What the outpouring of genuine enthusiasm at this weekend’s caucuses showed, more than anything, is that Mainers ... and Americans ... have no intention of doing any such thing.

The caucuses, both Democratic and Republican, were a statement to the powers that be that Mainers intend to take matters into our own hands to start solving these problems.

Democrats and Republicans may not agree completely about the best way to solve them, but they do agree that the political wrangling in Washington, and to a lesser extent, in Augusta, have not moved us toward long term solutions.
We’re ready for change.  And politicians who saw the turnout this weekend during one of the season’s worst winter storms will be forced to reckon with that reality.

Political junkies already feel that this election cycle is the most exciting one we have experienced in our lifetimes.  It is the first time in a long time that two attractive and groundbreaking candidates - an African American and a woman -  will vie for the Democratic nomination, possibly all the way to the convention.  It is the first time in a long time that a Republican who values consensus over the party line will be the nominee of his party.

But we, as citizens and voters, have to maintain that level of excitement and intensity, even in the face of personal and family needs as the long, cold winter drags to its close.  We must continue to ask the hard questions of our candidates, for state and federal office.  We must continue to force our leaders’ hands to solve the problems that we all face, and hold them accountable if they fail. 

History is made by those who show up.  And we can’t just show up once ... although the numbers who did were nothing short of remarkable.  We have to show up every time, in snowstorms and on perfect beach days alike.  We have to stay tuned in. 
And in November, for the first time in our memory, the people will lead and the leaders will follow.