Maine Gov. Paul LePage Tells Big LGBT Hate Machine "Kiss My Butt", Successfully Vetoes Therapy Ban Bill

Maine Governor Paul LePage has been a Godsend for New England and the conservative movement as a whole. He was never supposed to be governor, since Maine has been a center-left state for over thirty years. The last time the state went Republican was in 1988, and since then the state has gone Democratic.

President Trump helped break down the Big Blue Wall holding the Pine Tree State captive. The state has a Congressional apportionment system for its Electoral College members, and Donald Trump won the majority of the vote in Congressional District Two.

Beyond that, LePage's conservative legacy has helped protect religious liberties, ensure economic growth, enforce all borders, pass comprehensive welfare reforms, and even constitutional carry was enacted. It's been nothing short of a conservative miracle in a state which no Republican had been competitive.

LePage has stood strong against the spendthrift legislature, and even though they have successfully overridden a number of his vetoes, his rejection of LD 912, which would have banned reparative therapy for minors, did not get overridden.

This is a huge victory for the pro-family movement.

There are currently 13 states which have banned conversion therapy for minors:

What's worse, in many of these states, Republican governors signed off on this legislation!

And the LGBT Movement is looking to make Maine and Massachusetts the next two states to carry on with this perversion.

But Maine's Governor Paul LePage was not just the First Republican, but the first governor period to slam this policy and veto the legislation.

This is a big deal. We are finally seeing some leadership in the country which is standing up for truth, morality, and biology.

The Washington Blade lamented:

Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed legislation on Friday that would’ve banned widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy for youth in his state, making him the first governor ever in the United States — Democratic or Republican — to veto such a measure.

LGBT rights supporters resoundingly criticized the veto of LD 912 by LePage, a Tea Party politician who was once dubbed by Politico as “American craziest governor.” Fourteen states and D.C. have enacted similar measures.

Not fourteen. Where's the evidence for this? It's 13 as of press time. Perhaps the Blade thinks that Marx-achusetts will go along with this corrupt policy, too. Time will tell.

Here's part of Governor LePage's veto:

"I am vetoing LD 912 because it is bad public policy," he explained bluntly. Among other things, he rejects the idea that professionals like counselors need to be regulated beyond what they already are through their licensing requirements. Like people on both sides, he agrees that people shouldn't be abused in any way if they've "experienced sexual or romantic attraction toward an individual of the same gender." But, he goes on, as this bill is written, even a simple conversation with a therapist could be called into question.

"This so broad that licensed would be prohibited from counseling an individual even at the individual's own request. We should not prohibit professionals from counseling an individual even at the individual's own request. We should not prohibit professionals from providing their expertise to those who seek it for their own personal and basic questions such as, 'How do I deal with these feelings I am experiencing?'"

BAM!

This is the kind of courage we need to see in all levels of Government.

This is a huge setback for the LGBT Hate machine and another victory for life and the well-being of children.

Maine GOP: Governor LePage's Working Legacy, and More

Maine GOP Presents: News You Can Trust Here is a quick round-up of some key news items.  At the Maine GOP we plan on providing you with a periodic update of key articles and opinions from around the state on topics that matter to you.  If you are aware of a news article or event that should be included here, please email garrettmurch@mainegop.com with the link and information. News You Can Trust Video Edition Top Maine and National News Democrat hypocrisy on Republican tax cuts In an op-ed this week in The Hill, Alfredo Ortiz highlighted some of the hypocrisy of the congressional Democrats on there opposition to tax reform. Ortiz noted: According to the Tax Policy Center, the average earner will receive about $135 more a month, and more if they have kids... The latest jobs reports suggests that tax cuts have contributed to the current tight labor market that is generating the fastest average wage growth in nearly a decade... A new nationwide poll of small business owners conducted by the Job Creators Network finds that small businesses favor the tax cuts by a 10 to one margin. Have Democrats apologized for their misguided tax reform fear-mongering? No. In fact, they’ve doubled down on it, promising to repeal them, which would raise taxes on millions of ordinary Americans, if they retake Congress this fall. While Maine newspapers re-publish selected Washington Post, Associated Press, and other national news items all the time, they did not re-publish this one. You can read it here, though! Governor LePage’s State of the State Address This Tuesday, Governor LePage delivered his final State of the State speech. Our Governor discussed his tax cuts, welfare reforms, and elimination of harmful regulations, among other policy achievements. He also reiterated that he won’t expand Medicaid unless the legislature comes up with the money to pay for it. He also discussed policies he is pushing this year to help those in need, use taxpayer money wisely, and continue improving Maine’s economy. Thank you, Governor, you will be dearly missed. But fortunately the Maine GOP has several strong candidates running for Governor to carry on your legacy. YOU CAN WATCH OUR GOVERNOR'S FULL SPEECH HERE Congressman Poliquin Applauds New Timber Production Facility We learned this week there will be a new timber production facility in Millinocket that could create more than 100 new jobs. Congressman Poliquin praised the announcement, stating: Maine’s working forests provide for tens of thousands of jobs across our State and are a key part of Maine’s economy. I have met with numerous forest products groups to discuss cross-laminated timber and how this technology could greatly help our State’s forest products industry. I am thrilled to hear today’s announcement and am grateful Maine’s sustainable working forests will continue to provide for many more jobs in our State in the coming years. LePage Legacy on Welfare Reform One of Governor LePage’s greatestt accomplishments has been welfare reform. Since he took office, the number of jobs has increased dramatically more as the of working-age adults on welfare has shrunk. Mainers of nearly all political stripes value work. Deep down we all know we must prioritize taxpayer-funded welfare dollars on people in desperate need, while moving all of our able-bodied to become self-sufficient and even prosperous. ‌

