Jon Reisman
Our 250th birthday celebration of Freedom and the Declaration of Independence will feature dueling parade appearances on July 4 — Susan Collins will be marching in Eastport, while Graham Platner is scheduled for Machias. It seems to me we are marching towards civil war, and that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness require some open declaration of grievance, perceived malice, and intent. Platner support and Trump Derangement Syndrome trigger me, and my response triggers the progressive fascist Platner supporters. It’s an accelerating and country-immolating drive towards disaster. I’m sure the left will advocate trigger locks for me, but not themselves.
The determination of Maine’s progressive left to send an openly antisemitic national (sorry, democratic) socialist commie creep to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate has convinced me that we are sliding towards civil war and that I would be well advised to take steps to secure and protect my 1st and 2nd Amendment rights from my neighbors with planted Platner signs. At least their hatred of capitalism and Jews is out in the open. Every Platner lawn sign is an open Maine Kampf declaration of antisemitism and a call for violence. Kristal Nacht in Cooper and Pogroms in Pembroke seem unthinkable, but not in Congregational churches and Portland. Strong Platner support at Centre Street Church in Machias and across the 1st Congressional District is undeniable. I’m going to start taking pictures as evidence, whether for my own defense or the Nuremberg comeuppance the hypocritical leftists so richly deserve.
Civil wars split families and communities, and I am no exception. I have chosen to disassociate from Platner supporters as a non-violent response to their antisemitism. In response to my ending long-standing relationships, the antisemites have called me out as a misguided, misanthropic conservative bigot. I have chosen estrangement with both my sons over their support for Platner. There is no going back on these decisions and actions. Regardless of whether Collins or Platner wins, the die is cast. Neither side will accept defeat peacefully. Platner’s nomination is the Fort Sumter of America’s 21st-century Civil War.
Lincoln predicted that a House Divided would not stand, but become one or the other- slave or free. The same can be said for our economy- it cannot be sustained as half capitalist (red state)-half socialist (blue state). Maine is already an example of the dysfunction of division. The Uber Blue 1st CD is already effectively socialist, and the somewhat red 2nd CD is continuously abused by our progressive betters (deservedly so in their minds). Whether it’s election rules (ranked-choice voting, national popular vote compact) or the climate change action plan, Maine’s left has consistently pursued policies that have an adverse disparate impact on the 2nd CD and the rural Mainers who voted for Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. From the point of view of purple- haired Portland progressives, this rural recidivism can’t be tolerated and must be silenced and extinguished. Graham Platner is their vehicle to do so.
• Freedom, oh freedom, that’s just some people talking. Your prison is walking in this world all alone. - Desperado, Glenn Frey and Don Henley
• Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose - Me and Bobby McGee, Kris Kristofferson
Jon Reisman is an economist and policy analyst who retired from the University of Maine at Machias after 38 years. He resides on Cathance Lake in Cooper, where he is a Statler and Waldorf intern. Mr. Reisman’s views are his own, and he welcomes comments as letters to the editor here or to him directly via email at jreisman@maine.edu.
