I applaud Sen. Olympia Snowe’s mantra, “It should be jobs, jobs, jobs,” as revealed in the recent editorial board interview with her.

I acknowledge her criticism of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., regarding the process that excluded her from the final development of the health care bill. There may be some merit in her sense of being excluded.

Sen. Snowe’s position would be less disingenuous if I had heard her public criticism of the actions of members of her own party that led to Sen. Reid’s and Rep. Pelosi’s decision to advocate for a health care bill without Republican support. Did Sen. Snowe confront Sen. James DeMint of South Carolina when he said that the defeat of the health care bill will be President Obama’s “Waterloo”?

I did not hear Sen. Snowe chastise House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio when he said after the health care bill was passed, “Now it’s Armageddon.” Did the radical militia group in Michigan hear Sen. Snowe’s condemnation of Rep. Boehner for inciting the final biblical battle between good and evil?

Sen. Snowe is correct that the state of Maine and the country need jobs. What she does not say is there are thousands of people in Maine who are working but have no health insurance; that 32 million Americans will have health care thanks to the work of Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi, or that in 2010, tax credits as high as 35 percent of premiums will be available to many small businesses that offer health coverage to employees.

Sen. Snowe and the Republican lockstep monolithic party can present only one overt, if not covert, message, which is to cripple President Obama’s administration and help the Republicans take control of Congress in November.

How else can one explain the absence of one House or Senate Republican vote for the health care reform legislation?

David C. Weiss

Cape Elizabeth

 

 

Tell me if this sounds familiar: A health care plan requires coverage for every citizen of this country. The plan holds small and large businesses alike accountable for obtaining affordable health coverage for their employees.

Also included in this plan are access to insurance regardless of medical status, as well as purchasing groups for individuals and small employers. Increased taxes are placed on wealthier citizens to assist in the cost of their own care and prescriptions. Persons with low income receive vouchers to purchase insurance. Improper financial incentives or selling of duplicate coverage is prohibited.

Now, does this sound to anyone else like a bill that was recently passed? Interestingly enough, this is a bill that was never even opened for debate in Congress in wait for it 1993.

Now, three guesses as to which party wrote this stillborn piece of legislation. That’s right, the Republicans wrote this as a response to President Clinton’s failed health care overhaul that same year.

Interesting how the concepts included were viable to Republicans in ’93 but are now considered nothing short of outright socialism.

I would love to hear a response from any Republican representative as to why this early legislation was acceptable and this new bill that has nearly the same verbiage is the end of freedom as we know it.

Here is the podium, folks. Step up and enlighten us, please.

Nicholas Anderson

Jefferson

 

 

In my younger days, I played Little League and other sports. Those were great times. I can remember the coach telling us to give it 100 percent so when the game was finished you could say to yourself that you did all you could to win.

But no matter what the final results were, you were always required to shake hands with the opposing players and give their team a team shout for respect and a game well-played. You were also required to play fairly and leave your feelings about the game on the field and not harbor resentment or vindictiveness.

I carried these important lessons with me throughout my life.

What has happened in Congress? Surely many of them must have played Little League and been exposed to the same fair-play doctrines that I was. Looking at the negative, sarcastic and even threatening remarks coming out of Congress and the media, I am very disappointed as I think most of my baby-boomer teammates must be.

For the eight years preceding Barack Obama as president, many changes wrought by government officials were not to my liking. I did not taunt or make threats but continued to make the political arguments for what I felt was right.

What reaction do you expect from the people when there is toxic reporting from those people who control much of the news media? Sen. John McCain said very blatantly that he intends to punish the Democrats and vote against any bill they try to pass for the rest of this year. Is this in the best interest of Americans?

There were other remarks directed at our president and officials that were even more frightening and truly un-American that I am certain most have heard by now.

This behavior spawns hatred, and it encourages violence. Why don’t we get back to the basics of good sportsmanship and before we speak or act, think about what is best for the American citizen and not what the lobbyists want or how to influence the results of the next election? Let’s work hard and play fair.

Don Caouette

Portland

 

 

Local library ‘magical’ after first phase of renovations

 

Renovations to the Portland Public Library have made it a crown jewel of the city and state. New and former patrons will be pleasantly surprised at the magical transformation.

Young children now have a dedicated space designed and decorated just for them. It is an educational mental playground. Teens or young adults have dedicated space, research and study areas, private rooms for mentoring or conferences and their own young adult librarian.

The expansion and relocation of the Rines Auditorium have created a high-tech gathering place perfect for brown bag luncheons and a multitude of civic meetings.

Adult patrons will find materials easily accessible in shorter stacks, illuminated with cascading natural light and creative light fixtures. You can read your favorite newspaper and enjoy a coffee or tea while seated in the new front atrium-like area, almost three stories high. You can also enjoy the hustle and bustle of Monument Square and Congress Street.

Computer users will enjoy their space adjacent to the newspaper and beverage area. They, too, can enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.

Substantial funds are required to proceed with the second phase of the renovations. Donations, small and large, coupled with gifts of endowment should make this phase a reality after everyone enjoys and uses the completed work.

Our new library is a crown jewel, a joy to behold. Use it often. Treat it well. It will serve all of our needs.

Hank Dozier Jr.

Portland

 

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