Editorials

Published
October 4, 2010

Our View: ‘Cutler Files’ should besubject to campaign laws

The "Cutler Files" website leads with the question, "Who is Eliot Cutler?" But a better question is "What is the Cutler Files?" Cutler is the Cape Elizabeth lawyer who is running as an independent candidate for governor, but the "Cutler Files" is harder to define. It is a website that uses research, pointed prose and computer graphics to attack Cutler. The authors, who don't identify themselves, claim that what they are doing is anonymous free speech, a cherished tradition in this country since before the founding of the republic.
Published
October 4, 2010

Another View: ‘Smart people’ at CMP are trading jobs for ‘smart meters’

In exchange for a few dollars a month for customers, 141 employees will be laid off.
Published
October 3, 2010

Our View: School money should be spent more wisely

Maine voters may be divided about who they want to see living in the governor's mansion next year, whether they want a casino in Oxford County or if the federal government should cut taxes on the wealthy, but they are united on one question. They are concerned about education, and if the recent Maine Poll, conducted by Critical Insights for MaineToday Media, is correct, they are three times as likely to believe we are underspending on education than spending too much. Considering how important education is, not only for individual success but for the state's economy as a whole, the concern is not surprising. But considering how much we spend already in both state and local tax revenue, the concept that we are not spending enough raises serious questions about our future. The question, however should be reframed. It's not an issue of how much we spend, but how we spend it. We are still spending too much on administration and small class sizes, and too little in other areas, especially in higher education. The challenge for the next era of school reform will be using resources more effectively.
Published
October 2, 2010

Our View: Flawed FEMA product sent back for more work

Sen. Collins uses her clout to get the federal agency to do what it should have done already.
Published
October 2, 2010

Our View: Zoom bus expansion worth exploring by Legislature

A new plan shows that workable public transit wouldn't take a massive investment.

Published
October 1, 2010

Our View: Poll shows Blaine House race is still wide open

Poll numbers and election results look so much alike people tend to confuse them. But there are enough big differences that we should never forget what we are looking at when we see the latest numbers. There are no "undecided" votes on Election Day. Real voters, as opposed to survey participants, have to pick a candidate. And there is no margin of error when the votes are counted, just a winner and some losers. But there is such a margin in the best of polls.
Published
October 1, 2010

Our View: Racial profiling argument still short on information

It's still unclear how often people are questioned solely on the basis of their race.
Published
September 30, 2010

Our View: Data breach makes case to end tracking program

Students should not be asked to send their Social Security numbers to the state.
Published
September 30, 2010

Our View: Texting study a call for action from state lawmakers

Maine lawmakers should not get frightened by a study that suggests that accident rates go up when states ban texting by drivers. This should not be seen as a reason not to ban texting -- but a sign of how serious this problem really is and why we need a ban here.
Published
September 29, 2010

Our View: Offshore wind potential supported by new study

An environmental group's report on the benefits of off-shore wind power made a couple of interesting findings. One is that even if only partially exploited, strong winds off the Atlantic Ocean could generate much of the electricity needed for the population centers of the East Coast. Another was that the list of 11 states with the best potential for off-shore wind does not include Maine.