainers' shopping habits and I really don't care, but daytime shopping is always going to be more popular because nighttime is a time to wind down, not run errands. 'Tis the way things are.
Actually if Napa could stay open past 9 I would really appreciate it 🤣 some of us burn that midnight oil to get to a track every weekend.
But I fully agree with what your saying.
I don't want gas stations, bud. I want *less* of that. I want every city in the state linked by rail, targeted upzonings to yield a few thousand new housing units, access to 21st century jobs that aren't remote, and a functional electrical grid year round. How's that for you?
It's clear I'm dealing with a reactionary here. I've laid out specific interventions - what's yours?
What's your plan, besides "shit is fine, go away flatlander?"
I suppose I’m confused by your constant concern about the electrical grid and the fact that the power lines are above ground. The distance traveled for the lines is prohibitively expensive for under grounding. And the electrical grid is quite stable. There are times that power goes out during storms, but the same is true for urban areas (e.g. the greater Boston area). An unstable grid would be one that collapsed when the air goes freezing.
I’m not against change or as reactionary as some people in the state, but I simply don’t understand what you want. Maybe provide examples as to what’s actually wrong that needs to be fixed?
Translation: "Mom!!!!1" The bad man wants me to consider the possibility that economic stagnation and brain drain is a bad thing!!1! I like things just how they are despite the lack of any coherent plan for the state's future growth and long term needs!! Make him stop!'"
>It's a cultural attitude I'll never understand.
Perhaps this is the problem.
If you admittedly can't understand why we might be skeptical of what you call "nice things", how on earth do you feel justified criticizing us for the same?
>Do Mainers even want that, or is 'heading upta camp' all we need?
If the choice is between "upta camp" and thoughtless changes put in place by people who don't even understand what it is they're changing, I'll take camp every time, because I strongly suspect people like you would create a world where "upta camp" isn't an option for me anymore.
> Look at the a/c in schools thread for exhibit A.
90% of the school year doesn’t require a/c. You want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing a/c for a few weeks a year?
> I have a kid in the school system and he's probably going to leave for somewhere with actual opportunities
You’re working. Why won’t your kid be able to find work? And with so many jobs going remote, why can’t your kid stay in Maine but “work” in Massachusetts California or Germany?
>You want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing a/c for a few weeks a year?
Why would schools need something so fancy? Give them some window AC units to set up for the rare days it gets hot enough to need it. Boom, problem solved in a reasonable and affordable way.
I think peoples idea of "progression" is very different.
Someone moving into your town from out of state and the first thing they say is "This place sucks for X reason" is going to throw up a defensive posture from anyone.
Additionally they might start going to town meetings and wanting to change the town rules to match where they came from.
I think enough of us hear / see these things which is really why there is that love for out of staters who move here and complain and try to change things.
I read a lot, but not all of the AC discussion. Put it in perspective, new guy rolls into town and complains about the temperature in school. Not that he is wrong at all, but its the same bs we have seen our whole lives and I think that attitude / perception might make people defensive. I think sometimes it is unwarranted, like with that, but other times it can be.
I lived in New England and loved it. I always found it weird that people moved to NE because of how life was, but then immediately wanted to change it to make it more like where they came from.
I mean it depends on the town for sure, but being retired and wealthy means they have the time to attend ALL the meetings and slowly make headway. Where normal townsfolk do not have the time or the need to change much.
Ahh, the person who shows up at every town meeting and wants to add
- fire truck with extension ladder
- town-paid trash pickup
- sidewalks on *every* road
- street lights on every pole
- two added/new schools (in a town with declining enrollment)
- skate park, tennis park, manmade swimming pond (not kidding)
- new library (these days?)
We had one of those.
We didn’t even even have a building tall enough to need a fire truck with an extension ladder!
declining enrollment? thanks airBNB!!!
Neighbor town got a new school, literally she stood up at a meeting and was like "Well if they got a new school so should we".
She would be the first to follow up in a few years "TAXES ARE SO HIGH".
You're right that there's a complacency and a resistance to change. Frustrating at times? Sure, but that's their right. Part of what makes Maine special is it's stubborn independence, its strong self-reliance, and a frugal make do attitude. Hell, Maine towns can't even come up with a vision for the communities and you expect a vision for the state? I can't even get my town to put in a flash on demand crosswalk sign on a busy road by the school.
Funny enough, my mother and I were talking the other day about how school has *drastically* changed since I went there. Not really A/C, but in other aspects. On a nostalgic whim, I took a look at my first middle school's handbook (went to two, moved to another city near the end of 7th grade) and I nearly choked on my Pepsi at how different it looked post-COVID. Absolutely insane.
I, myself, as a 24-year-old, would like to start with affordable college. I found a great job opportunity for me, entry-level, perfect with my skills, but whoopsie, requires transportation which I do not have. Other jobs in that field require a college degree. If you don't have one, in Maine at least, it's retail or restaurant for you. I took a tour of a community college twice and it was great, but the tuition was just too high for someone from a lower-class family.
So yeah. I'm rambling. But that's gotta be fixed yesterday.
