We spend much too much time speaking with those who agree with us, and to little time listening to divergent opinions. Although my opinions on many issues are clear, I still welcome seeing candidates with opposing views, and believe we all grow in the resulting debates.

But a candidate with no views, no experience, no reasonable qualifications. I feel that McCain has given me a slap on the face, by picking as his running mate a woman whose only qualification for high national office appears to be ... well, the fact that she's a woman ... and that's no qualification at all. As a lifetime member of the NRA, she may be a better shot than our current vice president, but what experience has she had in foreign diplomacy, national economic policy, civil rights, civil liberties, dealing with Congress.

With her lack of a record, she'd probably not make it through Senate confirmation hearings for any of the cabinet positions, and yet she'd be next in line to succeed the oldest president ever to be elected.

With his announcement, McCain has shown us his utter disdain for the American voter, and for America itself. His action has shifted the topic of debate from a number of serious issues -- on which responsible disagreement may be possible -- to the ethics of appointing a running mate whose only virtue may be her perceived electability.

I'd expected more from the Republicans. Will either of our Senators -- both women of integrity and accomplishment (and with whom I usually disagree) -- be able to tell us with a straight face that their vice presidential candidate is ready to assume the highest office in our land, and perhaps in the world?

I have observed a number of candidates for both State and Federal offices promising to work to achieve "affordable health care for all". Very enticing, but these aspirants provide few details of how the worthy goal would be accomplished.

To be fair, such an undertaking would be far from simple and implementation would require enormous changes in our current health care system not to mention overcoming significant resistance from industry and individuals.

There is certainly an ideological split inherent in the issue. One side supports the concept that it is government's responsibility to provide the same level of health care for all of its citizens; the other side argues with equal fervor that government intervention would result in loss of freedom of choice and the rise of a massive bureaucracy with the aaccompanying huge rise in taxation to support the new government function.

The concept of government-sponsored health insurance has encountered difficulties at the state level, primarily because of the cost involved. Maine is having problems funding Dirigo (in addition to owing millions to hospitals for treatment provided under MaineCare). Massachusetts is currently faced with a growing funding deficit for its mandatory health insurance program and Tennessee was financially unable to continue some of its free health care programs because of larger than anticipated utilization. The case might be made that state governments do not have the financial resources to support such an ambitious undertaking.

Then where to turn?

The Federal government currently funds health care programs for the elderly, low income individuals and families, military personnel and their dependents and veterans, among others, resulting in coverage for approximately 25% of the U.S. population. To increase the coverage to "universal health care" levels would necessitate an enormous increase in tax revenues.

Most of the nations who supply government-sponsored health care have income tax levels near or exceeding the 50% level. Also, nearly all of these programs require some of the health care costs to be borne by every participant, usually through some form of copayment. Notably, in nearly all of these countries there is still some sort of private health insurance available for those willing to pay additional premiums.

Proponents for universal health care argue that even with greatly increased taxes, the overall price of health care for the individual would decline since the profit margin for the health care and health insurance industries would no longer be a factor.

Opponents counter that government programs are not known for saving money and speculate that any savings would be more than overcome by the new and burgeoning government agency that would be required to oversee such a massive program.

There is ample room for discussion regarding the promises of politicians running for office. Despite glowing promises, there is no "free" involved in the concept of universal health care.

For many voters, the choice may hinge on whether one prefers a government that can be viewed as providing the solutions for life's problems, or a more limited government that allows the individual freedom to make choices on how to manage life's opportunities, problems and yes, hardships.

Rain, rain, rain… the summer has been one for the record books as the lakes and rivers, streams and gullys fill up and overflow. Plans are ruined, local summer establishments loose money and tans fade.

"Blame it on Mother Nature" we are told, but is that really who's to blame?I say blame it on China and the Olympic Games! China's pollution and poor air quality has caused lots of concern and attempts to clean up their mess so that the best athletes from around the globe can run and jump, swim and dive without smog obscuring the end result.

Thus lots of effort has been made to remedy the horrible air and some of the ideas seem like good ones. Millions of trees were planted, factories were closed (maybe not good for the workers!), and cars were banned from certain areas. When this failed to produce sufficient results, even clouds were seeded over and over again to create rain that would remove pollution and particulate from the air. But is that a good thing?

When weather is controlled by man and rain is caused to fall in certain areas, can this affect other weather in different parts of the world? I think it can and I think it has. We like to forget that everything on this planet is connected to everything else (including ourselves) and weather in China has a direct relationship to weather in Maine.

