The Case for Ethan Strimling

So this is my first diary.

I'm typically a lurker, and post very occasional comments, but I'm compelled today to write about a candidate I can really get behind.

He's not running for President, he can't walk on water, and he won't single-handedly save America from the pseudo-fascist corporate state we're descending into.

He's just a State Senator from Maine running for Congress, and he has not just a incredible worldview, but the track record to back it up.

His name is Ethan Strimling.

Here are some reasons I'm supporting him (and why I think you should too).

1. Iraq War Resolution.  Back in March of 2003, Ethan introduced a resolution condemning the War in Iraq and calling for those funds to be used domestically.  The Nation named him a "Local Hero" for his work.  It's kind of sad to read the quote when he said, "this war's going to cost $200 billion, while the families up here are struggling to pay their bills. How is it that we find enough money to be able to bomb Iraq, but we don't have enough money to provide healthcare for Maine families and daycare for our children?"

2. Net Neutrality.  As Congress (once again) was shirking it's responsibility (this time, with internet equality), the Maine Senate stepped in.  Earlier this year, Ethan introduced a bill to maintain net neutrality in Maine, and it became the first state-based NN bill in the country.  He blogged about it last night here.

3. Impeachment resolution.  This summer, Ethan introduced a resolution calling for impeachment investigations to begin.  MaineImpeach.org had collected 11,000 signatures in support, and Ethan stood up for them and the Consitution with that bill.

4. Wind generator tax-credits.  In his second term, Ethan worked with folks across the aisle to create tax-credits for individuals and communities to build wind generators.  The pro-business folks were happy with the tax incentive, and the environmentalists were happy about alternative energy.

5. Protecting domestic violence survivors.  Ethan introduced and the Governor signed a bill requiring the police and abuse survivor to be notified if a convicted abuser tries to purchase a gun.

6. Protecting justice. In his first term, Ethan introduced a bill requiring that all police interrogations be videotaped.  Imagine if we could have all interrogations of all folks apprehended by the U.S. on video. (And if the CIA didn't destroy them.)

7. Fighting against Real ID. Ethan's work in the State Legislature made Maine the first state to oppose the Real ID Act, with it's terrible fiscal policy and privacy infringements. Video of him speaking here.

8. Equality. When conservative State Rep. Brian Duprey introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine, simply so he could get the Legislature to vote against it, Ethan introduced a bill to repeal Maine's DOMA.  He is a full supporter of marriage equality, and would not support ENDA without a provision for transgendered people.

9. Working to eliminate poverty.  If being a State Senator and running for Congress weren't enough, for the past ten years, Ethan has been the Executive Director of Portland West, a non-profit social service agency that works with families in poverty, at-risk youth, families that move to Portland from other countries, trying to get those folks to be self-sufficient and to be productive members of their community.  He doesn't just talk about helping people, he really walks the walk.

Now, we're lucky in Maine.  We've got a great candidate for Senate (Tom Allen, for those living under a rock), and an incredibly progressive primary field.  I mean, all the candidates, save for one guy, are trying to out-liberal each other.

But Ethan works hard, gets stuff done, and has true concern for the people he wants to serve.

I encourage everyone to check him out, and if you're so inclined, support him on ActBlue.  It's the last day of the quarter, so everyone is scrambling for funds.  Show him some love!  :-)

I hope this is the least-obnoxious candidate diary you see all day.

•  Tip jah

  How did my first diary go?  Suggestions, anyone?

  by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:12:19 PM PDT

•  It went great

  and if I was in Maine, you'd have my vote as well as my tip.

  My suggestion?  Keep writing.

  by marykk on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:35:10 PM PDT

  •  Slow down and look more closely at this boy!

    Ruthless liberal, your first diary is fine, but you are supporting a pretty face with an empty suit, and a huge ego.  Do your research on the other quality candidates in this Primary race here in Maine.

    My money has gone to a proven woman who knows Maine and the struggles we face here......Chellie Pingree will represent Maine, and the Nation with the same courage of Ed Muskie, George Mitchell and Margaret Chase Smith.

    Check out the facts and the knowledge this large field of candidates has before you give a dime of your hard earned money to an ego trip.

    by tuckerm on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:47:39 PM PDT

    •  I have

      and my question for you is, "Why Chellie?"

      and further

      "Why not Ethan?"