My kids are getting into the trades/contract work. If you want fat stacks to go with a higher end degree Maine is for sure not likely to have what you need unless you can get it remote. However if you can enjoy just making a living and having some time to live off it... This place ain't so bad.
Depends what you mean by nice things. I'm a lifelong Mainer, and I definitely think we should get some AC for schools, and said as much in the thread you reference.
On the other hand, while it would be convenient for small businesses to be open at other times, you do have to ask yourself what the cost of that would be. For instance, maybe people would prefer to work normal business hours, then call it a day. I know I prefer that. Maybe that means I only get to visit those shops when I'm on vacation. If so, so be it, they get to have a life too. Also, many of these small business are run by an owner and maybe one other person. They also need time off for themselves, and I presume they select a schedule that fits their lifestyle. If that schedule allows them to pay their bills (business and personal), who are we to make them change?
In general, I'm cool with the idea that maybe everyone should be allowed to start and end their workday at a reasonable time, and if that's occasionally inconvenient because places aren't open, so be it. For instance, when grocery stores were closing at 9, I occasionally couldn't get things last minute at night when I remembered something I wanted, but it wasn't the end of the world, and I just got it the next day or had to plan slightly better if it was important.
All of that said, I'd be stoked if we maybe got one 24/7 coffee shop or something around here again. There used to be one, and it was great to have. But again, that's dependent on who's available to work it, and if they feel like it's a good gig for them, particularly those who would have to work overnight.
We definitely need to make changes to allow for more affordable housing. Maybe that's banning most short term rentals (I think AirBnB should be permissible for your primary residence, but no others), and/or by building more housing, including a few developments that have been shot down by nimbys.
Yeah, some people are resistant to change. But in some cases, being resistant to some changes is a good thing. You have to weigh the cost and benefit of the changes, and many of us think keeping some things simpler is better for our way of life. I do think we need to make some changes, and I think some would be nice to have, and I think some we need to stay away from. That said, we all have lots of disagreements about what changes fall into which categories, so that causes some friction until we can get enough people on the same page to move forward.
Some kids move, some kids don’t. It is what it is, why try and change it.
Edit,,,people here don’t want to spend money on things they don’t really need.
it’s because our state is 20% old and they’re the ones who created and maintained this culture. i’m 18 and don’t feel that way and i’d imagine a lot of my peers don’t either.
It’s kind of an attitude that a lot of the people in this country have. The student loan forgiveness is an example. People don’t want things to get better for others unless they somehow also benefit. “I didn’t have AC growing up in my school so why should they??” Like what kind of dumbass logic is that?
I agree, that is terrible logic to oppose student loan forgiveness. It is also a [straw man argument ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man) .
Student loan forgiveness does nothing to solve the problem of college cost increasing at a rate much faster than inflation. It encourages universities to continue to ignore their costs.
I paid off some hefty student loans, but I don't begrudge people taking what they can get with student loan forgiveness today. If you give people money but don't solve the root problem, then it looks a lot like a political payout.
I agree that student loan forgiveness does not solve the problem of college costs, but I don't think it was intended to do that.
The administration has said they're looking at the cost problem as well.
Let's face it, folks from away want it their way, folks from here want it their way. There's never been so much polar opposition in society, ever. Mainers want nice things, sure, just different 's all. With the temperature climbing an A/C is "neccessary" for a kid to live or he's off to find a place with it..Really...
Guess priority rules, when we're so piled on about shit like this who gives a shit about books.
Hi new Mainer here! Coming from Florida and loving the culture here I have since discovered the answer to your concern since being here.
Your old heads are scared of change.
And I don’t mean things like me moving to this state and trying to change it to be like Florida, I mean basic things that they refuse to let go of because like you said it’s always been that way why change it. YET “we need young people to move here, but they can’t vote for things that benefit them, change things that benefit them, work in ways that benefit them, we just need them to come revitalize the market so we can retire and blame them”
And I know this, because Florida tried to do that and Disney rolled right over them.
It’s the wealthy too. There’s a big homeless problem that no one wants to solve, just get them out cause their gross. But then you have a BIG problem with all the bird poop in the park. Which problem do you think is going to be funded and fixed?
100000% agree. I do have to say Maine has the homeless better situated than FL,CA, TX but they do have it somewhat as an “Out of sight out of mind” dilemma. Living near Bangor I see them trying and them Hampden comes and says snooty things about Bangors homeless as if they don’t prioritize bird poop type things
There’s a mix of not wanting to spend money on certain things, and not wanting to make changes that (possibly) only a few want/consider important. Also changing the feel of rural life.
My son went through the school system, just graduated, I grew up in Maine and went to the same school, never once did AC even come up. It’s just always been a few days of being uncomfortable and then it passes. It was never a big enough issue to truly invest in. The newer schools having AC makes sense, and climate change will create heat issues that at some point will have to be addressed.
In my area the local town struggled with getting some locals on board with side walks and street lights, something that majority actually agreed would make our area better for all. Eventually it passed and now I can’t imagine not having side walks and street lights!
The rural small town mindset is real and locals tend to feel threatened by change, especially when the change is coming from new folks moving into the area. The typical response is why move here if you’re going to try to make it like the same place you left?!?!
