A Call for Unity, Compassion, and Action for the People of Maine

Cc: All Maine State Legislators and Public Servants

Subject: A Call for Unity, Compassion, and Action for the People of Maine 

I write to you not as a partisan voice, but as a concerned citizen of Maine — a voice among many who are watching our beloved state fray under the weight of division, economic hardship, and political inaction.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 30,000 Mainers have relocated out of the state, according to U.S. Census migration data. Many have left not by choice, but by necessity — driven away by unaffordable housing, high taxes, soaring power rates, and a rising cost of living that outpaces our wages. Many of my farm friends have left for greener pastures. I cannot count on one hand the amount of homestead friends who came here for a quality of life they did not find ... Basic necessities are farther and farther out of reach for common people. 

Our children are no longer allowed in schools yet we pay some of the highest taxes in our country. Our children are leaving, our parents have left, there is only growing debt and loneliness here. 

These issues do not belong to the left or the right — they belong to ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY. They affect ORDINARY and everyday people who are trying their best to live, work, and raise families in this beautiful state that my ancestors have called home for hundreds of years. 

Many of us come from poor families with sad stories, we weren't given anything, we have fought for what past generations lost. I honor them each and every day but often wonder if the sacrifice is worth simply "being home." 

As a military brat my father moved me all over New England. He knew this was home and our sacred space. He took me fishing and camping, I fondly remember my youthful , adventures here in our wonderful and beautiful state. When I left new England, there was not a day I didn't feel that Maine was my forever home. I told anyone who would listen I would be back someday. 

I made it! Just in time to watch everything and everyone I love collapse into a constant downward spiral of anxiety, fear and insecurity. 

Why aren't we worth listening to? I wonder this all the time as I see the media amplify the voices of only one kind of a citizen. The rest of us have no value or purpose. 

If beauty were enough… this would be the best place in the world to live if you ask me, I am a little biased but this has always been and always will be my home. Whether I can stay here or not. -

We the unheard, unimportant, unimpressive, “silent majority” of Maine are pleading with you: stop fighting over political points and start fighting FOR the people. 

• Lower taxes for everyone— not just specific groups. Mainers across the board are struggling. Justified theft , excused excess and a total lack of common sense with our state budget is driving people away. 

•Make Maine a place where small businesses can thrive and where big business would want to set up shop. With our current laws you would be better suited to move to a state such as New Hampshire, Texas, Florida or I'm sure plenty of others. Maine is simply not competitive. We win the “worst of” and “most expensive” titles routinely. 

Protect all retirees — A large portion of our state is retirees and veterans. People like my father who have served in the military their entire lives. People like my Uncle who sacrificed so much in Vietnam. I personally feel that they’ve earned their pensions through a lifetime of hard work, integrity and service to our country. They should not have to fear poverty in old age. They should not be left on street corners wondering if they'd been forgotten or why they aren't good enough to help. 

Take bold action to control our power rates. — Maine has some of the highest electricity costs in the nation, each day brings higher rates and this burden is crushing families and small businesses. People who are already wondering how to pay for basic necessities. When is enough going to be enough? 

Address the mental health crisis that’s escalating under economic pressure. Suicides and addiction are rising; people are overwhelmed, anxious, and fearful of the future. This is not sustainable. 

When people of all backgrounds are perpetually burdened by financial crisis, our mental health suffers. The fear of not being able to take care of our children and families, it is overwhelming. Just wondering when our government will push us under a little farther.- Instead of helping , it seems as though our cries are ignored, we are adrift and out to sea waiting for OUR VOICES and OUR LIVES AND BUSINESSES to matter to people seemingly devoted to ignoring us, the lesser and lower class, the silent majority who greatly disagrees with “both sides.” 

Many Mainers feel violated and betrayed by the majority of our politicians. As every fart and whimper is catered to , to sooth the news and media outrage , most people's concerns are being ignored on a daily basis. We are told regularly to sit down and shut up, our voices aren't acknowledged. 

We ask this not just of our federal delegation, but of EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC SERVANT in Augusta and beyond, regardless of party affiliation. 

Please — WORK to find common ground. It exists. Many of us don’t live on the extremes; we live in the center, just trying to survive our government. We care about our families, our homes, our futures — not partisan politics. We believe sincerely in separation of church and state. Freedom and rights for ALL persons regardless of faith, sexuality, race, etc. 

We believe - our rights end where your nose begins , and vise versa. - Live and let live. To each their own. - 

To the PUBLIC we also say: we cannot let ideological divisions blind us to the suffering around us. Let’s listen more. Let’s assume good intent. Let’s support those who need help, and demand accountability where it’s due — but never with hatred in our hearts. 

The political divide in this country is not just unfortunate — it is deadly. It fuels violence, nurtures resentment, and creates hatred that will long outlive us if we do not act NOW. 

Our children are watching. They deserve better. They deserve to grow up in a better Maine than what we're looking at today. This isn't the Maine I grew up in, where ideas could be exchanged freely, where people could own land and property without fear of losing it because of forces outside of their control such as tax increases or cost of living concerns — This could be a country and state — where people can disagree without dehumanizing each other. Where elected officials can work across the aisle without being punished. Where compassion is not weakness, and decency is the norm.

Please , I beg of you all. Take up this fight for unity. - Give our children a future worth fighting for. Let’s make Maine not just a place where people can live, but where they WANT to live — and where they can afford to stay. 

We’re asking you to stand together, and to lead with love. Not in opposition to one another, but in solidarity with the people you serve. ALL of them, even the ones you may not like or agree with. 

With hope, urgency, and resolve,

A wicked Concerned Mainer, - Mother, farm owner, business owner and freedom forward community leader. 

Catherine Morrow 

Legacy Acres Family Farmstead 

Kenduskeag, ME. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MAINE

ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

SECTION 1 NATURAL RIGHTS

"All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness."