OneMaine

The level of vitriol both on the state and national level are disheartening. We argue for starting at and focusing on our shared areas of agreement and searching for solutions based on the common good of our society.

Maine lawmakers can’t get away from ‘Washington-style politics’ AUGUSTA, Maine — The federal government’s dysfunction, exemplified by $85.4 billion in automatic federal budget cuts set to take effect Friday because Congress and President Barack Obama can’t agree on budget priorities, ripples through the Maine State House. It’s not just the impact the federal cut...

We'd like to see our governor work with and listen to those not in his own party. Let's continue to urge him to do so.

LePage opts not to meet with Obama | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram The governor attended Republican events, but left early for a Florida vacation instead of discussing budget cuts and meeting with Democrats.

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer." - John F. Kennedy

“I couldn’t be more pleased... to join this... organization, whose mission is absolutely essential at this moment of unparalleled polarization in our nation, and certainly in our government,” the ex-GOP senator from Maine said in a statement.

Olympia Snowe joins Bipartisan Policy Center - Breanna Edwards Olympia Snowe will join the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank dedicated to public policy, it was announced Wednesday.Snowe will serve as a senior fellow and co-chair the group’s new Commission on Political Reform, which will study the causes and consequences of current partisan politics i...

Please take a moment to view our OneTable: Downtown Revitalization discussion held in Lewiston last month and share with your friends!

OneTable: Downtown Revitalization | OneMaine Please enjoy the video of our OneTable: Downtown Revitalization discussion. Feel free to continue the conversation in the comments section!

Our former director and soon to be mom, Kaitlin LaCasse, passes on this great example of how the parties can work together to improve the legislative process:

Maine lawmakers find a place to agree | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram Lawmakers form the bipartisan Measures of Growth Caucus to focus on expanding the state's economy and improving Mainers' quality of life.

Politics isn't the only realm needing more civility:

Video - Lawyers Try a Musical Approach to Bring Back Civility - WSJ.com A group of attorneys concerned about bad manners in their profession held a musical r***e at a downtown Manhattan law firm, complete with doctored song lyrics. WSJ's Jennifer Smith reports.

A kinder, more effective political landscape is not an oxymoron as some have argued.

A Kinder, More Effective Politics. by Kristina Egan, class of 2013 | Emerge Maine I recently saw the movie Lincoln and was deeply moved by it. This astonishing man persuaded Congress to support the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, with his conviction, even while quietly buying votes by offering plum jobs to Democratic lawmakers. Quite a Machiavellian move from the man w...

In his inaugural address, the president calls for civility and reasoned debate (and not name calling). He says we need to work together to achieve our goals. We couldn't agree more.

What do you think of Clean Elections in Maine? Should we fight to keep it?

RELEASE: Governor’s Budget Proposal Guts Clean Elections

Watch live! One message that just came out that I found helpful: if we want our leaders to work together in a civil manner, we should also be civil to them. If we want our leaders to take a particular path, do so in a "thoughtful and thought provoking manner" and don't start with "expletives."

Live - Meeting to Make America Work | No Labels Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.

Thanks go out to guest moderator and Auburn mayor, Jonathan P. LaBonte, our expert panelists, the Bates Mill Atrium and the engaged citizens of Lewiston/Auburn. I went home last night with a renewed appreciation for these communities based upon their energetic and dedicated people. There is so much potential there. Our panelists urged everyone to create their own opportunity rather than wait for others to create it for them. A fitting OneMaine message: become part of the solution! - Sarah