In considering the impact of the Olympics I cannot also help think of the time, effort and money that has been put into these events. Yes, it's fun to watch the best of the best compete and strive for perfection. But is it really worth all the money that has been poured into this two week extravaganza? What about the million Chinese people that have displaced and left homeless so that their towns could become the Olympic stadium? How much has been spent over the years training and creating these practically mythical athletes? And for what? To see who is the fastest?

My question is - how will this make the world a better place? Will there be more love and peace in the world? Will more children be educated or loved or given decent living conditions? Will people help each other more or are we creating an atmosphere of 'might always wins' and 'strong is always best'? Yes perhaps a handful of children from China and Russia and other imperial countries will have improved nutrition and housing, but at what cost? For a childhood spent practicing and obsessing for a sport that will give millions of people a few minutes of adrenalin rush? What happens when they loose and what happens to the rest of their lives? Many are forgotten and ill trained to face the rest of their lives. Is that worth it?

So this summer I won't be watching the Games. I'll pick blackberries with my three year old neighbor and tell her where the Monarch butterflies come from. I'll teach her to swim for the sheer joy of it. And wait for the sun to come out again.

The state of Maine in all it's great wisdom strikes a blow in support of oil kingdoms of the Middle East and solidly against the local citizens by instructing Tom Joyal of Kennebunk to park his electric vehicle. Although the vehicle in question is legal under state law, the Maine State Police has issued their own rules that somehow make the vehicle illegal as registered so the state says to park it. It seems that Tom's ZAP electric truck has 3 wheels and is registered as a motorcycle as are other 3 wheel vehicles but it also has a steering wheel instead of handle bars and the state police inspection manual for motorcycles states that a motorcycle has to use handle bars so the vehicle is uninspectable under state police rules even though state law makes no mention of handlebars.

I thought that Governor Baldacci and others in state government supposedly supported alternate fueled vehicles and weaning the state from imported oil but at a time like this twisted state regulations rise to the top and put the stop to any efforts to actually accomplish this goal.

Tom Joyal is caught in the middle of a bureaucracy that has too many people with too much time on their hands and who provide no benefit to the citizens of this state.

I think Tom should just bolt a set of handlebars onto the steering wheel of his ZAP so he can get an inspection and run his truck around. The we'll see who can come up with the next reason why Mainers can't get away from big oil.

Federal Reserve reports a tightening of lending standards on loans due to the current banking crisis. Some indicate that this is a crisis of it's own.

I have to disagree.

The banking crisis was created when so called experts decided that practically anyone who can sign their name can have a loan regardless of their ability to repay. These loans were repackaged into securities and sold to other so called financial experts. This provided more money for shaky loans and so on. The CEO's of these banks and finance houses received millions in salary and bonuses for their wisdom and when the interest rates of many of these loans tipped upwards and consumers decided that food and fuel were more important to them than paying back the money that they borrowed then we entered a crisis.

It's long overdue for lending standards to be tightened. If this had been done years ago then our country may not have entered our current real estate and credit crisis.

I can remember when you had to have a substantial down payment, good credit, and a fairly good chance of paying back a loan before you were given a loan. I'm not really that old so I think others can probably remember this too. Then we entered the era of "easy money". Undocumented income. 100% financing. Teaser rates and balloons. Repackaging and sales of mortgages as securities.

Those who cannot afford credit shouldn't have it.

Credit cards are not needed by everyone. Those who cannot afford to pay back a mortgage shouldn't buy a house. If you cannot afford a new dining room set than maybe you don't really need one.

Are these revolutionary thoughts?

Tightening credit is not a crisis, it is simply good old common sense. This has been missing from the financial markets for some years now. Although some will cry that todays modern society cannot get by without credit I think it's time we learn how.

As discussed in a previous column, health insurance mainly falls into three categories: Job-based Coverage, Individual Policies and Government-funded Programs. In addition, Maine hospitals are required by law to provide free care for those who fit low-income parameters.

With Job-based Coverage, the cost of premiums is shared by the employer and the employee. Businesses consider their share of these costs to be part of the employee's compensation package. Such plans provide a variety of benefits and costs vary according to the level of coverage an employee chooses. The size of a company may also influence the type and extent of benefits made available.

State and Federal employees have programs that may require some contribution by the employee, but the majority (or in some cases all) of the premium expense is borne by the taxpayer. Generally these plans provide extensive non-elective coverage and therefore are more costly per enrollee.

Premiums for individual policies are paid in total by the policy holder. These plans offer a wide range of benefits and their cost will depend upon what options are selected by the policy holder. Individual policies are usually the most expensive choice and are one of the few opportunities available for the self-employed and those not covered by government programs.

All government entitlement programs are mostly paid for by taxpayers, although in many cases a "co-pay" is required for selected medical services and in addition the enrollee frequently is required to pay a percentage of total costs.

