Feeling History

1 March 2009

Today, I sat in a stool surrounded by people staring at me as if to intimidate me out of my seat. As they stared me down, I stared into space trying to keep a tear from dripping from my eye, my heart from racing out of my chest and my composure at all costs. Those who surrounded me saw someone completely confident and at ease with herself; however, if the moment had lasted much longer, my hands would have begun to shake.

 

Bail ME Out: Send in your stories

9 February 2009

It started with one person.

Jared (name changed) came in one day in November to the store and we got chatting about how much he loved his job. It paid well, had great benefits and he enjoyed coming to work every day. Two weeks later, he came in again. This time, he told me the store where he worked was closing – the entire chain in fact.

He was laid off three days after Christmas and has been unemployed ever since.

Note: Email your economic recession stories to MissDem@MissDem.com

 

the new face of civil disobedience 1.11.09

When I was a junior in high school, my teacher Mr. Edwards, asked us to read a short essay called
“Civil Disobedience” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  What I recall most about this essay wasn’t the essay itself, but a story that went with it.

Apparently, Emerson’s best bud, Henry David Thoreau, decided to protest the Spanish-American war
by refusing to pay his taxes. As a direct result, he was placed in jail. Supposedly, Emerson went to
visit Thoreau and asked, “Why are you in jail, Henry?”

Thoreau responded, “The real question, Ralph, is why aren’t you?” It is this latter story that has
always stayed in the back of my mind and propelled me into some oft precarious situations.

Many generations later, meet the new face of civil disobedience: 27 year old Tim DeChristoper.

Read More

 

white knuckle trips 1.8.09

This morning, it is way too early as I blog from the University of Maine UMPI. I am sitting next to the breakfast table in anticipation of a Wild Blueberry presentation eyeing maple syrup. That means one thing: blueberry pancakes. Read More

 

first real day 1.7.09

This morning, I sit briefly in the House Chamber during my first real day in the Legislature. Lobbyists are throughout the halls working to get to know as many representatives as possible, friends catch up on time lost and the Women’s Lobby is busy thanking legislators. It’s a busy, exciting day for us newbie legislators as we work to get through the House details as quickly as possible in anticipation of the massive evacuation many legislators will take part in as we jump on a couple of buses for a tour of Northern Maine. Read More

 

faith in government 12.30.08

For more than a year now, I have been quietly saying that the biggest challenge we face as a nation
is restoring faith in government. Considering this is a government run by “we the People,” this by default means we must restore faith in ourselves. Read More

 

expectations 11.16.08

With the accolades of winning office, come the inherent responsibilities associated with that office. While many legislators work in offices, removed from the daily interaction with their constituents - a safe zone - I spend my work days seeing the faces of my constituents as they come in for their milk
or beer. It is precisely what allowed me to win with such a significant margin of victory, but it is also
what will hold me accountable in ways beyond the imagination of many. Read More

 

the finish line 11.11.08

Okay, so my big dreams of starting up the blog again were trumped by the very real need to
campaign. Daily. Each year around my birthday, I tend to wax nostalgic about the good old days
(were there any?) and the idea that each new year brings with it a fresh new start. Read More

 

mcPain 9.6.08

This week launched the beginning of the real test of this campaign. McCain picked brilliantly so far
as middle America is concerned. On the surface, Sarah Palin comes across smart and sassy with a bit of
good looks thrown in for good measure. It is when we scratch below the surface that things begin to
smell a bit less than rosy. Read More

 

living history 8.29.08

There are times in life when you know in some small or big way that you are part of history in the
making. Tonight, I was moved to tears - not simply by the words I heard from a leader of generations,
but by the moment itself. Read More

 

back to basics 8.9.08

After a long hiatus from writing, I have decided it is time to get back to basics. Today, I celebrate
my annual personal holiday, this being my 32nd annual holiday. Each year, I take time out to reflect
on life, what’s important, where I’ve been and possibly even where I’m headed. (At least where I’d
like to head!) I am spending this weekend away from the hubub of Portland, relaxing in my home
away from home and gearing up for this fall. Read More