In this series, Rep. Golden zeroes in on an issue that’s not getting much attention and pulls back from a big story of the day to cut through the buzz and look at the bigger picture.
Before the election Jared Golden correctly predicted that Donald Trump would win. And cravenly declared that he was "OK" with that.
During the election Jared Golden refused to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris because he "did not want to be associated with a campaign which frightened people that Trump would destroy democracy."
After the election Jared Golden did not condemn Pres. Trump's unprecedented pardon of 1,500 domestic terrorists, conspirators, and violent rioters. Belatedly he falsely equated Trump's pardons with Biden's pardons, lumping them together as "rogue presidencies."
For over a year, as the Netanyahu regime violated international and U. S. law in its genocidally disproportionate response to the Hamas atrocities of Oct 7, Jared Golden merely recycled the same AIPAC/CUFI propaganda, over and over. Omitting that the Netanyahu regime had supported Hamas because it shared Netanyahu's opposition to the two state solution and in order to weaken the Palestinian Authority which was interested in a two state solution. Golden also omits any mention of atrocities by Israeli settlers against Palestinian on their own land in the occupied West Bank. And Golden omits that the Netanyahu regime was content to keep the hostages in Hamas custody in order to use them as talking points - as they died in captivity including from Israeli bombing.
Golden leaves out a lot which matters to many Mainers. He has an arrogant disregard for many who voted and campaigned for him. He seems to think toadying to Trump will win him favored status with Trump and perks for Maine. History shows that while opposing Trump can put a target on your back, pandering to him guarantees nothing. Other than complicity in Trump's crimes and abuses.
I completely agree with you. With Musk controlling Federal spending now, there is little left for Congress to do. They might as well go home as they increasingly are becoming irrelevant. At some point, Musk will simply defund the offices and salaries of Democrats who oppose him. There is nothing to stop him from even defunding congress altogether. What Golden seems to forget is that Musk has all of his personal and financial information as well as that of his staff. He will be able to blackmail everyone in the country by threatening to destroy or create trouble for whoever he wants to target.
It is possible. TrumpMusk will have to balance their desire to indulge in arbitrary and unaccountable power and their desire to take the money and run. Republicans on the Supreme Court and in the Legislature have granted them the ability to do both. With a veneer of legality.
You are the problem that Democrats have. You’ve been so indoctrinated on everything that lost the election for Democrats that now they are stuck with you.
If following the facts of world events is indoctrination, we're in a bad state. While I don't disagree that dems are way off on many things and that's why they lost the election, the statements made above about events in Gaza, Israel and Palestinians are all true. We have had a shocking lack of leadership speaking out on this. It's been a horrific genocide of mass proportion. Nothing justifies that. Do your own internet searching with an open mind, watch video taken inside Gaza by aid workers, journalists, and individuals, to see what has happened there. Then ask whether any outcome or reason justifies that kind of slaughter. I'm a strong supporter of Jews and Israel, many of my friends are Jewish, and I'm no supporter of Hamas or terrorist groups. But I am a supporter of basic human decency and common sense not to slaughter civilians on a mass scale to get to your objective, because your people were also slaughtered. That does not add up. There is no place for that to be accepted in our world.
I saw the Bulwark podcast in YouTube . They have a paid subscription in Substack which I joined. They just published an article tonight that says n private republicans in congress express a different perspective. Bulwark has reviewed letters sent by republican members of congress to their constituents about the role Musk is playing. Even more have expressed fears that Musk may gain access to voters sensitive personal information.
Please do everything you can to stop the power grab of Elon Musk. He also is completely violating privacy laws. He is not an elected official , and I have not seen anything to indicate he has security clearances He has not been authorized by congress for the "job" he is doing. I am concerned about his access to our social security numbers. I think his actions lately are one of the biggest dangers we have faced in a very long time.
Congress has the power of raising and spending, not some appointed foreign born billionaire
Trump and his goons are violating our constitution and as veterans or congressmembers we took an oath to defend the constitution not some moron that low information people elected.
Elon Musk has no power to do anything. Looking at the books doesn’t cause any problems except for people that have been stealing our money. Don’t fall for the propaganda.
Nothing illegal is happening, how do you audit the government if nobody looks at the books?
I don’t watch Fox News. That is your pre-programmed by the ‘other media’ response.
Point being, Trump is doing what we voted for, I know you are not used to seeing a candidate that does what he said he was going to.
