Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) Announces Exploratory Committee (for Congress) - (ME-01)

[ticapnews]

Dear Friends,

Today I’m announcing the formation of a committee to explore the possibility of entering the race for the United States Congress from Maine’s First District. I’m also unveiling an exploratory web site so that you can learn a little bit more about me, where I come from, and what I’m all about. Hopefully soon, I can learn more about you too. Please check our site out.

I want you to know that running for Congress is not a decision I take lightly.

The issues facing Maine and this country are serious and complex, and they will require serious, bold, thoughtful action to resolve them. That’s why I will be taking the time, along with friends, family and supporters, to travel around the First District to meet with folks in their living rooms and where they work to hear their concerns and their hopes for the future.

In this exploration I will seek to answer two fundamental questions. 1) What are the needs of Maine's 1st Congressional District and, as a part of the larger whole, the United States of America? 2) Am I able to contribute meaningfully to meeting these needs? Because I believe that I should not be a candidate for this position, even if I could be elected, if I believe another person would better serve our state.

I asked similar questions before I sought the honor of representing the citizens of Portland in the State Senate. This district encompasses not only Maine’s largest urban community, but also unusual and diverse needs that broadly reflect Maine. From our socio economic diversity, to our middle class neighborhoods, to our commercial enterprises, Portland’s great span of issues requires compassion for human need, concern for the bottom line of businesses and government, and a willingness to learn.

As Portland’s State Senator I have sought to represent every citizen, no matter how elderly or new, poor or wealthy. I know I answered these questions correctly five years ago because I have since done my best without regard to party, ideology or special interest. And the residents of Portland, and Maine, are better for it. I seek a similar path to meet the needs of Maine and America in Congress.

Without question, the major issue facing us today is the war in Iraq.

As the sponsor of a resolution in the Maine Senate opposing US entry into the war four years ago, I am even more convinced today that the war in Iraq is the most serious military and foreign policy blunder in our nation’s history.

It has cost us the lives of thousands and thousands of good men and women, and left thousands more with life-altering injuries. It has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, money that could have been better spent on providing quality health care, better education, more research and development to rebuild our economy. And it has cost this nation incalculable damage to our prestige and honor around the world.

Enough is enough. It’s time to end our involvement in Iraq and bring the troops home.

Bringing the troops home will allow us to focus on providing this state and this nation with real security – job security for Maine’s working families; a secure retirement for our elderly; a secure future for our young people by investing more in higher education.

But ending our involvement in Iraq is not enough. We need an energy policy in this country that will end our dependence on foreign oil so that we can avoid future Iraq wars. We need to put the best minds and the best talent to work in a new Manhattan Project to find and develop new sources of clean, renewable energy.

Because we’re paying for Bush’s war on terror in two ways – we’re paying to fight it through our taxes and a bloated federal deficit; and we’re paying to finance the terrorists too every time we fill up at the pump with $3 dollar a gallon gasoline from OPEC. We’re paying to wage it, and we’re paying to fight it. And our continued reliance on fossil fuels is causing unprecedented harm to our environment through global climate change.

If this isn’t the definition of insanity, I don’t know what is.

And what do we get from the Bush Administration and our leaders in Washington? Lip service, hot air and rhetoric. We need action and we need it now.

Along with Iraq and energy, I also want to address incomes. Maine people work hard for their money, but we remain one of the poorest states in the nation. Meanwhile, the Bush Administration pushes through unprecedented tax cuts for wealthy individuals and big corporations that only expand the gulf between the rich and the shrinking middle class.

This is the gulf war I want to wage- repeal the Bush tax cuts for the rich and redirect the resources into job development and better education opportunities for Maine people.

We need to give our kids the opportunity for better paying jobs and lift the incomes of Maine’s working families. We need to be sending our kids to college at Bates and Bowdoin, not Baghdad or Basra.

These are some of the issues I want to talk to the people of the First District about. But more importantly, I want to listen.

To help me do that, I am thankful to have the encouragement and assistance of some Maine people who have agreed to serve on my exploratory committee.

Together, our mission is to build a diverse group of people who represent a broad spectrum of perspectives, experiences and voices; from women’s rights activist, to CEO of a major corporation; from small business owner, to Labor representative; from Sheriff and DA, to farmers, retirees and full time moms; from York County to Cumberland, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox. We’re building a movement of people who will stand with me as we look ahead to Maine’s future. And we hope that you will stand with us too. Go to our website today and join us. www.Ethan08.com. This is an exciting time.

These individuals, and many more, will be helping me get around the state, introduce me to voters and explore whether we can raise the money that will be necessary to wage a successful campaign.

Because if I enter this race, I will enter it to win.

I don’t intend to go to Congress and be a backbencher. Maine deserves more. Just as I’ve fought for Portland in the Maine Legislature, I will fight for the people of Maine’s First District in Congress.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with everything I say. But you’ll always know where I stand. That’s the one promise I will make.

So if I think I can make a real difference in the lives of Maine people, if I can be successful in bringing true Maine values to Washington, then you’ll find me back here in a few months to begin a campaign not just for the First District seat in Congress, but a campaign for the future of Maine and the future of this great country.

I’m looking forward to walking down this road with you.

Ethan

[MountainLaurel]

1. Out of curiosity

Are you Ethan, or are you just reposting his letter.

In any case, I look forward to the coming year of competitive politics.

[ticapnews]

2. I am posting his letter.

:)