Maine GOP: Closing the Registration Gap in ME-2

This is great news. This is the kind of development I wish I could read more about it California. The Maine Republican Party is fighting hard for their Congressman Bruce Poliquin.

He was elected in a political upset in 2014, the first Republican Congressman out of the Pine Street in nearly 20 years! The momentum initiated by Governor Paul LePage is working its way throughout the state, turning cities, county boards, and even the state legislature from blue to purple.

And now to red.

Poliquin was a #1 target in 2016, but his district stayed red, and even Trump won an electoral vote, the first time in the state's history in which the electoral college tally was split: three votes for Hillary Clinton, one vote for Donald Trump!

President Trump and Bruce Poliquin's attention to working-class, rural voters has worked for the Republican Party all across the country. Attention to the needs of Middle America is exactly what Republicans of all backgrounds need to focus on. The Democratic Party kicked their working and middle-income voter base in teeth and capitulated to identity politics and academic progressivism.

How has that worked out for them?

Anyway, this eblast/press release from the Maine GOP is welcome news indeed!

REPUBLICANS CLOSE VOTER REGISTRATION GAP IN MAINE'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Today, the Maine Republican Party is announcing that, over the past six years, it has closed its voter registration deficit with Democrats in Maine's Second Congressional District to nearly nothing. According to the Maine Secretary of State website, in 2012 there were 6,680 fewer registered Republicans than Democrats in Maine's Second Congressional District. Since then, Maine Republicans have reduced the Democratic advantage by 6,400 registered voters in Maine's northern Congressional District, bringing it just about to even balance. The Democrat voter registration advantage has shrunk to just 239 people. The only Congressional Republican in New England, Bruce Poliquin, hails from this district, which has also voted for President Donald Trump, Governor Paul LePage, and Senator Susan Collins in recent elections. Following this revelation, Maine Republican Party Chair Dr. Demi Kouzounas made the following statement: "This is further evidence voters in Maine are moving toward Republicans. To go from a massive voter registration deficit to basically even with Democrats in just six years would seem mind-blowing except for the fact we had faith that what we've been working on is right, and now we are seeing Maine people agree. This is what happens when urban liberal elites hijack the Democrat Party and leave Maine people behind. Maine Democrat politicians are out of touch with most Maine voters.  Our top priority in the Maine GOP is being in touch with Maine people--we are Mainers even before we are Republicans, after all. We care about reversing rising taxes, healthcare costs, electricity costs, education costs, and the costs of not promoting work--real life matters that can make it easier to get by here in the land we love. This again reveals that our message is resonating; we care about Maine and the people who live and stay in our great state, and we care about their success. We will continue to prove that outside elitists will not dictate who we are." Garrett Murch Communications & Political Director Maine Republican Party

Special Thanksgiving "Thank You" from the Maine GOP

I have learned so much from other state Republican Parties.

Republicans in Maine have so much to be thankful for.

For the first time in nearly two decades, they have a Republican Congressman representing Maine. They have an incredible governor named Paul LePage, who has helped make the bluish-purple state of Maine a more red state. After nearly thirty years of going blue, the Republican Presidential candidate gained one electoral vote, since Maine is one of two states which awards electoral votes based on proportional representation.