Dirigo Choice was originally intended to be funded by "savings" created by implementation of new regulations governing health care providers and insurance companies, extracted from consumers and private health insurers and then used to subsidize coverage for selected enrollees. This program was passed into law in June 2003 and touted by Gov. Baldacci, who promised that Dirigo would never require an increase in taxes. Currently, Dirigo is not available for new enrollment. On April 15, 2008, a slim majority of the Maine Legislature passed a tax increase estimated at $57-72 million to fund the ballooning costs of the Dirigo Health program.

Until the 1930's, the cost of health care was relative low. Prior to 1920, most patients were treated in their homes. The state of medical technology at that time imposed severe limitations on what could be done for many patients and even surgery was often performed in private homes until the 1920's. Hospitals had not assumed their modern form until the turn of the century, when antiseptic methods were well established.

Enormous strides in medical technology since the 1930's have resulted in longer, healthier life spans for the public in general along with huge increases in medical costs and the birth of health insurance to help pay for these benefits.
Since each state independently regulates health insurance programs, and there are so many options available to the general public, it is difficult to define the average cost of health insurance on a state by state basis. One study, conducted in 2005 by the Association of Health Insurance Plans, pegged the average yearly cost of health insurance in Maine at approximately $3,700 for an individual and $10,700 for a family of three. The results of this study placed Maine costs in the top ten of the states considered.

So, can we deduce that, in general, Maine citizens all have some level of health care available?

The question might then become, what could be the best most inclusive health care plan for Maine citizens and how much would we be willing to pay for it? And one more question: how can we get the best deal?

August 7, 2008 - The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram announced Wednesday that several employees have been laid off and that there will be changes to the layout of the paper in an effort to cut costs ... Last month, the newspaper announced the need for another round of layoffs to compensate for a projected $1.2 million shortfall in advertising revenue for the second half of the year. It is the fourth round of layoffs in the past 12 months and the third round this year. In the last round, which took effect July 1, the company cut 36 jobs.

Source - http://pressherald.mainetoday.com ...

Click here to view a larger image ...

Maine has the potential to become energy independent. We have large areas of wood, great wind and much hydro potential. We can power our homes and businesses with in state energy supplies, creating new businesses and jobs for our citizens and stopping the export of our wealth to foreign countries.

While I watch the political debate about offshore drilling, I am simply disappointed with both candidates and the citizenry that seems to be supporting this line of politics. Despite what anyone says, we cannot drill our way back to cheap energy, and any new domestic offshore supply will have no effect on current requirements and only very minimal effect on any future needs. This doesn't mean that the drilling shouldn't occur, only that it will have no effect on supply or pricing.

We MUST develop alternate energy sources for our future needs. Oil will certainly be an important part of our future but it cannot remain the dominant fuel of choice that it currently is.

Here in Maine, we have the ability to heat our homes with wood and electric. Wood pellets and regular firewood supplies both need to be expanded and can provide a tremendous business opportunity for many Mainers. Land use policies need to be reconsidered to preserve woodland for our energy needs. Our current zoning in many areas encourages sprawl where many large lots are cut into 5 acre or smaller parcels effectively taking it out of commercial wood harvest. Cluster development would preserve large areas of land for both wood and agriculture and also allow a central pick up spot for public transport which will be occurring in the future.

Maine has abundant potential for wind power which is only just beginning to be realized. I have recently read that the US has become the #1 country in the world for wind generation. Germany has a greater installed capacity but a higher average wind speed in the US provides a greater total output. Much of this power is located in Texas and the southwest but Maine can certainly supply our own power. The new power distribution system being proposed by CMP and others is vital to this potential being realized. Without the ability to get this power to market, the investment in generation will not occur. A wind mill must be installed where there is wind and not just where there is a power line. Many of the best wind sites in the state are in remote areas without adequate power lines. This investment must happen for Maine to become energy independent.

Hydro power in Maine has a vast potential and is always there even when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. Many hydro projects of the past have been dismantled to provide passage for fish and simply because of old age and general decline of the dams and equipment. New sites must be developed in such a manner that the fish can be protected and the energy become available for the state.

Gasoline for our cars is one of the few areas where we cannot really provide replacement product but electric cars are on the horizon which will meet many of the needs for commuting and business use. I attended the Maine Boat and Home show in Rockland this weekend and there were a couple of electric cars from Miles Electric Vehicles which show the potential of electric cars. The two on display were a low speed car for in town use and a utility truck also low speed for in town use. Miles is currently developing a highway speed car called the Miles XS500 which will seat 4 and travel 100+ miles at up to 80 MPH. This car looks like many other basic family 4 door cars and would meet the needs of many for their daily commute. The XS500 should become available in 2009 and sell for mid 30's. There is also an electric car from Th!nk coming in 2009 which will go more than 100 miles at up to 65 MPH and sell for under 25,000.