What’s amazing to me as it took looking at the books and corruption by Democrats for Democrats to actually get upset enough to make a big stink about Trump winning.
Elon has security clearance and he doesn’t need Congress because President Trump put him in charge to look at spending. Elon isn’t getting paid he is doing it for the country and I say so far he has found a lot such USaid that refused oversight and spent tax payers money look up what he found. Biden certainly used his DOJ to hurt a lot of people.
Nope @Patricia. Simply getting Trump’s ok is NOT enough. Congress is in charge of spending. If I went over to my neighbor’s property and started rooting around in their cabinets, I cant say “oh well the town manager gave me the green light”. It would different if the Congress had oversight and were directing Musk’s actions. They are accountable to the voter. Musk is accountable to NOBODY.
You are correct. It is so scary that Trump and Non Elected, Non American Musk, are trampling over the Constitution and the separation of Powers. I am hoping that Dems, Independents, and the few normal Republicans will do what they can either through the courts or the legislature to pull the brakes on the awful things they are doing.
That is why Trump got elected to cut government and to check for fraud and waste. USaid for one refused to let Congress and anyone look at their books. Trump has the right to use oversight to look into any dept. You are so wrong Congress is happy Trump is doing his job because they under Biden could not get ay information. This is not like rooting in your neighbors garbage. These bureaucrats are getting paid by the taxpayers and they have the rights to see where their money is going. I think you should look up history of past Presidents that used their power to do what Trump is doing. They didn’t have someone like Musk who is giving his time to help get this country (without pay) back from the bureaucrats who are misusing the funds and picking up huge paychecks. Musk is accountable to President Trump and Trump lets us know what he has found and makes the decisions on what to do. The only ones against this are the corrupt people who work in these departments or who are getting paid without going to work.
Patricia, if the President tells you it's okay to break the law, that doesn't actually make it okay to break the law. Please don't believe the lies this administration is selling you. The are currently working on draining Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans' Benefits, school lunches, anything else they can get their hands on - just to make the rich richer. Assuming you're not rich, their plan is going to harm you, too - so please stop believing them when they claim they're helping you while they're robbing the entire country blind.
One of the many good things that USAID does, besides providing lifesaving vaccines and medicines to people who will die without them, is that they purchase millions of dollars of farm produce from American farmers who will feel that loss of income without it. But it seems to me, that Trump and non elected self serving billionaire are doing what ever they can to make life difficult for people, punish people for doing their jobs, and will raise costs for the Americans who were fooled by Trump when he told them he would lower prices. He doesn't give a rat's ass about the average American once he had their votes. His main concern is his massive ego, power, money for himself, and his billionaire friends. Hopefully in 2 years Dems can take back the congress and fix some of the atrocious policies he is doing .
Look at what they have given. The corrupt list has been put out. Disgusting. Use your scare tactics people will die. Trump is transparent and loves this country. Biden was a dictator or whoever was running the country because he was on the beach with dementia. Anyone who disagreed with Biden administrations he used his DOJ to go after people example Jan, 6 protestors. He and Kamala cheered on Antifa and BLM who burned cities down and killed people. People saw what was going on and Trump won in a landslide. I used to be a Democrat never again they are the socialist party and everything they do they ruin. We are safer with Trump and the border is closed. Our laws will be upheld. Biden had to pardon a lot of people including his family because he knew they were guilty of lying to the country and about Trump. Fauci was guilty of the lives of millions. This country will never be closed down again or our rights won’t be taken away by the Democrats ever again. Thank God people have woke up. The Democrats are spewing the same old lies but you won’t win.
PUS47's granting Musk a "security clearance" is like the plastic wings that used to be given to children making their first airplane flight. Doesn't make them pilots any more than it makes Musk not a security risk. I can't understand why building security even lets him in to agency headquarters.
The only possible good that could come out of this is that it is so outrageous and such a threat to millions of people that it will be Trump's undoing, or at least get Musk fired.
We buy more than we sell because we have sent so much of our production overseas for cheap labor and then have to buy it back. When we had a strong manufacturing economy which was what Biden was working on rebuilding we did not have this deficit. Please continue to support biden's efforts to rebuild manufacturing in this country.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the takeover of the Federal Treasury Computer systems by Elon Musk and his team of very young computer technicians. The Federal Treasury System is now being scrutinized and controlled by unqualified people. What will this mean for American citizens?