Governor Paul LePage has been more than a godsend for the Pine Tree State.

For him alone, the Maine GOP--and the entire state of Maine--should be grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Friends, We want to take a moment here and thank you for all your efforts to keep Maine and America great. The value of your dedication cannot be calculated in dollars or expressed in words. Without you, we would be in a heap of trouble. But with you, we have every reason to expect a sunny future.  As we spend today with the people most important to us - our families and our friends - it is worth remembering that what we are grateful for is also what we fight for... That is our beautiful state which produces some of the finest children, parents, and grandparents on earth, and the opportunity for them to enjoy our rocky coasts, our plentiful and beautiful lakes, breathtaking sunrises over our mountains, and on occasion some Maine lobster and clams! We as Republicans know there is a real risk these wonderful experiences Maine offers are not guaranteed for future generations if we do not ensure vibrant economic opportunity here in our home. A lack of economic opportunity separates families, but we maintain hope for our future because of tremendous people like you.  There is plenty of work for us all in the days ahead, but today please let us just thank you for all that you do, and may we all be thankful for the amazing state and country God has given us. Sincerely,  Your Friends at the Maine GOP Demi, Jason, Michelle, Kate and Garrett

Paul LePage: Economic Facts Don't Care About Fantastic Initiatives

Election 2017 in Maine, and the voters approved by 60% the Medicaid Expansion in the Affordable Care Act. This is more welfare, but on steroids, since single, able-bodied adults without dependents will be able to solicit government subsidized health insurance without working.

This is wrong, this is destructive, and this proposal is unaffordable.

Governor Paul LePage reminded voters that nothing is free, and therefore he would not expand the program as long as there was no money to do so.

Her was his email press release blasting any decision to expand Medicaid without first ensuring that funding was readily available--and without raising taxes or destroying the state budget in the process.

Governor LePage Issues Statement on Medicaid Expansion For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531 AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has issued a statement in response to Mainers approving a referendum that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to give “free” health care to working-age, able-bodied adults, most of whom do not have dependents. “The last time Maine experimented with Medicaid expansion in 2002 under then-governor Angus King, it created a $750 million debt to hospitals, resulted in massive budget shortfalls every year, did not reduce emergency room use, did not reduce the number of uninsured Mainers and took resources away from our most vulnerable residents—the elderly and the intellectually and physically disabled,” said Governor LePage. “Credit agencies are predicting that this fiscally irresponsible Medicaid expansion will be ruinous to Maine’s budget. Therefore, my administration will not implement Medicaid expansion until it has been fully funded by the Legislature at the levels DHHS has calculated, and I will not support increasing taxes on Maine families, raiding the rainy day fund or reducing services to our elderly or disabled.”

Maine GOP Exposes Maine Dems' Fearmongering (No Medicaid Expansion)

Good morning, As we spend our last few days fighting harmful Medicaid Expansion, the Democrats are using fear-mongering and lack of information to derail us. Please see their message below to look at how they scare their people into Big Government. We are working to fight Question 2 so: The State of Maine does not accrue additional debt Our hospitals can keep paying their bills and retain their staff Maine's most needy population is top-priority and taken care of People who are able to take care of themselves are encouraged to do so Take away the need to raise our taxes in future years We, as Maine Republicans, know this all too well because Maine has expanded Medicaid and we have lived through it. Governor LePage came in and paid off over $183,000,000 in hospital debt. Maine's most vulnerable with disabilities were put on the waiting lists as young, capable adults were taken care of by the government first. And Maine cannot afford to go through that again. So please join our fight today and donate anything that you are able to today so we can reach out to more Mainers and make sure they are on the right side of history.

DONATE

Thank you, The Maine GOP Team !!!MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATS BELOW!!!

