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

November 17, 2012

Letters to the editor: Low profile for both mural, LePage

The past few months there has been some speculation over the whereabouts of Gov. Paul LePage.

For the most part, he has been missing from public view. It is very puzzling that he was not active in endorsing and supporting his fellow Republicans running for election.

There is a school of thought that believes Gov. LePage was hibernating in the same closet that stores the Department of Labor mural.

If this is a possibility, and the governor decides to emerge from concealment and actually govern for all the people of Maine as he promised during his campaign, may we ask him to please bring the mural back with him?

Phyllis Kamin

Cumberland 

Electoral College encourages focus on red-blue division 

The electorate has spoken, and the message is: "Don't change horses in midstream, even if the flow is abnormally low and a change to a fresh horse might be beneficial."

A tough campaign has been waged and won by the individual who the American people feel can best lead them through these less-than-stellar times (we've heard the issues enough, I think).

It is now confirmed, without the potential "opposition" of the Electoral College, who will lead us. It seems to me that the "college" (as in "we know") -- an elitist, undemocratic vestige of a time when a small group of kingmakers could circumvent the will of the people, albeit with the greatest good in mind -- has, in 200 years, lost its need to exist.

Is it not time that we end the painful red/blue state analysis in favor of popular vote by a proven knowledgeable electorate, period, and save ourselves from the postulations about the so-called "battleground" states we had to endure last Tuesday evening?

We are all Americans. It's time we voted as such and as if each vote counts the same, no matter in what state it is cast.

R. Ted Laguerre

Brunswick 

Thanking God for his role in unfolding of civic life 

A post-election prayer:

Eternal God, we give you thanks --

For the various personal places and circumstances from which all the candidates for public office came, and whatever in their own histories has built a strong foundation and support for their devotion to public life;

For the local communities that elected some of them, providing a mandate for efforts to represent the needs, hopes and aspirations of their citizens;

For the state of Maine, the issues that confront its leaders, and thoughtful consideration of policies and laws to enable its citizens to thrive in well-being and peace;

For the country to which this state belongs, and the contribution its elected leaders can make to the patriotic bonds that unite us;

For the world to which this nation belongs and our awareness of the humanity we share that inspires feelings of unity and common purpose with all people;

And for the universe, so vast as to inspire awe, and the hope that the work of our leaders is in some way part of your divine plan.

For these and all your gifts to each and all of us, we give you humble and profound thanks. Amen.

The Rev. John Widdows

Portland

Giving cash to panhandlers rewards them for begging 

Regarding Mary Wheeler's Oct. 13 response to a previous letter against panhandlers ("Panhandlers put us to the test"):

She is a well-intentioned soul who needs a dose of reality.

I specifically take issue with the highlighted paragraph that states, "No one is getting rich standing in the roadway asking for spare change. No one would choose to do this ... if they had any better options."

(Continued on page 2)

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