With just 27 days remaining before the election, the Lincoln County Republican Committee met October 10 to take stock of where the campaigns stood. Bruce Poliquin, Maine State Treasurer, energized the group while at the same time spelling out the serious financial problems facing this country.

Poliquin asked if we want to continue a government that is big and expensive, where we have to pay high taxes, giving us less prosperity, less economic freedom, much like in Europe. The bigger the government, he said, the smaller the people.

For the fourth year in a row, Poliquin said, career politicians have spent more than a trillion dollars a year above what the government takes in revenue. To fill the gap, he said, the government either borrows or prints more money. Now our national debt exceeds 16 trillion dollars. He said it’s scary since there has been no credible plan to pay it off. Of the total federal expenses, some 54 percent go to cover Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and interest on the debt. Thus, he said, we can't solve our problems without addressing them.

What makes things even scarier, Poliquin said, is that interest rates today are at historic lows. If interest rates rise, our debt will spike.

Poliquin went on to say that, unlike the Federal government, the State of Maine has reduced its debt, reduced spending and thus was able to provide the largest tax cut in Maine history.

Following Poliquin's remarks, those candidates present talked about their campaigns. Several candidates were absent because they were participating in a debate at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.

Deb Sanderson, candidate for reelection in House District 52, read a commentary entitled Mud season in Maine, that she published in the Lincoln County News of October 11. It was a response to some very negative mailers that were sent to her constituents by the Maine Democratic Party that, she said, claimed that for the past 2 years she had been “waging war on the elderly, the poor, and the middle class.” She used the commentary to answer some of these claims and to suggest that both sides run a clean campaign where a clear comparison can be made “without the lies, the innuendo and the slinging of mud.” 

Other highlights of the meeting included the following:

Alan “Buzz” Pinkham, candidate for House District 51, Ray Soule, candidate for House District 53, and Ellen Winchenbach, candidate for House District 50, talked about their respective campaign activities and where they felt their campaigns stood.

Ham Meserve, running unopposed for County Commissioner in District 1, encouraged the committee to help support Sheridan Bond, who is running for reelection as County Commissioner in District 3.

Earl Inman, Lincoln County Republican Committee chair, discussed fund raising efforts and plans for spending to support candidates. He noted that the Lincoln County Republican Committee was holding a yard sale on Saturday at the headquarters and encouraged members to participate. 

Katie Winchembach, Waldoboro Republican town chair, talked about their recent rally and upcoming events. Included are plans to have an election-night event at the American Legion in Waldoboro and doing some sign waving on Route 1 in Waldoboro. 

Jon McKane, House District 51, spoke passionately about the need to support candidates by getting out the vote, making calls, and writing letters to the editor. 

The meetings ended with an open discussion about what people were doing and what suggestions they had to help candidates.

The committee will meet again Wednesday, Nov. 14, at a location to be determined.

Campaign materials can be obtained at the Lincoln County Republican Committee headquarters on Business Route 1 in Damariscotta, between Hannaford's and Damariscotta Hardware. For more information about the Lincoln County Republican Committee and town committees, go to www.lincolncountyrepubicans.org or email lcrcchair@zoho.com.