Graham Platner Runs for Senate in Maine

Introduction

Graham Platner is a Democrat. He wants to win a seat in the US Senate in Maine. He is fighting against Susan Collins.

Main Body

Mr. Platner wants free healthcare for everyone. He wants the US military to stop fighting in other countries. He says he will protest and go to jail if he does not get his way. Mr. Platner has some problems. He had a Nazi tattoo on his skin. He says he did not know the meaning of the tattoo. He also wrote bad things online about race and violence. He said he is sorry. Susan Collins is a powerful leader. She has a lot of experience in the government. Many people in Maine like her, even if they do not like her party.

Conclusion

The election is between a new, radical man and a powerful, experienced woman.

Learning

⚡ The 'Wants' Pattern

In this text, we see a very useful way to talk about goals and desires using the word want.

The Rule: When you want a thing, it is simple:

  • He wants free healthcare. \rightarrow (Person + wants + thing)

When you want someone to do something, it changes:

  • He wants the military to stop fighting. \rightarrow (Person + wants + other person + to + action)

🛠️ Word Power: Describing People

Look at how the article describes the two people. You can use these pairs to describe anyone in your life:

New/Radical\leftrightarrowPowerful/Experienced
Someone who wants changeSomeone who knows the job

Quick Tip: Use "has a lot of experience" when you want to say someone is good at their job because they have done it for a long time.

Vocabulary Learning

Democrat
A member of the Democratic political party
Example:Graham Platner is a Democrat.
Senate
A group of people who make laws in a country
Example:He wants to win a seat in the US Senate.
healthcare
Services that keep people healthy
Example:Mr. Platner wants free healthcare for everyone.
military
The army and armed forces of a country
Example:He wants the US military to stop fighting in other countries.
protest
To show disagreement with something
Example:He says he will protest if he does not get his way.
jail
A place where people are kept as punishment
Example:He will go to jail if he does not get his way.
Nazi
A supporter of Adolf Hitler's extremist ideology
Example:He had a Nazi tattoo on his skin.
tattoo
A permanent design on the skin
Example:He had a Nazi tattoo on his skin.
meaning
What something represents or stands for
Example:He did not know the meaning of the tattoo.
race
A group of people who share certain physical characteristics
Example:He wrote bad things online about race.
violence
Physical harm or abuse
Example:He wrote bad things about violence.
powerful
Having a lot of influence or control
Example:Susan Collins is a powerful leader.
leader
A person who guides or directs others
Example:Susan Collins is a powerful leader.
experience
Knowledge or skill gained over time
Example:She has a lot of experience in the government.
government
The group that runs a country
Example:She has a lot of experience in the government.
election
A voting process to choose leaders
Example:The election is between a new, radical man and a powerful woman.
radical
Very different or extreme in ideas
Example:The election is between a new, radical man and a powerful woman.
new
Recently made or started
Example:The election is between a new, radical man.
man
An adult male person
Example:The election is between a new, radical man.
woman
An adult female person
Example:The election is between a new, radical man and a powerful woman.