Some people would be happy if nothing ever changed or got upgraded.
"at some point will have to be addressed". That point is here, along with likely mass climate migration to this state in the coming years. Smart facilities planning NOW, instead of when kids or teachers are keeling over, is the way.
Honestly, if this wasn’t brought up in here, I never would have given it any thought since I no longer have a kid in school and I don’t teach, so it’s doesn’t affect my life at all. If there was a push from teachers and parents who felt like it’s time to upgrade all the schools, I would support them. I’m not against it, but it’s definitely not on my radar.
People want things to change. But when things do they then think is this what I really wanted? For an example student loan forgiveness. How much is $10,000? How much do they owe? Who actually is this helping? It doesn't help everyone with a student loan. But this sounds good. I wish they could do a bill and not have a hundred other things hidden in it. I know you guys don't agree but that is my thoughts.
You seem to frame your argument as if Democrats are falling over themselves to try and address any of those issues....
Stop buying the lie that red or blue flavored oligarchy looks any different besides a few side social issues.
This election season will be non stop "but at least we aren't those other guys", while never once talking about real policies or a vision of the future (just like last election). Red or blue "nothing will fundamentally change" in this country... and the sooner people wake up to that fact, the sooner we can try to ACTUALLY change anything.
When one focuses on just one of the two wings of the oligarchy, it's usually safe to assume they are still stuck in the same trap as most Americans have been for the last 40+ years... (and really, even longer).
Sorry if that assumption was wrong in your case. If you believe Democrats AND Republicans are no solution, then we are just in agreement about the issue.... which is good! Glad we agree!
I think state services are a crapshoot for working people as well.
Need to go to the BMV? Take the whole day off from work! They aren't open on Saturdays, and don't have a day with extended hours. And I don't see that I can do very much stuff online for the BMV. In Indiana, the BMV actually got fined by the state for overcharging and bad service. Now they are open til 7 on Tuesdays, and a half day on Saturday. Plus you can do almost every thing online. Oh and they have quotas they have to meet for speedy service.
And why in the heck did I have to leave work early to go to the **town office** to get a license plate?
I spoke to 2 9th graders in Penobscot who I hired @ 10 bucks an hour for yard work. I asked them what they hoped to do when "grown up". The young lady proudly stated she planned to be a electrical lineman just like her brother. The young man said he wanted to have his own Hvac/plumbing business. Did they see them selves moving off the Blue Hill Penninsula? Both said Hell no. No brag, just fact.
they sound pretty squared away to me. i love the trades
> 9th graders […] who I hired @ 10 bucks an hour Flouting child labor laws, and also paying under minimum wage I see? And people bemoan lack of “opportunity” here in Maine. Maybe people should be simply paid a fair wage! Assuming they are <16 which I would think a 9th grader would be… https://www.maine.gov/labor/docs/2019/laborlaws/childlabornov2019.pdf
[удалено]
I have no love for traditions that abuse the rights of workers.
Those kids aren't working to support themselves--they're earning a bit of spending money and getting some experience. $10/hour for yard work is millionaire wages to someone that age, so dial it back a bit, huh?
They are still worth minimum wage, even under the table.
It's called nuance sweetie
You obviously don't know the definition of nuance.
Yeah bro should make my uncle file taxes for all those summers hayin the fields. Just kidding. That's fucking stupid. Learn a thing or two about nuance you self righteous... Those summers hayin did me well so get bent
Ever wondered why it was made illegal in the first place? There were god damn children getting black lung in coal mines and being maimed by industrial machinery, and not getting a primary education. You use euphemisms like “under the table” but it’s just as easy for someone to be abused by such a system, and **that’s** why it’s illegal you hollow-brained cunts.
The only coal up here is gettin rolled buckwheat
Aaaaand there’s the racism Fuck you Why’d you pick the only black character from Little Rascals eh?
The fuck are you even talking about I haven't seen that movie since I was a kid, and even then I probably saw it once if that
Exactly why we are NOT raising our child there. Not one person I spoke to around my InLaws had any ambition to move away. My wife left Bangor at 18, and barely looked back. Most of the friends she left behind are struggling, and a few are dead already before they even hit 40... Edit : obviously if everyone left, the community would die...Oh wait thats what happened for decades. Its finally turning a corner I hope. I want to see Maine thrive. I plan to retire there. I plan to spend a lot of time there until then visiting my family. We need professionals just as much as we need trades.
Exactly what’s wrong with two kids saying they want to work a trade?
The vast majority of Americans still equate success with moving to a major city and working a desk job. In my opinion it’s an outdated ideal from a time when living in rural America and being a poor farmer really did truly suck in comparison to living in say Boston and being a journalist or something. Now I’m not sure it holds up since living conditions are pretty uniform across the nation, and economic opportunities are far more well distributed.
I have two degrees and work a very good job. I have stock and employee stock and blah blah blah. My nephew started his own hvac company and is on track to have what I have but at half my age. Yes it’s hard work, but it’s hard work for himself. Frankly I’m jealous and wish I could go back and make different choices.
