Maine Migrant Workers: an invisible population

Through the quiet winding roads, their hard work is prevalent from the raked blueberry fields, to the beautifully crafted wreaths on each door. But the voices of these migrant workers are lost in the silence, and their stories remain untold, causing misconceptions of these workers throughout the state of Maine. This documentary will give you a glimpse into the world of migrant workers in Maine from their struggles to successes. While you view this video, I would like you to keep in mind that this documentary covers the tip of the iceberg. Not all migrant workers are the same: not all are here for the same reason, not all have the same work ethic, not all have the same opportunities, and to show all perspectives is an impossible task. Each migrant worker is an individual.

Lesson learned: my experience in covering the 2010 Maine general election

I am a typical college student. I go to class, I do my homework, I go to work, and I save time for fun. But every now and then, an unexpected lesson finds its way into our tightly woven, typical lives, and we become, to some extent, more aware of reality.

Four weeks ago, I began reporting on the 2010 Maine general elections for a video in my journalism class. My focus was on young voters: How are students involved in the election? What do young voters know? How are candidates reaching out to this demographic? What are their reactions to the election results?

With tight deadlines and a narrow focus, I didn’t expect to learn much more than these basic questions, but as election day came and went, I realized that there was a greater significance behind my story; civic knowledge is increasingly important, and my generation has a lack of it.

It wasn’t until beginning this class project that I realized the extent of this problem. It was first brought to my attention when conducting “man on the street” interviews, or more explicitly, unscheduled interviews with random people on campus.

I would approach someone to ask them about their thoughts on the election, and most students declined being on camera simply due to their embarrassment of not knowing anything about the election. “ Sorry, I would totally help you out if I actually knew anything about it,” was arguably the most frequent statement I heard within the three weeks of conducting interviews.

Some students agreed to participate, and while a few of these randomly chosen students understood some basic facts about the election, most had no idea. These students claimed that research for the election is too time consuming, they’re too busy, and they don’t think the election would really affect them.

This problem of ignorance and apathy takes root in a generational shift of values from civil engagement, action and change, to a greater emphasis on making life enjoyable, despite many of life’s unpleasant realities. After all, ignorance is bliss.

Through this realization of how ignorant my generation generally is, I learned about why it’s so important for us to care and to take action. After casting her vote, 4th year student Kylie Kenne said that “we can no longer just sit by and let the world pass. It’s our world, and we need to take responsibility for it.” While this statement may seem cliché, it holds truth, particularly in the context of elections, as they are the most obvious event that affects every citizen, especially younger generations as we have much of our lives to left to live.

Regardless of how interesting any individual perceives politics or how disengaged someone is about the idea of “government,” politics largely dictates our lives as citizens of the U.S. and of our home states. Who can get health insurance? Under what conditions? How much of our paycheck will the state and feds collect? When can a woman get an abortion? Can a woman get an abortion? Will our roads be paved? Will more majors be cut? Will more programs be offered? These are only a small sample of the issues that affect our daily lives, and in some cases, the rest of our lives.

It is essential for my generation to become informed and take action. If we can’t motivate ourselves to care about a politician or proposition, we should at least have concern for our future. We must educate ourselves so we can have a say in what affects us.

This experience and realization is my own. My point is subjective. While you, the reader of my account, are unable to witness what I have seen and heard, I urge you to consider this article, and ask yourself: am I informed? Your choices do matter.

Maine election day 2010: expectations, results and reactions

After months of campaigning, the 2010 elections have come to an end. Throughout election day, anticipation, confusion, and excitement filled the air on the UMaine campus. After Paul LePage was finally declared Governor of Maine on Wednesday afternoon, students remained split between disappointment, relief, and indifference. Despite the mixed feelings, Maine citizens wait to see what the results of this years election will bring.

