I took Enron Money. Do you hate me?

[Maine Mary]

It was during my 2nd term in the Maine State Legislature. I was a ranking member of the Utilities and Energy Comm. It was only 100 bucks, and at that time I had no idea that there was an issue... But it still bothers me.

[Maine Mary]

1. I guess not

Thanks. :-)

[walldude]

8. Um... maybe you should look at who you are taking

money from... Don't hate you but you lose respect points. Maybe you should give the hundred to some family that lost it's pension or 401K money to Enron.. might clear your conscience

[Maine Mary]

16. Ummm

When you take an income decrease from 18k to 9k in order to be a Rep, it's not easy to be kind. I had to quit my job at New Balance Shoe and took a part time at MBNA (the credit card Co.)

I don't regret what I did but it was very hard financially. Bottom line... I took some big hits, How dare you judge me.

[Javaman]

17. "Bottom line... I took some big hits, How dare you judge me."

but you asked the question in your opening post, "do you hate me?" That kind of opens you up for criticism, no?

[walldude]

24. How dare I? You ASKED!!!!

Sorry if you weren't happy with the answer, next time don't ask the question. Looks to me like you wanted to be absolved of your guilt. Well talk to some families that lost everything. All I said was you lost SOME respect points and made a suggestion that you make amends. If you consider that a harsh judgment maybe you ought to get the hell out of politics.

[stevedeshazer]

2. No, of course not

:)

[Maine Mary]

10. Thanks

Wherre is the beating?

[morgan2]

3. ill never read your posts the same way again.

[KitchenWitch]

6. Nice

Beat the person up who is confessing.

[Maine Mary]

22. Thank you hun!

Not to say that I'm innocent, and I understand to that DU-er. He/She has a right to say whatever. But it was years ago and I am confessing now. I felt I had to. Thank you for understanding.

It's weird how I keep running into you!

[KitchenWitch]

23. I just don't like it when people pile on others who admit past wrongs

Since this happened years ago, how were you to know what corruption lay beneath the surface of such a company...

You have admitted that you accepted the money...you are okay in my book.

:hi:

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. That's just silly. nt

[Old and In the Way]

4. Don't sweat it.

Where have you been? This is the 1st post I've seen by you in months. How's things up in your neck of the woods, neighbor?

[ret5hd]

5. REPENT and do penance, my sister...

for this most heinous of acts i decree that you should write TWO (2) letters: one to your senator and one to your congressman.

[spuddonna]

7. Do you have $100 now?

Maybe as a show of good karma, you could donate it to a group helping the people that no longer have pensions due to Enron's bust. :)

[Jackpine Radical]

9. I think your guilt will continue to plague you until you do

something to make amends to the universe. This would probably be best accomplished by sending the money to me. I employ a secret mystic rite to dissipate the curse of the money for you. Unfortunately, my method also dissipates the money.

[marions ghost]

12. your conscience hates you enough...

please write a book that will help others understand this :)

[jzodda]

13. Dont Listen to Them

You say you took the money before you knew what was going on. Assuming that is true then what is the problem? Do not listen to anybody who says they will now lose respect for you. Some of these people on the "left" are as heartless as those on the right. It would be bad if you knew they were a company of thieves or had heard of bad things and took the money against your best judgement. If it was during the boom times when Enron was thought of as just an up and coming energy company then why and how can anybody be mad at you?

[walldude]

15. Yeah, don't listen to the people who say

replace the money you took. They are just heartless bastards. Live with your apparent guilt. :eyes:

[jzodda]

18. You miss the point

I am sure this person has put money and time to good causes, probably more then most of us. Look at the job this person had

The point is, intolerance takes all forms. Saying you would lose all respect for this person just by hearing what she said? thats compassion

[Divernan]

14. I've missed your posts. Hope you are well. Don't be a stranger to DU.

NT

[ulysses]

19. nope. just glad to see you back.

:)

[Zynx]

20. Not a big deal.

Just donate $100 to worthy causes that you would not have otherwise donated and call it even. You showed incredible honesty and courage by fessing up here.

[Carolab]

21. It was wrong. Thanks for the confession, though.

Nice to know it still haunts you and that you stopped there.

[Lisa]

25. only $100? They must have been very timid influence peddlers!

Or else very stingy. Personally, I would think that you are worth at least 100 grand! :)

p.s. if you are bothered by the situation (and it would be something on my mind, as well, so I understand) -- as others have suggested, make a charitable donation, say for $200 (to allow for interest etc.) -- you could make it to the Red Cross or other relief agency helping with the Rita aftermath. (Particularly appropriate since Enron was headquartered around there, and probably some of their former employees will be affected.) Then keep the receipt and frame it, and put it in your office where you can see it. And if anybody asks, explain what it represents.

I suspect that they will respect you even more, as a public official.

[GreenPartyVoter]

26. It would bother me too *hugs* That's why I like the Clean election

plan. Or did you take the $ for some other reason?

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Deja Q]

27. What did you do for them in return for that $100?