John Balentine seemed to take a negative view of the holiday season writing about income equality. He took the misinterpreted view that everyone should earn the same amount. My view of income inequality is that everyone doing the same job should be paid equally regardless of gender, race, or gender identity. Everyone should have the […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Superintendent's Notebook: Ripple effect
Every January we are given the opportunity to begin anew, and to reflect on the previous year. In Regional School Unit 5, we ended the year with the death of one of our best, Elizabeth Clark, who taught first grade at Pownal Elementary School. She lost her battle with cancer and died on Dec. 30, […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: The truth is not partisan, Mr. Beem
Although I wish him no personal ill, the absence of Mr. Beem’s opinion column due to his protracted illness was a breath of fresh air. But, here he is back again (“RIP, GOP” Dec. 20) spewing the kind of divisive rhetoric, half-truths and innuendo which are just what this already strongly polarized country does not […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Balentine should research the definition of socialism
A recent article by John Balentine was titled, “Now more than ever, socialism’s evils need to be unveiled,” (Nov. 14). His writing on this subject reveals his ignorance, but his ignorance is shared with many Americans who think socialism is the same as Stalinism. He refers to “past atrocities under authoritarian socialist regimes.” There are […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Letter: Beem should consider the Democrats’ demise
In the Dec. 20 Southern Forecaster, Edgar Allen Beem has concluded the Republican Party is dead in his piece, “R.I.P., GOP.” I don’t often read Mr. Beem, but I do remember him pondering the eventuality of angry Trump supporters since Hillary Clinton’s election as president of the United States was a foregone conclusion. Based on […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Politics & Other Mistakes: Tax reform made simple
Here’s the hard truth about taxes: You’re gonna pay them no matter what. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor. It doesn’t matter if you’re a person or a corporation. It doesn’t matter if the state decides to emphasize taxing income, sales, property, liquor, tobacco, inheritances, excises (whatever they are) or the air that […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: Conservatives aren't mean, just clueless
Thank you for running John Balentine’s column. I don’t like it, but sometimes it helps me understand the workings of a conservative’s mind. For example, in Balentine’s recent Christmas tree rant he offers us this insight: “Unlike liberals … who preach that income inequality lowers one’s happiness quotient, conservatives realize that one’s happiness is not […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Here's Something: Poliquin’s surrender a big disappointment
Why in the world did 2nd Congressional District Rep. Bruce Poliquin give up his fight against ranked-choice voting? Poliquin, who was carrying the mantel for Mainers who question the new form of voting, surrendered Christmas Eve in a tweet saying it was “in the best interests of my constituents and all Maine citizens to close […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Life Unwound: Who will you be in 2019?
I recently asked my grandchildren, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Walker, 8, said, “An engineer.” I said, “Great. Engineers use a lot of math and you’re good at math.” He brushed his chin, “Hmm. I’m good at math, but I don’t like math. I’ll have to think of something else.” […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Letter: Balentine blind to reality of low income
John Balentine states that “unlike liberals and progressives who preach that income inequality lowers one’s happiness quotient, conservatives realize that one’s happiness is not tied to income.” Could he really be that obtuse? He actually believes that someone who has to work two minimum wage jobs to get by, but still can’t afford health care, […]