Letters

Published
January 17, 2017

Letter to the editor: Secretary of education nominee favors ineffective school reforms

While I have long respected Barbara Bush’s advocacy for family literacy, her endorsement of Betsy DeVos for secretary of education (Commentary, Jan. 13) is misguided, at best. DeVos’ vision for education reform – primarily focused on the expansion of for-profit charter schools and funding private (often parochial) school vouchers – is neither innovative nor effective. […]
Published
January 16, 2017

Letter to the editor: MLK legacy not helped by renaming Franklin Street

Why not rename Franklin Street after Martin Luther King Jr.? After all, Dr. King is a hero of the 20th century, and so doing would provide a powerful gesture toward a more inclusive city. But why honor Dr. King in this way? Had he ever visited Franklin Street? Did he stand arm in arm with […]
Published
January 16, 2017

Letter to the editor: On Affordable Care Act, Collins wants it both ways

We were relieved to read last month that Sen. Susan Collins would not support repeal of the Affordable Care Act unless a suitable replacement plan were in place. How disappointing, then, that she joined her Republican Senate colleagues last week in adopting a budget resolution that would set in motion the end of the ACA. […]
Published
January 16, 2017

Letter to the editor: AARP Maine lauded for looking out for the elderly

I was glad to see in their announcement of legislative priorities for 2017 that AARP Maine will tackle issues of great concern to older residents: caregiving, affordable housing, affordable utilities and the protection of home- and community-based services. Home- and community-based services include programs of paramount importance to some of our most at-risk residents, such […]
Published
January 16, 2017

Letter to the editor: ‘Medicare for All’ best choice for replacing Obamacare

I am very disappointed in Sen. Susan Collins’ vote to start the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The ACA has not been perfect, but for her to vote to get repeal underway with no replacement plan in sight is to choose partisan political posturing over the well-being of her Maine constituents. I thank […]

Published
January 15, 2017

Letter to the editor: We’re all about to go through looking glass

We know the president-elect isn’t much of a reader, but “Alice in Wonderland” seems to have had a lasting impact on him. All through the campaign, Donald Trump said, “Build the wall! Build the wall! Build the wall!” and his supporters chanted it gleefully. He said again, on his “victory tour” in Cincinnati on Dec. […]
Published
January 15, 2017

Letter to the editor: Congress can’t be trusted to replace Obamacare

Congress can’t be trusted to “repeal and, sometime later, replace” Obamacare. If a person wanting to borrow money says, “I’ll repay you next month,” a prudent lender considers the borrower’s track record of honoring such commitments. The United States once had a network of large hospitals for the mentally ill such as the state hospital […]
Published
January 15, 2017

Letter to the editor: Repealing Obamacare a big mistake

I am self-employed and, several times a year, I hire extra help. My small business creates jobs. I also rely on health care under the current system. I feel strongly there is no good reason to repeal our health coverage as defined under the Affordable Care Act. I would like to see the ACA refined […]
Published
January 15, 2017

Letter to the editor: Collins did well to stand with Sen. Jeff Sessions

Susan Collins just had her Margaret Chase Smith moment. She stood with Sen. Jeff Sessions and faced down a nasty smear campaign. Bravo! Maine women have spine! In the 1950s, America went temporarily insane, obsessed with the idea that communists were everywhere, hiding in our government and poisoning the nation. The words “pinko,” “red” and […]
Published
January 15, 2017

Letter to the editor: Collins betrayed her state to stand with Sessions

Susan Collins’ support of Jefferson Sessions is hardly a moment of conscience. She has shown, now without a doubt, that she is no Margaret Chase Smith. I can’t understand how this “moderate” Republican has betrayed her constituents in Maine so shamelessly and without regard. Ms. Collins should understand that we will not forget this moment […]

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Letters