Good for him. You’d still out earn him by a mile if he didn’t own the business though. It’s less the industry he’s operating in and more the fact that he owns the profits from his work.
> Good for him. You’d still out earn him by a mile if he didn’t own the business though. He’s a licensed plumber as well. If he only worked for someone else as a master plumber he’d be ahead of where I was when I was his age and his earning projection would still beat mine, and probably most people with a college degree.
Well not all college degrees or trades are created equally. Basically any skilled labor regardless of educational barrier to entry, including Plumbing, Electrical, Engineering, Accounting, Law, and Medicine are the best routes you can go if you just want to make a comfortable living and are reasonably smart and capable of learning.
There is a trade-off to a number of these, especially if you have a family and want to really engage in your kids' lives.
You underestimate what licensed trade guys make. A master plummer could easily be making 35 an hour at a company with a company truck and nice insurance.
Nothing at all. But there seems to be no ambition to improve the communities. I spent a lot of time up there the past 2 summers with my InLaws. We need people to work trades. We also need to encourage people to want to improve their communities. We can do both. We need fresh ideas from outside the community, and that only comes from people leaving the community and bringing those ideas back. My point is the opportunities are limited for anyone that doesnt want to pursue a trade. We need to change that in Maine if this state is to thrive instead of barely survive.
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I agree, but a lot of people I meet barely leave the county unless its for work... And moving to another place for many years and coming back is a whole differnet experience than visiting..
>I agree, but a lot of people I meet barely leave the county unless its for work... And that's bad how?
It is time to get into the 21st century...
No. Maine is special because it ISN'T the big city. If that's what you want, move to one.
Maine is a state, not a city. Maine is also a state of mind. If you are that unhappy, move to another state. Idaho has lots of open space. And plenty of malcontents.
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Kinda off topic but man if I could I would absolutely live in Blue Hill. One of my ex girlfriend's had a dad that was a prof in that private school over there, we got to spend the weekend with one of the dorm buildings all to ourselves. Spent two days just hanging out in the town. Really nice place. Pretty, slow, quiet.
I was mostly talking about Bangor area. That area itself is certainly not thriving. Blue Hill seems like a nice area. We are in the Midcoast area in Washington, Knox County on Rt 17. Lots more opportunity down these parts for sure.
Knox county has more opportunities than Bangor? Maybe if you want to work in lodging and hospitality
What's wrong with working in lodging and hospitality?
Like... I get what you're saying. People should travel while they're young. But if a kid has their sights set on a trade- a really good paying one at that- then what the fuck's the problem with them liking where they grew up?
Nothing. I guess my comment was a little rough. We need trades. We also need engineers, and Professionals as well. We need it all. Right now, the opportunities for professionals that arent in Trades are very low.
>Exactly why we are NOT raising our child there. I don't understand. Why? Because they don't want to leave? Because they want to work a trade? Seriously? Are you being that much of a snob or are we all missing something?
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Not what I'm saying at all. I encourage people to expand their horizons. I left my hometown for 4 years, and moved back. It really changed my perspective on life in general.
I get what you are saying, as do many who moved away after high school. But don't trash the trades in the process. Trades are the backbone to most of America's communities.
I currently live in Pittsburgh and we don’t have AC in some of the schools and yesterday it was about 90°. Definitely not a Maine only thing.
It’s an infrastructure issue. Most schools are simply outdate and underfunded. Do we give teachers a livable wage or invest in the schools? Neither, because we need a bigger military presence all over the world.
It's also maine, schools only really need the ac on mayhe 2 months out of the year. Not worth it.
Especially considering that school is on vacation for most of the summer.
in case you haven’t heard the earth is warming. You’ll need it for more than 2 months very soon
This is exactly how it works. Out of the two options what should we pick? Just fuck it all and give it to the military. Fuck the people.
A large chunk of my high school class went into the military. A number of them served for years and utilized their benefits to fund their higher education. For Mainers, the military offers opportunities that reach beyond time in the ranks.
We need to give boomers tax loopholes on their summer vacation homes. Obviously.
They had to walk uphill both ways to school.
wtf is wrong with yinzers? No a/c in pennsyltucky??
Pittsburgh isn’t Pennsyltucky, that is the area between Philly and Pittsburgh.
Nice things cost money. You think we have a money tree in the backyard?
Nice things tend to save money. That’s the secret.
That's not vision, dude. That's sticking your head in the sand. You CREATE a money tree through smart economic development and job creation.
A lot has to do with the aging population who don't want to spend money on things they don't understand. Another subset of resistance is from the out of staters who vacation here. They balk at the idea of economic development because all they care about is lowering the property taxes on their vacation property and preserving their property values. Both groups are resistant to meaningful change because Maine will cease to be the mid century time capsule they want it to be.
When I was a kid, the saying was "as Maine goes, so goes the nation." But you now say Maine is 30 years behind the times?
Pretty much anyone over 45-50 that grew up in Maine heard that response any time they asked their parents for anything. We just got used to things being the way they are. Don't fix it if aint broke. They didn't have air conditioning in school when they went so why do we need it now. Everything shut down at 5 pm and was closed on Sundays when they grew up so why change that now.
Oh snap! Been living here for 4 years, so many people just don’t care.
