Independents represent a third of the electorate. Most Republicans will vote for Donald Trump, most Democrats for Kamala Harris. How independents vote will determine the outcome. As an independent, I view this as an opportunity and responsibility. I would prefer more options, but realistically we have only two meaningful choices: Harris or Trump. Donald Trump […]

It’s lawn sign season, when neighbors share their political convictions on the roadsides before they speak at the ballot box. This year is different, however, as Democrats in Midcoast communities have seen a rash of Harris-Walz signs either stolen, trampled or destroyed on-site. To be sure, more signs will be coming soon to be proudly […]

Maine students’ test scores have fallen to record low levels in recent years. In the 1990s, our students ranked among the top in the nation, but now we’re in the mid-40s. That’s a troubling decline. Today, many high school students struggle to read the same novels we once did, and performance in math is even […]

I am writing to support the reelection of Dan Sayre as the Kennebunk and West Kennebunk representative to the State House. I have known Dan for almost 10 years and find him to be a thoughtful and wise voice for diverse groups. He is an educator, a small businessman, and he’s not afraid to learn […]

I’m a 29-year-old non-binary Mainer, and I believe in church. White Christian nationalism and evangelical ideology have taken hold in this country while progressive people of faith have remained quiet. Embarrassed to lead with the language of faith, which has been co-opted by those who preach hatred, we work for justice in the secular sphere […]

A letter writer recently wrote that the Portland City Council was a role model for the nation for its decision to divest from companies doing business with Israel. I have lived in Portland for over 30 years, and I can’t say I agree with that assessment. I have found this specific council short-sighted and divisive […]

I have a friend who recently told me that Kamala Harris is not green enough for him, and that he would, therefore, be voting for the Green Party candidate. I asked him if he felt Donald Trump was green enough. He laughed derisively. I told him that any Green vote, not for Harris, was essentially […]