Here in the grand new state of Southern Maine... HA.

[lady_sarai]

Saw this on the evening news and had to post about it, because zoe_chan and aradiachiba don't get local Maine news in Mass. ;)

South Portland's New Mayor Calls For Secession From State of Maine--no, REALLY. He proposed that York, Sagadahoc and Cumberland counties secede and create their own state. Apparently the State of Maine is evil and "an oppressive regime" and steals our money.

The rest of the state looks on in horror and wonders where the hell their money will come from when 2/3rds of the state's population belongs to a new state.

My favorite is the "oppressive regime" bit. ::snort::

(That sound the rest of the country is hearing is the sound of 2/3rds of the state of Maine LAUGHING.)

Also--got 11 inches of snow between yesterday and today. And more Friday? And a big storm Tuesday?

....White Christmas, check.

Comments

[xenokattz.livejournal.com]

That's actually quite funny if it wasn't so... oh, what's the phrase... on crack?

[lady-sarai.livejournal.com]

That and if that wasn't his inaugural speech after being elected for a whole year. South Portland might be in for an *interesting* year.

(Is it horrible that I can't stop laughing about it?)

[xenokattz.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, there's no such thing as a laugh-him-out-of-office option? Dang.

[three-nails.livejournal.com]

WTF??!! I'd heard of people in Northern Maine, like Aroostook County, maybe wanting to form a different state because they are so different from the rest of the state. But whaaaat?! And why isn't Adroscoggin in on this? I'm very offended. In conclusion: LMAO.

[lady-sarai.livejournal.com]

I know!!! It is kind of hysterical except for how that was his inaugural speech and South Portland has to deal with him for a year.

[aradiachiba.livejournal.com]

All right. You wanted to know what I thought about this, and here it is. :)

I think that it is absolutely ridiculous. He wants to secede from Maine? Please. I don't think that he'll get nearly enough support, and I don't think that anyone will actually vote to have Maine become two states. It's silly. I do agree that South Portland is probably in for an interesting year.

And now, for Devil's Advocate. I can actually sort of see where he's coming from. 2/3 of the population is in Southern Maine, and therefore a great portion of the taxable income is coming from there. And Maine is a big state. So as mentioned in the article, a large portion of the taxes taken from Southern Maine is going away from it. If there were two states, the taxes from Southern Maine would be used to fund Southern Maine schools and whatnot rather than Northern.

You make a good point when you mention that the rest of the state will be asking where their money will come from, and I think that that is what the Mayor is seeing as well. Most of their money that they are putting into the state system is going to Northern Maine, which means high taxes for Southern Maine people that they pay so that other people can reap the benefits.

Debate? ;)

[lady-sarai.livejournal.com]

The thing is? Not really! I kind of agree with your devil's advocate stance!! (CRAZINESS, I know) But he makes valid points--and the part where he says South Portland generates $41 million in taxes but only gets back $4.1? Is scary, but true (also--the Maine Mall is in S.P. so not surprising). And, well--anyone arguing for more money for school systems? Am I going to argue with that? Really? ;)

But it's still completely laughable. And sad for South Portland if this is his agenda for the next year. (Because I do not think I will see this become even a remotely plausible *idea* in my lifetime. Feel free to laugh at me if it does.) ;)

::loves you::

[aradiachiba.livejournal.com]

It is sad how much sense this nonsensical idea makes. And I think it's important to note that they mentioned that they are only getting 4.1 million for schools South Portland could be getting much more benefits to the tax money that they just aren't tabulating, like repairs on state roads, for example.

And I suppose that the flip side of the coin here is to look at Northern Maine. Correct me if I'm wrong (you're the teacher, you would know better than I), but I seem to remember hearing at one point that the schools in Northern Maine were struggling. Take away the Southern Maine money, and they're so boned. Just saying. ;)

But you're right. It's completely laughable. I can not see any possibility of Maine splitting in our lifetimes. And if the mayor of South Portland is spending his in office time dealing with the secession, then South Portland may be in a lot of trouble this year...

::loves you too!::

Oh, and because I didn't mention it earlier, I so wish I could steal some of your snow! We only got an inch or two, and it's pretty well iced over, too. I'll go for 11 inches of fluffiness any day. :D