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Maine gained jobs, compared to last year. Is the state economy beginning to recover?
Submitted by Susan Young on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 21:01.
This discussion relates to the following BDN articles:
A Maine Department of Labor report shows Maine netted 700 more jobs from May 2007 to May 2008. Is this a sign that the worst is over? Will the national and state economies begin to expand again, despite high energy prices? Do you feel secure about your job?
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John McCain and Barack Obama answered questions in an evangelical forum. Are their answers important?
On Saturday, candidates John McCain and Barack Obama answered questions from evangelical pastor Rick Warren. Sen. McCain said human rights begin at conception, while Sen. Obama reiterated his
support for legalized abortion. The candidates also both claimed to be Christian, and stated their definitions of their faith. Does this sort of forum create a religious test for the
White House? Are the morality and faith of a candidate relevant to the process by which voters choose the president? Do their beliefs come into play when they face crises? Or is
this so much pandering to voters?
John Edwards admitted he had an extra-marital affair. Are politicians more prone to such failings?
The two-time presidential candidate, former senator and 2004 Democrati vice-presidential nominee confessed his affair to his wife and children, and when it was confirmed publicly, admitted it and expressed regret. Does the ego that convinces men
they can be president also lead to infidelity? Or are politicians no different in this regard than other men? Should a candidate who divorced over infidelity be considered unfit for
office?
Does it matter if Sen. McCain or Sen. Obama choose running mates who differ with them on issues like abortion?
Does a candidate's running mate have to share his views on such powerful issues? If Sen. McCain wants to see abortion made illegal again, and his running mate believes it should
stay legal, is this a mixed message to the electorate? Or are these issues less significant than tax policy, foreign policy, energy and budget management?
Maine’s taxing decline — what does it mean?
This discussion relates to the following BDN articles:
Last week, the Tax Foundation announced that it had recalculated tax burden — taxes paid compared to personal income — for the entire country. After years of blasting Maine for having the highest, or nearly the highest, tax burden in the country, the group said Maine now ranks 15th and was never higher than fifth. The amount of taxes Mainers pay hasn’t changed, but the notion that they are too onerous has eased. Is tax reform still needed? What about consolidation to reduce government spending? Isn’t that the real problem, no matter how tax burden is calculated?
Looking for Olympic-caliber coverage?
NBC has been broadcasting the Olympics for decades. By now, couldn’t the network find commentators who don’t call a race before it is over — and they are proved wrong as happened when Rowdy Gaines and Dan Hicks were certain the French would win the men’s 4x100 swim relay? Or blather about tiny mistakes without noting the positive in a breathtaking gymnastics routine? Is the Olympic coverage too America-centric? Do you want to see the best performances, regardless of the country the athletes are from? Or, should the focus be on Americans in competition, no matter the outcome?
how many of those jobs
how many of those jobs required learning the phrase "would you like fries with that"?
how many of those jobs
Amen to that. Paper or plastic? Retail pays just about enough to pay for the gas to get there and back if you live even just 10 miles out of the city.