From: "Maine Democratic Party" <amccurry@mainedems.org> Date: November 2, 2017 at 10:27:53 AM EDT Subject: They Aren't Even Being Subtle. Reply-To: info@mainedems.org On Saturday, the Maine Republican Party is holding a “Day of Action” to block Medicaid Expansion in Maine. Their supporters will go door-to-door spreading fear and misinformation in order to convince Maine people to vote against a referendum that would extend life-saving health care to tens of thousands, create jobs, and help Maine fight the devastating opioid epidemic. Democratic legislators have already passed Medicaid Expansion five different times, while Republican Governor LePage vetoed the expansion each and every time.  Mainers have the chance to stop LePage's health care sabotage, but the Maine GOP is working hard to make sure that doesn't happen. Help us advance affordable health care in Maine by chipping in $100, $36, or $10 today. Our organizing team is knocking on doors and making phone calls to expand Medicaid for thousands of Mainers. But we need your help to elect Democrats who will keep working to improve healthcare for all Maine families. Help us elect Democrats who will fight for affordable, accessible health care today!    Ashley McCurry

Maine Governor Paul LePage Orders Pine Tree State Sheriffs to Comply with ALL ICE Detainers

Maine, otherwise know as the Pine Tree state, has shifted from becoming a reliably blue state to a red state over the past 8 years.

What happened? Barack Obama happened. The blue dog Democrats of Maine wanted to see government that put the needs of average folks first. That was not happening with Barack Obama at the helm.

In 2010, one outspoken candidate, Paul LePage of Lewiston, ran in the Republican primary. He was bold, he was blunt, he was the proto-Trump, outspoken against corruption and government waste, as well as the destruction of our culture

Maine GOP Appreciates Governor LePage Effort To Protect Maine & American People Governor directs Maine County Sheriffs to comply with ICE illegal alien detention requests

AUGUSTA – Maine Republican Party Chair Dr. Demi Kouzounas released the following statement today in appreciation of Governor LePage's directive to Maine's county sheriffs directing them to comply with detention requests from ICE. “We appreciate Governor LePage's expectation and directive that Maine's county sheriffs work with the federal government to comply with detention requests for individuals who are not in the United States legally,” said Chair Kouzounas. “The Governor's letter makes clear that he has the authority to issue this directive, and it is the right thing to do,” added Dr. Kouzounas. “As a party, we have deep respect for our county sheriffs, who keep Maine people safe across Maine, and we hope that all sixteen sheriffs across Maine will work with ICE and the federal government to comply with these requests.” “Let us not forget, we are talking about individuals who are not in our country legally, and who are currently being detained by law enforcement after breaking our laws,” said Dr. Kouzounas. “This is about keeping our streets safe for the people of Maine,” continued Dr. Kouzounas. “One or two Maine sheriffs should not put our system in peril because they wish to not obey our laws and constitution, and instead put illegal immigrants who are in custody ahead of safety and the rule of law.” “Our team stands ready to support the sheriffs who work to protect Maine people, and to make sure that the rare sheriff who refuses to comply has to find a new line of work.” You can read the Governor's letter to Maine County Sheriffs here: www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=767392&an=1

The winning never ends!

Notice that the first day that Governor LePage was in office, he issued clear directives to all law enforcement officers, the county sheriffs in particular, that they had to comply with federal law. No illegal aliens would be allow to remain in the United States, free from federal detainment and deportation.

Incredible! Of course, notice that the press did not cover this necessary order. At the time, January 2011, the country was just getting revved up to take back the country little by little from the corrupt Barack Obama and his Democratic Party cronies.

Republicans are gaining ground like never before in a state which hadn't gone Republican since 1988. For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Republican Presidential candidate picked up one electoral vote. That was also the first time in the state's history that the electoral tally was split because of the Congressional proportional representation at work in the state.

This is just great!

I am so glad to see executives putting the needs of Americans, their own citizens, ahead of illegal aliens, and ensuring the public safety of all within their jurisdictions! This letter is especially impressive because the Governor lays down the law clearly and firmly, and even asserts the right to remove lawless, wayward sheriffs who refuse to comply with federal immigration laws!

We could really use a leader like that in California and all over the country.

And if anyone has a problem with that ...

Republicans Finally Trump the Game of Civil Rights Icon/Race Card

Congressman John Lewis (D-Atlanta) advertises himself as a Civil Rights Idol from the moment he takes the podium, to the end of the night when he falls asleep. He might as well wear a shirt that reads “I am a Civil Rights Icon!” On the back, the shirt would have: “I can say and do whatever I want to, and you cannot argue with me!”

John Lewis (From His Website)

When the Democratic minority wanted a vote on gun control legislation, Lewis led the sit-in last year. Why Lewis? Why not Nancy Pelosi, or even Sheila Lee Jackson or Maxine Waters? The Democratic caucus wanted to create as much of a media sensation as possible, and to ensure that their illegal sit-in would continue with minimal interruption from the Republican majority.  A black politician would not be enough. Lewis fit their political agenda best because he is a Civil Rights Idol.