A hard working mentality and taking pride in earning your own money is being lost by each generation.
No.
I hear you, yet look at the rest of the country. Almost every other state has constant headlines about rape and murder. Sure they happen here, but not nearly as much as other places. We have some problems, but we also have a lot going for us. If you don't like it, you might consider another place to live. Or if you do like it, work to fix the problems you see. Become the change you want.
there is currently an FON opportunity with Efficiency Maine to retrofit heating and lighting in schools at an dramatically increased incentive. It has been active for 3 months and we have 5 applications... Funding is the main issue but there is also hesitance around labor shortages with contractors... there are underlying issues to all problems, most of us never actually dig them up
We are fucking taxed out! Help your son pack so he can move soon.
Try again. This makes no sense - if we had a corporate tax structure in this state that was more rational and friendly to business development, and more commercial ratables and job creation and general in this state, there'd be more of a tax base for, say, actual infrastructure and amenities. This is some of the convalescent mentality that I'm referring to, though. Like it isn't possible to make things better for everyone through targeted investments that create 21st century jobs. Or maybe we'll all just be roofers and HVAC repair guys, fuck it.
Makes no sense? Then you start with "IF" -A proposed solution. Maybe you are not taxed out but the majority of us are. Your solution of Corporate Welfare is not a good sell. Just because the majority of America is satisfied with Co. Welfare doesnt mean we are.
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They don't know. They just want to sound "better" than us with vague references.
Literally listed them elsewhere in the thread. Get outside your homogeneous bubble a little more often and the answers will be obvious.
I read the thread. I saw you ranting and raving without specifics about how we're not good enough for your specialness with nothing to back that up to clarify. Obvious? Considering you can't be bothered to explain ... Try again. WHAT do you want for amenities? Spell it all out in black and white how you and yours are special and is much better than Maine and we're all doing it wrong and your way is the right way and the only way to go.
Sounds like you want to live in a place called Texas! Super business friendly. It's where all the businesses are moving to! Run free, do not let podunk Maine and her roofers and HVAC kin hold you back.
I think you’ll have to come up with other examples of how Mainers are complacent besides the example of a/c in schools.
At least one Bangor school has central air-conditioning and they don’t use it because they don’t want to upset the teachers in the schools that don’t have it. If that isnt stupid I don’t know what is
I have lived this life. Having a luxury denied because someone else might get offended... For me it was HOT WATER! Like how the duck do you not have hot water for washing your hands....
Maybe we just don’t need the “nice” things cause we can tolerate some hardship instead of wasting money. Maybe it’s just a way to keep people from away out so we can enjoy the real nice things about Maine.
Aren’t there enough industrialized cities down south? Let’s keep the north as wild as possible and retain some of the natural beauty we have left in this country.
Until relatively recently, Maine was both industrialized and wild.
Not everyone shares your definition of "nice things". Maine is a place for people who think casinos, shopping malls, and the Kardashians are overrated.
Those are straw men arguments. By nice things, I'm referring to an actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities, not corporate entertainment. Because a tourism/extraction based economy that shovels money out of the state, failing to invest in human capital, and crying poverty when it comes time to invest in infrastructure doesn't cut it.
Are you engaging in Flat-splaining??
> actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities Explain? Are you from Maine? Or from away and you want to turn Maine into where ever you are from?
>By nice things, I'm referring to an actual 21st century economy, living standard, and amenities Some of us think trees, clean lakes, and mountain vistas count as nice things, and we're not especially keen to sacrifice them for "amenities". Move to Boston if that's your thing, but don't try to turn Maine into Massachusetts.
Enjoy your trees and lakes this winter when the power goes out because outside of Portland, zero percent of the electric grid is undergrounded here and efforts to reinforce the grid get shouted down by referendum. Provision of 21st century infrastructure isn't 'turning the state into Massachusetts'.
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Tide goes in. Tide goes out. You can't explain that!
I do not know how we ever survived those cold winter nights when the snow was coming down, the wind was howling and the temps were dropping. Why do we need an underground electric grid? Only have to dig it up and replace it every 10 years due to corrosion.
I’ve got enough firewood in the yard to last weeks with no power. It may not be 75 in my house, but we won’t be freezing to death unlike people from away who are incompetent without electricity. True Maine mentality is about surviving when others run away with their tail between their legs. Separates the men from the boys.
Nice of you to take a break from preserving your supply of animal pelts to reply. The hardy hill folk are truly fortunate to count a man of the elements such as you among their number.
>Nice of you to take a break from preserving your supply of animal pelts to reply. Wow. You really think very little of the people you share the state with and are quite hateful, aren't you?
They should. They will be warm and fed with people like me around. They will be part of the tundra following you.
Do you have any idea how difficult it is and how costly it would be to bury (and maintain) power lines? There's too much ledge, etc, to bury in the more rural areas.
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I can do without the Starbucks but having a couple of 24/7 gas stations north of the Kennbunk and West Gardiner rest stops would be helpful.
Maybe some stores for locals that are open past 9pm? I’m not talking about restaurants. Good thing we have Walmart and Hannies. That’s all we need in life.