Your undefined reference to "liking" tariffs leaves me, and probably others, think that you support Trump's outrageous attempts to punitively impose outrageously high tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Do you or do you not support his actions? Please come right out and tell us straight. You might like tariffs, but think Trump has gone overboard, but since you don't clarify that, I assume you support him, which means I can't support you.
Where is Congress? How can Musk be allowed to have full access to the treasure payment system? How can he have such power without investigation and the requirement to meet ethics and government conflict of interest rules? Keep up the good work, Representative Golden.
What good work is there by Golden to oppose Trump? Zilch. The House might move to impeach Trump based on the abuses you list. Would Golden enter articles of impeachment?
Or are you being sarcastic in praising Golden? If then, I agree.
I am not certain whether you are serious. I am a long time political activist who has volunteered on many campaigns, including those of Jared Golden. I am also in my 70s. I feel very strongly that younger people should be in office. Volunteering on campaigns managed by young field organizers gives me hope. I like that Golden is a younger generation. I know AOC or Jamie Raskin could not win in CD2. More the pity. But that's how it is. But I am not convinced that Golden is the only Democrat who could win. He takes his Democratic base for granted and presents his pandering to MAGA Republicans as though it were smart and saintly on his part, rather than smugly self satisfied complicity.
I very much agree with you. I am so frustrated with Susan Collins. Yes, she is a Sr. Senator who because of that can bring money to the state, especially BIW. This is good for the economy and employment. However, because she tries to please everyone, she pleases no one. It drives me nuts when she votes against a bill, that you know the only reason she did it is because she knew it would not pass and it would look like she voted with the Dems. Her Supreme Court votes have been disappointing, and I know she won't stand up to Trump or the Trumpers in the Senate. We are stuck.
I was serious, but I get that you are at an age, where it is better to let the younger generation step up. I'm 85 and about all I'm capable of now is being a keyboard warrior. Don't you love that term? Speaking up for others who don't have the time, because they have so many responsiblities is all I'm able to do now.
I echo others when I thank you for publishing this. It's wonderful to be able to get a glimpse into what is happening in Washington. Two points.
1. I disagree with the concept of tariffs. They might have made sense 100+ years ago, when industries were simpler and not as interconnected. To enact/raise tariffs is extremely unlikely to onshore many of the most desirous and technologically complex industries, which the US excels at. The more likely result will be higher prices for Americans, decreased exports due to retaliatory tariffs and an unnecessary trade war (or wars) which will decrease the standard of living here and abroad.
2. Although the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza is horrific, I totally agree with the concept that we have NOT done a great job of nation building. Certainly sending US service members to the middle east to enact/enable this would be NOT in our national interest and would not win us any friends. To "rebuild" Gaza is something which the US can't, nor shouldn't try to do, at least not alone.
Please keep up the good work representing us here in ME.
Thank you, Rep. Golden, for your thoughts on a couple of current issues. There are a lot of actions to look at right now. The most important action is an unelected and unvetted citizen having access to the US Treasury and giving young unvetted computer nerds/hackers full access as well. This is a coup to dismantle our democracy completely. It is no longer Republicans versus Democrats, it is autocracy versus democracy. Of course, we need fiscal responsibility and to clean up our own house, but this is a COUP. The next thing that Trump/Musk will dismantle is the Congress and House of Representatives. An autocracy does not need them. All decisions come from the leader/s. There will be no house to clean up. We implore you to stand up to the total dismantling of our democracy.
I think tariffs are an antiquated structure that should be used sparingly and with a complete analysis of the markets. I also believe that when you have an agreement in place, the U.S. should keep their word and honor the negotiated agreement, and fairly express through diplomacy the renegotiation of prior agreements. The end game for tariffs is to suppress American demand for the product, perhaps we should be looking into more of these processes, rather than picking fights with allies. I think talking about territorial acquisition that compromises diplomatic relationships is wrong on many levels. I also think that creating humanitarian crises by abrupt cessation of funding is cruel and inhumane. There is a lot that’s problematic Mr. Golden and as a constituent, I would like to see more responsiveness to the people of Maine. Note: How are you resolving the inability to access grant funds for non-profit programs in the state that will have to furlough and eventually shutter?
