Hello fellow Democrats,
my name is Adam Cote and I live in Portland with my wife, Paulina, and two daughters, Ana and Audrey (we're expecting #3 in August!). I am a native "Mainer", originally from Sanford. I attended Colby Collge and UMaine School of Law.
I have a passion for the democratic process and engaging p eople into that process. In fact, fellow Democrats and myself are launching the Maine Young Democrats of America Chapter to mobilize young Maine Democrats to bring a youth perspective to the policy table, shaping policy outcomes in the process.Maine is a remarkable state in that its young folks are engaged in the democratic process – look at the work of the League of Young Voters and Opportunity Maine! I’m looking forward to building on that momentum within the Democratic Party. Accordingly, the goals of the Maine Young Democrats are threefold: (1) to encourage young people to become actively engaged in bettering their communities; (2) to educate its members of critical policy issues of the day; and (3) to elect Democrats. We feel that if we do the first two well, number three will naturally follow.
As a Maine Army National Guardsman, I have served tours of duties on the ground in both Bosnia and Iraq. In Bosnia, I was involved in apprehending several war criminals wanted by the Hague and also volunteered to teach English (in my spare time!) at a Bosnian high school.
In Iraq, I created the Adopt an Iraqi Village Program (see adoptaniraqivillage.org) which distributed school supplies, kitchen and househaold items, clothes and blankets to dozens of villages in northern Iraq. I'm proud to say the vast majority of these items were donated by fellow Mainers -- whether they agreed with the war or not, they all cared about helping the people of Iraq better their lives. My experiences in Bosnia and Iraq were a remarkable contrast. In Bosnia, we were given a clearly defined mission and adequate resources to acheive success. Iraq, however, was (and still is) a lesson in failed policy. We were set up for failure from the start.
On the civilian side of my life, I have spent a great deal of time working to help countries as well as businesses solve their energy problems. I have worked in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Croatia, advising their respective governments on restructuring their energy sectors. I have a particular passion and interest in renewable energy and have advised local Maine businesses on renewable energy matters, particularly renewable energy credit trading. I am currently focusing much of my practice on real estate matters in Maine.
November 2006 was, indeed, a watershed year for Democrats of course, but more importantly for the citizens of the US – and the world. It was a historical moment when folks from varying background and differing ideologies spoke together in a resounding – and surprising – voice to stop the direction of our country. People called on their legislators to return to the ideals of our country, to open the door to a collaborative foreign policy agenda, to do something about the health care crises and to – not just acknowledge – but do something about the issue of Global Warming (an issue we’re getting a sneak peak at here in Maine.)
But work needs to be done, and it is incumbent upon us as Americans to use find and use our voices; to roll up our sleeves and indeed ask what we can do for our country. As we look forward, we must address the issue of health care. We must return to diplomacy as our primary foreign policy. And we must work together to develop energy policies that do more than reduce, reuse and recycle... That actually make us responsible stewards of the world around us.