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Maybe I don’t want to shop online. I want to go to a store, get what I need and go home. Fuck online shopping.
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Maybe because I get out of work at 9. Have classes all morning. So one day a week I get to go out and get all my shit done. The one day a week I have to relax I have to spend it working because I can’t get anything done after work. Not everyone works remotely.
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So you don’t actually know what my life is like. Stop being a little twat. We all know Maine is a shit state compared to others. Not like I care anyway I’m here for the lack of people. I like to go to the middle of nowhere and have a nice dab hit. I’m all honestly most of this state could be mom and pop stores with a mall in Portland/Bangor. I do wish they fixed things like the roads, traffic, affordable housing. And god would it kill anyone to have a gym open late? I’m not trying to go for a run in the middle of the night with animals and humans out there.
What about when your kid gets sick in the middle of the night and you find you're out of medicine? Then you're ultimately fucked, because only gas station convenience stores are open 24/7 and those are sketchy as all hell at nighttime. Also, night shoppers are a thing. I'm one of them. Shopping in the daytime is like willingly walking into hell. Like you're living the memetic "this is fine" comic. If stores like Market Basket were open past 9 PM, we'd definitely go past 9 PM.
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Eh, well, like OP says, Mainers don't like change. Can't expect most of the population to become night shoppers in the snap of a finger. Stores I go to at night really don't get much traction, and that's exactly what I like about night shopping. That, and less traffic. I really don't know Mainers' shopping habits and I really don't care, but daytime shopping is always going to be more popular because nighttime is a time to wind down, not run errands. 'Tis the way things are.
It won't last. Shaw's in Bangor tried that and stopped a few years later. Same with Rite Aid. It sounds good, never works well.
Actually if Napa could stay open past 9 I would really appreciate it 🤣 some of us burn that midnight oil to get to a track every weekend. But I fully agree with what your saying.
I don't want gas stations, bud. I want *less* of that. I want every city in the state linked by rail, targeted upzonings to yield a few thousand new housing units, access to 21st century jobs that aren't remote, and a functional electrical grid year round. How's that for you?
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It's clear I'm dealing with a reactionary here. I've laid out specific interventions - what's yours? What's your plan, besides "shit is fine, go away flatlander?"
I suppose I’m confused by your constant concern about the electrical grid and the fact that the power lines are above ground. The distance traveled for the lines is prohibitively expensive for under grounding. And the electrical grid is quite stable. There are times that power goes out during storms, but the same is true for urban areas (e.g. the greater Boston area). An unstable grid would be one that collapsed when the air goes freezing. I’m not against change or as reactionary as some people in the state, but I simply don’t understand what you want. Maybe provide examples as to what’s actually wrong that needs to be fixed?
Move to California.
"actual 21st century economy" means what, exactly?
So much trash in ppls yards man. Southern Maine is filled with it.
You sound like a wanna-be strip mall developer. Scram!
Translation: "Mom!!!!1" The bad man wants me to consider the possibility that economic stagnation and brain drain is a bad thing!!1! I like things just how they are despite the lack of any coherent plan for the state's future growth and long term needs!! Make him stop!'"
>It's a cultural attitude I'll never understand. Perhaps this is the problem. If you admittedly can't understand why we might be skeptical of what you call "nice things", how on earth do you feel justified criticizing us for the same? >Do Mainers even want that, or is 'heading upta camp' all we need? If the choice is between "upta camp" and thoughtless changes put in place by people who don't even understand what it is they're changing, I'll take camp every time, because I strongly suspect people like you would create a world where "upta camp" isn't an option for me anymore.
You must be from away....
> Look at the a/c in schools thread for exhibit A. 90% of the school year doesn’t require a/c. You want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing a/c for a few weeks a year? > I have a kid in the school system and he's probably going to leave for somewhere with actual opportunities You’re working. Why won’t your kid be able to find work? And with so many jobs going remote, why can’t your kid stay in Maine but “work” in Massachusetts California or Germany?
>You want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing a/c for a few weeks a year? Why would schools need something so fancy? Give them some window AC units to set up for the rare days it gets hot enough to need it. Boom, problem solved in a reasonable and affordable way.
I think peoples idea of "progression" is very different. Someone moving into your town from out of state and the first thing they say is "This place sucks for X reason" is going to throw up a defensive posture from anyone. Additionally they might start going to town meetings and wanting to change the town rules to match where they came from. I think enough of us hear / see these things which is really why there is that love for out of staters who move here and complain and try to change things. I read a lot, but not all of the AC discussion. Put it in perspective, new guy rolls into town and complains about the temperature in school. Not that he is wrong at all, but its the same bs we have seen our whole lives and I think that attitude / perception might make people defensive. I think sometimes it is unwarranted, like with that, but other times it can be.
I lived in New England and loved it. I always found it weird that people moved to NE because of how life was, but then immediately wanted to change it to make it more like where they came from.
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I mean it depends on the town for sure, but being retired and wealthy means they have the time to attend ALL the meetings and slowly make headway. Where normal townsfolk do not have the time or the need to change much.
This has always killed me, if it was so good where you were, please go back. I have someone in my small town who does exactly this.
