Watching the Sunday morning news shows, I get the feeling that the stimulus package will be closer to $1 trillion than the billions so often mentioned.
It seems to me the taxpayer is buying a pig in a poke. He will be waiting for the trickledown theory to work. It hasn’t yet, and it never will.
The government wants to help the auto industry, which already had proved it is incompetent and unable to flourish successfully, and to save the real estate market that sold homes to people who couldn’t afford them.
What if, instead, the government gives every household earning $75,000 or less a check for $100,000. This must be used to pay off mortgages, car payments, credit cards, small business loans, bills that had been accrued before Dec. 31, 2009.
If they don’t have bills the money must be spent on a down payment on first-time home, purchasing an American-made car, spent on American-made durable goods, but it must be spent.
My proposal will result in a “Gush Up” effect that will really stimulate the economy.
This program will need intense, unrelenting monitoring on the federal, state and local levels, but no more so than the absurd government proposal.
Jean Van Wart
Orrington
···
Bush a godsend
The BDN’s religion page has changed, and is now just more Bush-bashing and left-leaning columns.
President Bush is the most religious and pro-life president we have ever had. President Clinton was for abortion and evidently with his admitted adultery was not much of a Baptist. President Bush was a godsend. He signed the partial-birth abortion act which Clinton vetoed twice. He put back in place Ronald Reagan’s Mexico City agreement, which Clinton had done away with, that prevented our tax dollars being used for overseas abortions. He signed a bill that will prevent employers from firing or penalizing employees, doctors and pharmacists for not performing abortions or selling abortifacients that take the life of unborn babies.
Now Barack Obama promises to sign by executive order repeals of all our president has accomplished. He has also promised to sign a bill that would eliminate any pro-life laws that we have been able to get though in the last 30 years. The change we will get under Obama will be back to the pagan days before Christianity.
Tom Coleman Sr.
Dedham
···
Sow seeds of peace
The Palestinian-Israeli situation has burst into flames again. We, in America, stand by watching, unwilling to protest with one clear voice the loss of civilian life and the terrible fear occurring on both sides. In our failure to do so, we sow the seeds of future conflicts in the Middle East. For those children, whether Palestinian or Israeli, now suffering the trauma of violence will be the carriers of that violence, and like generations before them, will hear the call for revenge.
We, as a powerful force in Middle East politics, can change that story.
If we care to use it, we do have the influence to demand a cease-fire and to demand that the considerable foreign aid we give be used for economic development, no longer for destruction. It was the promise of a brighter economic future that brought an end to the violence in Northern Ireland.
In the Middle East, a renewed commitment to economic investment would reduce the influence of militant factions, who prey on people’s fears and vulnerabilities, and motivate ordinary citizens to find a workable coexistence. Why ask the children of that long-suffering area to carry on the ideologies and hatreds of the past, when we could offer them the hope of peace? What would we want for our own children and grandchildren?
Joanne Boynton
Belfast
···
Undoing torture
The BDN’s Jan. 5 editorial “V.P. For Torture” rightly points out the significant role that Vice President Cheney and the Bush administration have played in allowing the torture and arbitrary detention of detainees.
As the nation looks forward to the Obama administration’s promise of Guantanamo’s closure, it is important not to underestimate the damage a lame duck president still can inflict on the nation’s human rights record.
President Bush retains the power to pardon any number of people potentially responsible for the egregious acts committed in the war on terror. That means those who might have participated in torture, indefinite detention without charge or trial and the CIA’s secret detention program could go unpunished.
Just as important as accountability is the truth about human rights abuses. The American people have a right to know what abusive, unjust actions were taken in their name. An independent commission of inquiry should be established to tell this sad chapter of U.S. history, and then close it for good.
President Bush still has a chance to do the right thing. Nine human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called on the president to reject impunity for crimes committed in the war on terror. I urge him to heed their calls, and set the stage for the U.S. government to counter terror with justice, not abuse.
