Tuesday will mark the 50th anniversary of my first vote. Since 1972, I’ve voted in 12 presidential elections and 11 previous midterms, and on a lot of other occasions. Like many other voters, I’m considering what my vote might mean, and the answers are far from reassuring. At the risk of an old-timerism, I need […]
opinion
Posted inMaine Voices, Opinion
Maine Voices: Here’s what Republicans’ ‘personal liberty’ looks like in practice
It means freedom from government interference – and any of the benefits that has ever conferred.
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Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Portland’s Question 5 will make our schools better
The school board is solely responsible for the running of our schools. Let’s make the change that reflects that.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Existing council-manager format is best for Portland
In our view, this form of governance reduces the potential for corruption, guards against authoritarian populism and increases the likelihood of efficiency and fairness.
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Tom Purcell: Pre-election stress disorder
I’m already anxious about the outcome. I speak of next week’s elections, and a modern malady the Mayo Clinic refers to as “Election Stress Disorder.” “We notice it in our bodies, the tension in our shoulders,” says Dr. Robert Bright, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist. “Sometimes people get GI (gastrointestinal) upset or headaches. People have trouble […]
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Leonard Pitts: What did members of America’s right wing do with their humanity?
When an unoffending 82-year-old man has his skull broken by anyone, the proper response is empathy, period.
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Jase Graves: Nearly nailed it (Asian food edition)
When I was growing up in 1970’s East Texas, my experiences with international cuisine were pretty much limited to pizza, spaghetti and an occasional tamale. Now that I have my own children, I’ve tried to expand their experiences by taking them out to Mexican, Italian, Asian, Mexican and Mexican restaurants. We even cook ethnic dishes […]
Posted inTimes Record Opinion
Michael Reagan: LA’s homeless problem is no joke
I just called our realtor. My wife and I just put our house in Los Angeles on the market. We’re selling everything except our washer and dryer. Then we’re going to buy a really nice tent and move to Encino and live on the street. We’ll find a fire hydrant and a long extension cord, […]
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Mayor Snyder: Portland residents deserve a better process – let’s start by voting ‘no’
When an elected body oversees professionals employed to carry out the everyday work of municipal government, representative democracy is realized.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Seven deadly universal health care misunderstandings
Although a signature-gathering campaign to put the question of universal health care before Maine voters fell short, the process taught me a few things.