Letters

Published
September 22, 2011

More letters to the editor, Sept. 22, 2011Pre-K spending worthwhile

In response to the Sept. 12 letter by Ralph Dean, who says public preschool is “far too expensive,” I would encourage your readers to consider the impressive return on investment that communities receive from high-quality early care and education. A recent cost-benefit analysis of the Chicago Child-Parent Centers by researchers at the University of Minnesota […]
Published
September 22, 2011

Letters to the editor, Sept. 22, 2011Palestinians will never accept Israel

Your Sept. 15 “Maine Voices” author Henry Precht, who says he has experience in Middle Eastern affairs, blames Israel and its U.S. supporters for the failed resolution of the two-state solution of separate Palestinian and Israeli states. He blames the failure entirely on Israel (and Obama) and ignores the fact that all Israel wants is […]
Published
September 21, 2011

Letters to the editor, Sept. 21, 2011Health care is why Canadians can spend

The Press Herald’s Sept. 5 piece describing an increase in Canadian spending in Maine was good and timely economic news. Attributing this to advertising and good bilingual skills deserves the credit received, but there is a more important factor here that needs to be emphasized because it is fundamental to our economy. It is the […]
Published
September 20, 2011

Letters to the Editor, Sept. 20, 2011Use outsiders to rein in Congress

When it comes to accountability, the U.S. Congress is totally exempt. The fox is guarding the henhouse. Congressional vacations were traditionally long to accommodate travel by horseback and overland stage to one’s home state and to facilitate communication with constituents. In these times of jetliners, email, Twitter, cellphones and voicemail, television, large staff, not to […]
Published
September 19, 2011

Letters to the editor, Sept. 19, 2011Civic center investment worthwhile?

It’s understandable that some Cumberland County residents don’t feel they should be obligated to have their taxes help fund the expansion of the Cumberland County Civic Center because they don’t attend events there due to lack of interest, or because they live too far away. I’m sure, though, that almost all have been touched in […]

Published
September 18, 2011

Letters to the Editor, Sept. 18, 2011Potatoes as good as bananas

The proposed food restrictions for school lunch continue to be of concern to me and to the growers of Maine potatoes. Many have expressed dismay regarding the limitation of “starchy” vegetables to two servings, or one total cup, per week at lunch and eliminating starchy vegetables at breakfast. The first vegetable that comes to mind […]
Published
September 17, 2011

More Letters to the Editor, Sept. 17, 2011Should parties fight for their goals?

If any elected leaders are reading this, I want to let you know columnist M.D. Harmon doesn’t speak for me when he states what’s appropriate for using political power. Harmon says it’s OK for you to use your power to preserve your power. In the redistricting debate, he says it’s not unethical for Republicans to […]
Published
September 17, 2011

Letters to the Editor, Sept. 17, 2011What will it take to boost employment?

So, “there would be thousands of jobs in Maine right now if workers had the right skills”? And the solution is “the optional fifth year of high school”? I can’t wait to go back to high school for my optional fifth year and the new chance at employment that should result. Of course, at age […]
Published
September 16, 2011

Letters to the Editor, Sept. 16, 2011Why are Islesboro taxes less than on Peaks?

While warming up the checkbook to pay our Portland property taxes, I happened to run across your story on “Cheers” star Kirstie Alley putting her Islesboro estate on the market. With all of the details right there, I couldn’t help but compare her situation to ours. Her summer house sounds modest, about 25 percent bigger […]
Published
September 15, 2011

Letters to the editor, Sept. 15, 2011’Race to the top’ a good one to win

It was good to learn from your recent editorial (“Federal early childhood grant is a ‘race’ worth winning,” Aug. 21) that Maine is again competing for federal Race to the Top funding to strengthen our early education programming and to help create a seamless statewide system for Maine’s youngest children. As a business leader, I […]

Sign In:

Letters