BATH — The elections are less than two weeks away, and the negative edge in nearly every campaign for state and federal office intensifies daily.

Maine may not be the least positive state for political dialogue, but clearly we are not far ahead of the worst. I cannot counter or try to correct every utterance, printed commentary or TV spot, but I take serious objection to one, made in a Tuesday Portland Press Herald op-ed column: “Susan Collins has never missed a roll-call vote, but perfect attendance is a damn weak reason to vote for a candidate.”

The writer goes on to say: “It’s the quality of those votes that matters …,” concluding: “Maine can do better.”

Republican Sen. Susan Collins started her federal government service long before running for national office. She had 12 years in Washington before being elected as our senator in 1996.

She served as staff assistant to then-Sen. Bill Cohen and later was a Senate subcommittee staff director on what is now known as the Homeland Security Committee. Over a decade of assignments gained her experience that yielded significant returns during her 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Collins also built a strong foundation outside of Washington. She served as a commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, was director of the Small Business Administration’s Boston regional office, gained experience as Massachusetts deputy state treasurer and was the founding director of the Center for Family Business at Husson University in Bangor.

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With this foundation and now over 5,600 consecutive roll call votes in the past 18 years, I offer a sampling of the quality of those votes:

 In favor of the Bush tax cuts and their extension, and offered an amendment to allow for tax credits to school teachers who purchase classroom materials.

 In favor of increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research and to strengthen support for family caregivers.

 In favor of a law to increase penalties for killing an unborn child while committing a violent crime against the mother.

 Against restrictions on travel to Cuba.

 Against harsher punishment for drug users.

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 In favor of President Obama’s first Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor.

 Sponsored and voted for the Accountability in Government Contracting Act of 2007, which created more competition among military contractors.

 Against amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriages.

 In favor of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act in 2009.

 In favor of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.

 In favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to prevent job discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity.

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Fortunately for our nation, Sen. Collins has done so much more than vote. She has been an influential participant. Reaching across the aisle as often as any member in the Senate chamber, she has authored bills, stopped filibusters, negotiated accommodating outcomes and made significant improvements to our nation’s security.

 She coauthored the Collins-Lieberman Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which implemented many of the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission – modernizing and improving America’s intelligence community.

 She coauthored the major port security legislation signed by President Bush in 2006. This law includes major provisions to strengthen security at U.S. ports.

 As the ranking member on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Collins has voiced cybersecurity concerns regarding outside contractors, privacy and civil liberties, as well as the Department of Homeland Security plans to protect our federal cyber networks.She has consistently been prepared to effectively provide legislative oversight in a most complex area of our government.

I find it difficult to believe that “Maine can do better” in these key areas.

Our senior senator, Sen. Collins, has taken on the tough issues throughout her three terms in the Senate, voting in the best interests of Maine and all U.S. citizens. Some votes have been unpopular with segments of the population, but each one was cast with the highest integrity and balanced the interests of all parties.

Easy votes are party-line votes. Sen. Collins casts the hard votes when it matters. I always know she is making her decisions based on the best information she can get and after becoming fully informed on each issue.

Maybe Maine could do better someday – but not as long as our senior senator is willing to continue to serve.

— Special to the Press Herald


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