Not far from Maine, in an area about the size of Aroostook County, the inhabitants have applied for statehood as the 51st U.S. state.

This new group is unique in that it operates as a direct democracy rather than a republic. They have no Legislature. Every citizen participates in law making. Their style of government was inspired by the frequent use of the veto and initiative referendum here in Maine. While Maine’s procedure was intended to be a rarely used method for the general public to get around a corrupt Legislature, its increasingly frequent use for everything from slot machines to State Treasurer Poliquin’s tax-exempt tree farm aroused the new group’s admiration.

Within this group, gamblers want more casinos, police unions feel that legal marijuana would leave them with little to do, nervous transvestites object to same-sex marriage – and all of them hate taxes more than sin. Inspired by Tea Party activists, they are nauseous at the thought of sharing their substance for the common good. They oppose taxes with the fervor of a hippie protecting his stash. Also, a number of devout folks in this proposed new state believe that “different” religions should be forbidden – claiming their new government is “a Christian state.”

They plan to write laws by means of a public vote conducted via cell phones, iPads and iPods. These believers are convinced there is no need to waste time on legislative debate or research; citizens could get their opinions from TV, Facebook, Twitter, Fox News or, in case of God, from priests and pastors.

Expanding the law-making process from a republic to direct rule looks good on paper – even the Portland Press Herald thinks the “people’s voice should be heard” on matters large and small. The fact that a majority is very rarely – if ever – concerned with the rights of a minority was overbalanced by belief in the wisdom of the “general will” – a concept promoted a few centuries ago by that space cadet Jean Jacques Rousseau. Supporters claim that such subjects as “lower taxes for the rich” or “a casino in every town” are better analyzed and decided by the average Joe.

Perhaps there is more to this proposal than meets the eye. An observer is led to wonder at their purpose. These “promoters of statehood” are well aware that no Maine referendum vote has ever been decided by a majority of the people. (Occasionally, laws have been made – or unmade – by as few as 15 percent of sentient Maineacs). They believe that the percentage of participation in this new state would also be very low; there should be only a few voters who will tear themselves away from arthritis or constipation problems on TV long enough to exercise their franchise. Therefore, with only a few to “educate” on any question, the power to influence the outcome will rest in the hands (and pocketbooks) of very few people.

Consequently, a new industry of public relations flacks; advertising specialists, talking heads, letters to the editors, canvassers and “activists” is likely to prove devilishly profitable. Truth and facts will become wanderers in the wilderness, buried under an avalanche of sound and image.

Someone should tell these pilgrims that direct government unfailingly becomes a decision of “How can I benefit me!!” – and the common good goes out the window. Always.

Thought for the week

Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire gambling impresario with casinos in Macao – known for giving millions to Israeli causes – announced in June he was giving $10 million to the Romney superfund and that he intends to donate another $100 million to Republican campaigns this fall. To match that amount would require $50 each from 2 million people (10 times the number of skilled workers in Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire – and maybe Vermont). On the positive side, profits in Macau come from well-heeled Chinese.

Rodney Quinn, a former Maine secretary of state, lives in Westbrook. He can be reached at rquinn@maine.rr.com.

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