Last May, my oldest son graduated from the University of Maine. He did pretty well at Orono, majoring in Computer Science, and graduating with honors. While he was a student, he worked hard to find programming and web development work to help defray his education costs, and also worked part-time for the University’s Information Technology Department. This allowed him to complete his undergraduate degree with little debt, and without digging too deeply into Dad’s pocket.

Ceremonies and festivities complete, my son resumed his search for that first job. He had initiated this process in January, sending out resumes and working to establish contacts within companies he thought viable. At the height of his search, he had contacted about 50 companies. A half-dozen or so of these firms were in Maine.

Being in the Information Technology business myself, and understanding how difficult the economy is right now, I figured finding a job would take my son quite awhile. Imagine my surprise as he began to receive inquiries from companies such as Google, IBM and Facebook!

Before long he was crisscrossing the country- Washington DC, San Jose, Palo Alto- as he interviewed with these and other companies. He received several job offers, and ultimately accepted a position as a software engineer in Massachusetts.

But what of those Maine-based firms he applied to? You would all recognize their names, for they are among the largest employers in our State, and are few in number. The feedback he received from these companies almost uniformly stated that there were no positions available or that hiring had been curtailed or frozen. Growth and expansion were not part of the Maine companies’ plans for the foreseeable future. Some of these companies have operations in other states- there are positions available there, but not in Maine.

Why, despite the current economic downturn, would there be little opportunity in Maine for a recent college graduate with skills meeting the challenges of the 21st Century, while less than 100 miles away in Massachusetts significant opportunity exists?

What caused this state to reach the point of having only a handful of companies that employ significant numbers? Could it be over the past 30+ years the business that had provided Mainers with well-paying, quality employment have been steadily driven out of this state?

I say the answer is yes. After more than 35 years of liberal/progressive political rule in Maine, we have come to the point where the regressive taxation and regulation imposed by Augusta has shuttered some businesses and driven many out of Maine. Our business environment is so toxic that very few companies consider Maine when expanding or relocating. Does anyone remember the paper industry we used to have?

During this period of Maine’s Progressive Enlightenment, our state government has grown the Department of Health & Human Services to be the envy of freeloaders everywhere. Welcome to Maine- no lines, no waiting- welfare on demand. Our Department of Environmental Protection delights Gaia worshipers across the land, for its ability to legislate by rule has removed the unseemly task of having law legislated in order to further their purported environmental agenda. But, to be fair to the DEP, the Maine Legislature has created their share of law harming the business climate.

So we now find ourselves being able to describe our home as Ireland once did- Maine’s top exports are potatoes and our children. Seeing as the potato industry is nowhere near what it once was (I wonder why?), Maine’s #1 Export is our children.

Remember this come November. Not only will we all have the chance to elect a new governor, but also to choose every, single State Representative and Senator. Remember that Democrats have steered the ship of state for the last 35 years- what do you think of the results?

Perhaps we should give the other guys a shot. Let’s see what happens with a Republican governor and legislature next year. Things could hardly get worse, and may indeed get much better. What’s to lose?

Meanwhile, it’s time for me to wrap up this column. I have to export my eldest son down to Massachusetts.

Ted Ropple is a resident of Casco. He welcomes responses, comments and discussion regarding his columns at www.tedropple.com.