Why is Maine a poor state? (Bangor, Brunswick: 2013, buy, university)

[Evan_Lanctot]

He ain't me LOL.

[maine4.us]

I think people are beginning to realize, finally, that all the creature comforts of city living, are also their biggest problem. When you live in a crowded area, such as NJ, NY and all the other states affected by Sandy, you are literally trapped in the middle of a crowd.

Just reading this morning, riots are breaking out in lines for gasoline. Many people depend on mass transportation, and when doesn't work, they can't even get out of the city. During the great depression of the 30's, farmers crops were taken by city dwellers who were without food. Farmers had to literally stand guard over their fields.

When a critical mass of people have basic resources withheld from them, for any reason, you have a group about to boil over. I heard a woman literally screaming for the government to do something. Given the magnitude of the storm and the dense population, no government has unlimited manpower resources. If I were in an area without food, power, etc., I would walk out of the city and keep walking until I could find what I needed.

I think as cities mature, the dwellers become more and more helpless. So, IMHO, Maine and states like Maine will begin to attract even more people who want to take at least some responsibility for taking care of themselves. The basic necessities are found in Maine. If you are hungry, you can go and take game for food. City dwellers do not have this luxury. Even the tree hugging environmentalists will begin to get that in their head.

[Zymer]

When a critical mass of people have basic resources withheld from them, for any reason, you have a group about to boil over. I heard a woman literally screaming for the government to do something. Given the magnitude of the storm and the dense population, no government has unlimited manpower resources. If I were in an area without food, power, etc., I would walk out of the city and keep walking until I could find what I needed.

I think as cities mature, the dwellers become more and more helpless.

Over the years, a number of fiction writers have gone on about this subject. If the flow of goods, fuel and food is disrupted to highly populated areas that are wholly dependent on obtaining them from outside for more than a relatively short period of time, order and 'civilization' will collapse rapidly.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Over the years, a number of fiction writers have gone on about this subject. If the flow of goods, fuel and food is disrupted to highly populated areas that are wholly dependent on obtaining them from outside for more than a relatively short period of time, order and 'civilization' will collapse rapidly.

I dont think that matters as long as I keep getting my check in the mail- thats the motto of last nights election

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

I dont think that matters as long as I keep getting my check in the mail- thats the motto of last nights election

All the takers voted and the providers just got up and went back to work today as usual... Great place the USA.

[AnnapolisSailor]

Originally Posted by Maineah

All the takers voted and the providers just got up and went back to work today as usual... Great place the USA.

to this

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by AnnapolisSailor

to this

It's a new day, more takers than producers. Doesn't matter if the producers vote.

[mainelander]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

Maine is considered a poor state by some because we have had trouble establishing a sustainable economy. Pulp and paper, the backbone of the economy for the last 100 years or so appears to be deconstructing and in its wake is leaving uncertainty and anxiety. We don't have a replacement for it yet. In the meantime, Maine seems to be tilting toward liberal political solutions which many of us believe, for the long-term, are unsustainable.

Exactly this.
Maine's primary industries of mills and agriculture have passed on and without a replacement maine is just blowing in the wind.

Sadly even our lobster is processed out of state!

[mainelander]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

I heard a woman literally screaming for the government to do something.

I hate to be glib, but I have seen a lot of ...people... over the years scream and get emotionally charged over minutiae.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by mainelander

I hate to be glib, but I have seen a lot of ...people... over the years scream and get emotionally charged over minutiae.

Some people want the government to 'take care' of all minutiae of life, to provide for all needs, wants and entertainment.

panem et circenses

"bread and circuses" for all