Today’s Op-ed Page is devoted to the theoretical and the practical. We’ve asked eight leaders from around Maine to briefly sketch their visions of Maine and then to offer some specific policy suggestions that would create or enhance the visions they described. We’ve received some excellent and varied replies.

James Dowe writes about leadership. Brian Hamel recalls his desire for strong schools and family values when moving to The County. Christian Potholm fears continued political domination by Democrats. Christopher St. John and David Vail talk about physical security and a healthy environment. James Breece emphasizes economic development over growth. Paula Valente looks outward: “Here in Maine we must be leaders in the global marketplace, or we will fall victim to it,” she warns.

The reasons for this exercise are several. First, while we recognized that the group would emphasize different kinds of ideas about how life should be, we hoped readers would appreciate the principles that make Maine important to the writers. Those principles are not always about money, though several are. Diane Tilton, for instance, looks at quality of life as an individual choice but points out how poverty limits what a person may choose.

Second, the policy suggestions are as provoking as they are specific. Every map of Maine should show the state at the center of the Atlantic Northeast, says one piece, better describing the state’s position and its opportunities. Require all publicly supported jobs pay a livable wage, says another. Set a limit on government spending based on income growth or the growth in state product. They are ideas that could become legislation and then state policy.

Third, these ideas are intended to elicit response in a similar format from readers. The question is this: When politicians say they want to preserve the character of Maine, what image comes to mind that you think is worth preserving and what, specifically, should Maine do about it? We hope to print a selection of your submissions in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, please look over today’s Op-ed Page and look throughout the week at a related series. In commentary starting Tuesday, some of Maine’s policy leaders examine pieces of an important study called “No Place to Hide: Confronting Maine’s Economic Future,” by the Institute for a Strong Maine Economy. Paula Valente lists the report’s recommendations on today’s page; commentators starting tomorrow will offer further insight on each.

If successful, these commentaries and your reactions will help steer legislative priorities this winter and help support broad agreement for where Maine should be going and, more important, how it should get there.