Nation needs to live within its means, Michaud tells students

Written by Mike Lange

Monday, 15 February 2010 15:04

Science teacher Sarah Walsh talks to Rep. Michael Michaud after his speech at Maine Central Institute on Feb. 12. (Mike Lange photo)

PITTSFIELD – U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud battled a blizzard and a nasty shaving rash to make his appearance at Maine Central Institute on Feb. 12 as part of the Pittsfield high school’s Patterson Lecture Series.

The snowstorm that crippled Washington, D.C. provided some humorous moments for Mainers like Michaud, a Millinocket native who is obviously used to winter weather. “People were trying to shovel snow with dustpans,” said Michaud, “because the stores were sold out of shovels.”

Despite some last-minute flight changes, Michaud arrived on schedule and spent a little more than an hour giving some prepared remarks and answering questions from student and staff.

In keeping with the school’s 2010 theme of “Sustainability,” the Democratic congressman urged students to get involved with their community and help promote Maine as “the nation’s energy leader.”

At the same time, Michaud said that his biggest concern is the country’s mounting debt. “I never thought I would see the day when we could have to go to China and beg then to take on more of our debt,” said Michaud. “We, as a nation, need to start living within our means.”

Michaud, a former Maine Senate president who worked in a paper mill for 29 years, outlined some of the challenges facing young people today. “We all face a common struggle. How can we best improve our lives and the lives of those in our family and community?” Michaud asked the students.

Health care is not only a high-profile issue in Congress, but one of the reasons for country’s economic struggles, Michaud said. “We’re suffering a doctor shortage in rural areas like Maine, and half of the Americans who skip medical treatment or postpone buying drugs do it because they can’t afford it,” he explained. “That alone costs us $1,800 per person every year (in debt).”

Having foreign countries hold as much U.S. debt as they presently do concerns Michaud, who said that it’s “simply not good foreign policy. Our interest alone on the national debt is more than the federal education and veterans’ budgets combined.”

One of the ways that the nation can rebound from the recession is creating energy-related or “green” jobs, which Michaud said has another added benefit: less dependence on foreign oil.

Recalling his days in the Maine Legislature, Michaud said he would like “reach across the aisle more” and work with Republicans in Congress. “Good ideas come from both parties.”

Michaud became Maine Senate president under a unique power-sharing agreement with Republican Rick Bennett when the chamber had 17 Democrats, 17 Republicans and one independent. Bennett and Michaud agreed to each serve one year as president, even though the Democrats captured an additional seat in a special election during the second year of the legislative session. “We made an agreement, and honored it,” said Michaud.

In response to some student questions, Michaud said that the best part of his job is “helping people out with things like Social Security and veterans’ benefits. It’s a shame that veterans have to keep fighting for funding every year.”

One student asked Michaud what he was doing personally to conserve energy. “I drive a hybrid vehicle and had an energy audit done on my home last year. I’m interested to see how much I save when the heating season is over,” said Michaud. When he’s home, he said that he often keeps the thermostat at 60 degrees “and wear a sweater.”