I had some time this afternoon to re-watch (and/or listen) to the Bangor Republican candidate forum.  I paid more attention this time.

One thing is driving me crazy, and it’s time for me to say so.

“Putting our fiscal house in order.”

Look, I understand – it’s a campaign.  I’ve heard the same stump speech at least 10 times for basically every candidate – I am well aware people repeat themselves, tell the same stories, repeat the same themes.  But above all, that one phrase has been driving me batty.

Why?  Well, for one, the sheer frequency of it being used by essentially all of the candidates.  In this one candidate forum, I heard not less than three (I think four) candidates use the phrase at least a dozen times.

But for two, it now has essentially no meaning.  Every candidate (even some of the Democrats) have taken up the flag of fiscal sanity and reform, and each and every one of them is repeating the same theme.  That means every time you use it (even if you used it first, it doesn’t matter anymore), your words are falling on def ears, because nothing about that message is new, different, or sets you apart from any of your opponents.

It’s time to change gears a little bit.  As much as we all want a proven and effective technocrat who can cut the fat, reorganize things and try out a little reform – we need to know more.  People vote for leaders.  Leaders who we relate to, who we trust, who we believe in, and who march down a path that make us want to follow.

So I submit a proposal.  We are all aware of the concept of the swear jar – well, I hereby submit to all the candidates that for every use of “fiscal house in order”, they submit to me (personally) five dollars.  I’ll put it in a jar and donate the proceeds at the end of primary to the Maine GOP.

Agreed?