I am disappointed to see legislation proposing a statewide ban on flavored tobacco, including menthol products. Bans are paternalistic, ineffective at significantly preventing use and fail to directly address the root causes of addiction. Proponents of the ban claim that flavors are the primary driver of why young people start vaping. According to 2021 CDC […]

The age of U.S. presidents is a hot topic. Knowledgeable, wise and capable candidates are judged by their number of birthdays over other considerations. Ageism is discrimination against an individual or group based on stereotypes of aging. “At your age, you can’t… you aren’t… you won’t…” Such thinking separates and marginalizes people of goodwill. It […]

College student Connor Ransom’s Feb. 8 opinion column (“Maine’s recent storms tell us climate action cannot wait”) reflects a justified anxiety on the part of the rising generation who will be left holding the bag when the boomers leave the scene of the crime. Bravo for this call to action! We all need to join […]

Regarding the March 5 letter to the editor, “Taking responsibility for large families,” it is so disproportionately on the woman to decide how many children she can support, in the event of so many varied life events beyond her control; I find it objectionable that a man thinks he can pass judgment on this issue. […]

I share the righteous anger of all who express outrage that our current president has not managed to stop the slaughter in Gaza. And, I hope all of us will point out — with equal force and on every single occasion — that Donald Trump, if re-elected, plans to round up immigrants in detention camps, […]

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent proposed rollback of Medicare Savings Program in our state. MSPs are crucial in assisting individuals on Medicare with limited income and resources, providing vital support for qualified beneficiaries to afford their Medicare costs. The rollback has the potential to adversely impact individuals, ages 65 […]

Prior to the 2020 election, Donald Trump harped on Joe Biden as being too old to handle the role of president. Biden was 77. For the upcoming election season, Donald Trump is now 77. Does that mean that is now too old himself, or has he changed his mind about the matter? I do not […]

I am writing in support of L.D. 2085, An Act to Update Maine’s Domestic Violence and Stalking Laws. I am a licensed social worker with a private practice in Portland and have worked with many women who are not getting the protection they need or deserve, despite having been granted a protection from abuse or […]