Memo to Lance

I’m not in trouble, and we did win

by Jonathan Carter

TO: Lance Tapley

FROM: Jonathan Carter

RE: Your Article in the Portland Phoenix

Please let this memo fall into the hands of all the citizens of Maine. For I have nothing to hide, and indeed a gubernatorial candidate should wear no cloths! Openness and honesty should be the hallmarks of all public servants. What bothered me most about Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica was not the affair, but the fact that he lied to the people — as if we were to believe that he never inhaled. Lance, our long years of friendship and work together on progressive issues means a lot to me. I have always marveled at your political acumen and ability to cut to the chase. Yes, we have often disagreed, but I have always placed our friendship above those differences. I will continue to do so.

Although your cynical attitude toward politics may seem justified, I will always refuse to practice the “win at any cost, take no hostages” political game. This is exactly the political strategy employed by the Baldacci Democrats (and I make the distinction “Baldacci” since this is not about all Democrats, indeed only a few) in their attempt to subvert the Clean Election Act and deny the Carter for Governor Campaign public funding. I plan to do my best to take the Blaine House next fall, but I will always take the high road.

Years ago, when I used to coach soccer at Berwick Academy, I told the players “go out and play your hearts out, but always remember, it is far more important how you play the game than if you win or lose.” One of the best teams I ever coached lost every game, but I like to think that, in spite of the dismay of losing, they learned a much more valuable lesson about life — the means not only need to justify the ends, but they are also far more important. As naive as it may seem to you, I do believe that in the end the “good guy will always win.”

We will win this campaign, as you rightly pointed out, because we are articulating a bold positive vision. I am the only candidate who supports single-payer universal health care, energy conservation as a means of creating jobs and putting money back in the pockets of Mainers, tax reform which will be fairer and at the same time encourage green business development, the Maine Woods Park and Preserve as a way to create jobs in northern Maine and at the same time restore the North Woods from years of abuse, and education funding reform which will improve teachers’ pay and the learning environment of our children.

However, Lance, I beg to differ with you. Politics should not be about “tanks and bullets,” it should be a dialogue about ideas and issues. I have always believed that democracy would be far better served if we could remove the military mentality and vernacular. Yes, we are engaged in a campaign to bring about change and to promote a positive vision for the future of Maine. Yes, sometimes confrontation is necessary. Where would we be if Rosa Parks had moved to the back of the bus? However, great leadership requires knowing when to advance, when to stand firm, when to retreat, and also when to surrender. Recognizing that nobody has a corner on truth makes it so much easier to accept and admit when you are wrong. Perhaps, a lesson for you.

Lance your falling out with the Greens and the Carter for Governor campaign was not so much what you said, but how you said it. I am a Green not because of some party ideology, but because Green values resonate with my heart and soul. I strongly believe in diversity in all respects. I view the two-party system as excluding diversity and concentrating power only in the hands of a few. Our campaign slogan “We the People” is an attempt to capture the essence of shared power fueled by all citizens of the state regardless of political affiliation. You may find this trivial or trite in this world of big money and power politics (or as you like to call it “hardball politics”) but to me those three words go to the core of the Carter for Governor Campaign.

Finally, in reference to the recent Ethics Commission affair: I do not share your view. In spite of the tens of thousands of dollars and slick gunslinging lawyers behind the Baldacci Democrats, in spite of your perceived partisan nature of the Ethics Commission, we won in a 4-0 unanimous decision. The process did work. The truth was heard and justice was served. Yes, I trusted in the integrity of Bill Hain and his staff, and I believed in the intrinsic fairness of Commission members. They did not let me down. I did not need big money and fancy double talking lawyers. Lance, in this case, ”the good guys” really did win — how nice.

I will even go so far as to say that as dishonest and as politically motivated the Baldacci Democrats were in presenting their case, this distasteful affair has had the positive effect of strengthening the Clean Elections Act. It has caused the Commission to focus on some important ambiguities in the law. The clarification and codification of these ambiguities will only serve to make the law better. In addition, the defeat of the Baldacci Democrats will give pause to those who want in the future to use the Ethics Commission as a political football.

