Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the midst of an energy boom in America. With the deregulation of energy sweeping across our country, it’s no surprise that people don’t even know what’s going on.

As a nation, we have transitioned from an industrial power to a home-services society. These companies represent trillions of dollars in revenue and will directly impact our global stability around the globe. It’s happening now!

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A reader urges others to buy American and says the U.S. should export more of its raw materials, including oil. The Associated Press

As a U.S. Marine staff officer for 26 years, I’ve been around the world several times. During my missions and service abroad, I have seen first-hand a trend that directly impacts our global presence in the market.

Our exports are nonexistent, and our container ships are leaving our ports empty. Now, since we have become a technology-driven global player, it makes perfect sense to export American-made products and make money for America.

We have one of the world’s largest reserves of coal, metal, gas and oil and plenty of willing Americans to harvest it. Take it from a globally educated and well-informed Marine staff officer: “We as a nation are in big trouble.”

For heavens sake, buy American, stop supporting big business and start your own. The tax advantages at the end of the year are absolutely worth every penny you invest initially.

What type of “footprint” do you wish to leave behind for your family? We have been a country forged by an opportunity to prosper together. We need to act now before the American dream becomes a nightmare. Do you really feel the United States is the greatest country in the world? I do, and I served it meritoriously! Will you?

Start today, make a difference and protect what is ours.

Mark D. McConnell

Richmond

South Portland robotics team deserves our support

It has been my good fortune over the past few years to enjoy an up-close and personal view of the South Portland High School robotics team through my son’s participation.

Every year, the students put their hearts and souls into building a robot. This year’s creation is an exceptional machine that won the regional meet in Manchester, N.H., and is now poised to compete nationally at the first robotics championship in St. Louis at the end of this month.

It will be an outstanding opportunity for these young people to meet and learn from fellow students and adult mentors from across the nation and around the world.

“FIRST” means “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” but it’s not just about solenoids and circuitry; the excitement of these competitions is hard to beat. I can only compare it to the state basketball finals in 1972 when I was a student at Westbrook High School and our team won. I still remember the exhilaration and pride of that moment, and this is the same type of experience.

There’s also something different about FIRST robotics — a wonderful element called “gracious professionalism.”

By helping others succeed, everyone wins. If the battery fails on a competitor’s robot, you hurry over to lend one of yours. If your bus breaks down, another team is glad to offer the use of theirs.

And when a group from Mexico enters the competition for the first time, one of your mentors spends the day with them, turning strangers into friends and helping their robot be the best it can be.

Sending the South Portland team and their fine robot to St. Louis can be accomplished only with the support of the community. For more information, please contact coach Bob Libby by email at coach@riotcrew.org or by calling 318-6572.

Margo Usinger

Portland

Coverage mandates to blame for health insurance costs

Perhaps we can agree that it is simply not realistic politically to argue that some should go without basic health insurance protection and health care access. But we must all recognize that there are limits to what employers, government entities and individuals can budget and allocate in terms of financing.

The frighteningly expensive health insurance costs today to a large degree reflect coverage mandates put there by governments responding to special-interest group lobbying. In their totality, these mandates require that virtually every possible medical intervention, drug, diagnostic system, medical device and caregiver category requires inclusion in a standard health insurance policy.

This is a key culprit in the obscene $800 per month health insurance premium cost for a family of four. Whether you favor Obamacare or the Republican inspired “competitive market” solution, there is not enough money from any and all sources combined to support and sustain such costs. As a consequence, premiums for individuals are rising whether you benefit from employer- or government-paid insurance or not.

We need to look no farther than Canada or Europe for what is coming, and to blame one political party or another is a waste of time. More will be coming out of our pockets in the form of taxes, co-pays and insurance premiums. Inevitable in the United States and the “bedrock” of other health systems worldwide are restrictions of care based on the view of expert panels as to whether a particular drug, medical device, treatment or diagnostic has value worth including in the basic health insurance coverage package. If you want it anyway, “bring your checkbook.”

These are some of the emerging market forces that even governments can’t mandate away, but that won’t stop the politicos from trying to convince you otherwise.

Who is kidding whom? Let’s stop the finger-pointing and wake up!

John Ross

Edgecomb

Recent Maine State Ballet performances ‘triumphant’

After having been fortunate enough to have seen “Serenade” performed by the Maine State Ballet, I was so very much convinced of how grateful I am to live close enough to enjoy such brilliant performance.

Since then I have seen many more, especially the recent “Swan Lake,” a simply triumphant event.

Many thanks to all the members of the Maine State Ballet.

Anni Sanford

Yarmouth

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