the Volvo line.... (Portland, Bangor, Brunswick: university, taxes, living in)

[K-Luv]

I have heard the term 'Volvo Line' bandied about in a few different ways. When I first heard it, I was under the impression that it was the imaginary line that separated the more population dense Southern Maine from the more rural Northern Maine. Some time later, it seemed to mean the line that separated 'Northern Mass' from the 'real Maine.' In the thread on taxes, I got the impression that to some the Volvo Line means the separation between the haves and the have nots while in another thread I got the feeling that it was a line drawn between the more liberal section of the state and the conservative.

So, which is it? All of the above? How do you define it?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

It's all of the above. It lies half way up Maine at precisely 45 degrees north latitude. That also happens to be half way up Maine. The line is just above Orono and that's appropriate because Orono has a number of Volvos on and around the university. You see bumper stickers on Volvos such as "Don't Breed". The first time I ever saw one I thought it had to do with spaying and neutering pets. Nope. They are talking about people. They are part of the Human Extinction Movement. When Volvo owners venture north of the line, they usually do so in packs. I expect we'll see a pack of Volvos today in Greenville. I'll report on that when I get back. I'm tesifying over there today in behalf of Northern Maine.

[mainebrokerman]

good question, and i believe the "line" is a moving target..

i've also heard it referenced out of frustration, to the populated portland area,,and even the augusta area, usually related to government over-regulation, and spending. the few making far-reaching policies over the many...

as far as being a liberal line,,,,im not sure, maine seems to vote democrat ...

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

It's all of the above. It lies half way up Maine at precisely 45 degrees north latitude. That also happens to be half way up Maine. The line is just above Orono and that's appropriate because Orono has a number of Volvos on and around the university. You see bumper stickers on Volvos such as "Don't Breed". The first time I ever saw one I thought it had to do with spaying and neutering pets. Nope. They are talking about people. They are part of the Human Extinction Movement. When Volvo owners venture north of the line, they usually do so in packs. I expect we'll see a pack of Volvos today in Greenville. I'll report on that when I get back. I'm tesifying over there today in behalf of Northern Maine.

I wish I saw this earlier. I would have told you to stop by the cigar shop!

[flycessna]

Volvo line.......funny I have never heard that before this forum.

I am however familiar with the "Deliverance" line. You know.....the line that if you cross it you might end up in the same fate as those character's in the movie deliverance.

Since hearing this I have been carefurll not to venture into northern maine, and I only canoe the saco. So far ive been Ok! and thankfully I heard that that line never moves south. "he's got a pertie Mouth"

[Acadianlion]

The "original" Volvo line was invented by some wag back in the early 1980's. The line ran supposedly from August, and vaguely down the Kennebec to Brunswick (Yes, I know Brunswick isn't on the Kennebec...), and from Augusta rather over through Rangely. West of this line was supposedly where the more affluent and upwardly mobile younger population infested..er...lived, and east of this line was Maine, where the untermenschen lived, with their rusty F150's and very old Volkswagens.

In those days, Volvos were really "in" among the back to the land types who had enough money to want to meddle in other peoples' lives and lifestyle. Today it would probably more appropriately be a foolish SUV of some sort, probably made by Lexus, since those are SUV's that are most short on the S and U part. And the line has changed, and probably runs from Augusta to Belfast and then northeasterly to include ALL of Maine's northwoods, where the Roxanne Quimby bund runs around preserving things.

[flycessna]

Is it still legal to marry your sister in Aroostic and Washington counties? I heard that because of a sever shortage of healthy women and just a small population overall, since back in the 1800's, those two counties had a special clause.

[Acadianlion]

Oh, now I must correct myself. My wife has just informed me that those of whom we speak no longer will be driving a SUV OR a Volvo. Now the carriage of choice is something else entierly. She suggest that they will all be driving Priusses. Or should that be Priusiiis? (What is the plural of "Prius" anyway? Should we have a contest?)

[RMoore007]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

The "original" Volvo line was invented by some wag back in the early 1980's. The line ran supposedly from August, and vaguely down the Kennebec to Brunswick (Yes, I know Brunswick isn't on the Kennebec...), and from Augusta rather over through Rangely. West of this line was supposedly where the more affluent and upwardly mobile younger population infested..er...lived, and east of this line was Maine, where the untermenschen lived, with their rusty F150's and very old Volkswagens.

In those days, Volvos were really "in" among the back to the land types who had enough money to want to meddle in other peoples' lives and lifestyle. Today it would probably more appropriately be a foolish SUV of some sort, probably made by Lexus, since those are SUV's that are most short on the S and U part. And the line has changed, and probably runs from Augusta to Belfast and then northeasterly to include ALL of Maine's northwoods, where the Roxanne Quimby bund runs around preserving things.

Here is another find about The Volvo Line.

Maine Heritage Policy Center Blog: Why I'm Here in the First Place! (broken link)

Or just read this quote from the Blog:

"That there are two Maine economies cannot be in doubt by any honest person traveling above the State Volvo Line - a straight line running from the Town of Upton on Maine’s western border, through the City of Bangor, and over to the Town of South Trescott on Maine’s eastern border. In practice, the Volvo Line (a term aptly coined by MHPC Advisor Prof. Jon Reisman) is an imaginary line separating urban and rural Maine."

I plan on moving back soon. I'll be living above the Volvo line in the Dover area. Or is that the Prius line.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by RMoore007

Here is another find about The Volvo Line.

Maine Heritage Policy Center Blog: Why I'm Here in the First Place! (http://blog.mainepolicy.com/2006/05/why_im_here_in_the_first_place.html - broken link)

Or just read this quote from the Blog:

"That there are two Maine economies cannot be in doubt by any honest person traveling above the State Volvo Line - a straight line running from the Town of Upton on Maine’s western border, through the City of Bangor, and over to the Town of South Trescott on Maine’s eastern border. In practice, the Volvo Line (a term aptly coined by MHPC Advisor Prof. Jon Reisman) is an imaginary line separating urban and rural Maine."

I plan on moving back soon. I'll be living above the Volvo line in the Dover area. Or is that the Prius line.

I have been trying to remember when I first heard the term "Volvo Line". I think I was still living in the Portland area, and I think the originator of the phrase wasn't Prof. Reisman, but was Tim Sample.

Or maybe Sample heard it from Reisman....

I doubt that either of them drives a Prius.....