Trump is unilaterally overriding the Constitution and should be IMPEACHED. Ignoring the Constitution sets a precedent that will undermine our democracy. Elon Musk is NOT an elected official and should NOT be making high level decisions to eliminate departments or reconfigure the budget. The decision to cut foreign aid (less than 1% of the U.S. budget) has authoritarian leaders around the world jumping for joy because they’ll be able to coerce people through hunger and the lack of medical care. It sets the stage for more repression and less democracy globally. This isn’t making America great again. This is making the wealthiest men in the world wealthier.
"As a general rule, we should pay more attention to what President Trump does than what he says." If you were following your own general rule, then you wouldn't also be saying you are "not yet ready to judge the legality of the White House’s actions." The President's daily unlawful, unconstitutional order and actions, as well as Elon Musk's full invasion of Federal Agencies are the things the are actually doing - and they are are also not getting enough coverage or enough action from you as a representative.
If you are still on the fence, though, about whether the Trump White House respects the law, you could review Judge Coughenour's recent ruling. He's a bit of an expert and he had this to say: “It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain.” So now that you know, you can start paying more attention to what President Trump does, and start taking your own actions to uphold our democracy against an all out assault on the rule of law.
We need to pay attention to what he does AND says! His rhetoric is emotional terrorism and just because he “walks back” certain threatened actions doesn’t mean there is not a price to pay. Our national security is already suffering. People’s lives, livelihoods and well being depend on a leader who cares about Americans. Giving the keys to the kingdom to an unelected citizen and his teenage lackeys is something we will all pay dearly for. Deny, deflect, delay … any word on his health care plan he said he was “looking into” 7 years ago?
In the last few years the US has achieved some level of cooperation from some of the important middle east countries. Trump could undo that by his statements about Gaza that seem to completely dismiss the people that live there. Gaza has been a source and sanctuary of terrorists, but they are still people and the US does not treat people like cattle. Nazi Germany did.
Before the election Jared Golden correctly predicted that Donald Trump would win. And cravenly declared that he was "OK" with that.
During the election Jared Golden refused to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris because he "did not want to be associated with a campaign which frightened people that Trump would destroy democracy."
After the election Jared Golden did not condemn Pres. Trump's unprecedented pardon of 1,500 domestic terrorists, conspirators, and violent rioters. Belatedly he falsely equated Trump's pardons with Biden's pardons, lumping them together as "rogue presidencies."
For over a year, as the Netanyahu regime violated international and U. S. law in its genocidally disproportionate response to the Hamas atrocities of Oct 7, Jared Golden merely recycled the same AIPAC/CUFI propaganda, over and over. Omitting that the Netanyahu regime had supported Hamas because it shared Netanyahu's opposition to the two state solution and in order to weaken the Palestinian Authority which was interested in a two state solution. Golden also omits any mention of atrocities by Israeli settlers against Palestinian on their own land in the occupied West Bank. And Golden omits that the Netanyahu regime was content to keep the hostages in Hamas custody in order to use them as talking points - as they died in captivity including from Israeli bombing.
Golden leaves out a lot which matters to many Mainers. He has an arrogant disregard for many who voted and campaigned for him. He seems to think toadying to Trump will win him favored status with Trump and perks for Maine. History shows that while opposing Trump can put a target on your back, pandering to him guarantees nothing. Other than complicity in Trump's crimes and abuses.
I completely agree with you. With Musk controlling Federal spending now, there is little left for Congress to do. They might as well go home as they increasingly are becoming irrelevant. At some point, Musk will simply defund the offices and salaries of Democrats who oppose him. There is nothing to stop him from even defunding congress altogether. What Golden seems to forget is that Musk has all of his personal and financial information as well as that of his staff. He will be able to blackmail everyone in the country by threatening to destroy or create trouble for whoever he wants to target.
It is possible. TrumpMusk will have to balance their desire to indulge in arbitrary and unaccountable power and their desire to take the money and run. Republicans on the Supreme Court and in the Legislature have granted them the ability to do both. With a veneer of legality.
I agree completely.
All true, thanks for this well-written assessment.
You are the problem that Democrats have. You’ve been so indoctrinated on everything that lost the election for Democrats that now they are stuck with you.
An albatross of ridiculous propaganda.