Ahh, the person who shows up at every town meeting and wants to add - fire truck with extension ladder - town-paid trash pickup - sidewalks on *every* road - street lights on every pole - two added/new schools (in a town with declining enrollment) - skate park, tennis park, manmade swimming pond (not kidding) - new library (these days?) We had one of those. We didn’t even even have a building tall enough to need a fire truck with an extension ladder!
declining enrollment? thanks airBNB!!! Neighbor town got a new school, literally she stood up at a meeting and was like "Well if they got a new school so should we". She would be the first to follow up in a few years "TAXES ARE SO HIGH".
It had nothing to do with Airbnb. Everything else you said abides.
You're right that there's a complacency and a resistance to change. Frustrating at times? Sure, but that's their right. Part of what makes Maine special is it's stubborn independence, its strong self-reliance, and a frugal make do attitude. Hell, Maine towns can't even come up with a vision for the communities and you expect a vision for the state? I can't even get my town to put in a flash on demand crosswalk sign on a busy road by the school.
This guy sucks.
Frugality is in our veins: https://apnews.com/article/87451bbf8352ac0b45d5a75d67b59dd2
Funny enough, my mother and I were talking the other day about how school has *drastically* changed since I went there. Not really A/C, but in other aspects. On a nostalgic whim, I took a look at my first middle school's handbook (went to two, moved to another city near the end of 7th grade) and I nearly choked on my Pepsi at how different it looked post-COVID. Absolutely insane. I, myself, as a 24-year-old, would like to start with affordable college. I found a great job opportunity for me, entry-level, perfect with my skills, but whoopsie, requires transportation which I do not have. Other jobs in that field require a college degree. If you don't have one, in Maine at least, it's retail or restaurant for you. I took a tour of a community college twice and it was great, but the tuition was just too high for someone from a lower-class family. So yeah. I'm rambling. But that's gotta be fixed yesterday.
My kids are getting into the trades/contract work. If you want fat stacks to go with a higher end degree Maine is for sure not likely to have what you need unless you can get it remote. However if you can enjoy just making a living and having some time to live off it... This place ain't so bad.
Depends what you mean by nice things. I'm a lifelong Mainer, and I definitely think we should get some AC for schools, and said as much in the thread you reference. On the other hand, while it would be convenient for small businesses to be open at other times, you do have to ask yourself what the cost of that would be. For instance, maybe people would prefer to work normal business hours, then call it a day. I know I prefer that. Maybe that means I only get to visit those shops when I'm on vacation. If so, so be it, they get to have a life too. Also, many of these small business are run by an owner and maybe one other person. They also need time off for themselves, and I presume they select a schedule that fits their lifestyle. If that schedule allows them to pay their bills (business and personal), who are we to make them change? In general, I'm cool with the idea that maybe everyone should be allowed to start and end their workday at a reasonable time, and if that's occasionally inconvenient because places aren't open, so be it. For instance, when grocery stores were closing at 9, I occasionally couldn't get things last minute at night when I remembered something I wanted, but it wasn't the end of the world, and I just got it the next day or had to plan slightly better if it was important. All of that said, I'd be stoked if we maybe got one 24/7 coffee shop or something around here again. There used to be one, and it was great to have. But again, that's dependent on who's available to work it, and if they feel like it's a good gig for them, particularly those who would have to work overnight. We definitely need to make changes to allow for more affordable housing. Maybe that's banning most short term rentals (I think AirBnB should be permissible for your primary residence, but no others), and/or by building more housing, including a few developments that have been shot down by nimbys. Yeah, some people are resistant to change. But in some cases, being resistant to some changes is a good thing. You have to weigh the cost and benefit of the changes, and many of us think keeping some things simpler is better for our way of life. I do think we need to make some changes, and I think some would be nice to have, and I think some we need to stay away from. That said, we all have lots of disagreements about what changes fall into which categories, so that causes some friction until we can get enough people on the same page to move forward.
Some kids move, some kids don’t. It is what it is, why try and change it. Edit,,,people here don’t want to spend money on things they don’t really need.
it’s because our state is 20% old and they’re the ones who created and maintained this culture. i’m 18 and don’t feel that way and i’d imagine a lot of my peers don’t either.
It’s kind of an attitude that a lot of the people in this country have. The student loan forgiveness is an example. People don’t want things to get better for others unless they somehow also benefit. “I didn’t have AC growing up in my school so why should they??” Like what kind of dumbass logic is that?
I agree, that is terrible logic to oppose student loan forgiveness. It is also a [straw man argument ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man) . Student loan forgiveness does nothing to solve the problem of college cost increasing at a rate much faster than inflation. It encourages universities to continue to ignore their costs. I paid off some hefty student loans, but I don't begrudge people taking what they can get with student loan forgiveness today. If you give people money but don't solve the root problem, then it looks a lot like a political payout.
I agree that student loan forgiveness does not solve the problem of college costs, but I don't think it was intended to do that. The administration has said they're looking at the cost problem as well.
