Why naming his dog ‘Veto’ shows how detached LePage really is

A big part of me is happy for Governor LePage’s new rescue dog, and happy for the guv and his family who appears to be in love with their new puppy after the former “first dog,” Baxter, passed away in March.

I’m absolutely thrilled that he adopted the dog from the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, and also- as a dog owner and lover- sad that he and his family had to deal with losing their beloved Baxter.

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society

What disturbs me, though, is the fact that LePage used the adoption as a way to thumb his nose at the people of Maine when he decided to name the new rescue dog “Veto”.

The name is an obvious reference to LePage’s historic level of stubbornness and selfishness- in the face of Maine’s legislature and in slight to the people of this state- as he has recorded an absurd count of over 200 vetoes in attempts to override the legislature during his time as governor.

LePage seems to get off on upsetting his political opponents and constituents, and this instance is par for the course when it comes to him and his antics.

But this is really no laughing matter, and it’s disturbing that he seems to think it’s funny to name his dog after a word that has come to signify something very dark in the state of Maine over the past six years.

Image- David Ryder, Reuters.

Image- David Ryder, Reuters.

LePage’s vetoes have resulted in frustration for the legislature, particularly the Democrats, and one would assume that’s why he wears the word with so much pride as to name the family dog such.

His vetoes have also resulted in the pain, suffering, and even deaths of many Mainers too, though, and that’s why naming his dog Veto is much more than just simple ribbing or gloating at the liberals in Augusta or across the state- which would be childish on its own.

It’s also an act of rubbing the most marginalized, impoverished, desperate people of this state’s noses in what can coincidentally be described as the steaming pile of dog crap that has been his terrible administration in Augusta.

LePage is obviously so detached from the realities of the lives of so many thousands of Mainers who are bearing the brunt of his backwards, do-nothing leadership that he thinks it’s cute to name a puppy after his inability to govern.

Sadly, when it comes to our governor, even with an adorable puppy in his arms he still finds a way to be arrogant, vindictive, and cruel towards the people of Maine.

Chris Shorr

About Chris Shorr

Chris is a sixth generation Portlander who loves all things Maine. He has worked with mentally ill and marginalized adults at a Portland non-profit, on a lobster boat in Casco Bay, at several high-end Portland restaurants, and at a local meat packing plant. He also ran for Portland City Council in 2013, wrote a weekly column in the now defunct Portland Daily Sun, and currently writes a weekly column in The Portland Phoenix.