Unorganized Territory

Election day is tomorrow and polls show the price of gas, heating oil and other pocketbook issues are weighing heavily on the minds of Maine voters.U.S. elections can also have an enormous impact on people struggling through life far from our shoresIn early 2025, after Donald Trump was sworn in, the new administration announced a 90-day review of all U.S. foreign assistance programs.“That’s actually par for the course,” said Paul Hamlin, a former program officer with the United States Agency for International Development, and a neighbor of mine in Maine“We felt that Congresses support was so consistent and solid from both parties, over time, that we don’t expect that the new administration will radically shift what we’re doing. There’s lot of public statements by Secretary Rubio and others how they applaud USAID’s work, how important it is.”USAID had an average annual budget of $23-billion supporting missions in over a hundred lesser developed countries focused on global health, education, environmental protection and democratic governance.Senator Marco Rubio had been broadly supportive of the agency’s work during more than a decade representing the state of Florida in Washington.But once sworn in as Secretary of State, Rubio fell in line behind the work of DOGE—Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—as it quickly eliminated USAID and much of its work abroad.Paul Hamlin experienced this dismantling from the inside. As Americans prepare to vote on Tuesday, Paul shares his story.Show NotesMusic heard on today's show:Sumner McKane Group - NANOOK - the ogjuck victorious hunting themeSumner McKane - Music from the Live Presentation of The Maine Frontier - Work Was LifeUnorganized Territory is building an audience on Substack. Subscribe for free, listen to our podcasts, read our newsletters, share it all, let us know what you think, and consider a paid subscription if what we’re doing resonates with you.You can listen to our podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and other major platforms. Get full access to Unorganized Territory at www.unorganizedterritory.org/subscribe

Music heard on today's show: Sumner McKane Group - the ogjuck/victorious hunting theme - NANOOKSumner McKane - Red - Speedway Maine SoundtrackYou can listen to Unorganized Territory on Apple, Spotify, and other major platforms.Unorganized Territory is building an audience on Substack. Subscribe for free, listen to our podcasts, read our newsletters, share it all, let us know what you think, and consider a paid subscription if what we’re doing resonates with you.Thanks for listening! Get full access to Unorganized Territory at www.unorganizedterritory.org/subscribe

the-ogjuck-victorious-hunting-theme - Sumner McKane Group - NANOOKPenobscot - Sumner McKane - The Northeast by Eastern: Film SoundtrackUnorganized Territory is building an audience on Substack. Subscribe for free, listen to our podcasts, read our newsletters, share it all, and let us know what you think. And consider a paid subscription if what we're doing resonates with you. Get full access to Unorganized Territory at www.unorganizedterritory.org/subscribe

One thing about this project that I’m excited about is opportunity to speak with voters in Maine who defy easy categorization.The voters who don’t fit neatly into one of the funnels sketched out on whiteboards inside the beltway offices of high dollar political consulting, advertising and polling firms.Andre Davis is one of these voters.I met with Davis, who’s in his mid-40s, on a recent Sunday morning at his apartment in Westbrook.Show NotesMusic heard on today's episode:https://sumnermckane.bandcamp.com/track/the-ogjuck-victorious-hunting-themehttps://sumnermckane.bandcamp.com/track/1975-chevy-novahttps://sumnermckane.bandcamp.com/track/the-cookee-brought-the-dinners-outUnorganized Territory is building an audience on Substack. Subscribe for free, share the show, let us know what you think and pledge to support us when we shift to a paid subscription model. Get full access to Unorganized Territory at www.unorganizedterritory.org/subscribe

During a recent press gaggle on the south lawn of the White House, a reporter asked President Trump if Americans’ financial situations are part of his thinking as he negotiates on ending the Iran War.President Trump said denying Iran a nuclear weapon was the only thing on his mind.But recent polling suggests Trump—and incumbents and challengers actually on the ballot this fall—ought to be very concerned with the growing economic challenges facing Ross Martikke and other Americans due to the Iran War and the president’s conduct of the conflict.I met Ross Martikke on a recent Sunday for a chat at the trailer he shares with his fiancé in Old Town.Show NotesMusic on this episode:Sumner McKane Group - NANOOK - the ogjuck-victorious hunting themeSumner McKane - CLOSING THE CIRCLE (SCORE) - bouncing baitSumner McKane - In The Blood Film Score - Lasted Nearly 100 YearsSumner McKane - In The Blood Film Score - The HeadworksUnorganized Territory is building an audience on Substack. Subscribe for free, share the show, let us know what you think and pledge to support us when we shift to a paid subscription model. Get full access to Unorganized Territory at www.unorganizedterritory.org/subscribe