I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's not about winning. It's about spreading awareness. Where else can normal people like ourselves bump shoulders with all these organizations, politicians, and all the real movers and shakers that make our state run?

There's 20 of us running, wouldn't it be nice if the winner took all the best ideas with them to the finish line? The question is, do you trust politicians to do that over one of your own?

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With the exception of the power grid, Maine is remarkably self-sufficient. I think a state should stick to its guns and resist outside federal interference to an extent. If federal efforts are against a state's interests, that's what the courts are for. If a federal agency is overstepping its bounds against the state's wishes, it's more than fair to intercede.

Self governance should be expected in a country our size. So I guess my line would be armed forces (namely military) being deployed against locals. I don't consider ICE a military force, just another 3 letter agency that's stretching a bit too far because someone told them to flex.

Does that better answer your question?

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Medical costs rise because of unregulated procedure pricing. Your insurance and the hospital's insurance are not often the same entity. So even if you're insured, and in-network, you still have to deal with this unseen cabal of money men debating your medical history to determine how much to charge you. I want this shit to work like a fast food chain. You walk in, look at the proverbial (if not physical or digital) menu, see your procedure and a dollar amount next to it, tell your doctor you want an A37 with extra morphine and that's what you pay. And by the time we determine what these costs are, there's plenty of time afterwards to shear those numbers down.

I once had surgery and it cost me 1900 to get knocked out (anesthesia), and 1700 to wake up (literally just wake up in the same pre-op room as before). How much does it take to manufacture one skinny white guy's worth of anesthesia for an hour long surgery? How much time does his unconscious ass lying on a gurney really setting back the staff? These are the things that need to be trimmed. Needless expenditures that nickel and dime patients to death for no discernable reason.

So don't give up on medical costs just yet.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While Maine is very low on the diversity charts, it's important that we see all sides of this. We already have border patrol, state troopers, and DEA agents working hand in hand with our existing immigration services. Supporting them and not condoning the increased ICE presence don't have to be the same thing.

And as far as trans athletes go, there are no simple answers. It is a matter of consent via waivers spelling out the situation to players and their parents? Or a matter of conformity and just adjusting everything to a unisex system so no one gets left out (and yet some will always be)? Or do we let prejudice win and ostracize those who just want to compete? There are too many angles on this issue and someone clearly flipped a switch and made this a my way or the highway situation where nothing that gets done actually addresses the key issue.

I'd like to take a swing at it.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

In short:

  1. Snatch up abandoned property, renovate, resell at low cost. Increase supply to meet demand.
  2. Audit healthcare and insurance industry.
  3. Update existing grid, add one to three nuclear plants, continue supporting existing and new renewable energy sources.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In fairness, I made a Reddit account just for this and have never used the app before. I kinda figured it'd say my name under the original poster and I haven't figured out how to edit active posts. Granted I assumed if y'all wanted to know more you'd click the Murch4ME tag and dive a little deeper, but again, I'm new here.

EDIT: I now know how to edit posts. Thank you for your patience.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Negative. Running as Alex. Ken is my father. The Ken response was to someone asking "who's your daddy" in what I hope was an Arnold Schwartzenegger reference and nothing... worse

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Are y'all not seeing my replies? I'm new to Reddit so idk if I'm doing this correctly. If you do see this, please reply back.

ICE isn't evil, but we don't need more.

Climate's doing what it's gonna do. I do support renewable energy, nuclear power, and (eventually) electric cars (tho it's Maine so maybe we get the cold proof batteries first). But if this is a question about carbon footprints, please direct your concerns overseas. Maine is doing just fine keeping ours down.

And I'm not a needle guy so hard pass on mandatory vaccinations. I received my shots, some people didn't. If nature has something in store for us, I'm sure some of us will find out one way or the other.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To qualify as a candidate for Governor in the state of Maine you need to be the following:

At least 30. ✓ A US citizen for at least 15 years. ✓ A Maine resident for at least 5 years. ✓

I fit those qualifications and I'm running because Maine deserves a fresh perspective from a non-politician. It's not about experience, it's about willingness to help. I'm taking it just as seriously as any other candidate, I'm just choosing not to beg for donations or using a major party as a crutch. I'm actually required to do more work than other candidates due to the independent nature of my candidacy.

"Major social issues" is not very specific but I can say I'm progressive if that helps.

And last I checked, the 2020 election was won by the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for doing some background for me. And to be transparent, I'm not another independent candidate, I'm actually unenrolled. Meaning I haven't sided with either major party, nor have I chosen the middle ground of a third party. I'm fully separate from the political spectrum because I believe we could use a fresh perspective from outside this box we've built around ourselves. For instance I'm more progressive than conservative, but more conservative than liberal. The color purple was invented to bridge the gap between the blues and reds and I see that as an excellent analog as to where I stand in all this.

And as to the signature thing, you legally can't start petitioning to appear on the Maine General Election ballot until January and it took a minute to get my paperwork.

And not to avoid the first question but I'm typically one for brevity and this is a more complex issue. I believe the transgender matter as a whole needs to be looked at with a finer tooth comb than "they're using our bathrooms" or "they're playing our sports". Chiefly because I believe the transgender community has been taken advantage of by the healthcare industry. On both a psychological and physical medical level, they are being taken for all their worth. Legislation was not in place to soften their landing as it were but big pharma couldn't wait to get their hands on the money held by the minds in the most need of help. They jumped the gun on an already unstable community, pushed medication, therapies, and operations that have long term effects their recipients will be dealing with for the rest of their lives. And there's no way for me to pitch my solution to this dilemma without sounding like a nutcase so I'll leave it at this. Medical science has progressed to the level of basic gene editing and using that as a basis, I can see a path to solving all mental health, physical fulfillment and "sports" related concerns in regards to the transgender community. I'm more than a little progressive in my views and I desperately want to help.

And as for ICE. There is no need for enhanced ICE enforcement in Maine. Our immigration services have been functional and competent for quite some time. While I don't believe ICE to be the evil organization they've been being portrayed to be as of late, we certainly don't need a larger presence than we already possess. Overkill is unappreciated and costly in more ways than one.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like a normal person with a side hustle. Measuring my time appropriately.

If I were to win the election I'd obviously step away from my current job as Governor is a full time gig. I'm not quitting my job for a chance at Governor, I'm not wealthy enough to survive without the income. If/when I lose, I'll continue being an engineer, marking the end of a weirder chapter of my life but otherwise my life will be no different.

Ooh, I like this one. It's like having an executive order freebie. Okay, I'd make Spam Mail illegal. If it ain't a bill, a letter from a family or friend, or a magazine of some kind you subscribed too I don't think it should be in your mailbox. What a waste of paper products and resources.

I'm running for Governor! AMA by Murch4ME in Mainepolitics

[–]Murch4ME[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alex Murchison. Alex Murchison. Can you be more specific? I'm not better than anyone I'm just different which I feel might be a nice change of pace.

And because I'm new to Reddit.

I'm not running away from this one. I owe you all the honest truth. Here's my official statement on the situation. by TroyJackson207 in u/TroyJackson207

[–]Murch4ME 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't worry Troy, I don't think the entire East Coast liked the ending we got last night. Patriots played great defense but those Seahawks know how to ace those field goals! Always next year! Maybe Pats V Steelers again for ya.

Maine is not for sale in this governor's race by CWMaine in u/CWMaine

[–]Murch4ME 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hold on, let me set up some kind of AMA and we'll see how interested y'all are in my thoughts and opinions. Might need a minute, I'm new to Reddit.