cornflakegirl:

“Think Grace Kelly going on a date with David Bowie to the Bowery Ballroom,” says Erin Perkins, further describing her style as “vintage redone and classic pieces with a rock ‘n’ roll twist.” It’s a style all her own, and – when she couldn’t find the clothes to match it in the stores – it became her art as well.

This image is from The College of Charleston Magazine - a publication which I’ve been meaning to mention for a while. To preface: by the time I was a senior at CofC, I hated living in the South and when I graduated I busted out of Charleston and returned home to Maine to screw my head back on after the whirlwind of unwinding that was my college experience. Because I didn’t want to go in the first place, I was a lazy, ungrateful student. I had a good time (aka - I was drunk a lot) but I definitely left duller than when I arrived.

So. I’ve held a grudge against my alma mater for years, (I graduated in 2004) which slowly dissolves with each issue of the magazine I receive. It’s thoughtful, well edited, has pretty pictures and most importantly has showed me that my college experience was my fault, not CofC’s.

This most recent issue was fashion focused, with the draw being a cover story on Carol Hannah Whitefield ‘07 who was recently a finalist on the show Project Runway. When I first saw the picture above, the model actually reminded me of Jessica from What I Wore!

Right, Right

I didn’t realize how flamboyantly liberal (I claimed Independent when I turned 18) I was until college. My conservative peers endlessly taunted challenged my liberal views (and my Maine naivete) while drinking cheap beer out of plastic cups at late night keg parties. I’m not as much of a debater as I am an observer, so these alcohol fueled arguments weren’t exactly what you’d call productive.

But the result of these debates doesn’t matter as much as becoming conscious of my own convictions and questions about right verses left. Right verses wrong. And being aware of the complications that can blur the lines between the two.

I’m steadfast in my belief that The Clean Election Act in Maine is right. Not only is it right, but it’s important.

The Maine Clean Election Act allows anyone with enough community support to run for office, regardless of economic background or access to wealth. Before the law was passed, candidates would either spend their own money or raise funds from those willing and interested in funding a political campaign. Today, even those without personal wealth or connections can run viable campaigns.

Today, Maine voters now have more choices at the polls and Maine candidates spend more time listening and talking with voters. Maine’s system is a model for the nation and other states struggling to improve their democracies. It is landmark American democracy in action, giving our government back to the voters from the control of the special interests.

Running a clean election takes a special kind of commitment. A commitment that requires a candidate to reach out to individual voters for support instead of whacking them over the head with splashy television ads paid for by who know who.

How does it work?

Candidates who voluntarily choose to participate in Maine’s Clean Election system follow three simple steps to qualify for public funds:

1] Demonstrate their grassroots support by collecting $5 Qualifying Contributions from voters in their district (50 for House, 150 for Senate and 3,250 for Governor).

2] Agree not to raise or spend any private money.

3] Limit spending to the amount received from the Maine Clean Election Fund.

Candidates who qualify successfully receive an equal and limited amount of public funds with which to run their campaigns. If they are outspent by their opponents or by others trying to influence the campaign, they will receive matching funds to keep them competitive.

If you live and vote in Maine, consider giving a $5 qualifying contribution to Libby Mitchell’s clean election fund. As Libby says, “Running clean elections is like filling a bath-tub with a tea spoon but it’s the right thing to do.”

Related: Libby was included in Politico’s 25 politicians to watch in 2019