Persistance pays off...I guess

Back in November I blogged about the proposed " Grocery bag fee" put forth by represenative Ted Koffman of Bar Harbor. When I wrote that little piece I recall feeling rather incensed. I saw it, and see it still, as one of the most frivolous pieces of Legislation to date. I thought that surely there were more important matters for our State Represenatives to be dealing with.

Evidently, I was wrong.

Yesterday the AP ran this little piece:

Maine asking shoppers to reuse grocery shopping bags
By Associated Press
March 27, 2008 10:34 AM
AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine lawmakers are urging shoppers to do their bit to help the environment by reusing shopping bags when they go to the grocery store.
The House passed a nonbinding order Wednesday and the Senate's expected to take it up Thursday. Sponsors say it's modeled after a request in New Hampshire.
Americans use billions of plastic shopping bags every year, but only about 5 percent are recycled. The order says 12 million barrels of oil are used in America each year making and transporting the bags, yet millions end up in landfills, lakes, streams and along roadsides.
Other states and cities have passed laws requiring stores to collect and recycle bags. Maine's order asks for a voluntary approach toward reaching a 50 percent goal of grocery store customers bring their own reusable shopping bags to the store.

After reading and re-reading this article several times, I started to marvel at the persistance of Bar Harbor's distinguished gentleman. I mean, if you think about it, the energy, effort, time and money used these past four months must have been a great strain on mr. Koffman and is staff. In pursuit of a bill, that he feels so passionate about, he never once faltered in his conviction that "Plastic bags" are one of the greatest problems we face here in Maine. How can I, a simple taxpayer fault one so powerful and illustrious as Represenative Ted Koffman? * Rhetorical*

I am sure that now this non-binding resolution is in place, we the people of Maine will all sleep more soundly. Perhaps, with the comforting knowledge that Augusta has our best interests at heart, the lack of a sustainable economy won't seem so bad.

I applaud mr. Koffman and his efforts. His contribution to the political History of man will forever be on par with Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. I can see accolades from the globe wide coming his way for this monumental bit of work. Throngs of pilgrims will flock to his door to seek his wisdom. The Nobel Peace prize is his for sure. Step aside John Hume, your work in Northern Ireland was nothing compared to the Bag Man of Bar Harbor. I bet that his constituents are planning a celebration and perhaps a statue dedication to him right now.

Persistance pays off, I guess, for without dedication, and determination, we the people of Maine would not be hearing about this. Without great effort and resources, which I am sure we are all happy to pay for, this bill would have died in November of last year. Whew....I am so glad we have someone in Augusta who knows how to spend, not only his time, but taxpayer dollars, on issues of such great import. Rising above the " Issues of the day" such as budget deficts, and tax burdens, Represenative Koffman went right to the heart of the Maine citizen's " real" problem.

Paper or Plastic.

Slainte'
Blighter

I'm back

So it has been over a month since last I have written anything, for which I apologize to those who have been frequenting this blog. The dreariness of this most cruel winter finally wore me down, and it dulled my passion and energy. As many of you know, I reside in the state of Maine. That in itself should explain the suffering I've endured this past month.

As the constant storms of snow and ice blasted this state, I could not but help wonder how anyone could believe in the Global Warming theory. Looking out upon the frozen tundra that once was my yard I laugh at the insanity of it all. Al Gore has spoon fed the loons so well, that even after seeing the evidence before them, in their yards, driveways, and on the terrible roads, citizens of Maine still take up his mantra with gusto. The next Hippie who trys to sell me this Gore aid is most definately going to get a pasting. I've never been much for Kool Aid to begin with.

In any event, it has been a harsh season to say the least. Couple the nasty weather with the "Storms" out of our capitol and you cannot help but forgive my lack of enthusiasm. It seems with each new inch of snow, we gained a few million dollars to the Deficit. The soloutions put forth by our Represenatives have been weak and full of such deception they have made me physically ill at times.

For example: The legislature required all government agencies to make cuts so the budget could be balanced. The first thing we saw was The Senate Leader from Freeport saying that " We have cut to the bone" and that "taxes need to be raised." When the Govenor said " Try again" and "No new taxes", the reaction was typical. The Democrats dragged up to the state house every hard luck case they could find and paraded them before the legislature. The affect was to be expected and our Reps bent against this display. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see anyone suffer needlessly. I am pretty callous but not cruel. What I object to is that instead of making the appropriate cuts to their agencies, the Department heads, in the hopes of avoiding cuts altogether, played upon the sympathies of the people with this disgusting " Protest". They used the very people they are supposed to be helping in a very demeaning fashion, simply to protect their small fiefdom of supposed power.

So this last month has been a tough one for me, thus my lack of writing.

On a good note though John Frary got the requisite number of signatures to get his name on the ballot for the US Congressional 2nd District seat. Good job that.

I'm back though, so expect more ravings from a madman soon.

Slainte'
Blighter