--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here in Maine, we know that the system of…" description: "\"Here in Maine, we know that the system of special interests influencing elections runs contrary to our democratic values.\" — Sara Gideon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b6/sara-gideon-7337_democracy_here-in-maine-we-know-that-the-system-of_859241.jpg" --- # Here in Maine, we know that the system of special… ![“Here in Maine, we know that the system of special interests influencing elections runs contrary to our democratic values.” quote by Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b6/sara-gideon-7337_democracy_here-in-maine-we-know-that-the-system-of_859241.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b6/sara-gideon-7337_democracy_here-in-maine-we-know-that-the-system-of_859241.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b6/sara-gideon-7337_democracy_here-in-maine-we-know-that-the-system-of_859241.jpg) > “Here in Maine, we know that the system of special interests influencing elections runs contrary to our democratic values.” [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Special interest groups can distort elections, undermining democratic principles. **In simple terms:** Special interests threaten democracy. Key Takeaway Advocate for transparency and reform. Themes politics democracy ethics campaign finance Mood concerned determined Type political activist When to use this quote - election cycles - legislative debates - public forums - voter education Key Concepts influence peddling public trust policy reform Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance influence with expertise? - What safeguards ensure fair elections? A Different Perspective Opposing interests may also provide expertise and resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contrary Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary-democratic-833689/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democratic values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-values/) [Elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elections/) [Here](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/here/) [Influencing Elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influencing-elections-833690/) [Maine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maine/) [Maine Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maine-know-833691/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [I'm against very wealthy ­people attempting to or influencing elections. But as long as it's doable I'm going to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-adelson/i-m-against-very-wealthy-people-attempting-to-or-influencing/) [Sheldon Adelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-adelson/) > [In Maine, we are fortunate to have a Clean Elections system that allows legislators to turn down corporate special interest money. At the national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chellie-pingree/in-maine-we-are-fortunate-to-have-a-clean-elections-system-that/) [Chellie Pingree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chellie-pingree/) > [As human beings in Maine, we, without question, value our families above anything and everything else and it is time for us to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-human-beings-in-maine-we-without-question-value-our-families-above/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Maine is the best place in the country to live and to raise our family. And it's because of our people and our approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/maine-is-the-best-place-in-the-country-to-live-and-to-raise-our/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Here in Maine, we've expanded Medicaid, put protections in place for seniors and people with pre-existing conditions, cracked down on big drug companies and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/here-in-maine-we-ve-expanded-medicaid-put-protections-in-place-for/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Planned Parenthood has been there for thousands of Maine people. From cancer screenings to crucial reproductive care, there are countless families that rely on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/planned-parenthood-has-been-there-for-thousands-of-maine-people-from/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We're constantly looking for ways to reach people in Maine to talk to them, reassure them and share resources and ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-re-constantly-looking-for-ways-to-reach-people-in-maine-to-talk-to/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Loggers and mills in Maine and across the country deserve fair trade policies and more support from our federal government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/loggers-and-mills-in-maine-and-across-the-country-deserve-fair-trade/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [As senator, Mainers can count on me to always prioritize Maine's small businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-senator-mainers-can-count-on-me-to-always-prioritize-maine-s-small/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Our rural communities are the heart of Maine, and we must invest in them - building our energy infrastructure, expanding access to broadband, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/our-rural-communities-are-the-heart-of-maine-and-we-must-invest-in/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [The fact is, even one Maine kid going hungry is one kid too many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/the-fact-is-even-one-maine-kid-going-hungry-is-one-kid-too-many/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Maine farmers are critical to our state, and they deserve an advocate in the Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/maine-farmers-are-critical-to-our-state-and-they-deserve-an-advocate/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Maine's lumber and forest products industry is key to our state's economy and supports thousands of jobs across the state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/maine-s-lumber-and-forest-products-industry-is-key-to-our-state-s/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Nobody in Maine should be deciding between whether they go to a doctor, whether they buy their medicine or whether they're putting food on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/nobody-in-maine-should-be-deciding-between-whether-they-go-to-a/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We must provide our kids with the skills they need to stay and succeed here in Maine - that's something we all agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-must-provide-our-kids-with-the-skills-they-need-to-stay-and/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) ## More by Sara Gideon > [If we're going to come together and make real progress to improve the lives of people here in Maine and across the country, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/if-we-re-going-to-come-together-and-make-real-progress-to-improve-the/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [I would say that of many, many difficult aspects of my job as speaker, presiding over a debate on a bill that has an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/i-would-say-that-of-many-many-difficult-aspects-of-my-job-as-speaker/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [The health and safety of our neighbors and our communities should be our top priority - nothing is more important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/the-health-and-safety-of-our-neighbors-and-our-communities-should-be/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We must provide our kids with the skills they need to stay and succeed here in Maine - that's something we all agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-must-provide-our-kids-with-the-skills-they-need-to-stay-and/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We need to first clearly establish what our modern rules for behavior are and make sure those are clearly understood and communicated. That empowers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-need-to-first-clearly-establish-what-our-modern-rules-for-behavior/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We're all in agreement that our children deserve a world-class education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-re-all-in-agreement-that-our-children-deserve-a-world-class/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We have taken on the fossil fuel companies, combating climate change and even the energy utilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-have-taken-on-the-fossil-fuel-companies-combating-climate-change/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Throughout my life, I've always believed that the sole purpose of public service is to improve the lives of the people around us. From…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/throughout-my-life-i-ve-always-believed-that-the-sole-purpose-of/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [A lot of what is preventing us from getting things done on the federal level is that there is too much influence from special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/a-lot-of-what-is-preventing-us-from-getting-things-done-on-the/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Nobody in Maine should be deciding between whether they go to a doctor, whether they buy their medicine or whether they're putting food on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/nobody-in-maine-should-be-deciding-between-whether-they-go-to-a/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Creating paid family and medical leave will create a foundation for healthier families, healthier workplaces and the chance to have a growing and thriving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/creating-paid-family-and-medical-leave-will-create-a-foundation-for/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Effective public policy to address human trafficking cannot only address offender accountability and increase prosecution, but must also address root causes of the issue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/effective-public-policy-to-address-human-trafficking-cannot-only/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Not a single Mainer should be rationing their medication or avoiding a trip to the doctor because they aren't sure what it will end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/not-a-single-mainer-should-be-rationing-their-medication-or-avoiding/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [I'm proud to work toward a greener, more vibrant economy with Mainers and stakeholders across our region through Northeast Clean Energy Council's efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/i-m-proud-to-work-toward-a-greener-more-vibrant-economy-with-mainers/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [A skilled, well-educated workforce will attract more companies and jobs to our state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/a-skilled-well-educated-workforce-will-attract-more-companies-and/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) [Explore all 92 Sara Gideon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. 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But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. 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