On June 1, 1950, Republican Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine led six other courageous Republican senators by introducing a Declaration of Conscience disassociating themselves from the demagoguery of Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. More than half a century later, when a man who surpasses Joe McCarthy in demagoguery disgraces the White House, Susan Collins, who had once been compared to Smith for her independence and political courage, has gone into hiding.

Prior to the 2016 election, Collins announced that she would not be voting for Donald Trump because he “does not reflect historical Republican values…” She also declared that “…Trump [lacks] the temperament, the judgment and the self-discipline … to be commander in chief” and that his “unsuitability for office is based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect. Instead he opts to mock the vulnerable and inflame prejudices by attacking ethnic and religious minorities.”

Upon Trump’s election, the Senator shamelessly announced “I support him as president.” She went on to vote with the Republicans 87 percent of the time in 2017, more than in any of her previous 20 years in the Senate. So much for putting country ahead of party.

And now (surprise!), Susan Collins has announced that she plans to run for reelection in 2020. Never mind that of the $1.1 million of itemized contributions she hauled in for her campaign during first quarter of 2019, just 1 percent came from the Mainers she supposedly represents. Maine voters should send her into retirement.

Phil Locke

Bangor