If following the facts of world events is indoctrination, we're in a bad state. While I don't disagree that dems are way off on many things and that's why they lost the election, the statements made above about events in Gaza, Israel and Palestinians are all true. We have had a shocking lack of leadership speaking out on this. It's been a horrific genocide of mass proportion. Nothing justifies that. Do your own internet searching with an open mind, watch video taken inside Gaza by aid workers, journalists, and individuals, to see what has happened there. Then ask whether any outcome or reason justifies that kind of slaughter. I'm a strong supporter of Jews and Israel, many of my friends are Jewish, and I'm no supporter of Hamas or terrorist groups. But I am a supporter of basic human decency and common sense not to slaughter civilians on a mass scale to get to your objective, because your people were also slaughtered. That does not add up. There is no place for that to be accepted in our world.
I saw the Bulwark podcast in YouTube . They have a paid subscription in Substack which I joined. They just published an article tonight that says n private republicans in congress express a different perspective. Bulwark has reviewed letters sent by republican members of congress to their constituents about the role Musk is playing. Even more have expressed fears that Musk may gain access to voters sensitive personal information.
I can text you a free copy of this
Please do everything you can to stop the power grab of Elon Musk. He also is completely violating privacy laws. He is not an elected official , and I have not seen anything to indicate he has security clearances He has not been authorized by congress for the "job" he is doing. I am concerned about his access to our social security numbers. I think his actions lately are one of the biggest dangers we have faced in a very long time.
Congress has the power of raising and spending, not some appointed foreign born billionaire
Trump and his goons are violating our constitution and as veterans or congressmembers we took an oath to defend the constitution not some moron that low information people elected.
Elon Musk has no power to do anything. Looking at the books doesn’t cause any problems except for people that have been stealing our money. Don’t fall for the propaganda.
Nothing illegal is happening, how do you audit the government if nobody looks at the books?
Gee John, you might need to read up on the constitution and shut off fox noise.
I don’t watch Fox News. That is your pre-programmed by the ‘other media’ response.
Point being, Trump is doing what we voted for, I know you are not used to seeing a candidate that does what he said he was going to.
What’s amazing to me as it took looking at the books and corruption by Democrats for Democrats to actually get upset enough to make a big stink about Trump winning.
It’s very telling
Elon has security clearance and he doesn’t need Congress because President Trump put him in charge to look at spending. Elon isn’t getting paid he is doing it for the country and I say so far he has found a lot such USaid that refused oversight and spent tax payers money look up what he found. Biden certainly used his DOJ to hurt a lot of people.
Nope @Patricia. Simply getting Trump’s ok is NOT enough. Congress is in charge of spending. If I went over to my neighbor’s property and started rooting around in their cabinets, I cant say “oh well the town manager gave me the green light”. It would different if the Congress had oversight and were directing Musk’s actions. They are accountable to the voter. Musk is accountable to NOBODY.
You are correct. It is so scary that Trump and Non Elected, Non American Musk, are trampling over the Constitution and the separation of Powers. I am hoping that Dems, Independents, and the few normal Republicans will do what they can either through the courts or the legislature to pull the brakes on the awful things they are doing.
That is why Trump got elected to cut government and to check for fraud and waste. USaid for one refused to let Congress and anyone look at their books. Trump has the right to use oversight to look into any dept. You are so wrong Congress is happy Trump is doing his job because they under Biden could not get ay information. This is not like rooting in your neighbors garbage. These bureaucrats are getting paid by the taxpayers and they have the rights to see where their money is going. I think you should look up history of past Presidents that used their power to do what Trump is doing. They didn’t have someone like Musk who is giving his time to help get this country (without pay) back from the bureaucrats who are misusing the funds and picking up huge paychecks. Musk is accountable to President Trump and Trump lets us know what he has found and makes the decisions on what to do. The only ones against this are the corrupt people who work in these departments or who are getting paid without going to work.
Patricia, if the President tells you it's okay to break the law, that doesn't actually make it okay to break the law. Please don't believe the lies this administration is selling you. The are currently working on draining Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans' Benefits, school lunches, anything else they can get their hands on - just to make the rich richer. Assuming you're not rich, their plan is going to harm you, too - so please stop believing them when they claim they're helping you while they're robbing the entire country blind.
