We Marched in Spirit

We marched for respect, for dignity. We marched because we want our U.S. legislators to understand that while they were elected by their state constituents, their decisions affect everyone in the United States and we want those decisions to be based on rational reasons, on facts, on consideration for opposing views. We want serious discussions, civil discourse, reasonable compromises and thoughtful decisions.”

Almost 63 million Americans voted for Donald Trump; nearly 66 million voted for Hillary Clinton. Though only 472 counties voted for Clinton, they account for 64 percent of the nation’s economic activity. The 2584 counties where Mr. Trump won, by contrast, generated only 36 percent of the nation’s economic prosperity.

We marched because we want our voices to be heard and considered as they make the decisions that will affect our lives.

We marched specifically for the Supreme Court, reproductive rights, voting rights, civil rights, climate change, the environment, immigrant rights, education, racism, the oil pipelines, health insurance , social security, medicare, medicaid — and so much more.

In truth, as 80-year-olds (plus a tad) our bodies would not allow us to physically march, but our daughter and granddaughters did, and our friends and family marched, and several wrote our names on their posters.

Sandra and Ole Jaeger,

Georgetown

Praise for Mail Carriers

It’s time to write a few words of praise for the rural and city letter carriers of United States as these men and women deserve credit for what they do. Day in and day out through rain and sleet and snow and worse they come to our homes and work places to bring us everything from letters from loved ones to bright-colored sales brochures and of course bills.

The truth is with e-mail, facebook, twitter etc., the mail carriers get very little attention these days as we take them for granted. Thank you — you truly are appreciated.

Corley Anne Byras,

Bowdoin

Delay the DOL Fiduciary Rule

Please ask President Trump to delay the DOL Fiduciary Rule. The annuity industry is working hard to comply with the Rule by April 10th, but there are still hundreds of questions the Department has yet to answer. The first DOL FAQ issued last October created even more questions and didn’t address substantially more. The DOL even acknowledged these problems by stating in the FAQ they would delay of the execution of a Best Interest Contract until January 2018.

I agree with the best interest standard but there are so many problems with this Rule’s requirements that, left unfixed, will leave consumers with fewer retirement savings choices and retirement savings advisors. The DOL created the Rule without a clear understanding of the annuity marketplace and consumers will be more confused then ever unless we clean up the requirements in this rule.

We ask you to notify the Administration and state your support of the delay so we can make this Rule work for Consumers.

Brian Stone,

Cumberland Center

What Keeps Me Up

The administration is at war with the EPA. As a Pediatrician with a strong interest in public health, I am kept up at night.

I will never forget the child with lead poisoning seizuring, lying in a hospital bed unable to communicate. The lead came from pottery made outside the United States; or the child from South America, moribund and malnourished with kidney failure. She had mercury poisoning. And what about the child with intractable asthma in Intensive Care on a respirator since she could no longer get enough oxygen breathing on her own. These children had been affected by an unsafe environment. We in the United States have been fortunate to have the EPA watch over these toxins and our air quality, keeping us safe. I recently had to purchase dinnerware and made sure that it was “made in USA” so I could be assured it was safe for my family.

And then there is climate change. The scientific community is well agreed as to the reality of the human contribution.

And what then is so frightening? The administration has ordered any new contracts or awards to the EPA to be ceased. They have ordered the EPA to remove its Climate Change web page. The President has nominated Scott Pruitt to head the EPA. He is a climate change denier and has sued multiple times the very agency he is nominated to head. Senator King opposes his nomination. Senator Collins has not yet let us know whether she will or will not approve him to head the EPA.

But most frightening of all is the GAG RULE. The EPA and other agencies have been ordered to cease communicating with the public through news releases, official social media accounts and correspondence. Is it that federal employees will only be able to convey information that supports the new president’s agenda? Will the public be exposed to “alternate facts” rather than scientific data?

That is what is keeping me up at night.

Norma Dreyfus

Arrowsic

Support Zumwalt 12

As Bruce Gagnon noted in his PeaceWorks column on Wednesday, the Mainers of conscience who were arrested at BIW on June 18 for protesting the launch of another insanely expensive destroyer will go on trial on Wednesday and Thursday, February 1 and 2 at the Sagadahoc County Superior Court, 752 High Street in Bath.

I urge Maine people of conscience to attend the trial to show our support for the Zumwalt 12.

I hope that all of us who see the insanity of spending our money to build these war machines instead of spending it on fixing our infrastructure, improving our schools, constructing housing for the homeless, expanding our renewal energy efforts, and, mainly, seeking ways to deal with international problems through negotiation, will join the Zumwalt 12 at the trial.

In my view there is nothing more important than trying to prevent more war.

Selma Sternlieb,

Brunswick