When did free speech become a privilege, not a right? When did questioning power become the most dangerous activity in our Statehouse? Last week, Representative Laurel Libby was censured. Not for corruption, not for dishonesty, but for speaking up for Maine’s women and girls. Her real crime? Publishing something the leaders in Augusta didn’t like. So, they shut her down.

Does that sound like a liberty-driven democratic process to you? That move makes us all wonder, what is really going on here? After spending hundreds of hours in the State House and witnessing this past week’s proceedings, it is clear: Open discussion is a myth. It is prioritizing control over conversation, compliance over independent thought. If standing up for Maine families gets you censured what does that say about those in charge? Why is this treated as “business as usual”?

I have been active in the Maine political scene since 2020 and this past week’s ‘activities’ were the worst I’ve seen thus far. Reality was ignored. It is as if avoidance and pretending all-is-well are more valuable than addressing the real issue.

If Augusta’s leaders had confidence in their policies, wouldn’t they welcome discourse? Wouldn’t they defend their positions instead of silencing opposing views? If they can silence one of their own today, what is stopping them from doing it again tomorrow? Oh wait! They already did!  This week I watched them ram through an obese spending plan while reaffirming their censure of Libby as she stood there, simply requesting to speak to her budget amendments.

The people of Maine deserve answers. They deserve leaders, like Laurel, who aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions. So, I ask the Speaker of the House and every legislator who played along: What is really going on? Hundreds of thousands of Mainers are demanding answers. End the censure. End the games. Restore order. Let the people be represented.

Ray Thombs lives in Union