Monthly Archives: May 2015

Commencement advice for politicians

Cynthia: In her famous commencement address to Harvard University students, J.K. Rowling said it was her personal failure that led to great success. Hitting rock bottom became the solid foundation on which she rebuilt her life. In Augusta and Washington, showboating politicians are failing to govern or find commonsense solutions to our large collective problems. […]

Welfare, Tax Credits, and the Gordian Knot

Writing this blog/column has provided limited opportunity to review issues with the seriousness they deserve.  Cynthia and I have been tasked with keeping it light, punchy, and fun – we’ll leave it to you to judge our success. However, with the editorial page’s recent take on Warren Buffett, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and […]

Tax the yachts? Or is Maine sunk?

Mike: Things are getting down to brass tacks in Augusta. Or, in this case, less tax. Have legislative Republicans found fertile new ground away from the governor and the Democrats? Cynthia: Republican lawmakers are out there, all right. Their “new” plan raises taxes on low- and middle-income Mainers to pay kindergarten teachers and police officers, […]

Deflated footballs and a deflated Obama legacy?

Cynthia: It’s like deja vu all over again this week. President Obama is playing the Bill Clinton “triangulation” card with Republicans over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, and the New England Patriots got caught cheating again. The only fresh air out of Washington seems to be freshman Sen. Elizabeth Warren rallying Democrats to drive a […]