These are exciting times in Maine and the US. People need to be proactive in changing for the future. Those who sit and wait for the change to wash over them will have the hardest time staying afloat. Plan for the future and do what you can when you can to meet it head on.

Is it August already? The days slip away as the sun sets a bit earlier each night. The shadows are longer and the Goldenrod brightens the field. I saw an orange limb on a Maple tree out back yesterday and it stopped me in mid-stride.
I feel I must wring the life from these last few weeks of sunshine and sand.
As the naturalist at Pemaquid Beach this summer I should have had my full share of sun and fun, but the summer always seems too short.
Tuesdays I set up a Touch Tank from 10 AM to Noon and children and adults watch and fondle sea stars and cucumbers, crabs and urchins. Encourage your children to hug a sea star, kiss a clam, and touch the Earth. Try it yourself. Life is short - so is summer - so enjoy!

Tonight two Milwaukee Brewer teammates Prince Fielder Manny Parra fought in the team's dugout and it was caught on video (Fielder went after and shoved Parra twice after they exchanged some words). Fielder had to be held back by his other teammates. Brewer manager, Ned Yost, was asked about the altercation after the game and his response was, essentially, to tell the media and public to but out. More specifically, he said what went on was going to stay "in the family" and that it's "a little bit rude for the neighbor to come next door and ask what's going on". I see.

Let's be clear about the idea Yost is invoking here. This is what many would call a "man law" that states that real men handle their own business "in the family" and other men should stay out if they have any respect for the code…and unless they want to risk physical consequences themselves.

Sickening. Sickening when you understand the level of violence that men who are handling "their family business" do in this country: a woman is battered by a man every 9 seconds. One in four women will be the victim of some kind of sexual assault in their lifetime. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to females between the age 15-44. In Maine, domestic violence is annually responsible for the majority of homicides.

So much of this violence is perpetrated right under the nose of friends, family and neighbors of the victims. So many people find all manner of excuses to make the violence "none of their business". Particularly among men, the idea the violence committed by another man towards women and children is "nobody else's business" is the crutch that supports this level of abuse that is catastrophic for so many families in Maine and around the country -- a gutless crutch at the end of the day. It # this code - is antithetical to the attributes of true manhood. It rebukes our humanity.

Hearing someone who is a role model and community leader, whether he likes it or not, reprise what ought to be an extinct social sign is disturbing.

When are we going to be done with this? If the initial response by the national sports media is any indication, this will be treated either as a joke, an entertainment, or as some kind of positive affirmation of what competitiveness among men is all about. Let's hope that we hear more thoughtful commentary that that. And, let's demand more from these men who would be role models for other males, young and old alike.

On our next election day at least one of the issues on the ballot will likely be associated with the subject of health insurance. I recently began to wonder just how many people in Maine are eligible to receive health care through currently available programs.

There are, of course, those who share monthly premiums in partnership with their employer for individual and family health insurance. Such plans provide varying coverage and options for workers and their families, dependent upon how much enrollees are willing to pay.

There are self-employed individuals who have access to similar plans if they decide that they can afford the premiums and there are those who are independently wealthy for who cost is not an issue.

Individuals who have reached age 65 are eligible for no-cost Federal Medicare once they are enrolled, but normally have out-of-pocket costs if they elect to select Medicare Plan B supplementation and the new medication plan. Certain other individuals can qualify for Medicare because of disabilities.

Medicaid, with a combination of Federal funding and supplemental state contributions, provides care for those who fall within specific income parameters based on the Federal Poverty Level.

Veterans and retired military personnel are eligible for health care benefits through the Veterans Administration health care centers and certain other military-related health care programs.

Finally, Maine hospitals are required by law to provide free care for patients earning up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and in some cases certain hospitals have been known to extend that limit up to 250%.

In addition, hospitals frequently write off the costs of health care in certain cases that are identified as "bad debt".

These commitments by Maine hospitals prevent scenarios experienced by other states that involve ill or injured people being shuttled from hospital to hospital in search of one willing to accept charitable cases. Indeed, Maine has been rated by some studies as high as third-best in overall health care in the nation

After reviewing this list, I am not sure if there is anyone residing in Maine who might not be able to receive emergency and life-sustaining health care. Please let me know if any of you reading this post are aware of any verifiable exceptions.

It would appear that indeed Maine has a good health care climate. There are, however, looming questions about health care insurance issues. That subject will be the topic of an upcoming column.

Click here to view a larger image ...