If Republicans leaders called in the House Sergeant-at-Arms or the Washington DC police to have Lewis arrested, he would coast on his mythic savior status from decades past and make himself a martyr for “the cause of justice”. The media uproar to follow would distort the Republicans into bitter-clinging backward bigots, while the Democrats would be heroes the gun violence victims and the common man.

The Democratic Party has played this Civil Rights Idol/Race Card very effectively for the past 30 years. It was instrumental in turning Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday into a federal holiday. Congressman Bob Dornan (R-CA) had to acknowledge his respect for Lewis before relentlessly criticizing Lewis’ fawning praise for then-President Bill Clinton. Presidential Candidate Obama enjoined a smooth campaign to victory as Republicans grappled with how to refute or criticism the president’s policies without looking or sounding “racist” for doing so. Presidential candidate John McCain had to apologize for voting against MLK Day over twenty years prior.  McCain even cut a television ad congratulating the first black major party nominee. Since when has a Republican promoted the Democratic opposition during a general election? Oh, that’s right, Romney …

With decades-long support from the media and the political establishment, Lewis and other race-card playing Civil Rights Idols knew that they could slam their opponents without reprisal, including the current President. Lewis called Trump as an “illegitimate President”, drawing on the same tired lies from the media and the DNC: "I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected, and they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton."

Newsflash, Johnny: Hillary Clinton destroyed her own candidacy with her repeated lies, theft, and deceit, along with the true reporting of Wikileaks, which published her corrupt, globalist scheming. The DNC rigged the primary process for Hillary Clinton, colluding with the corrupt media to trash Republicans and diminish Bernie Sanders. Another newsflash: the media which have painted Lewis as an untouchable icon have established their own illegitimacy. They ignored the numerous crimes committed by the former Secretary of State (as well as the soon-to-be former President). They pushed an elitist narrative that Republicans are so bad, that a Democrat must win election, no matter how incompetent or corrupt they may be.

And the Democrat lost.

And guess what? Donald Trump flaunted the major networks and overcame their race-baiting. When Lewis rejected Trump’s legal and moral right to be President, Trump characteristically went on the attack: “Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district …rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!”

A Republican, elected to the White House did not hesitate to call out this Civil Rights Idol. It is morning in America, and our leaders are no longer going to play defense for fear of the race card! Lewis threw a trumper-tantrum, and now 40 (or more) Democratic lawmakers are not attending the inauguration. Whatever. Lewis lied when he claimed that this was the first time he was boycotting a similar ceremony. Lewis isn’t getting the desired result this time.

More people have come forward exposing Lewis for the uncivil fraud he really is. Former Black Panther Mason Weaver acknowledged that Lewis fought against the segregationist Democrats. Then Lewis joined the oppressors for selfish political gain (like other black Democratic politicians). Urban ghettoes like Atlanta (which Lewis claims to represent) are now littered with bad schools, rising crime, few job opportunities, but a lot of government dependence. Weaver unabashedly slammed “Civil Rights Idol” John Lewis for these failures.

By the way, for all his talk about protecting the civil rights of American-Americans, where was His Civil Rights Holiness John Lewis to fight for the rights of former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran? Cochran was fired for his Christian beliefs, which he shared on his own time. That was discrimination based on speech and religion, and completely uncalled for—but Lewis has been missing in action.

Weaver—a black Republican—has now been joined by white Republicans:

US Senator Rand Paul articulated this new attitude toward race and civil rights hustlers: “John Lewis isn't in a position where there can't be a healthy debate back and forth. Because he's a civil rights icon shouldn't make him immune.”

Maine Governor Paul LePage gave Rep. Lewis a long-overdue history lesson, pointing out how Republicans fought to end slavery, passed Civil Rights legislation and then anti-lynching laws, and provided the crucial votes to pass the Voting Rights Acts of the 1960s.

Civil Rights leaders like John Lewis have been untouchable for too long. Anyone who had challenged them, especially if they were Republicans, would get smeared as racist, bigoted, or hateful. This game of “Civil Rights Idol Outrage” has been played before, and almost every time, Lewis and other black (Democratic) politicians would foment their displeasure about something, and they automatically got a pass for saying whatever they wanted to, even if their remarks were unfound.

Not anymore.

Our President-Elect trumped Lewis’ unjustified outrage, and I look forward to Lewis’ voters demanding accountability from him next, regardless of his civil rights past.