Letters

Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Maine State Chamber’s opposition to statewide Question 1 based on members’ self-interest

The Maine State Chamber’s opposition to Question 1 is disingenuous (“Maine Voices: Vote against Clean Election Initiative to protect Maine’s economy,” Oct. 23). They should have noted that the only tax incentives that would be discontinued to help to pay for Clean Elections are those that are nonperforming. They cite the business equipment tax reimbursement […]
Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Clean, accountable elections won’t cost the taxpayers

Statewide ballot Question 1 – for accountable Maine elections – will not raise taxes. This is true despite misinformation being foisted on us by those who prefer not to have accountable elections in Maine. No tax increase. Plain and simple. The 15 years of public campaign funding provided by Maine’s famous Clean Election Act have […]
Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Harmon won’t acknowledge shortcomings of campaign finance status quo

Re: “M.D. Harmon: There’s little clean about the ‘Clean Elections’ campaign” (Oct. 23): In his commentary on the Clean Elections referendum, M.D. Harmon either totally misses the point of Clean Elections or intentionally misleads us about the need for it. The reason that some people who want to run for office cannot raise enough funds […]
Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Transparency of big campaign donors essential for a democracy

Maine has a proud history of bipartisan Clean Election participation: In 2012, 70 percent of legislators were Clean Election candidates. Thirteen states provide some public financing options for campaigns. “Dark money” hides in 501(c)(4)s – “social welfare” nonprofits. Ironically, corporations that hide donors in this social welfare structure refer to those who regulate fairness and […]
Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: N. Yarmouth Question 1 will help town prosper

Merlyn Fogg’s Oct. 17 letter opposing North Yarmouth’s referendum is sad and disappointing. She’s angry about taxes. She believes the town will explode with houses and schoolchildren, creating an “urban megatown.” Young families of North Yarmouth, take note. Seems she’d like to close town borders to you. I hope Ms. Fogg doesn’t have grandchildren in […]

Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: High minimum wage costs employers and employees

In my business, out of every dollar in sales, 70 cents is divided up among goods, utilities, etc. Of the remaining 30 cents, 20 cents goes to my employees, 5 cents to the bank and lastly, 5 cents to my wife and me. If minimum wage goes up to $15 an hour, my payroll would […]
Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: Strimling will cross aisle to achieve a greater good

When Ethan Strimling was in the Maine Senate, he worked with the furthest right-wing state senator, Richard Nass of Acton, to create a tax reform plan that was ultimately approved by the Legislature, but shot down by voters at referendum. If Ethan can cross the entire political spectrum to find areas of agreement with an […]
Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: Thibodeau has a history of helping others in need

When I was the adviser to the Key Club at Cheverus High School, each year we would undertake a Thanksgiving food drive, through which we provided all the makings of a complete Thanksgiving meal to over 550 families (at that time) in the Portland area. I had the good fortune to work with Spencer Thibodeau […]
Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: Vote ‘yes’ on state ballot Question 1 for transparency

I urge “yes” votes on statewide Question 1, a bipartisan referendum increasing transparency in campaign financing. Government of, by and for the people demands elected officials accountable to those they represent, not secret donors. I attended Sunday school in Plains, Georgia, taught by Jimmy Carter. Reflecting on faith in the light of his own experience, […]
Published
October 26, 2015

Letter to the editor: Campaign finance reform calls for true transparency

In his recent column (“Commentary: Voters need to support state Clean Elections Initiative on Nov. 3,” Oct. 9), U.S. Sen. Angus King said that in order for real change to happen when it comes to increasing transparency in elections and limiting the influence of money on elected officials, the people must “rise up and demand […]

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Letters