OP-ED: Mainers Calling for Competent Management

As published by Pine Tree Politics

The jaw-dropping victory by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race completes an I-95 trifecta that started in Virginia, headed north to New Jersey, and landed in the Bay State.  Where does the momentum go next?  Many are saying Maine.

Since Brown’s victory, I’ve received dozens of enthusiastic emails, Facebook messages, and Tweets declaring that Maine’s gubernatorial race will be the next big Republican victory.  The GOP hasn’t won the seat in two decades, but the combination of both national and local elements give Republicans one of the best shots in the country to win.
The economy and jobs are foremost on the minds of Americans and Mainers.  National Democrats have neglected the issue in favor of pushing a wish list of big spending items and expanding the role of government.

Here at home, the politicians in Augusta appear tone deaf to Mainers’ calls for proper fiscal management.  The most recent budget is an abomination littered with arbitrary reductions, borrowing from future revenue, and budget gimmicks like furlough days.  Instead of fundamental reforms that address the root causes of our poor economy, Augusta has continued their ostrich policy of ignoring the problem and hoping somewhere down the line it will fix itself.

The time is right to send a strong message to Augusta.

Voters are calling for competent fiscal management from the top.  They want to see reform of our overly generous social service programs and more accountability with how our hard earned tax dollars are spent.  They want to see real tax reduction, not the shell game Augusta passed last year.  They want action on simplifying business regulations that chase away our jobs and discourage employers from locating here.

More and more, people in Maine tell me they want someone in the Blaine House who has the background and experience to deal with these financial issues.  They want a competent manager who has handled similar challenges in the private sector.  Mainers are demanding leadership from someone who knows how tough it is to start and run a business in Maine.
The most common thing I hear from Mainers is that we cannot afford another career politician.  They are emphatically opposed to the same people pushing the same failed policies that have so badly damaged our economy.

Each day I crisscross the state listening to voters, I am more encouraged about my campaign for Governor.  I am passionate about this state and dedicated to creating more opportunities for its 1.3 million citizens.  My background is in finance and economics.  I know how our state government makes it difficult to do business here.  I’ve dealt directly with safely managing as much money as our state spends in a year.  I’ve created jobs and run companies that have invested millions of dollars into our economy.  And I’ve got the guts to stand up to the career politicians in Augusta as they try to maintain the status quo.

Across the country, voters have spoken.  They are tired of the overspending, high taxes, and fiscal mismanagement.  We must have competent leadership with the experience and background to address our economic challenges.  It’s now Maine’s turn to speak.

Bruce Poliquin is a business owner and manager, and a Republican candidate for Governor.  For more information about Bruce, please visit http://www.BruceForMe.com