Letters

Published
February 25, 2017

Letter to the editor: Immigration service name change reflects shift from welcome to enforcement

What’s in a name? More than one might think, when it comes to immigration. The mission of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service was clearly reflected in its name: helping immigrants enter the U.S. and putting them on the pathway to becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. It was a service, offering assistance to people seeking a […]
Published
February 24, 2017

Letter to the editor: Police officers do not get instant replay

It is beyond tragic that a young and troubled man lost his life as a result of his actions at Union Station Plaza. When an officer goes on duty each day, he or she doesn’t know what lies ahead for human drama during the next eight or 10 hours. Please remember that Sgt. Nicholas Goodman […]
Published
February 24, 2017

Letter to the editor: Leaders must solve conflict in our marijuana laws

Now that the voters of the state of Maine have expressed their desire at the ballot box to legalize the sale and distribution of marijuana (as have California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington state, Alaska and the District of Columbia), there still remains an important conflict in these laws. Along with hundreds, if not thousands, […]
Published
February 24, 2017

Letter to the editor: Now is exactly the time to politicize body cameras

Re: “Portland police chief says he’s ‘disgusted’ to see fatal shooting used politically” (Feb. 21): Despite what Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck says, this is precisely the time to bring the national debate about body cameras to Portland. An officer has deemed it necessary to take the life of one of our citizens in order […]
Published
February 24, 2017

Letter to the editor: Problems without profit motive will always perplex

OK, here is the crux of the social problems we face: Social problems are not solvable within a purely capitalist economic model. The reason that abject poverty, hunger, homelessness, illegal drug use, overcrowded prisons and citizens with no medical attention, etc., continue to be a problem in 2017 America is that one cannot make money […]

Published
February 24, 2017

Letter to the editor: Former Democrat wants to see what Trump can do

For many years, I voted Democratic and was proud to do so. However, I voted for Donald Trump and will continue to vote Republican. I am ashamed of how the Democrats are acting like spoiled children when things don’t go their way. Hollywood will continue to make movies, but some of us will remember their […]
Published
February 23, 2017

Letter to the editor: Gutting Dodd-Frank is the opposite of draining swamp

President Trump wants to eviscerate Dodd-Frank banking regulations to permit: • 1. Reducing bank reserves, so that in the event of financial difficulties, the public will likely be asked – again – to fund a bailout. • 2. Trading in derivatives by banks, using the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to cover losses, while also not disclosing these […]
Published
February 23, 2017

Letter to the editor: Asylum seekers work just as hard as anyone else

Gov. LePage recently told the Joint Appropriations Committee that asylum seekers are getting “an all-expense-paid, two-year vacation because they can’t work.” My husband and I have been helping a man who is seeking asylum after having been tortured, jailed and threatened with death numerous times in his home country. When he got to Portland, he […]
Published
February 23, 2017

Letter to the editor: Let’s replace the ACA with Congressional health plan

I am all for improving and/or replacing the Affordable Care Act, as long as whatever plan is implemented is the plan that members of Congress also use. Also, members of Congress should get no subsidies available only to them. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander! Edward Ezzard Peaks Island
Published
February 23, 2017

Letter to the editor: Collins needs to meet with Mainers

There have been repeated public requests in the last two months for Sen. Susan Collins to hold a town hall meeting in Maine to listen to the concerns of her constituents. I was greatly disappointed to go to her website and learn that she does not hold town hall meetings. Then word came that she […]

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Letters