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For the last few weeks, I’ve heard from friends and family about the electrifying effect Gov. Janet Mills’ defense of the rule of law, in the face of the bully-in-chief, is having on their spirit. I feel it myself. Dirigo — I lead, our state motto — has been reinvigorated by Mills’ courage, her clarity of mind, reminding the executive branch that the rule of law matters.
Maine has a proud tradition of standing for democracy and the rule of law: from General Henry Knox, George Washington’s secretary of war in the Revolutionary War, to Joshua Chamberlain who led the 20th Maine Infantry against the Confederates at Gettysburg; Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, who made a Declaration of Conscience to push back at Joseph McCarthy’s bullying in 1950; Sen. George Mitchell’s work for peace in Ireland; and countless other women and men who stand up in town meetings all over the state, year after year, to participate in the difficult but essential work of participatory democracy.
Finally, Sen. Susan Collins seems to be waking up to her responsibility as a legislator to push back on the illegal actions of the executive branch. Like many other Mainers, I’m holding my breath, anxious to see if she abides by our state motto, Dirigo; supports the voice of Gov. Mills and breaks the fever that has cowed the U.S. Senate. She has an historic opportunity to demonstrate the backbone that makes us Mainers, reminding the president that laws are not whims, and he is not a king.
Joline Godfrey
Saint George
