Category: POLITICS

Hey, Mick! I got some satisfaction!

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Many moons ago, Mick Jagger and the boys made a whole lot of money singing about a lack of satisfaction.

But on this particular weekend, I am feeling nothing but satisfaction, patting myself on the back for a job well done and celebrating the one-year anniversary of when former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett finally ran out of excuses and found himself no longer able to play the proverbial victim card.

Former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett performing as a Shriner’s clown

Yup, it was one year ago, when Bennett found his back against the wall. The growing public pressure had grown to a critical mass. Even Mayor Marty Grohman and former mayor Alan Casavant could no longer defend the egomaniacal tyrant who ran City Hall as his own personal kingdom.

On October 15, 2024, Bennett finally conceded defeat. See Spectrum News story

Looking back over the course of my career in journalism and public relations, there are a few professional achievements that stand out. Moments when I can say, “yeah, I did that.’ Moments that still bring me a sense of pride and the satisfaction of a job well done.

Getting Jim Bennett out of City Hall was one of those moments.

I had absolutely nothing to gain by dedicating myself to Bennett’s ouster. I was not being paid. In fact, I had to give up being a reporter for a few months to avoid a glaring conflict of interest.

I created The Bennett Files and was relentless, hammering away almost daily at the city manager cloistered in his fortress of solitude at City Hall. I interviewed people across the state. I pored over media reports that followed Bennett’s 40-year-career in eight different communities. I filed FOIAs. I pressured city councilors.

I was dogged and relentless. I was a man on a mission.

What drove me was the stories people shared with me. I heard from municipal officials from all over Maine. I heard from investors who were considering business deals with the city of Biddeford. I heard from former employees and current employees. Current and former city councilors. The stories were always the same.

I remember meeting with one employee in my backyard. They were shaking and on the verge of tears while telling me an all-too familiar story. We were meeting in my back yard because this person feared that Bennett would fire them if he found out they were talking to a reporter.

Marty Grohman was not happy with me. He pulled me aside at a Chamber of Commerce event in July 2024. He was frustrated. “Why are you doing this to me?” he asked, trying to defend the city manager who seems to leave every job he’s held under a cloud of doubt.

It’s no secret that former mayor Casavant and I are good friends. I ran Alan’s campaign in 2011 and 2013. We’re still friends, but that friendship was strained because Alan was one of Bennett’s biggest supporters. In fact, Alan made it a priority to consistently push for Bennett’s contract to be extended in three-year increments.

I risked friendships and a job in my pursuit of getting Bennett out of Biddeford.

I risked friendships and a job
in my pursuit of getting
Bennett out of Biddeford.

And now — one year later — I can tell you with confidence that it was worth it.

Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager, is a breath of fresh air. She is the exact opposite of Bennett. She is curious and she listens. She is friendly and transparent. She does not run rough-shod over the council. She is accountable and ready to lead. She is a coach, not a bully.

I swear to God, you can almost literally feel the difference when you walk into City Hall today.

Sadly, Dever, Grohman and many others are still cleaning up the mess that Bennett left behind more than eight months ago. The city finally showed some courage and showed Bennett the door on February 20, two months ahead of his “phased” resignation.

Bennett did NOT retire. He resigned in the middle of his contract, leaving a $15,000 retention payment on the table.

He had no choice. He was finally exposed, leaving the city’s finances in disrepair with a blistering report from financial auditors.

Four months after being terminated, Bennett demanded nearly $1,000 in reimbursements for his performance as a Shriner’s clown in other communities this summer. Folks, you can’t make this shit up.

Bennett has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that the city violated his contract. The city answered by pointing out several questionable things that Bennett did during his stint in Biddeford.

Make no mistake. Jim Bennett has big balls. Unfortunately, taxpayers — you and me — are still paying for his mistakes, mismanagement and out-of-control ego.

But let’s focus on the good news, Jim Bennett is finally gone.

You’re welcome.

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

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I’ve got a Golden ticket

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Once again, it would seem that many of Maine’s most ardent Democrats cannot see the forest for the trees.

And that’s saying something, especially since Maine is the most forested state in the country.

Matt Dunlap, Maine’s former secretary of state, decided to end his four-day titillating tease, ceasing the media foreplay — will he or won’t he — make a primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Jared Golden, a much more moderate Democrat?

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (photo: Wiki Commons)

Maine’s Second Congressional District offers a virtual smorgasbord of political ideologies. Despite the common misconceptions of southern Maine folks, CD2 is not just a swath of God-fearing, gun-toting and Bible-thumping rednecks, it is also home to progressive enclaves such as Belfast, Lewiston and Bar Harbor.

