Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

October 25, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Senate choice will affect court's future

In another election, I would not hesitate to vote for Cynthia Dill. But this is not the time to vote one's conscience -- rather, it is the time to consider much bigger issues.

It is possible that we could have a Republican president. It is also possible that two of the more liberal Supreme Court justices might retire in the next four years.

Considering the proclivity of the five reactionary Supremes (they think corporations are people) to return us to the age of the robber barons, it would seem that the last thing any thoughtful person would want was another Republican in the Senate, the Senate being the body that confirms appointments to the court.

While I do not agree with several of Angus King's positions, he is the odds-on favorite to beat Republican Charlie Summers, and Dill could split the thinking vote.

Thirty years of Reaganomics has nearly crippled the world economy, and that, two wars, the systematic impoverishment of nearly half the U.S. population, tax breaks to ship jobs overseas and no real oversight on financial institutions have all sent the U.S. economy into a tailspin.

But all that pales compared to the risk of a further-right-leaning Supreme Court. Think more stolen elections, a court seemingly owned by big business and little apparent regard for the average American.

John Wood

Hollis

 

McLean will be advocate for Gorham's kids, middle class

 

I am supporting Andrew McLean for the Maine House in District 129 because he'll fight to restore $250,000 in funding to Gorham schools that was cut by his opponent and the majority in the Legislature last year.

Augusta has no business slashing education funding, which forces local schools to cut important curriculum like social studies, music and art, and denies early childhood education to our 5- and 6-year-olds.

Over the last several years, funding for our community college system has gone through the floor. Andrew has my support because he wants to increase vocational education opportunities so that our young people and those who need job retraining get the skills and tools necessary to take advantage of opportunities in the free market and start small businesses that put more Mainers back to work.

We can get Maine back on track by electing leaders like Andrew who know it's wrong to shortchange our children's future and put up barriers for those who are struggling to make it into the middle class.

As representative for Gorham, Andrew will work across party lines and lead efforts to reinvest in early childhood education, vocational education and job retraining, and get Maine's middle class moving again. That's why I am voting for Andrew McLean for Maine House on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Kyle Bailey

Gorham

 

Falmouth bus helps seniors maintain independence

 

I am a senior citizen who does not drive anymore. Losing one's independence is a very difficult adjustment to make. Now I must rely on other people and the bus to help me with my errands.

The No. 7 bus in Falmouth is truly a necessity for more and more people and must be continued.

John Radebaugh

Falmouth

Wellen will bring fresh views to Freeport Town Council

 

I am writing in support of Andrew Wellen, who is running for Freeport Town Council in District 4.

Andy would be a fine addition to the Town Council because he understands the importance of community involvement and would do a good job of representing neighborhood concerns, as well as business interests.

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