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My name is Jean Hay and I live in Blue Hill. And today I am announcing my candidacy for Congress in Maine's 2nd District.
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Some of you may have seen or heard the reports this past summer of three women Democrats thinking of running for the seat now held by Olympia Snowe. I'm the third one they mention. I'm the virtual unknown.
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If you came here to see what a virtual unknown looks like, look quickly, because I don't intend to stay that way for long.
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It's a safe bet to say that I am not a typical politician. I have never held political office before. At this particular point in history, I think that is an asset.
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I am here as a citizen of the United States of America to say that I think we deserve better than we've been getting in Washington.
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I care about this country.
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I love it deeply – and I am very worried about it. I am so worried about it that I am willing to change the course of my life, dig deeply into my limited financial resources, spend the next 15 months on the campaign trail, and then work my butt off in Washington to make this country a better place in which to live.
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This is a good point in my life to be doing this. I have the time, the talent, the drive – and as Irma Bombeck says we should do, I am seizing the opportunity.
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I am the mother of two children, a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Dagan. I have made my living a number of ways – as a reporter and bureau chief for the Bangor Daily News, as an organic farmer, as a small business owner, as a legislative assistant in Tom Andrews' congressional office.
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All my life I have been riveted by issues. I am one of those strange people who enjoys figuring out solutions to complicated problems. I like getting things done. I never considered myself an activist until someone pointed out that an activist is someone who is riveted by issues, finds solutions to problems, and gets things done.
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In a way I entered this race through the back door. I kept shaking the bushes this past spring, looking for a congressional candidate in the 2nd District I could support, someone I could follow. But the only thing that shook loose were candidates for governor.
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Since there are now more than enough gubernatorial candidates to make a pie, you can see I made quite an effort.
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Only then did I start thinking about my own resume and background. I looked at it long and hard, and talked to a lot of people, including many of the people here, before I decided to jump in. When balanced against the strength of my convictions and concerns, I simply ran out of excuses not to run. Why me? Why not me?
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I realized later that I had gone through the same process found in many grass roots efforts – concern, frustration, then action.
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And when I read about what was happening here at Fort Knox State Park, I knew I wanted to make my announcement here.
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Here is a government structure, built on a sound foundation, and designed to protect its citizens from harm. But it is crumbling from neglect, money problems, and fights over priorities.
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A group of citizens – local people – became worried about the condition of the fort. Their concern grew into frustration, and then spilled over into action. A committee has been formed, engineers have been hired, and a fund drive has been launched. The work has begun.
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Concern over the condition of our basic governmental structures
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Frustration over the way our money is being handled and our resources are being managed at the federal level
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Action – first of an individual and then by a group – to get in there and deal with those issues.
- In the last election, politicians had to be reminded, time and time again, about priorities. ''The economy, stupid,'' was the operative phrase. But since that election, I think it has become obvious to everyone that our government can't cure the economy until it puts its own house in order. This time around, politicians and candidates need to be reminded that it is ''the government, stupid'' that needs our attention.
- It is time to get our government back to basics and down to earth. The structure is good, the best in the world. But some of the caretakers in Washington have a strange sense of what is important, of what they think they should be doing with our money – and our country.
I see government's role as: 1) taking care of the helpless, and 2) providing the rest of us with the tools and opportunities to lead productive, healthy lives. That means:
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- An education that will not only meet the future but will help shape it;
- A clean environment in a diverse economy;
- A comprehensive health care system for all;
- Security in our streets, our homes, and across our borders;
- Human rights, here and abroad, including pro-choice opportunities and gay rights;
- Sustainability, on our farms, in our jobs, in our federal budget;
- Responsibility, shouldered by those who can, and for those who can't.
- It is getting government back to basics and down to earth. It is citizens like you and me deciding to reclaim our heritage and to chart our country's course to prosperity. Six-score years ago, President Lincoln said it another way – a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
I am excited about the prospects in this campaign – of getting people involved, of tapping their brains for ideas, of rolling up our collective sleeves and actually doing the job right. I want this campaign to be the start of a real political revival in our part of Maine. Because that's what it is going to take to get this country moving again – to get people back to work with a sense of hope for the future – to make sure our children have a future.
It will take people, many people, moving beyond concern and frustration, into action. I can't do it alone. I need your help. I invite everyone to join in this campaign, we need all our talents to make our world a better place. It will only work if we work together.
The opportunity is staring us in the face.