Over the last four years, Golden has figured out how to saddle the district that is almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Victories for Golden have been hard fought and razor-thin, but never since winning his first election to the U.S. House in 2018 has Golden been challenged by his own party – – – until now.

Less than a year ago, Golden eked out his re-election campaign with only 50.3 percent of the vote over Republican newcomer Austin Theriault, who lost by a little more than 3,000 votes with 49.7 percent of the vote,

Folks, federal elections don’t come much closer than this.

But that was 2024, when Trump supporters were campaigning with a fevered pitch. Still, Golden held strong and put on a clean flannel shirt for the cameras on Election Day.

Golden won his first term as a U.S. Representative in 2018, facing incumbent Bruce Poliquin. That race was telling. Golden won, but it was no landslide: 50.9 percent to 49.4 percent.

For a while, it seemed that Maine Democrats had learned their lesson, suffering back-to-back losses in CD2 when progressive candidate Emily Cain was propped up by her party to take down the evil Poliquin. The short, balding guy with a creepy grin beat her twice, in 2014 (45.2 percent) in a three-way contest; and again in 2016 (54.8 – 45.2 percent)

I believe it was the 2016 election when Democrats were finally willing to admit that a more moderate approach would be needed if they wanted to capture Maine’s Second Congressional District.

In fact, Golden – though acting like a political maverick right out of the gate – did not face a primary challenge in 2020, 2022 and in the 2024 race.

But many Democrats said they were simply holding their noses when casting a ballot for Golden. The balance of power in Washington was shifting. Republicans had gained a lot of ground.

“For a while, it seemed that
Maine Democrats had learned
their lesson”

Every seat mattered.

According to several of my sources within the Maine Democratic Party, the Dems realized that they had to forsake the perfect to get the good.

But enough is enough, I suppose.

Enter Matt Dunlap and the Golden ticket he apparently found in a Wonka chocolate bar.

Will there be a test?

From all accounts, Dunlap is a decent guy. He is affable, a bit quirky and probably never sat at the cool kids’ table in the high school cafeteria.

Sure, he is currently Maine’s auditor and previously served as Maine’s Secretary of State (both appointed positions by the Legislature) but it seems as if there is not a lot of meat on his 61-year-old bones.

State Auditor Matthew Dunlap

Let’s face facts. Dunlap is hardly a heavy hitter. But his party has called him up from the JV team and coordinated a press conference.

Here’s a fun fact: Dunlap was elected Maine State Auditor by the Maine Legislature and took office on January 4, 2021, but had to give up the position after failing the exams needed to meet the requirements of his new position.

He did later meet the requirements and was selected for the position again on November 14, 2022.

I’m a boy, and I’m a man

Golden, it seems, has gone a bit too far in being a moderate. He consistently refuses to toe the party line all the time. He must be held accountable.

With Trump in the White House, the last thing Democrats want is a representative who is willing to reach across the aisle. You know? A consensus builder . . . a, what do you call it? . . . oh yeah, an “Independent.”

But here’s the deal. Maine is really a purple state.

Former Maine Governor Paul LePage

Chellie (I’ll stay in D.C. until I die) Pingree is a progressive Democrat, and she’s not going anywhere, despite the incredibly stupid move by now Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman who ran as an Independent and tried to beat her.

Yeah, that didn’t work out so well.

Susan Collins, a Republican, is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. She is going nowhere. Maine’s other senator won’t even call himself a Democrat even though he votes with the Democrats more than 98 percent of the time.

On the heels of Trump’s 2024 victory, Maine Republicans are betting on former Governor Paul LePage to finally knock Golden from his perch.

Trump did well in Maine’s CD2 last year. As expected, Harris won Maine’s 1st Congressional District while Trump won Maine’s 2nd Congressional district.

For Democrats, the question once again becomes are you going to sacrifice the good for the perfect?

If so, I think you’re making a big mistake. But what do I know?

_________________

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved

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If I were King of the DNC

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

I got a lot of angry feedback about my last blog post, which suggested that Democrats and others who despise President Trump need to do a lot more than attend rallies and protests if they really want things to change.

I learned some lessons from that post, namely that I buried the lead of what I was really trying to say.

That post was also way too long, and I learned that you can’t kick readers in the nuts and then ask them to consider the larger picture.

I apologize. So, allow me to try a different tact this week.

