Theory: Like the Minnesocoldans, Maine is made of small Northern European populations (Brits and Scots and Irish) without much ethnic or social diversity (just like Swedes and Norwegians and Poles in MN). These, while possessed of a strong work ethic, are susceptible to socialist ideas especially in those harsher environments where much is done together, for “the community.” I daresay a culture of unionism may be also prevalent, as would be expected of British descendants. It is misplaced collectivism (my phrase, I claim it), and after having been immersed in it since childhood, it becomes a norm and habit of thought that is hard to defeat. It takes a conscious effort to shake off the bonds of this form of intellectual laziness and notice that helping a neighbor raise a barn is not at all the same thing as passing the collections hat back to Washington full of your hard-earned so people you will never meet nor likely care about will benefit when the funds are not being largely squandered entropically.
I resent that!
We also have a LARGE Somali population.
NO cheers, unfortunately.
There are also quite a few Passamaquoddy warriors who might want to show up on your doorstep, or perhaps take title to your property under the terms of their settlement.
Maine is made of small Northern European populations (Brits and Scots and Irish) without much ethnic or social diversity
Hold that thought. Somalis, Mexicans, Colombians, African Americans, we got'em all ... and we also have your theory. Point 2: Maine is underpopulated. Larger than the rest of New England put together, there are just around perhaps 1 Million people rattling around in the woods ... on a warm day. The polygamous Somalis are working on that, night and day, as they soak up the state's meager resources.
Maine is also dirt poor. In grammar school geography we always used to say, "Thank the Lord for Mississippi keepin' us off the bottom!"
Swede, British, Irish? My Maine family is all of that heritage and we’re almost 100% Conservative. My theory for the liberalism in Maine is liberal out-of-staters moving to Portland, Augusta, etc, and a large number of poor who aren’t too proud to live on our dime. Another reason could be the large number of my liberal generation who have never left the state to know any other life. Swedish, Brit and Irish immigrants in the late 19th & early 20th century were hardworkers, not moochers.