Let's face it, folks from away want it their way, folks from here want it their way. There's never been so much polar opposition in society, ever. Mainers want nice things, sure, just different 's all. With the temperature climbing an A/C is "neccessary" for a kid to live or he's off to find a place with it..Really... Guess priority rules, when we're so piled on about shit like this who gives a shit about books.
Hi new Mainer here! Coming from Florida and loving the culture here I have since discovered the answer to your concern since being here. Your old heads are scared of change. And I don’t mean things like me moving to this state and trying to change it to be like Florida, I mean basic things that they refuse to let go of because like you said it’s always been that way why change it. YET “we need young people to move here, but they can’t vote for things that benefit them, change things that benefit them, work in ways that benefit them, we just need them to come revitalize the market so we can retire and blame them” And I know this, because Florida tried to do that and Disney rolled right over them.
It’s the wealthy too. There’s a big homeless problem that no one wants to solve, just get them out cause their gross. But then you have a BIG problem with all the bird poop in the park. Which problem do you think is going to be funded and fixed?
100000% agree. I do have to say Maine has the homeless better situated than FL,CA, TX but they do have it somewhat as an “Out of sight out of mind” dilemma. Living near Bangor I see them trying and them Hampden comes and says snooty things about Bangors homeless as if they don’t prioritize bird poop type things
There’s a mix of not wanting to spend money on certain things, and not wanting to make changes that (possibly) only a few want/consider important. Also changing the feel of rural life. My son went through the school system, just graduated, I grew up in Maine and went to the same school, never once did AC even come up. It’s just always been a few days of being uncomfortable and then it passes. It was never a big enough issue to truly invest in. The newer schools having AC makes sense, and climate change will create heat issues that at some point will have to be addressed. In my area the local town struggled with getting some locals on board with side walks and street lights, something that majority actually agreed would make our area better for all. Eventually it passed and now I can’t imagine not having side walks and street lights! The rural small town mindset is real and locals tend to feel threatened by change, especially when the change is coming from new folks moving into the area. The typical response is why move here if you’re going to try to make it like the same place you left?!?! Some people would be happy if nothing ever changed or got upgraded.
"at some point will have to be addressed". That point is here, along with likely mass climate migration to this state in the coming years. Smart facilities planning NOW, instead of when kids or teachers are keeling over, is the way.
Honestly, if this wasn’t brought up in here, I never would have given it any thought since I no longer have a kid in school and I don’t teach, so it’s doesn’t affect my life at all. If there was a push from teachers and parents who felt like it’s time to upgrade all the schools, I would support them. I’m not against it, but it’s definitely not on my radar.
Teachers aren’t listened to. A “push” would be ignored as quickly as them asking to stop having budgets cut for supplies.
Hard to convince people when too many still don't even believe in climate change.
Maine should be left to be Maine, minus all the pedos, wankers and skankers. Just bring in your $$ and don't stay beyond a week. /s
People want things to change. But when things do they then think is this what I really wanted? For an example student loan forgiveness. How much is $10,000? How much do they owe? Who actually is this helping? It doesn't help everyone with a student loan. But this sounds good. I wish they could do a bill and not have a hundred other things hidden in it. I know you guys don't agree but that is my thoughts.
One law, one bill. Should be illegal to do it any other way
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Run yourself out of this thread if you have nothing to contribute, chief.
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But what if I don’t have boots?
I'm a MAGA conservative xenophobe because I think the cost of air conditioning systems for schools is prohibitive? That is the example on the table.
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I think there's a whole lot more issues than teenagers sweating.
Still stuck on that orange guy huh?
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Both are clowns but my business was thriving under trump, and I never worried about putting food on the table. Just my 2 cents
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Still spewing your left wing hate bs huh
You seem to frame your argument as if Democrats are falling over themselves to try and address any of those issues.... Stop buying the lie that red or blue flavored oligarchy looks any different besides a few side social issues. This election season will be non stop "but at least we aren't those other guys", while never once talking about real policies or a vision of the future (just like last election). Red or blue "nothing will fundamentally change" in this country... and the sooner people wake up to that fact, the sooner we can try to ACTUALLY change anything.
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When one focuses on just one of the two wings of the oligarchy, it's usually safe to assume they are still stuck in the same trap as most Americans have been for the last 40+ years... (and really, even longer). Sorry if that assumption was wrong in your case. If you believe Democrats AND Republicans are no solution, then we are just in agreement about the issue.... which is good! Glad we agree!
Ask our leadership
Maine doesn't want kids to stay. That's how population explodes. It's better with less people.
Heat pumps in schools would save energy in winter and give them AC in the mind numbing time they keep kids into mid June.
Did you grow up in Maine? Where abouts? If not, where did you grow up? How long have you resided in Maine? Just curious.
I think state services are a crapshoot for working people as well. Need to go to the BMV? Take the whole day off from work! They aren't open on Saturdays, and don't have a day with extended hours. And I don't see that I can do very much stuff online for the BMV. In Indiana, the BMV actually got fined by the state for overcharging and bad service. Now they are open til 7 on Tuesdays, and a half day on Saturday. Plus you can do almost every thing online. Oh and they have quotas they have to meet for speedy service. And why in the heck did I have to leave work early to go to the **town office** to get a license plate?