Our problems are much greater and complicated than Donald Trump

In addition to running a small, Biddeford-focused media site, I earn a living by offering clients throughout New England political and public relations advice.

Although I have never worked professionally on a federal campaign, I do have a pretty good track record when it comes to statewide and municipal campaigns.

So instead of criticizing others, allow me to offer my own unsolicited advice to those who are really concerned about the Trump Administration.

Before we proceed, allow me to ask you a question that I ask of each new client: which is more important to you: your pride or your greed?

Think of that question this way: your “pride” is about how you do things and your ego. Your “greed” is about your objective and what you want.

There is not a right nor wrong answer to that question, but if your pride is more important than your greed you should probably save your time and stop reading here.

I cannot help you if your pride is greater than your greed.

Stop doing this!

If I were king of the DNC

Here is my unsolicited and free advice in five easy steps.

  1. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge the painful loss and allow that disappointment to be the fuel that drives you. Ask yourself and your friends some hard and difficult questions about went wrong.
  • Protests are fine, but don’t miss the bigger picture. The midterm elections will be here before we know it. Now is the time to develop crisp and clear messaging that focuses on positive messages. Simply bashing Trump on social media or during rallies is not enough. We all learned that lesson the hard way seven months ago.
  • Do some reconnaissance work. Start watching FOX News. Attend events that you would normally abhor. What are the other guys saying and doing? Go beyond your comfort level and actually listen to what the other guys are saying, no matter how badly you disagree.
  • We need more voters. The last presidential election was razor-thin. Trump won the popular vote by a margin of only 1.48 percent.  We need to peel off the moderate Republicans. Stop catering to the far-left progressives. When it matters, they will line up. Find a candidate (candidates) like Bill Clinton. Someone told me recently that Clinton was his favorite Republican president.
  • Finally – and most importantly – take the high road. Let your greed trump your pride. Stop ridiculing and name-calling conservatives. Stop making fun of them. Stay on the high road as if your life depends on it, because it does. Do your very best to respectfully engage. Don’t talk to them. Listen. Ask them questions. Find out what’s important to them. Listen. Take notes.

As Ghandi said, you do not help a man see your point of view by giving him a black eye.

I could learn a thing or two from Ghandi. How about you?

For a deeper analysis of what I think went wrong in November, check this piece.

__________________

Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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Trump protestors face much bigger problems than Trump

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Earlier today — on the occasion of President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday – millions of Americans took to the streets to participate in hundreds of “No Kings” protests and events all across the country.

From where I sit, those protestors were wasting their time and accomplishing little more than barking at the moon – a theatrical circle-jerk of self-righteous indignation.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fan of Donald J. Trump – not by a longshot, but I have some very bad news for the Democrats and all the others who can’t stomach the thought of Trump sitting in the Oval Office:

You have much bigger and much more significant problems than Donald Trump.

This may be hard for you to hear, but Trump is not a king nor a dictator. He is the duly elected president of the United States.

And that fact should scare the bejesus out of all of us.

But no matter how shocked we are, no matter how angry or stunned we may feel about this nightmarish Administration, it is time for the Democrats to accept a very harsh – yet simple — reality. Trump won and you lost.

Instead of carrying cardboard signs and shouting at passing traffic from the side of the road, you should be working to fix what went so terribly wrong on November 5, 2024.

You should also be more concerned about a much bigger – much more frightening – threat to our democracy.

Screaming in the rain may have sort of therapeutic benefit, it may make you feel better; it may even help you believe that you are doing your civic duty – but as my therapist always reminds me: feelings are not facts.

Based upon only statistical data regarding life expectancy, Donald Trump is not going to be with us much longer. Today he turns 79. He’s not in the best of shape. The life expectancy for an American man is 77.4 years. Trump is already on borrowed time.

But when Trump finally does shuffle off his mortal coil, will things then go back to normal? Hardly. Why? Because the bigger threat will still be here.

In fact, do you really believe that things were more normal before Trump returned to the White House? Maybe, but that was only because so many of us were not really paying attention.

The boogeyman is real

During his farewell address from the White House in 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower – a Republican — warned us all about the potential dangers of a “Military Industrial Complex.”

Eisenhower specifically cautioned us regarding “the acquisition of unwarranted influence” by this complex within the government.

He also said this ‘complex’ could lead to the “disastrous rise of misplaced power” and potentially undermine our cherished democratic processes.

Ironically, Eisenhower’s successor was assassinated only a little more than two years later; and so was his brother a few years later during his own campaign for the presidency and so were civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcom X . . . but I digress.

