Collins should call it quits 

It is time for Sen. Susan Collins to retire.  She pledged to serve only two terms to make a contribution and then come home to let someone else take her place. She broke that promise and many Mainers, including me, believe she has broken another pledge to be an advocate for her constituents.  She has chosen to put party over people. 

At one time Sen. Collins was a moderate, demonstrating she would represent the independent values of her constituents.  No longer; she has lost her way. Her voting record has shifted solidly to pleasing her party’s leaders vs. advocating for what Maine voters want.  She has voted 87 percent with the Party of Trump with its aggressive agenda set out by a republican administration bent on inflicting damage to our country. 

Sen. Collins’ response to the Mueller Report?  It was “an unflattering portrayal of the President.” An “unflattering portrayal” does not accurately describe a pattern of obstruction of justice conducted by the President of the United States!  Another New England Senator responded to the report saying: “The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties must set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty….” Collins has not. 

Our government leaders must have the innate ability to fight for the facts, act not just speak, and inspire confidence in the people they represent.  Sen. Collins is demonstrating none of these qualities. We need a leader who will stand up and not step back during challenging times.  Sen. Collins, is it is time for you to come home and let someone else take your place who really cares about Maine. 

Sheila Menair, 

Harpswell 

Open primaries would strengthen democracy 

Maine Legislators are considering a bill that would allow un-enrolled voters to participate in the states’ primary elections. LD 211, “An Act To Open Maine’s Primaries”, would create a hybrid primary system in which unaffiliated voters may participate in the partisan primary of their choice. Voters who are already affiliated with a political party can vote only in that party’s primary. 

I consider myself an independent, but by not enrolling in a party I realize that I am disenfranchising myself in Maine’s primary elections. Over the years I’ve enrolled alternately as a Democrat or a Republican so I could vote for candidates that were appealing to me.  This requires planning and commitment, as there is a 15-day waiting period to change party enrollment, and it only serves to alienate voters like me from participating in our electoral process. 

35% of Maine’s voters are un-enrolled, thus outnumbering voters in any of the four recognized parties.  With the current closed primary system, our largest voting block is being denied the right to select a candidate for the general election.  Independent voters in Maine tend to be moderate in their political views. By denying these voters access to the primary election, we end up with candidates who don’t have to appeal to centrist voters.  This further polarizes our political environment. 

I hear the argument that an open primary system would allow un-enrolled voters to strategically sabotage a party’s election.  While this is theoretically possible, the reality is that more than 30 other states have open primaries and it hasn’t been a problem.  No election system is perfect, but Maine has one glaring issue–we disenfranchise over one-third of our registered voters with closed primaries.      

I see open primaries as an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, and I hope we can advance LD 211.  I urge all voters to contact your elected officials and ask for their support. Thank you for your attention. 

Jim Shaffer, 

Freeport