Apathetic youth in the 2010 Maine state elections

ORONO, ME- Year after year, youth voter apathy is a growing concern for government, politicians, and active citizens alike. As the Maine gubernatorial race is close, LePage ahead of Sen. Mitchell by less than 5 percentage points, youth participation could become critical in this year's election results. Sen. Mitchell believes that “whoever wins this race will win by only a handful of votes” and the participation of each young voter is essential in electing the best candidate for Maine.

According to the 2009 American Community Survey, citizens between the ages of 18 and 29 comprise 15 percent of Maine’s population. In the last gubernatorial election of 2006, the Youth Democrats of America determined that 21 percent of this age group voted. If young voter participation does not increase from the 2006 election, 14.5 percent, or over 152 thousand, of the state’s population who are given a chance to speak will remain unheard, and possibly unrepresented in the Maine state government for the next four years.

An important question to address is why should young voters care to be informed, and help decide the fate of Maine politics? The answer is simple. Politics dictate our lives. Who we vote for; whether it's the president of the United States, or a district representative; determines who can have health insurance, how much money is given to our public schools, how much college students pay for tuition, who can get married, what kinds of jobs are created, as well as many other issues.

Senator Mitchell plans on addressing several issues that will affect young adults across the state if elected governor.

Dan Demeritt, press secretary for the LePage campaign, explains an initiative of the candidate about higher education.

Each candidate has issues on their platform that will affect a wide variety of citizens, and young voters must become more involved to ensure the election of a governor who will benefit our state's future.

To find out more about each candidates platform visit the websites of Sen. Mitchell, Mayor LePage, Cutler, Moody, and Scott.

To learn about the gubernatorial political forum, view Emma Thieme's story, and to learn about how social networking has affected the gubernatorial race, view Bryan Roche's story.

Maine Students and the State Elections: Who's doing what?

ORONO- In less than two weeks, citizens across the state of Maine will head to the polls to cast their votes. At the University of Maine, there is a wide spectrum of student involvement in this years election from student groups facilitating political talks, to actually running for legislature.

Zachary Jackman, a senior at the University, is running as a Republican against Rep. Emily Cain for Orono’s District 19 seat in the House of Representatives. Jackman feels as though there is an overall lack of student involvement with the state elections and is concerned that this will reflect in the turnouts on election day.

UMaine UVote, an organization on campus, realizes this problem, and works hard to increase student involvement on campus. This group hosts events such as the Rock the Vote concert, and public forums to inform young voters in particular, and to get them interested in elections.

Nathan Wildes, Student Coordinator of UVote, plays a large role in making sure students have the opportunity to become active citizens. "Most recently, we organized the debate between Rep. Emily Cain and Zach Jackman for the District 19 House seat. We also organize and promote Election Day every year, which includes an 'Early Vote Day.'"

Ben Goodman, president of the College Democrats, clarifies the role that both UMaine UVote and the College Democrats play in promoting involvement in the election to students on campus.

The College Democrats focus on organizing students to hold events and forums that educate fellow students and help Democrats win elections. This year, they are proudly supporting Democrat Sen. Libby Mitchell in the Gubernatorial race by tabling around the University of Maine, and recruiting volunteers to help local efforts supporting Democrats up and down the ballot. "We have worked to educate students on the clear differences between Senator Mitchell and Mayor LePage, and will continue to do so through November 2nd," explains Goodman.

Supporting Sen. Mitchell’s political opposition are the UMaine College Republicans who find commonality in their passion of promoting conservative values. Members of the College Republicans have been volunteering for the campaigns of Mayor Paul LePage and Jason Levesque by phone banking and literature dropping. Vice Chair, Joseph Grace, shares great optimism of the engagement of the College Republican members.

With little time left, organizations like UMaine UVote will be working hard to spread the enthusiasm across campus shown by these politically active groups and individuals to those without desire to participate in the 2010 state elections.

Lookup more information pertaining the 2010 Maine State Elections, and how to become involved here!

Fall Break from Eliot to Caribou!

Doug's Tech. Lecture 10/14/10