For the most part — despite the escalation of the Vietnam War, Watergate and the Iran Contra Affair – Americans basically let their eyes glaze over, rushing to embrace color televisions, cordless phones and so many other trinkets of distraction.

“The eagle has landed,” . . . about nine months ahead of National Guard troops slaughtering four unarmed college students who were protesting on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio.

Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming  . . .

Any of this starting to sound familiar?

Sure, it’s easy and much more convenient to focus our rage and indignation on Donald Trump, but he’s really nothing more than a placeholder, a puppet for a well-oiled machine that has repeatedly proven its effectiveness in eroding our civil liberties.

Trump is little more than a narcissistic, not-very-bright ego maniac. The bad news? He holds the nuclear launch codes.

If nothing else, Donald Trump
is the perfect distraction
to what is really wrong in our country.

What is the real threat?

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center and so many others, hate groups are on the rise in America.

According to the Wall Street Journal (hardly a bastion of liberalism), far-right groups were sharing violent messages ahead of the “No Kings” protests this weekend.

The WSJ also reported that accounts associated with extremist groups are “also sharing detailed information about protest organizers, including names and where protestors work.”

And then? Surprise. Minnesota lawmakers are killed and attacked early Saturday morning because of their political views. Coincidence? Yeah, right?

Sadly, hate groups are nothing new in America. These days, the Klan stays mostly hidden – but not inactive.

While Democrats are growing hoarse, screaming “No Kings,” they seem somewhat reticent to admit that more American voters chose Trump than Harris.

The Democrats also failed to gain back control of the House and lost control of the Senate. Despite the current make-up of the Supreme Court, eroding civil rights, infringements on women’s reproductive rights and the general rise of corporate welfare, the left basically screwed the pooch.

Why?

Well, lots of people much smarter than me have offered their own theories about what went wrong in the last election. But here are some factors that seem painfully obvious (in retrospect).

Democrats lost a big portion of their base leading up to the election. Many people say the party basically abandoned some of its key supporters: from younger men to non-white voters and a middle-class that values labor unions.

Instead, Democrats chased a platform of identity politics and a far-left political ideology that doesn’t match current polling. Their messages were blurred and inconsistent. They simply thought the threat of Trump was enough.

They were wrong.

Despite the fact that many Americans say the Biden Administration was weak on immigration issues, Trump and his allies were able to effectively torpedo a bi-partisan bill that would strengthen and enforce immigration policies just weeks before the election.

And there were lots of other things, namely the failure of Democratic leaders to acknowledge what everyone else already knew: President Joe Biden was mentally failing. They tried to keep it a secret until it became painfully obvious to millions of television viewers in the first debate of 2024.

Jake Tapper, an award-winning journalist and the lead Washington anchor for CNN, recently co-wrote a book about the Biden cover-up: Original Sin.

In a recent episode of Bill Maher’s Real Time talk show, Tapper said the Democrats lost a lot of trust by covering for Biden.

Does any of this really matter? I don’t know. Can it be fixed? I don’t know. Maybe.

But the fact remains that the bigger threats to our democracy go way beyond Donald Trump. Despite whatever batshit thing he says or does, millions of his supporters joyously cheer him on.

That is what should keep you awake at night. If nothing else, Donald Trump is the perfect distraction to what is really wrong in our country.

Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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An Open Letter to Rep. Marc Malon: Transparency is needed and necessary

~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

Dear Marc,

I just read your recent “Cleaning Out the Notebook” piece that you posted on Facebook.

Overall, this is a good and interesting piece; a valuable behind-the-scenes view for those of us not watching Augusta as closely as we should.

Although I sometimes disagree with your positions, I do admire your tenacity and your underpinning commitment to the people like me who live in your district. (Hence, why I’m always happy to have your campaign sign on my lawn.)

That said, your repeated swipes and criticisms of your Republican colleagues comes off as sophomoric and rather boorish. Certainly, well below your ability.

In your most recent column to the Courier aka the Portland Press Herald, you write: “The loss of access to trustworthy information has impacted our political discourse greatly. It has created a void that rewards clickbait and outrage, causing misinformation to spread on social media before anyone can even attempt to correct the record with the truth.”

State Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford)

Reading your piece, it doesn’t appear that you are willing to even attempt anything even resembling a bipartisan approach, castigating those on the right side of the aisle for everything from taking too long to eat their lunch at Applebee’s to outright questioning of their cognitive skills.

