Editorials

Published
August 9, 2011

Our View: S&P bond rating panicbased on fear, not facts

If you believed some of the commentary taking place over Standard & Poor's decision to reduce the U.S. bond rating from AAA to AA+, you would think that astronomers had just detected a killer asteroid that would destroy all life on Earth. In truth, the decision by one rating agency (which the two other major rating agencies, Moody's and Fitch, have declined to join) has changed nothing about the nation's underlying ability to pay its debts on time. That ability remains as strong as ever. Even assuming a worst-case scenario, in which Congress failed to come up with a proposal last week to raise the debt limit, federal revenues remain sufficient to pay all the interest on our debt as well as fully fund programs such as Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.
Published
August 8, 2011

Our View: While cannabis is illegal, dispensaries will struggle

The tension between state and federal law prevents Maine from fulfilling its vision.
Published
August 7, 2011

Another View: Ralph Carmona a ‘serious’ candidate for Portland mayor

A columnist over-rated how Ethan Strimling's entry changed the dynamics of the race.
Published
August 7, 2011

Our View: Investor confidence hurt by dysfunction in D.C.

Watching Congress almost fail to solve a problem it created produces a feeling of unease.
Published
August 6, 2011

Our View: Food safety program cuts mindless, shortsighted

Reducing inspectors' ability to prevent food-borne epidemics is the wrong way to save money.

Published
August 5, 2011

Another View: Changing registration laws would disenfranchise voters

A columnist who claims otherwise doesn't understand what universal suffrage means.
Published
August 5, 2011

Our View: Sen. Trahan should not delay Senate departure

As soon as the lawmaker becomes the head of an advocacy agency, he should resign.
Published
August 4, 2011

Our View: State makes wise move by passing on Wiscasset bypass

There are better uses for scarce highway funds than fixing a seasonal traffic headache.
Published
August 4, 2011

Our View: Summers’ allegations not fitting for his post

The secretary of state should not be throwing bombs in a potential referendum campaign.
Published
August 3, 2011

Our View: No one to applaudin dreadful debt debate

The House and Senate reluctantly passed it. President Obama reluctantly signed it. Tea party cheerleaders on talk radio and cable TV took a victory lap but they didn’t really like it. And just plain Americans? Well, they were torn between the temptation to call down a curse on the entire Washington establishment and the inclination to scratch their heads and ask, “What in the world just happened here?” Love it or hate it – and as yet no one who loves it has had the temerity to say so – the debt ceiling/deficit reduction plan hammered out by Republican and Democratic leaders over the weekend is now the law of the land. The bill restored the federal government’s borrowing authority and set the stage for more than $2 trillion in budget cuts just in time to save the country from the possibility of a first-ever default on its financial obligations. If all goes well, we won’t have to read the word “default” in another headline about congressional activity until after the 2012 elections.

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Editorials