In a Jan. 9 op-ed, Jim Lemieux, president and CEO of Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union, asks: “How many people vow to give back more in the new year?” (“If you can, make 2025 the year of giving back“).
Questions of this form, like “Have you stopped beating your wife?,” contain an implicit assumption. If we give back, it implies that we have taken, presumably in an unlawful manner. And for most of us, that simply doesn’t hold. Most of us have not taken from our neighbors, the state or the federal government, and so “giving back” makes no sense.
I have no problem with someone suggesting that I “contribute” to some cause, but do not ask me to “give back.” I didn’t take in the first place.
William Vaughan Jr.
Chebeague Island
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Join the Conversation
We believe it’s important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It’s a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. Read more...
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
For those stories that we do enable discussion, our system may hold up comments pending the approval of a moderator for several reasons, including possible violation of our guidelines. As the Maine Trust’s digital team reviews these comments, we ask for patience.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday and limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs.
You can modify your screen name here.
Show less
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.