Poll: Was Maine's governor right to remove the 'pro-labor' mural?

 

When Maine's Gov. Paul LePage ordered the removal of a public mural in late March from the state's Department of Labor building, he unleashed a controversy pitting conservatives against liberals in a vicious cultural debate. LePage's reason for removing the artwork, as reported by various media outlets, was that the mural was "pro-labor" and that it would turn off business interests.

The mural, by artist Judy Taylor, evokes the history of labor through a series of panels, including scenes showing labor activist Frances Perkins talking with a family, workers on strike and workers participating in organized labor activities.

LePage -- who has strong ties to the "tea party" movement -- has defended his decision, stating: "It's the Department of Labor, not the Department of Organized Labor. And until we make that determination, it needs to be neutral." The Republican governor has openly and harshly criticized many left-leaning groups during his career, from the NAACP ("Kiss my butt!") to the Obama administration ("Go to hell!").

Some cultural commentators have pointed out the similarities between the removal of the Maine mural and the destruction of Diego Rivera's artwork "Man at the Crossroads," by John D. and Nelson Rockefeller in 1934. In both cases, a work of public art was censored for what was perceived as leftist content.

The Maine controversy shows no signs of going away any time soon. This week, groups of artists and union leaders rallied in Maine, demanding that the mural be returned and that LePage be recalled from office. And the U.S. Department of Labor is demanding to be reimbursed its contribution to the cost of the mural, which is estimated at $60,000.

Was removing the mural the right or wrong choice? Let us know what you think in our poll...

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-- David Ng

Photo, from top: A detail of Judy Taylor's controversial mural (credit: Reuters); Maine Gov. Paul LePage. (credit: Pat Wellenbach / Associated Press)

Comments

[Bearie]

Removing the art work was a form of censorship. Businesses should actually be open to organized labor, and this history of reforms it made for people working in factories. There are children in this mural symbolizing the end of child labor. Why would anyone be offended by that?

[john]

Most of these anti-labor wingnuts will say that labor unions "used to be necessary, but not today," and are talking about the days depicted in the mural.

I think they really think they weren't necessary back then, either. I suspect they also want to repeal workplace safety standards that were put into place because workers died due to unsafe conditions. I bet they want to repeal the minimum wage.

[Nicole]

Mr. LePage is an embarrassment to the people of Maine, and has made himself the enemy of Maine's working people and people of color. Even the Republicans are getting fed up with him.

The only thing wrong with the chant to "Recall Paul" in this past weekend's demonstrations in Augusta is that we don't have a recall provision in our state constitution. Pity. If we'd had runoff voting, which seems much more to the point, we wouldn't be putting up with this arrogant, ham-handed buffoon in the first place.

[maine in mind]

I have been asking the press in Maine to run this poll--

Should Paul Lepage be recalled? _____ Yes ______ No So far, there have been no takers--would you do the honor?

[Cate]

Judy Taylor was commissioned and chose to give birth to this mural in a labor of love. It should have been left unmolested.

LePage is quoted as saying, "It's the Department of Labor, not the Department of Organized Labor. And until we make that determination, it needs to be neutral."

What does LePage mean by "we"? Apparently "he" was determined to make the choice to remove the mural, a decision that is anything but neutral.

[Gus Jokinen]

We are the 61% that did not vote for Paul Lapage (check us out on Facebook. Type: "We are the 61% that did not vote for Paul Lapage" in the search box on Facebook) ) And he's an embarrassment to us. We have a petition to impeach and a petition to recall Lapage

[David Lockaby]

I don't care what politics are the painting depicts when I say $60,000 spent on a mural while we are so far in debt is irresponsible. Wouldn't it be better to apply that money to some unemployment benefits?

[william wray]

Hey artists need work to, but they could have hired a better one.

[Dylkyle]

Mr. LePage should be supported in his decision to remove the mural. For too many years Organized labor has controlled the economy here in Maine. Organized labor drives the cost of labor up and those costs are then transferred to the consumer. Its about time we had someone who understands economics running this state. Ask yourself why all of the manufacturing that used to be located in Maine left the state. Would it be because of the poor treatment businesses of all sizes have had to endure over the past 40 plus years? Keep up the good work Mr LePage!

[Don Folkers]

Tell me there are no strings attached when the federal government "gives" us something. Now they are showing what Indian-Givers they are -- AND WITH OUR FEDERAL TAX MONEY. Enough of this. Repeal, Nullify, Impeach.

Don Folkers from Maine. DonFolkers@gwi.net

[G. Duncan]

The labor mural is just the tip of a much larger issue involving increasing federal control over states and individuals. There has been a not-so-gradual shift from representative form of government to administrative form of government; this is essentially a battle between the economic and political philosophies of individualism vs collectivism, for ultimate control over LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTY!!