Comments for Maine Women's Lobby Blog

Comment on I do, do you? by Stacie Battles

Stacie Battles — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:20:40 +0000

Lets get this passed once and for all. Everyone deserves the same right to enter in a marital/legal contract with the mate of their choice. The rights response is next we’ll want to marry animals. Is someone collecting zebras and kangaroos for this eventuality? A secret bunker? Maine is far too hip to fall for this utter nonsense.

Comment on I do, do you? by Terry Donald

Terry Donald — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:11:33 +0000

Lets all get together and work as hard as we can to get this passed. As I was told over and over again, by people signing the petitions for this proposal, it’s time, and it’s the right thing to do.

Comment on Déjà vu all over again by Liz Betit

Liz Betit — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:38:41 +0000

We have known for decades of the harmful affects of mercury and lead not only to humans but also to the environment. Now is not the time to roll back environmental laws, the earth is in serious trouble and to ignore this is to stick one’s head in the sand. We, as the current stewards of the world, have an obligation to protect the world’s eco-systems for the next generation. We have allowed greed and profit to cloud our judgement for far too long. Maine’s natural beauty has been the corner stone of it’s economy and the heart and soul of it’s people..do not roll back our environmental laws! Let us continue to lead in making thoughtful environmental decisions and attract businesses that work well for Maine’s environment and the health of it’s people. Thank-you.

Comment on Déjà vu all over again by Lorraine Taft

Lorraine Taft — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:50:39 +0000

Do not weaken our progress toward a safer environment. The Product Stewardship programs need to be kept in place, and strengthened -not diminished. Maine citizens deserve a safe environment and we deserve representatives who are strong on the environment. Do not make us go backward in the fight for healthy water and land. Manufacturers need to be responsible for the toxins they produce.
We are open to business, yes, but let us be selective about the business we accept. NO to further pollution of our land and waters. We are Maine. We are known for our environment.

Comment on Déjà vu all over again by Phyllis vonHerrlich

Phyllis vonHerrlich — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:45:39 +0000

Do not abandon the protective programs we have today. Many businesses have shown for decades that they do not care about the environment or our health. You only need to think of Corinna and Hartland to be reminded of this. The DEP needs to make sure all businesses act in ways that are in the best interest of a healthy environment for everyone.

Comment on little beards? by ‘Little Beards’ Tops Maine Women’s Lobby “Top 5 Story List” | Dirigo Blue | Maine's Source for Progressive Political News

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:16:43 +0000

[...] that time of year again when we look back at the work we did together. Throughout this past year, we fought against roll-backs to child labor laws, chemical reform [...]

Comment on I Don’t Believe in “Welfare Queens” by hollyvalero

hollyvalero — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:33:37 +0000

I shop for food like most people, buying a mix of everything. I don’t care what other shoppers are buying, and if your state assistance allows you to buy lobsters and you like lobster? Go for it.

Why do we suddenly become nutritional cops when someone is using food stamps? I’d rather see you maintaining as “normal” a lifestyle as possible.

Isn’t that what all parents try to do when things go south? Preserve the sense of “normal” for their kids, their families, and themselves?

I have never been poorer for generosity – of time, spirit or finances. If someone is in need of help? I provide the help they need if I am able. All the abuses in the food stamp program combined cost less than one small nuclear warhead. If I want to protest a misuse of funds? I’ll probably start with something like that…

Comment on I Don’t Believe in “Welfare Queens” by Don’t Shoot the Brunette Messenger – The College Conservative

Don’t Shoot the Brunette Messenger – The College Conservative — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:50:34 +0000

[...] and gentlemen, is completely beyond the point. One impassioned columnist encouraged me to go visit a homeless shelter. Others instructed me to go work as a social worker for a year or two. Still [...]

Comment on I Don’t Believe in “Welfare Queens” by Karen

Karen — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:34:24 +0000

Thanks for a more reasonable response than the original blog post offered. It is entirely possible – and so preferable – to discuss programmatic reform of public assistance without stooping to name-calling, stereotypes, and judgments about who is “truly” in need. I support the exclusion of alcohol and tobacco from EBT cash benefits, but I don’t begrudge a child a “giant” birthday cake or even a Slip ‘N Slide. For too long, public assistance programs provided nothing but things deemed essentials, and as most of us know, a life with nothing but essentials, especially for a child, is a hard one to bear. I was shocked that this young cashier, Christine, had so little empathy for the folks in her lines at Wal-Mart. Recipients of public assistance are treated with animosity and disdain so often and are often under such day-to-day stress that it is little wonder that they sometimes lose their tempers with the cashiers who think so little of them.

Comment on I Don’t Believe in “Welfare Queens” by Lori Libby

Lori Libby — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:54:25 +0000

I have read both blogs. I thought both were well written and thoughtful. Each ignores the other side… “Welfare Queens” ignores that there may indeed be good reasons to buy a ready made birthday cake. “I Don’t Believe” ignores that there are people who cheat the system.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with a hand up. We SHOULD help our neighbors when they need it. I remember the radio stations relaying messages about people with generators looking to fire them up at neighbor’s houses so they didn’t lose their refrigerated food during the ice storm in ’98. That is how things should be done.

I’m tired of working to pay for someone who has two children and doesn’t pay for them since the state does. He lived with his girlfriend and his kids. Since he didn’t have to work, he played video games all day and hung out with his friends. I called DHHS and nothing was done.

I’m tired of watching a single mother on welfare wearing alligator boots and her kids not get the medicine prescribed by the doctor. I know she didn’t buy them with welfare, but she did sell some of her benefits for cigs and cash REPEATEDLY until she had enough to buy them and other luxury items I couldn’t afford working full time. Her kids had ear infections that wouldn’t go away. I called DHHS about the neglect, nothing was done.

I’m tired of welfare parents putting pressure on their teenage daughters to have a baby to boost the level of aid coming into the household. I called DHHS and nothing was done.

I’m tired of single mothers being told by DHHS they have to quit their part time job or going to school to get an extra $20 in aid each month.

I’m tired of married couples without medical insurance being told by DHHS that if they divorce, the wife would qualify for the full state benefits for her pregnancy, delivery and beyond.

Why can’t we weed out those who are abusing the system? Why can’t we limit aid to the five year limit set in the welfare reform set up by President Clinton? Wouldn’t we have more money to help those who need it? Wouldn’t we have more money to help more people? Wouldn’t there be a little left over to give back to those of us who work very hard to make ends meet and raise our families?

Why is it met with such name calling and hatred towards those who want to reform our system here in Maine? Why can’t both sides drop their agendas and actually sit down and work out a plan that serves the people who pay their taxes and those who need help? Why are both sides too selfish to do the right thing for people?