This is a problem for you, especially. Why? Because you are actually employed by one particular party. You are a professional party operative, beyond your role as a lawmaker.

Your day job as job as director of party affairs for the Maine Democratic Party, puts you in an awkward position.

Maine’s Democratic Party helps pay your mortgage, your utilities and Christmas presents for your children. The Democrats are your employer. I don’t blame you for wanting to keep your boss on your good side. That’s a simple survival skill.

But you are not a pundit. You are a duly elected representative in the Maine Legislature. You voluntarily took on a much higher responsibility than some wayward guy making jokes on Facebook. This recent post of yours comes off as snobbish, condescending and a bit elitist.

I should not have to remind you that not everyone in your district is a Democrat, and you have a responsibility to be fair to them, also. You were unopposed and your district is, in fact, one of the strongest of Democrats’ strongholds across the state.

Maine’s Democratic Party helps pay
your mortgage, your utilities and
Christmas presents for your children.

As I said near the top, I don’t pay as close attention as I should. Perhaps you are making a good-faith effort at bipartisanship. It would be nice to hear an example or two from you. . . from time to time.

I get that the work is sometimes frustrating. I also get that Republicans simply dig in their heels sometimes for no other reason than they are the minority party right now.

Back in the day (mid to late 1990s) I covered Augusta for various publications. I saw plenty of times when both parties were being somewhat silly and very partisan, but I also saw a lot of compromise and good-faith efforts from both sides of the aisle.

I would find your column a bit more palatable if you tried a bit harder to at least appear a bit neutral. But hey, it’s your column so do what you want.

You are a smart and principled man. You are also a community leader. For better or worse, this latest column from you does not reflect those admirable traits of yours.

You owe me nothing. But if you’re going to complain about a “fractured system” and a “lack of serious media,” maybe you should not be dumping gasoline onto that fire.

As a professional journalist, I offer you this last bit of food for thought:  If you are going to write a newspaper column, you really should disclose your employer. It is especially relevant to your opinions and your subsequent commentary.

Best to you and your wonderful family. Enjoy the weekend.

Sincerely, R —

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Maine’s 2026 midterms pose a dilemma for both Republicans and Democrats

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Okay, so now it’s official. Former Gov. Paul LePage (Maine’s own version of Donald Trump) has finally announced that he will seek the CD2 seat, now occupied by Democrat Jared Golden who won his last election in 2024 with a razor-thin majority.

Will Golden try to hold his seat, or maybe buy a couple new flannel shirts and spread his wings to run for governor; or maybe run against the constantly shifting Republican Susan Collins in the upcoming senate race?

Former Governor Paul LePage

Golden — sticking to his principles and ideals — has caused a lot of unease from many of his fellow Democrats because of his failure to always toe the party line.

While CD2 does lean much more right than CD1, Republicans are not guaranteed a victory in the mid-terms and Democrats cannot afford to lose a single Congressional race in their attempts to push back against Trump.

Rep Jared Golden, not afraid to stir things up

What am I saying? LePage is closely identified with Trump, a man whose current poll numbers are not even close to strong. Will this help or hurt LePage in his 2026 bid?

Next: What about current Gov. Janet Mills (D)? She is facing term limits. Does she quietly retire and take up teaching crochet lessons in Farmington or does she eye U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ seat?

Mills has been somewhat vague in saying what her next steps will be.

Speaking of Susan Collins, far right Republicans are none too pleased with the current chair of the Appropriations Committee because she has bucked Trump a few times in recent weeks. How many Democrats will hold their nose and vote for her simply because she is a bankable centrist? But is she actually a moderate Republican? She’ll have to be if she wants to win her sixth consecutive senate race.

Senator Susan Collins

Will the Republicans put up a serious primary challenge to the Queen of Caribou? Only if they are insane. Even the strongest MAGA voter knows — deep down — that Collins has consistently rolled over challengers since 1995.

Back to the governor’s race, please tell me that Democrats have higher hopes than Troy Jackson and someone older and more experienced than Shenna Bellows to run for governor. Statewide, both of them would likely be considered as “too left.”

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows

And what of the Democrats bench to take on Collins? According to Newsweek, Jordan Wood and Natasha Alcala—have already announced their intention to run against Collins. Who? My dog has better name recognition, and Sasha is a good girl.

Let’s keep watching. Someone please make another batch of popcorn.

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Blinded By the Light: A public-school teacher goes off the rails

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

As first reported this morning by the Maine Wire – a politically conservative media outlet — a Waterville public teacher is now facing scrutiny and widespread backlash after making a post on social media that calls for people to physically harm President Donald Trump and his supporters.