I must also say that I saw the good side of politics. All my fellow gubernatorial candidates, with the obvious exception of John Baldacci, expressed directly to me their support and their commitment to decent politics, as did many other high profile Democrats and Republicans (Rick Bennett, the Senate President, even wrote a letter to the Commission). Hundreds of citizens of all political stripes from all across Maine wrote, emailed, called, or stopped me on the street to express their dismay and to denounce the Baldacci tactics. There is hope Lance, and indeed I view the glass as half full, not half empty.

As always, I enjoyed your political analysis of how the gubernatorial race may pan out next fall. I am sorry that I can not use your analysis in my next fundraising letter, not because it would violate the Clean Elections Act, but because as a Clean Election candidate, I don’t need to raise money from special interests, PACs, corporations, or for that matter from you. I do agree with you that my campaign attire could use some improvement. You have always been fond of saying that “politics is about perception.” Wouldn’t it be nice if perception and reality were the same? Or that politics was about substance, not fluff? Just as I will never support any form of discrimination (and I know you agree with me) against race, religious beliefs, people with disabilities, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, I certainly would not judge a person by how they are dressed. But then again, politics is what it is — perception. My suggestion to you, Lance, is to just try to remember “when you point your finger, three are pointing back at you”!

Your Friend Always,

Jonathan Carter

Candidate for Governor

PAST AND FUTURE

I read your recent workers’ comp article (see “Workers’ comp slugfest,” at portlandphoenix.com) and I want to compliment you on your research in to the ‘92 reforms and your assessment of how the system arrived at that point. The rest of your article was probably correct, and for a legal mind, that is important. However, I think we should recognize we are fast approaching the point we were at in 1991 when we shut down state government because of our differences over workers compensation. At that time, we had the same kinds of fights involving relatively minor issues that only seem to keep the trial lawyers busy. I think it’s possible our system is becoming dysfunctional again. We should have seen the ‘92 reforms as a process, not a destination. We need to have another complete review of all the issues, including our very high injury rate.

Ken Goodwin

Falmouth

MIDEAST PERSPECTIVE

I am writing in reference to William Slavick’s letter of 4.26.02. I share his concerns for the suffering of the Palestinian people as well as concern for horrors perpetrated by the suicide bombers against the people of Israel. However, I would like to point out that, in their reporting, too many journalists skewer the facts or indulge in half-truths in order to support a position on one side or the other. Case in point: Mortimer Zuckerman, editor of US News & World Report, writes that, in proportion to America’s population, the Israelis have lost over 16,000 lives. But he fails to report the fact that, according to the Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, the number of Palestinians killed since September 2000 is over five times the number of Israeli deaths in this same time period.

In the brutal attacks on the Palestine refugee camps, the Israeli military must take responsibility for the deaths of innocent people and the destruction of their homes.

Blame for the horrors in the Holy Land must be shared by many, including America’s Mideast policies.

Petros Panagakos

South Portland

A REMEMBRANCE

I write this letter on behalf of all those heartbroken by the murder of Miss Anne Marie Caouette as a response to the article in Saturday’s Press Herald. I knew Anne well and considered her a friend. I wish to paint a picture of the actual woman, one which goes beyond a “troubled past” and “36 police visits.”

Despite a difficult life, Anne was a sweetheart of a human being, with a cheery and youthful disposition. Somehow, she always managed to smile through her bruises. She was gentle and kind to everyone, with never a mean word to say. My friend had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to giggle and joke around. She often would sing with me while we worked together, usually “She Works Hard for the Money.”

Unfortunately, Anne was a victim of her own heart. She had a tremendous need to be loved, and made some poor decisions based upon that need. She seemed to think that being beaten was a fair trade off for love. Sadly, I don’t think she ever truly realized just how many people really did care so very much about her.

In closing, I wish to tell you, the editorial staff at the Press Herald, and Mike Chitwood that there were, in fact, many, many people around Anne who not only never “knocked her around,” but genuinely loved and respected her. We, her friends, co-workers, family and children will be forever changed by knowing this beautiful human being. She was more than a police record, and how disappointing that this was not shown in the story of her horrible death. We hope that you, the police department, and the City of Portland realize that, even with “three pages of police contact,” Anne Caouette was in no way deserving of her fate. We are all anxiously awaiting justice.

Katherine R. Murray

Portland

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