Caitlin Katsiaficas
Amnesty International member
Portland
···
Wrong cuts
Here we go again with state budget cuts and the layoffs in education and other job cuts that will follow.
Then there is health care. Take away preventive dental care? Certainly our low-income families with children don’t need to have their teeth cleaned, right? Then the money saved will be put into the methadone program, because we have to make sure our local drug addicts have transportation paid for. Then there is the cost of the methadone. We must be sure we pay for that, too.
Does anyone else see the problem here? We must stop paying for drugs for drug addicts.
Sarah Brown
Veazie
···
‘Not without a fight’
The BDN’s coverage of older drivers on our highways hits a bad nerve with me. How often do you see, in the paper, a person over 70 getting stopped for speeding, drunken driving, driving without a license or in an accident? Certainly not the way you do the younger drivers. Yet all of us over the age of 65 get a black eye and they want to take our licenses.
I will be 80 on my next birthday. I had a license at age 15, started hauling logs at age 16 with a trailer, and have never had an accident of any kind, not a traffic ticket of any kind and have driven 2 million miles in all 50 states. I drove 5,000 miles in Korea on roads that were not fit for a four-wheeler and still some would like to take away my license. No way, not without a fight.
On 1/10/09 at 6:28 AM,
outdoorman wrote:
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You said it Sarah. I agree totally. The methadone clinic is a bunch of BS.
On 1/10/09 at 9:58 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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Ms. Van Wart - if every low-income home in the country was given $100K, inflation would go through the roof, esentially watering down the benefit. Gas and food would shoot up in price and there's not guarantee that the recipients would use the money responsibly. Nice thought, bad idea.
On 1/10/09 at 9:59 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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Do either of you know anything about methadone clincs or the population that they serve? I have a feeling you're pretty uninformed about mental health and addiction treatment
On 1/10/09 at 10:02 AM,
kateindfcity wrote:
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Tom Coleman Sr- I certianly DO hope we go back to the pagan days before Christianity. Seriously.
On 1/10/09 at 11:33 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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I suppose Sarah would rather have the users buying drugs on the street. People who are so vocally opposed to the Methodone clinic show their ignorance about drug addiction. Sure, there is no question that some abuse the program. However, every program that is available to help people is abused by some. So, Sarah, do you want to get rid of those programs as well? Just to name a few; food stamps, HEAP, WIC, AFDC, homeless shelter, shelter for battered women, general assistance........
Caitlin, YOU still have a chance to do the right thing! You say, " I urge him to heed their calls, and set the stage for the U.S. government to counter terror with justice, not abuse." Sure Caitlin, let's punish the people who have kept you and your loved ones safe for the past 7 years and instead of keeping them imprisoned (not abused as your imagination would like to have it) let's counter their TERRORISM with our wise judicial system. Then, when they are released, they can all live at YOUR house, babysit your children.and sleep in your bed. Hmmmmm...sounds like a good plan to me!
On 1/10/09 at 2:03 PM,
ronscave wrote:
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Oh Please, "Bush was a godsend?" What about the thousands of people now dead because of Bush policy's. My fear is that any good he did is far outweighed by the bad. He's the worst thing to happen to this country in it's history.
On 1/10/09 at 3:20 PM,
ladyslipper wrote:
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Ronscave time will tell....
JoAnne Boynton"seeds of peace".....I thought Jimmy Carter took care of the situation?
On 1/10/09 at 4:00 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"Bush a godsend"
HEY MORON---BUSH CONDONES TORTURE. HE'S CAUSED THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS BY STARTING A WAR BASED ON LIES.
HOW MANY OF YOU IDIOT RELIGIOUS ZEALOT ANTI-ABORTIONISTS ARE ALSO IN FAVOR OF THE DEATH PENALTY? ARE YOU TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE US IS THE ONLY WESTERN COUNTRY THAT HAS THE DEATH PENALTY? THERE'S A REASON THE POPE CALLS IT AN ABOMINATION.
On 1/10/09 at 4:46 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"How often do you see, in the paper, a person over 70 getting stopped for speeding, drunken driving, driving without a license or in an accident?"