One of the many good things that USAID does, besides providing lifesaving vaccines and medicines to people who will die without them, is that they purchase millions of dollars of farm produce from American farmers who will feel that loss of income without it. But it seems to me, that Trump and non elected self serving billionaire are doing what ever they can to make life difficult for people, punish people for doing their jobs, and will raise costs for the Americans who were fooled by Trump when he told them he would lower prices. He doesn't give a rat's ass about the average American once he had their votes. His main concern is his massive ego, power, money for himself, and his billionaire friends. Hopefully in 2 years Dems can take back the congress and fix some of the atrocious policies he is doing .
Look at what they have given. The corrupt list has been put out. Disgusting. Use your scare tactics people will die. Trump is transparent and loves this country. Biden was a dictator or whoever was running the country because he was on the beach with dementia. Anyone who disagreed with Biden administrations he used his DOJ to go after people example Jan, 6 protestors. He and Kamala cheered on Antifa and BLM who burned cities down and killed people. People saw what was going on and Trump won in a landslide. I used to be a Democrat never again they are the socialist party and everything they do they ruin. We are safer with Trump and the border is closed. Our laws will be upheld. Biden had to pardon a lot of people including his family because he knew they were guilty of lying to the country and about Trump. Fauci was guilty of the lives of millions. This country will never be closed down again or our rights won’t be taken away by the Democrats ever again. Thank God people have woke up. The Democrats are spewing the same old lies but you won’t win.
PUS47's granting Musk a "security clearance" is like the plastic wings that used to be given to children making their first airplane flight. Doesn't make them pilots any more than it makes Musk not a security risk. I can't understand why building security even lets him in to agency headquarters.
Thank you for this series. Please share your thoughts on the activities of Elon Musk and his team's takeover of Federal Treasury Computer Systems.
The only possible good that could come out of this is that it is so outrageous and such a threat to millions of people that it will be Trump's undoing, or at least get Musk fired.
Not if enough people like Golden normalize the abuses - with tepid disapproval.
We buy more than we sell because we have sent so much of our production overseas for cheap labor and then have to buy it back. When we had a strong manufacturing economy which was what Biden was working on rebuilding we did not have this deficit. Please continue to support biden's efforts to rebuild manufacturing in this country.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the takeover of the Federal Treasury Computer systems by Elon Musk and his team of very young computer technicians. The Federal Treasury System is now being scrutinized and controlled by unqualified people. What will this mean for American citizens?
Please pay attention to the antics of Elon Musk. What are you doing to prevent his coup and the compromise of all our personal data?
Your undefined reference to "liking" tariffs leaves me, and probably others, think that you support Trump's outrageous attempts to punitively impose outrageously high tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Do you or do you not support his actions? Please come right out and tell us straight. You might like tariffs, but think Trump has gone overboard, but since you don't clarify that, I assume you support him, which means I can't support you.
Where is Congress? How can Musk be allowed to have full access to the treasure payment system? How can he have such power without investigation and the requirement to meet ethics and government conflict of interest rules? Keep up the good work, Representative Golden.
What good work is there by Golden to oppose Trump? Zilch. The House might move to impeach Trump based on the abuses you list. Would Golden enter articles of impeachment?
Or are you being sarcastic in praising Golden? If then, I agree.
Might I suggest you run for Congress? You seem to have a handle on what should or shouldn't be done.
I am not certain whether you are serious. I am a long time political activist who has volunteered on many campaigns, including those of Jared Golden. I am also in my 70s. I feel very strongly that younger people should be in office. Volunteering on campaigns managed by young field organizers gives me hope. I like that Golden is a younger generation. I know AOC or Jamie Raskin could not win in CD2. More the pity. But that's how it is. But I am not convinced that Golden is the only Democrat who could win. He takes his Democratic base for granted and presents his pandering to MAGA Republicans as though it were smart and saintly on his part, rather than smugly self satisfied complicity.
I very much agree with you. I am so frustrated with Susan Collins. Yes, she is a Sr. Senator who because of that can bring money to the state, especially BIW. This is good for the economy and employment. However, because she tries to please everyone, she pleases no one. It drives me nuts when she votes against a bill, that you know the only reason she did it is because she knew it would not pass and it would look like she voted with the Dems. Her Supreme Court votes have been disappointing, and I know she won't stand up to Trump or the Trumpers in the Senate. We are stuck.
I was serious, but I get that you are at an age, where it is better to let the younger generation step up. I'm 85 and about all I'm capable of now is being a keyboard warrior. Don't you love that term? Speaking up for others who don't have the time, because they have so many responsiblities is all I'm able to do now.