      Let's compare work and results of these two and see where we fall.

      by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:49:39 PM PDT

      •  Let me refine that

        What has Pingree accomplished to earn my support?

        also,

        On which of the points I've made above do you feel Pingree trumps Strimling?

        by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:56:17 PM PDT

        •  Plenty....

          Chellie was integral in pushing (for years), re: landmark legislation in Maine--Rx Plus (for elders); and she did indeed support net neutrality, campaign finance reform, & media consolidation (ages ago).

          "Resolutions" carry no clout, BTW...they're rhetorical in nature.

          Can you say Maine Clean Elections Act?

          Ethan would do well do prevent Baldacci from slashing the living shit (yet again) out of MaineCare funding & services.

          We do not balance state budget "shortfalls" off the backs of Maine's most vulnerable and poorest citizens.

          That's what Ethan was elected to do, down in Augusta's Cross Building (as a ME legislative Senator); and I'll be holding his proverbial feet to the fire while he's still serving in said public servant capacity.

          Go, Chellie!

          by mainefem on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 02:57:38 PM PDT

          •  .

            by cometman on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 04:38:13 PM PDT

      •  It has to do with depth of character

        and Chellie's proven record fighting for Maine people, and causes that matter to us.  She is a fighter and has devoted her life to improving the quality of life for Maine people.  Her ground breaking work on prescription drug legislation and healthcare issues has been meaningful.  Her knowledge of environmental issues and her dedication to preserving our universe is remarkable.  

        She gets it that we must care about the land and air we leave our future generations.  

        She understands life's problems, and as State Senator was devoted to her constituent's needs and concerns.  If there were only more like her, our Country would not be dealing with the nightmare problems we face today in America.

        I long for the day she represents me and my family in the United States Congress.

        by tuckerm on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 02:11:50 PM PDT

        •  You're right on the prescription drug law

          It was a fantastic bill, and she deserves accolades for that.  She's a great progressive, like most of the candidates in this primary.

          But what else?  She was head of Common Cause for four years.  That's great!  It's a good group that does important work.

          But what on Pingree's resume can rival to the points I made above and have her earn my support?

          And what about those nine points makes Ethan an empty suit?

          by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 02:53:50 PM PDT

    •  I'm not in Maine

      so it's moot for me.  But the diarist did a nice job of making his case, and is worthy of his tip.

      by marykk on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:50:06 PM PDT

  •  Thank marykk!

    My HTML got a workout with this one!  :-)

    by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:50:14 PM PDT

•  Why is....

  "I love Captain Handsome"  not one of your poll choices...;)?  Am I the only one who saw that skit on the Daily Show?

  Seriously though, your first diary is quite good.  Very well laid out, informative, and lots of good links.

  As a Mainer in Strimling's district, I think he's a decent guy and would probably do OK in DC.  We've been on the same side on a few major issues here over the last few years.

  But I have to say that I'm leaning towards Pingree because she has so much experience with the healthcare issue, and I think that is one of the most important issues facing this country, surpassed only by restoring the Constitution.

  by cometman on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:36:45 PM PDT

  •  I think it was...

    "Senator from Handsometown"  :-P

    But seriously, every candidate in the race (save Adam Cote) support single-payer, and Steve Meister was so frustrated with healthcare, he jumped in the race as a one-issue guy.

    At the end of the day, Strimling, Pingree, Lawrence, and Brennan are going to essentially vote the same way.  It's a matter of which issues they will advocate for, and whether or not they can get things done.

    This is not an indictment of the other candidates, but I trust Ethan more on both of those points.

    by Ruthless Liberal on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:53:49 PM PDT

    •  Chellie has accomplished a lot more than Ethan

      doesn't make Ethan a bad guy, but there's really no comparison in terms of legislative experience (including a stint as Senate President), bills passed (like MaineRX, to name but one...), and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to go toe-to-toe in a tough town.

      Her combination of progressive values that she will not compromise, a sterling legislative record, and experience working personally with Democrats and R's in DC on campaign finance and election reform, net neutrality, and protecting our voting rights with Common Cause is simply unparalleled. Even in this field, which has, as you said, a lot of good progressives.

      Ethan has passed a lot of resolutions (most of which I agree with), but Chellie has a LOT more experience making laws. She's the one I can count on. Period.

      by empireofdirt on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 07:24:36 PM PDT

•  9.5

  for your first Diary.
  Glad you jumped in.
  Keep writing

  Thanks for posting

  by eeff on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 01:55:58 PM PDT