Notice how I chose my words carefully. Using the words “ki**” or “assasi**te” in connection to the President of the United States can land you in serious hot water.

I know this lesson better than most everyone else who is commenting on this now viral story that has been picked up by mainstream media outlets across the country.

According to reporter Seamus Othot, Waterville High School teacher JoAnna St. Germain publicly urged the U.S. Secret Service to intentionally harm the president.

“The Secret Service has the perfect opportunity, if they choose to step up and take it. You are the ones with power. Coordinate. Take out every single person who supports Trump’s illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts. Look at the sycophants and give them what they’re asking for,” St. Germain wrote on her Facebook post.

As expected, the vast majority of commenters criticized the teacher, calling into question her mental health and her motives for such a fiery post.

A screenshot of St.Germain’s Facebook comment posted by the Maine Wire

No matter where you land on the political spectrum, you gotta feel sorry for both the school superintendent and principal. Their offices were reportedly flooded with calls from angry and worried parents.

“If I had the skill set required, I would take them out myself,” St. Germain also wrote on her social media post.

According to the Bangor Daily News, the U.S. Secret Service is aware of St. Germain’s post.

A big no-no

There is no doubt that Trump has created controversy and deep resentment because of his controversial policies, inflammatory statements and his confrontational personality, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to encourage a physical attack on him.

Public school teachers like St. Germain are entrusted by taxpayers to use good judgment.

It remains to be seen if St. Germain will face any repercussions from the school department for her inflammatory, thoughtless and emotionally charged public statements.

So, why do I claim to know so much about this story?

For that, we need to get into the “Way Back Time Machine” and set the dial to 1984.

Ronald Reagan had just been reelected for a second term as president of the United States. I was 20 years old, working as a third-shift janitor at McDonald’s. I was an avowed liberal and blamed Reagan and his “trickle-down” economic policies for all of my troubles.

I was actively involved with a group named PAUSICA (Portlanders Against U.S. Involvement in Central America). I was reading books by Angela Davis, the vice -presidential candidate for the Communists USA party. In my spare time, I participated in nightly vigils with other malcontents in Monument Square, protesting a ramp up of nuclear weapons.

For Christ’s sake, I was pretty much
a reincarnated version of Lee Harvey Oswald.

One night, while feeling particularly frustrated about Reagan, I made a remark saying someone “should do something about him” and if no one else was willing to, I would take on the task myself. As you can probably imagine, those were not my exact words.

A co-worker apparently called the Portland Police Department to report my comments about the president.

Before we proceed, let’s also remember that I had just been discharged from my third, involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. I was estranged from my family. I had no girlfriend or close friends.

I was a low-wage underachiever. In high school, I had pinned all my hopes to a career in the U.S. Air Force. But that did not go the way I intended. Although I received an honorable discharge, I considered myself a failure; now 20 years old with no future.

As you can imagine, the life I was living set off a lot of red flags for the U.S. Secret Service. For Christ’s sake, I was pretty much a reincarnated version of Lee Harvey Oswald.

The Secret Service asked to meet me at the Federal Building on Forest Avenue. They conducted a rigorous interview, took handwriting samples and a fresh set of finger-prints.

They let me go, but with a stern warning. Do it again, and you’ll find yourself in jail, they told me. I was pretty much scared straight, though I lost my job as a janitor at McDonald’s.

My view of Ms. St. Germain’s public rant?

She needs help. Pronto. I understand that Trump can make people very angry, but you simply can’t call for someone to help him shuffle off his mortal coil, especially if you hold a position of public trust.

We deserve better.

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Games Without Frontiers

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Last night, I watched President Trump’s address to Congress.

For those of you complaining about the boorish behavior of some Democrats:

1.) You are right. Several members of Congress acted like six-year-olds in a playground.

2.) You have very short memories. Do you not remember Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene screaming at Biden; or when Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina) shouted “You lie!” during one of President Obama’s State of the Union addresses?

3.) Look up the word hypocrisy. There is no way for you to claim the moral high ground when it comes to foolish behavior during presidential addresses.

I support the idea of greater government efficiency. I support plans to lower tax burdens on working Americans, but Trump’s credibility is overshadowed when he slips into unchecked egomania.

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Last night, the President of the United States claimed to have one of the biggest “landslides” ever when it came to both the popular and Electoral College totals. That’s just fantasy. In November, Trump won the popular vote by a margin of 1.48 percent.

