Call To Action! It's an election year in Maine. And Democrats up and down the ticket will need our help as the Republicans begin their campaign of distortion. More than ever, the Republican Party and their Corporate Masters are targeting Maine because they don't want Democrats to succeed in providing healthcare to Maine's uninsured and under-insured. The grassroots are the base of this party. You and I and everyone else who believes as we do are the ones who make the difference in these elections. We need strong candidates to challenge Republican's corrupt-style of politics. Since the George Bush ascendence of power, no region is free from the growing corruption in the Republican party. Home town Maine Republican James Tobin, 45, of Bangor was convicted of conspiracy by running phone jamming operations against Democrats on election day for the Bush/Cheney campaign. Now the insurance companies and Republicans are coming after Governor Baldacci and the Democrats to stop Dirigo Health. We can combat them and support our democratic values which favors expanding health coverage to ALL Americans. The Republicans plan for private accounts benefits those who are already most able to afford health insurance already - leaving Maine's poor and working poor uninsured behind. In addition to Governor Baldacci's race, we will have an opponent to Sen. Olympia Snowe. She will either face Jean Hay-Bright or Eric Mehnert, depending on the results of the Democratic Primary in June. Congressman Michaud will also face a Republican challenger. Now is the time to get involved ... More than ever - we need every grassroots voice we can to challenge the direction our nation is heading. And, as we can see, Washington-style Republican behavior is trickling into Maine. We can't allow a Karl Rove style communications machine in Maine to confuse voters about the issues that matter to us most. It's time to stand up - be counted - and take action! Here are some ways you can help right now. 1. Share your skills with the Penobscot County Democratic Committee or your local town committee. There are lots of things that are happening on the PCDC; grassroots organizing, voter file project, neighborhood canvassing campaigns, newsletter and fundraising to name a few. Getting involved and leading your town committee is also needed. We'll work with you to develop your area. No town is too small - we're all Mainers. 2. Write a letter to the editor addressing any of the important issues of today in Maine and in our world. The Republican communications machine is alive and well in Maine. All you have to do is follow the letters to the editor and the editorials to see they are coordinated and they keep hammering away at their talking points. We must make sure our voices and opinions are heard, as well. When voters only hear one side of the issue, why should they support the other side? Call into radio programs, write to your local editors and keep our message in front of the voters eyes. Bangor Daily News P.O. Box 4400 Bangor, ME 04402-1329 letters@bangordailynews.net Penobscot Times penobscot.times@roadrunner.com Lincoln News lincnew@midmaine.com 3. Mail a donation to the Penobscot County Democratic Committee. The Penobscot County Democratic Committee would like to establish a field office in the coming months in anticipation of the campaign. Even more, we'd like to keep a year-round field office in our county. An office provides space for meetings, volunteer activities, voter file work, campaign work, phone banking and so much more. Campaigns are no longer just a few months long. The reality is we must be working year round, every year. A permanent field office would do wonders for our ability to conduct grassroots organizing and grow our Democratic presence in Penobscot County. Mail Donation to: Go Penobscot County Democrats! PO Box 2685 Bangor, ME 04402-2685 4. Make a Donation of Volunteer Time. Would you like to support the PCDC but can't afford financial contributions? Why not make a Donation of Volunteer Time. You pledge a number of hours you're willing to commit to helping the PCDC through the November election. Volunteer activities can involve a variety of things. One of the most important right now is our voter file project. You can help make the campaign(s) in YOUR local districts much more competitive for Democrats. Email us your Volunteer of Donation Time today and put "Time Donation" in the subject line!