With another hotly contested election now behind us, it’s time to take a fresh look at the way campaigns are financed — and how the money that’s raised and spent affects the outcome, not to mention the tone, of a campaign.

Finally, it’s Election Day. You’ve seen the ads. You’ve read the news stories, the op-eds, the letters to the editor. Ready or not, it’s time to vote.

We remain skeptical about the “Occupy” wherever/whatever movement, here in Maine and around the country. What’s the point? What are these people trying to achieve? What’s the end game? Is there, in fact, a point? A goal? An end game?

Maine and Saudi Arabia have nothing in common, save one thing: An utter dependence on oil, with the price of it having a drastic effect on their residents and economies.

One of my early attractions to newsrooms was the intriguing collection of characters and rogues who practiced their craft in settings that were mostly dark and dingy, but somehow conveyed an energy that was both raw and fine-tuned.

At first glance, Tuesday’s election might seem less significant than some we’ve seen — no candidates for president or governor on the ballot, no earth-shattering, society-altering cultural issues to confront.

“We sacrifice a little bit of freedom for every dollar the government spends.” – Lance Dutson, CEO, Maine Heritage Policy Center

Franklin Roosevelt assured the country there was nothing to fear but fear itself. Ronald Reagan urged us to stay the course. Bill Clinton found hope in pop culture and Fleetwood Mac, serving up inspiration with a song: “Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow …”

Wouldn’t you know it? And just when things seem to be going so well.

There are bad ideas and there are really bad ideas. Maine’s budget-cutting task force was presented with a really bad idea last week and should reject it out of hand.