Yesterday, you read about a new generation of progressive politicians across the state that truly stand for the people. There is no doubt that we need strong elected officials, but reclaiming democracy is not just about holding office. Powerful social movements set the agenda, pressure from the outside, and engage diverse coalitions to hold politicians accountable. This year—as Mainers vote on a new governor, new congressional representatives, and citizen initiatives—our people power must be stronger than ever.
Here are a few of the big moments for our movements to mobilize around this year.
Protect South Portland
In 2012, the Portland Pipeline Company proposed a reversal of its Portland-Montreal Pipeline to pump tar sands from Canada to South Portland. The pipeline was built in the 1960’s, never meant to transport viscous tar sands. The pipeline runs within 1,000 feet of Sebago Lake—the drinking water source for 20 percent of Maine’s population—and crosses the Crooked River (which runs into Sebago Lake) six times. The environmental, climate, and health impacts of this proposal are incalculable.
In 2014, residents of South Portland passed the Clear Skies Ordinance (CSO). This law “bans the loading of crude oil onto tankers in South Portland’s harbor,” single-handedly blocking the flow of tar sands across New England. In 2015, the Portland Pipe Line Corporation (PPLC) sued South Portland and claimed that the Clear Skies Ordinance is unconstitutional. The city has been defending itself against this lawsuit and the impending tar sands threat ever since. InsideClimate News reported that, “as of August 2017, the city had spent $1.1 million dollars to defend the ordinance. South Portland’s operating budget is $32.6 million.”
In December 2017, a federal judge dismissed all but one of PPLC’s claims against the city. The remaining claim debates whether or not the CSO violates constitutional rights of interstate commerce. This is a major decision that will influence communities’ ability in Maine and beyond to protect themselves from the dangers of the fossil fuel economy. A trial is expected in 2018 to resolve the battle in South Portland once and for all. This is a critical political issue to keep our eyes on this year. To support South Portland’s work visit their website.
We’re getting a new governor!
After eight destructive years of Paul LePage, we finally elect a new governor in 2018. There are already five Republicans, five Independents, and twelve Democratic candidates vying for the position. The field will narrow substantially after the primaries in June.
Of course, you can get involved in a gubernatorial candidates’ campaign. Knock on doors, make phone calls, host house parties. But there is a bigger opportunity this year. Instead of letting these candidates tell us what they think, let’s tell them whatwe care about. We can use our collective voices to call for platforms that represent our values: a Maine that stands strong on climate, welcomes all into our state, provides good jobs, supports young people, stands up to injustice in Washington.
How do we accomplish this power shift? We attend town halls, open forums, and all events to ask questions and declare what we care about. We organize rallies and marches. We write letters to the editor. When a candidate says something unjust, we fight back. Together, we can make sure that our governor truly does represent our voices.
Good-bye Poliquin
Another major opportunity this year is to oust Bruce Poliquin, U.S. representative for Congressional District Two. Poliquin has rabidly supported President Donald Trump’s agenda, as well as advocating for an end to DACA, backing the immoral Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He is on the side of all that is bad and unjust.
There are already three frontrunners opposing Poliquin: Lucas St. Clair, Jonathan Fulford, and Jared Golden. If you live in CD2, you can join the effort to elect a new U.S. representative who will do Maine proud. There isn’t much to say except good-bye Poliquin. We will replace you.
Citizen initiatives
There are two major citizen initiatives to keep an eye on this year. The first is Ranked Choice Voting, a system to ensure that candidates are elected by a majority of voters. This will sound familiar to you because it was on the ballot in 2016. We voted to institute a Ranked Choice Voting system in Maine—the first in the country. The Maine Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional, and then the legislature decided to delay the law until 2021 rather than remedying legal concerns.
Luckily, citizens swooped in with a people’s veto. By collecting over 61,000 signatures, the delay of RCV will be overridden. This means that RCV will be used during the primaries in June, and Mainers can decide to keep or reject RCV for all future elections.
In November, you will see a new citizen initiative on the ballot: Universal Home Care (UHC). Pioneered by Maine People’s Alliance, UHC increases access to in-home care for all seniors and Mainers with disabilities. If passed, this law will alleviate pressure on families struggling to provide adequate care for loved ones. It will also increase wages for in-home caretakers to ensure that it is a sustainable profession.
Both of these citizen-initiated campaigns require our support to make sure that Mainers have the information needed to back them in June and in November. Now, more than ever, we need to support referenda questions that stand up for justice when our elected officials will not. We can take back our power.
It often seems like our political system does more to harm that help us. We have to put our bodies on the line to make sure that people and planet can not just survive but thrive. Many of are are willing to fight because we know that our well-being is inextricably linked to a functioning democracy–politics is that is truly of, by, and for the people. In 2018, Mainers have an opportunity to unleash our true people power. We can protect our communities, elect a governor and congress member who truly reflect our values, and uphold the people’s will. From inside and outside the system, 2018 can be the year that Mainers show that people power is the ultimate political power.
Photo via Jeff Kirlin
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