To the editor:

In an article you recently ran concerning hearings on proposed Maine Department of Health and Human Services reductions, a speaker noted that a society is judged on how it cares for its poor.

I disagree. A society is judged on how it cares for its children, elders and sick. For the poor, it provides employment opportunities.

As a country we’ve failed miserably on all fronts. When I say “we,” I mean the populace. It’s become evident that Congress and administration leaders (Republican or Democratic) usually are more interested in selfpromotion, getting re-elected and catering to special interests.

We can’t rely on them. They sold out our jobs when joining — and now remaining with — the World Trade Organization and other “free trade” associations.

We, the 99 percent, are to blame. We seem more interested in being compulsive consumers and retreating further into our televisioned caves than being civically involved and looking beyond the manipulated mass news media for news.

It’s difficult coming out of our comfort zones, but we must get involved. We’re losing our country and we owe it to our children, elders and sick.

Steve Musica

Richmond