Hardly historic, in fact, not even close. Check out some other totals: Teddy Roosevelt (18.8 percent) Calvin Coolidge (25.2 percent) FDR (24.6 percent in 1936) LBJ (22.5 percent) Nixon 23.15 percent in 1972. Heck, even Jimmy Carter beat Trump with 2.06 percent.

In fact, Trump had one of the lowest percentages of winning popular votes in history.

Trump’s tendency to inflate or distort his accomplishments is to be expected. All narcissists act that way. But here was the deal breaker for me:

When the President of the United States taunts and makes fun of a U.S. Senator as “Pocahontas.” and Vice President J.D. Vance breaks out in laughter. Decorum? Are you serious? I know fourth graders who exhibit greater maturity.

Mr. President, the United States deserves a leader who is not so insecure that he feels the need to denigrate anyone who has the temerity to disagree with his point of view.

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This little light of mine

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

(Please do not make this political. It’s just one of my favorite memories)

Today – once again – the United States of America held an inaugural ceremony for the next president.

I intended to watch, but time got away from me.

I am a political junkie. Not very astute — but what I lack in brains I make up for it with passion, enthusiasm and interest.

Thinking about today’s inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C reminded me of where I was on this day in 2009 – some 16 years ago.

And my memories are precious to me, especially since so many of them have been wiped clean by years of frequent ECT (Electro Convulsive Treatment) procedures, but I do vividly remember personally attending an inauguration in our nation’s capital.

The wind was bitterly cold, and the crowds were overwhelming, but I could not help feeling excited by what was happening all around me.

(Photo from The Guardian)

I did not vote for President Barack Obama. I voted for McCain. I was a registered Republican.

So why was I there? Why pay for an expensive hotel room and almost get squashed by a massive crowd of enthusiastic Democrats?

For reasons I still do not understand, I had been invited to attend a reception for the new president at the New Zealand embassy on the eve of the next day’s inauguration ceremonies. I’m not making that up.

I’ve never even been to New Zealand.

What are the odds of a Biddeford kid – a Republican, no less – getting invited to a reception for Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration? I’ll bet that there are not many people who can say that.

I think it’s because one of Maine’s best-known and respected attorneys knew I was a political junkie and wanted to show me some appreciation, especially since we both had family connections to the town of Rumford.

At that time, I was working for one of Maine’s premier political consulting firms, Barton & Gingold, a company that was sold almost a decade ago.

We were working with several other firms on a major project in northern Maine. The law firm of Preti Flaherty was the lead legal firm on that project. Severin Belliveau was a partner at Preti Flaherty, (formerly Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau and Pachios).

In a 2013 article for Down East Magazine, Edgar Allen Beem described Severin Beliveau as “Maine’s most powerful lobbyist.”

Beem wrote: “Severin Beliveau is a familiar figure in Maine’s corridors of power, an affable gentleman always dressed just a little better than everyone else in expensive grey suits, tassel loafers, and brightly colored ties. When it comes to pressing the flesh and twisting arms, Beliveau has few equals.”

After just a few weeks of working on the project, I mentioned to Severin that I attended high school for two years in Rumford and knew his niece, Margaret Beliveau (an exceptional student).

“I knew there was something I liked about you,” Severin grinned.

Because Severin was once chair of the Maine Democratic Party and was connected to just about everybody in Maine, odds are it was him who put me on the guest list for the embassy reception.

Apparently, it is a tradition for foreign embassies (especially those located on “Embassy Row”) to host a reception for the incoming president.

It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever been a part of.

I obviously asked Laura if she wanted to go with me. “No,” she replied. “But you should go. This is right up your alley.”

I bought a new suit, and there I was — feeling incredibly intimidated at the New Zealand Embassy on a cold January night.

Mr. Obama did not make it to the New Zealand embassy that night. I can only assume he had some other, more pressing engagements.

Still, it was pretty cool to be there even though I knew no one at the event.

I could have easily gone home that night or the next morning. The news was all a flutter about the expected massive crowds that would be attending the inauguration of America’s first Black president.

“This is historic,” I told myself. “To hell with it, I will brace the bitter cold and the massive crowds.”

They say that discretion is the better part of valor, but don’t tell that to an excited political junkie from Biddeford.

Honestly, the crowds were too thick. I could not get close enough to see what was happening, but it was still an exhilarating experience. I was right there when history was being made.

It was very cold, but there was a warmth that permeated from the crowd. I was completely surrounded by people who were basking in this moment, full of optimism about the ‘hope and change’ that was beckoning.

