Conservative Maine author to speak at Bates

Conservative Maine author Andrew Ian Dodge will discuss “Statism Sucks” in a Bates College lecture at 4 p.m. Friday, March 17, in Skelton Lounge of Chase Hall. The public is invited to attend this lecture, one of a series of events planned in 2000 to honor the 50th anniversary of the Bates College Republicans.

Author of the libertarian novel “Statism Sucks” (Blue Enterprises Inc., 2000), Dodge directs his political questions primarily at under-40 Internet generation members who are least likely to vote in the 2000 elections. A 31 year-old-graduate of Colby College, Dodge has 15 years of experience working in politics in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Addressing “over-regulation, excessive taxation, poor schools and mediocre care of children in this democratic society,” Dodge calls for “replacing government intervention with personal responsibility for one’s self and for others, especially children.”

“Dodge’s perspective, although far right-wing and thus not commonly accepted at Bates, must nevertheless be examined for its academic and political merit. I think it has some of both,” said sophomore Alan Jenkins, president of the Bates Republicans.