Stop Musk!
Educate your MAGA constituent minority rather than offering up weak defenses of Trump policies! Please!!!
Yes educate MAGA like Senator Elissa Slotkin did on the Senators floor.
I echo others when I thank you for publishing this. It's wonderful to be able to get a glimpse into what is happening in Washington. Two points.
1. I disagree with the concept of tariffs. They might have made sense 100+ years ago, when industries were simpler and not as interconnected. To enact/raise tariffs is extremely unlikely to onshore many of the most desirous and technologically complex industries, which the US excels at. The more likely result will be higher prices for Americans, decreased exports due to retaliatory tariffs and an unnecessary trade war (or wars) which will decrease the standard of living here and abroad.
2. Although the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza is horrific, I totally agree with the concept that we have NOT done a great job of nation building. Certainly sending US service members to the middle east to enact/enable this would be NOT in our national interest and would not win us any friends. To "rebuild" Gaza is something which the US can't, nor shouldn't try to do, at least not alone.
Please keep up the good work representing us here in ME.
Thank you, Rep. Golden, for your thoughts on a couple of current issues. There are a lot of actions to look at right now. The most important action is an unelected and unvetted citizen having access to the US Treasury and giving young unvetted computer nerds/hackers full access as well. This is a coup to dismantle our democracy completely. It is no longer Republicans versus Democrats, it is autocracy versus democracy. Of course, we need fiscal responsibility and to clean up our own house, but this is a COUP. The next thing that Trump/Musk will dismantle is the Congress and House of Representatives. An autocracy does not need them. All decisions come from the leader/s. There will be no house to clean up. We implore you to stand up to the total dismantling of our democracy.
I think tariffs are an antiquated structure that should be used sparingly and with a complete analysis of the markets. I also believe that when you have an agreement in place, the U.S. should keep their word and honor the negotiated agreement, and fairly express through diplomacy the renegotiation of prior agreements. The end game for tariffs is to suppress American demand for the product, perhaps we should be looking into more of these processes, rather than picking fights with allies. I think talking about territorial acquisition that compromises diplomatic relationships is wrong on many levels. I also think that creating humanitarian crises by abrupt cessation of funding is cruel and inhumane. There is a lot that’s problematic Mr. Golden and as a constituent, I would like to see more responsiveness to the people of Maine. Note: How are you resolving the inability to access grant funds for non-profit programs in the state that will have to furlough and eventually shutter?
Trump is unilaterally overriding the Constitution and should be IMPEACHED. Ignoring the Constitution sets a precedent that will undermine our democracy. Elon Musk is NOT an elected official and should NOT be making high level decisions to eliminate departments or reconfigure the budget. The decision to cut foreign aid (less than 1% of the U.S. budget) has authoritarian leaders around the world jumping for joy because they’ll be able to coerce people through hunger and the lack of medical care. It sets the stage for more repression and less democracy globally. This isn’t making America great again. This is making the wealthiest men in the world wealthier.
"As a general rule, we should pay more attention to what President Trump does than what he says." If you were following your own general rule, then you wouldn't also be saying you are "not yet ready to judge the legality of the White House’s actions." The President's daily unlawful, unconstitutional order and actions, as well as Elon Musk's full invasion of Federal Agencies are the things the are actually doing - and they are are also not getting enough coverage or enough action from you as a representative.
If you are still on the fence, though, about whether the Trump White House respects the law, you could review Judge Coughenour's recent ruling. He's a bit of an expert and he had this to say: “It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain.” So now that you know, you can start paying more attention to what President Trump does, and start taking your own actions to uphold our democracy against an all out assault on the rule of law.
We need to pay attention to what he does AND says! His rhetoric is emotional terrorism and just because he “walks back” certain threatened actions doesn’t mean there is not a price to pay. Our national security is already suffering. People’s lives, livelihoods and well being depend on a leader who cares about Americans. Giving the keys to the kingdom to an unelected citizen and his teenage lackeys is something we will all pay dearly for. Deny, deflect, delay … any word on his health care plan he said he was “looking into” 7 years ago?
In the last few years the US has achieved some level of cooperation from some of the important middle east countries. Trump could undo that by his statements about Gaza that seem to completely dismiss the people that live there. Gaza has been a source and sanctuary of terrorists, but they are still people and the US does not treat people like cattle. Nazi Germany did.