To the editor:

Angus King showed his political skill announcing his candidacy only after learning Senator Snowe was retiring. Also, his challenge to forgo PAC money took some steam out of news about candidates’ victories in the primary election. (Perhaps not so astute is his refusal to reveal which party he would caucus with, if elected. He has said his party alignment could vary, depending on the issue.)

Another example of his political dexterity, the one that makes me most wonder about his suitability for the Senate, involves helmets for motorcyclists, which is intimately described by Dan Kennedy in the Boston (also Portland) Phoenix in 1999, with 15,000 bikers before the state Capitol.

King, joined by Sens. Snowe and Collins, proclaimed “Let the rider decide,” exercising “individual freedom,” to thunderous applause. And many votes. A good political move, surely, but shortsighted, and highly detrimental to public health.

This seems analogous to the debate regarding President Obama’s health plan, requring insurance for all. Or to the very similar discussion, and objections, in the 1950s regarding mandatory use of auto seat belts. And possibly a bit like paying taxes — maybe even smoking in public. Let the sick person, the auto rider, the taxpayer, the smoker decide.

Now THAT’S individual freedom. (But not like, as Justice Scalia reportedly said, mandating the eating of broccoli, wherein only the noneater suffers. If I don’t have health insurance, or don’t use my seat belt, or don’t pay my taxes, etc., you and others must pick up the slack. Who, other than my mother, cares if I leave my broccoli on the plate?)

Cynthia Dill has an impressive legislative record in Maine; supporting increased minimum wage, allowing farm and child care workers to unionize, resisting tax benefits for the top 20 percent, supporting the Buffet rule, and advocating equal pay for women. She has backed very reasonable controls on weapons and ammunition, and also agrees with President Obama’s plan to reduce taxes on those earning under $250,000 while maintaining those of the upper 2 percent.

Richard K. Jennings
Brunswick