Like many people, I am sick of parties and party politics. About one third of the electorate in Waldo County is independent of party label.  Personal relationships mean everything in our communities - who we trust and can depend on - and sometimes this connection is stronger in elections than party label.

But here come the elections, and most of us are weighing whether or not we want to continue electing officials with the policies of the past in Augusta.  Tax cuts for the wealthiest Mainers have strangled town services, underfunded schools, and resulted in higher property taxes for homeowners.  Hands-off policy with big business and polluters has left people without adequate wages, has sent jobs overseas, unduly shifted the burden of energy development to ratepayers, and fouled our rivers and bay.

All of us, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, are picking up the pieces in our towns and families from failed government.  It is troubling and confusing when votes by legislators don’t match their public image.  We need to look beyond politicians giving awards and speeches to discover the real impacts of policies in Augusta.  We need to know who is funding politicians, and who benefits and pays for their votes.

That’s why I’m voting for Jonathan Fulford for State Senate.  His only constituency is the taxpayer.  He doesn’t take corporate money.  He won’t say one thing in Augusta and another at home.

Meredith Ares lives in Searsport