by Jonathan Reisman

Federalism is the balance and sharing of powers between the national government and the states. Federalism is a means of protecting against the tyranny of majorities and of allowing for a diverse electorate and political cultures. Maine can be Maine rather than California, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire. The Electoral College, the U.S. Senate, and the 10th Amendment are all elements of Federalism designed to protect freedom.

Last weekend, a local family collaboration took center stage as two generations of talented women came together for the first time in Machias Arts Council Theatre’s (Machias ACT) production of the beloved classic Steel Magnolias.

Set in a small-town beauty salon in Louisiana, Steel Magnolias -- in a 1987 script by Robert Harling -- is a touching and humorous story about friendship, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds between women. 

by Jonathan Reisman

This Maine political season of partisan budgets and censures, gubernatorial and presidential petulance, DEI deflection, and narrative nonsense from Maine’s Soros bought-and-sold legacy media have brought Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass into clear metaphorical focus.

My first white rabbit sighting came with apologies to Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane:

White Rabbit in Augusta

Budgets can make you larger,

by Jonathan Reisman

I am more than ready for Spring, so the fresh, wet, white blanket that I observed at sunrise several days after spring had allegedly sprung was worth at least a question mark, but the preceding days of melting, initial raking, and garden prep, and baseball dreams were sufficient to somewhat salve the political and policy pounding Governor Mills and her Democratic legislative majorities have been so kindly administering to me, rural Maine, and the 2nd Congressional District.

by Jonathan Reisman

At the heart of green liturgy is the holy concept of sustainability. Everyone wants to be sustainable, but actually defining it in practice has proven wholly unlikely. Sustainability is often explained with the saying, “Don’t eat the seed corn,” or managing our resources in a manner that doesn’t reduce the opportunities of future generations. As a practical policy matter, what is or is not sustainable depends on baseline and future assumptions about technology, human behavior, and the planet/nature.

by Jonathan Reisman

Amid increasing contretemps over Trump, tariffs, taxes, and transgender toxicity, I watched the Soros backed, matching blood-red shirt, pro-Hamas/anti-Israel/antisemitic protest/rant at Trump Tower in Manhattan Thursday afternoon, followed by the blood-red lunar eclipse moon at 2 a.m. Friday. 

by Jonathan Reisman

I drove down to Augusta under the theory that showing up at the work session for LD 495, requiring the DEP to issue an estimate as to how much adverse climate change their policies were averting and at what cost to consumers in terms of energy prices, might influence the outcome. The DEP testified neither for nor against, admitting that the estimates could be provided at minimal cost.

by Jonathan Reisman

by Jonathan Reisman

In an act of optimism, I started leeks last week. I’m not sure if my other activities reinforced or reduced that optimism. I spent a lot of time chipping ice when not writing testimony to find a way to deal with climate alarmism and DEI disregard for the 1st and 14th Amendments. I only found myself muttering to the cats, TV, or mirror once or twice a day.

Legislation Prep: LDs 183 and 495

by Jonathan Reisman

I traveled to Augusta in early February to testify on several climate, energy, and environmental policy bills. The geography of the three-hour drive triggered memories of similar journeys over the past forty years.