Much like Governor LePage’s actions to withhold money in order to get his own way, it appears that Maine State representative, John Martin is taking his ball and going home to bang his head against the wall.

According to the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Rep. Martin is going to change his vote on LD 742 because he lost “his” mining bill.

LD 742 was a bill that would require that petitioners, such as what happened in the most recent bear hunting referendum, would have to acquire at least half of their signatures from both Congressional Districts. Those in support of LD 742 believe that there are two Maines – northern Maine and southern Maine and that each district is distinctly different politically. LD 742 was stated to be the cure to better insure that a proper representation of the citizen would be used to qualify petitions for citizen ballot initiatives.

Leverage in politics has gone on since the beginning of time. Voters should not accept that kind of childish behavior. It is one thing for a spoiled brat to take his ball and go home, it is quite another when others go home with him out of fear of retribution.

Certainly this is another case to support the claim that there is no such thing as government of and by the people. It’s about who has power and control.