Tough luck to you, LePage

“If you want a good education in Maine ... go to an academy. If you want a good education go to private schools. If you can’t afford it, tough luck. You can go to the public school."

So says Governor Paul LePage, a man who, with determination and hard work, put himself through public high school and then on through college to earn not just one, but two degrees – a Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting and a Master of Business Administration. Not bad for someone who ran away from home at the age of 11.

However, instead of sending the youth of his state a positive message, instead of using his experience to be a role model for our children, he chooses, instead, to tell them they are unimportant if they can't afford to go to private school. That the education they are receiving is worthless. Tough luck.

We are not sure what LePage's fancy degrees have taught him. Certainly not eloquence. Certainly not even the fundamentals of public speaking. An orator he will never be. All he can do, apparently is be outrageous. Divisive. Insulting.  A mean-spirited, negative leader.

Ah, but, a leader implies someone who guides others, who leads the way. The Governor leads no one. Instead, he merely spouts sound bites and criticism. Instead of enlisting, he attacks.

Arrogrance plus ignorance equals Paul LePage.

Throughout history we have had outstanding leaders with far less formal education. The difference? They were thoughtful, critical thinkers, who collaborated to find solutions. Who lead by example.

In January LaPage announced he would shut all schools on the first of May if cuts to DHHS weren't made.

Arrogance plus ignorance. (The governor does not have the legal authority to shut the schools.)

Whatever his uninformed, megalomaniacal intent, we urge our students to take a different page from his book.

Fight back. Prove to him that you can take your public education and go far.

He did.