I was in a very distinct minority that morning on the subway headed toward the Capitol Building. Quite suddenly, I got a taste of what it’s like to be surrounded by people who didn’t look like me.

But it didn’t matter. There was no racial tension. Everyone, it seemed, was smiling; joyous, optimistic and filled with hope.

Suddenly, one lady on the train began singing: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine . . .”

Within seconds, all of the other passengers (including me) joined while laughing. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever been a part of.

So today, many years later, when I kicked myself for missing the inauguration as it was happening. I suddenly felt compelled to sing.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

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Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

It’s really not that surprising, and I’m not so sure that I disagree with Maine Governor Janet Mills.

Here’s the set-up: Maine Democrats – who have majority control of both chambers in the State House – are in a tough spot.

Why? Because there is a possible and significant state budget shortfall on the horizon.

To pay for everything their party approved last year, and to keep pace with the additional spending the governor wants — not to mention that Mills’ latest budget proposal is roughly 10 percent higher than the last biennial budget — the Democrats are going to need to find some new revenue.

Stat!

And where is the easiest place to find new tax revenue without inciting street riots from Sanford to Caribou?

You go for the low hanging fruit – a.k.a. the people who don’t have a team of lobbyists and consultants in their back pockets; the people easiest to demonize.

You go for the smokers. Nobody – except other smokers – really likes cigarette smokers. They stink, they tend to be less educated and low-income workers. . . you know? . . . the very same people that Democrats claim to love and care for so dearly.

Although no can really blame Republicans for crowing about this targeting of low wage earners (Why not? It kind of makes Democrats look bad) but there is plenty of hypocrisy here for the Maine GOP, as well.

Sure, sure, sure . . . Mills has also set her sights on some other relatively easy targets for additional revenue.

After all, we can’t expect the smokers to live long enough to become a reliable revenue stream for our ever-increasing state budget. Many of these folks can’t even walk down a grocery aisle without coughing and feeling out of breath.

In addition to an increased cigarette tax, Mills and her gang are also eyeing increased taxes on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify; as well as a four percent increase on cannabis taxes.

Nobody – except other smokers – really likes cigarette smokers.

That’s okay. The stoners won’t even notice that they are paying more for weed while watching back-to-back reruns of Breaking Bad.

Right on cue, Republicans have stepped forward to skewer the governor for supposedly hurting the very same people she claims to care so much about.

“We’re already one of the highest taxed states in the country so we don’t see a need to increase any taxes,” House minority leader Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham said, according to a story filed by WMTW-TV.

In that same news story, Mills defended her decision to go after smokers for additional revenue.

“Let me just say Maine has the highest adult smoking rate and the second highest youth smoking rate in New England, Mills told reporters. “We also have the cheapest cigarettes of nearly every state in New England, and we haven’t raised the cigarette excise tax in two decades.”

In her defense, Mills makes some excellent points.

There is no question whatsoever that people who smoke on a regular basis are much more likely to develop serious health problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoking cost the United States more than an estimated $600 billion in 2018, including more than $240 billion in health care spending.

They say that no one is more stridently opposed to cigarettes than former smokers. That may be true.

Up until just a few years ago, I smoked more than two packs of unfiltered cigarettes every day. It was a habit I started during basic training in the U.S. Air Force. The guys who smoked got frequent breaks while the rest of us did not.

When I quit smoking in 2016, the owners of 3Ds Variety on Main Street in Biddeford filed for federal relief funds to help offset the loss of revenue. (Relax, that is a joke). At that time, I was spending roughly $20 per day to support a habit that benefitted no one, especially me.

Last year, I did some rough calculating. By quitting smoking, I saved more than $45,000. But by then, some irreversible damage had already been done.

I lost several of my upper and lower teeth near the front of mouth. Remember that kid playing the banjo in the movie Deliverance?

Yeah, well — that kid has more of his teeth than I do. I will have to wear partial dentures every day for the rest of my life or figure out how to consume all my meals through a straw.

I don’t blame the Air Force or the R.J. Reynold’s Tobacco Company for the damage I caused by choosing to smoke.

I am also not holier than thou when it comes to addictive behavior. If I found myself unhoused, with no family, no car and sleeping outside in freezing weather, I’m pretty sure that I would pick up the habit again.

Yup, smokers have a pretty weak lobby in the Legislature. And most people – Democrats and Republicans — will likely support a tax increase on cigarettes.

As the old saying goes, “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.”

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know wants free help in quitting smoking, please visit the Maine Quit Link

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