Letters

Published
April 11, 2017

Letter to the editor: For believers in progressivism, Joey Brunelle is your council candidate

The parallels between national and local concerns about the “what” of government – health care reform, social and economic justice, immigration policy – are unmistakable. Much subtler are the parallels about the “how” of government, which is no less important. This is especially true of Portland, a progressive city where the left is just as […]
Published
April 11, 2017

Letter to the editor: Nation’s leaders should end political battles, put country first

I really don’t know where to begin with the state of affairs here in the United States. In 2008, we elected a president who was neither my husband’s nor my choice. We were disappointed; we looked at each other and stated that he deserved a chance. It would be very nice to see that same […]
Published
April 11, 2017

Letter to the editor: President Trump’s not a fascist tyrant, but he is shaming the nation

I’m tired of the hyperbole surrounding Donald Trump and his already-on-the-rocks presidency. Trump is not Hitler. He’s not Mussolini. He’s not even Franco or Pinochet. The blatant cronyism. The shameless nepotism. The consistent refusals to release his tax returns or divest himself or his family of their murky personal financial interests. His refusal to spend […]
Published
April 11, 2017

Letter to the editor: Thanks to Sen. Collins for efforts to rescue our tourism businesses

I am writing to commend Sen. Susan Collins on her efforts to save Maine’s tourism season with the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017. In an example of leadership, Sen. Collins acted for Mainers. On March 13, the arbitrary cap for the guest worker H-2B visa program was met. Small and seasonal […]
Published
April 10, 2017

Letter to the editor: President’s border wall an ecological, economic threat

I had a chance to visit Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King and Rep. Bruce Poliquin in their Washington, D.C., offices recently and urged them not to support President Trump’s ill-conceived and wasteful border wall. It is my hope that our Maine congressional delegation will urge this administration to fund practical and effective border security […]

Published
April 10, 2017

Letter to the editor: Taxpayers left in dark on city’s social services costs

A number I haven’t seen is how much of Portland’s total social services costs (excluding state and federal grants) are funded by residential property taxes. With diminishing state and federal funding and a large school bond vote approaching, wouldn’t the City Council and taxpayers benefit from knowing? The direct and indirect social costs appear to […]
Published
April 10, 2017

Letter to the editor: Local police not bound by Trump immigration whims

The Trump administration is attempting to compel local jurisdictions to actively support federal immigration enforcement. Although our local officials, police and sheriff’s departments have no obligation under federal law to participate in this enforcement, a bill requiring such participation is being considered in our state Legislature: L.D. 366, “An Act to Ensure Compliance with Federal […]
Published
April 10, 2017

Letter to the editor: Sen. King an independent in name only

I must comment on Sen. Angus King and his supposed independent status. There have been a few major policies and statements he has made that have stayed with me throughout his career. First of all, he ran as an independent only to avoid a primary with former Democratic Gov. Joseph Brennan. The senator is, and […]
Published
April 9, 2017

Letter to the editor: With casinos, the house always wins

Bill Nemitz’s April 2 column on the proposed casino for York County and how it is rigged to enrich one particular individual reminded me of how all casinos are rigged to impoverish the vulnerable. I strongly suggest folks read John Rosengren’s article “How Casinos Enable Gambling Addicts” in the December 2016 edition of Atlantic Monthly. […]
Published
April 9, 2017

Letter to the editor: Citizens have the right to make choices at the end

I wholeheartedly support L.D. 347, “An Act to Support Death With Dignity.” I want the right to make my own decisions about my own life. I do not want that very personal decision to be assumed by the state. And I think every citizen of Maine should have that same right: either to fight, perhaps […]