The Problem of Priority

Not a day goes by when I don’t read something online or in the paper that just astounds me.  The latest one is about noisy motorcycles.  I’m writing, of course, about LD 1675, “An Act To Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health”.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me; I get as annoyed as the next person when a loud vehicle, motorcycle, etc (fill in your own object here) goes by, deafening the area around them and me.  At these times, the most likely comment to come out of my mouth is something along the lines of “Aren’t they cool?!  I want to be just like them when I grow up!”

I understand.  I get it.  I’m annoyed too.  It’s my right to enjoy being outdoors without being bothered by this.

It’s also their right to be outdoors riding their motorcycles.

We could get off on a whole discussion about rights, the Constitution, etc, etc.  But, I digress.

My point in all this is that there is a time and a place for things, and now is not the time.  While this issue is important to some people (including myself), there are a few other things on the table right now which hold much more importance in the well-being of our state:  health insurance, jobs, taxes, and oh, yes:  a major budget shortfall for education for the foreseeable future.

This bill doesn’t address any of these things, and I’m getting a little fed up with legislators who can’t seem to realize what the true priorities of this state are right now.  This most recent bill being proposed continues to prove to me that there are people in the Legislature who just don’t get it.

This next statement is directed to all of you currently serving in our Legislature:

I am wholly convinced that most (if not all) of you are good people.  You have good hearts, and want to help make our state a better place.  That being said, I also believe that some of you have your priorities screwed up.  You are missing the point of what people truly want in this state.

So, I have a proposal.  My proposal is simple:  examine each bill coming into the Legislature for 4 things:

1. • does this bill work to help small businesses?
2. • does this bill reduce health care costs?
3. • does this bill help reduce taxes for the people of Maine?
4. • does this bill help to reduce government spending?

Those are the top issues that I am concerned about, and having spoken with quite a few people while out campaigning in my district (#56), those are the issues that they are concerned with too.  I have yet to hear one person say, “You know, could you do something about the noise I’m hearing from the motorcycles when you get into office.  It’s really bugging me!”

To be fair, I haven’t asked them about noise pollution; so, you got me.

I understand that the issues you are presenting are important to someone, including yourself.  But in the Legislature (as in life), you have to prioritize.  All I’m asking is for all the representatives and senators of our great state to sit down and regroup.  Go out and talk to the people you represent.  Not only the ones who seek you out, but the ones who don’t.  I’m not a betting man, but I would be willing to wager that it’s the quiet person sitting in the corner of the town hall meeting who will tell you what really matters to them right now.

And it’s not noise.

Scott Milewski is running for House District #56.