True, but their slow driving in the FAST lane is a hazard.
How often do you hear about an 80 year old plouging into a crowded market (sanat Monica, Manhattan, recently) and killing dozens?
That's great that you've driven a lot. Biological fact is you can't, at 80, see as well now as when you were 20, nor can you hear as well or react as fast.
if you can pass a driving test to prove you can still drive well, great. if you can't get off the road.
On 1/10/09 at 6:10 PM,
Millie wrote:
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Mr. Coleman, thank you for your excellent letter. Little do people realize or even begin to understand the importance or truth of what you point out about President Bush and his pro-life stance. Only time will reveal the folly of the course our nation has chosen to take beginning January 20.
On 1/10/09 at 6:50 PM,
techgirl wrote:
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chemaine MORON IDIOT ..... hey, i have 3 of a kind.
On 1/10/09 at 6:52 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"Little do people realize or even begin to understand the importance or truth of what you point out about President Bush and his pro-life stance."
what pro-life stance, idiot?
HE SUPPORTS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. THE CHURCH CONSIDERS THIS AS BIG A SIN AS ABORTION.
I am always amazed at the limitelss stupidity of GWB supporters. I dunno, maybe he makes them seem less dumb?
On 1/10/09 at 7:44 PM,
techgirl wrote:
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Hey chemaine (dumbo) what ever what percentage of Christians do you think the Pope repersents? What a bitter little person. Was High school really that hard on you?
On 1/10/09 at 8:08 PM,
Millie wrote:
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chemaine, what is the point of name calling? You seem incapable of doing nothing but mindless ranting here. Little wonder there isn't much substance to these discussions. Try to gain an understanding of what pro-life is. Over and out.
On 1/11/09 at 7:36 AM,
4Him2day wrote:
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chemaine, interesting you call them idiot religious zealots and end your post quoting the pope? You are obviously against the death penalty, wondering if you are pro-life or pro-choice?. Hmmm, my guess would be that you're all for flushing an unborn baby down the toilet.
On 1/11/09 at 9:43 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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I think Chemaine must be having her "period."
On 1/11/09 at 11:28 AM,
David889327 wrote:
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Doesn't the Bible allow or specify capital punishment for certain crimes?
On 1/11/09 at 1:08 PM,
SethFortier wrote:
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ronscave are you old enough to remember Jimmy Carter?
Once again chemaine can't post anything with out calling someone a moron.
Oh by the way President Bush isn't a Catholic, which I assume you are referring to when you say the Church.
I'm againest abortion and for the death penalty. Unborn children don't have a choice, adults do.
On 1/11/09 at 1:14 PM,
Millie wrote:
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Right, Seth. It's not a choice, it's a child.
On 1/11/09 at 2:55 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"I'm againest abortion and for the death penalty."
WOW, so you're obviously not smart enough to understand that what you just said was "I'm againest KILLINg and for KILLING. "
Unbelievable how much stupid there is in Maine.
Too bad idiots like you don't take the time to think about what "thou shall not kill" really means.
On 1/11/09 at 4:34 PM,
SethFortier wrote:
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No chemaine your not smart enough to understand that an unborn child doesn't have a choice but an adult who is about to kill another person does have a choice. They can choose to walk away and not commit murder. It isn't really that hard to understand.
If you want to take it even further I'm againest abortion because those two people also can make a choice so that abortion won't be necessary, they can not have sex at all or they can have some sort of protected sex so that a pregnancy won't result from intercourse.
Why don't you try to have a discussion without calling other people idiot and moron.
On 1/11/09 at 5:13 PM,
4Him2day wrote:
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bangorian please help me to understand why our tax money should help pay for an addicts bad choices made earlier in life knowing full well that is was a dead end road when thet began. They made the choice, they need to pay the consequences. We as a society have forgotten this simple rule of life, we have all become victims, its never completely our own faullt, also keeps the tax money coming for all the social programs out there. They need victims!!!
On 1/11/09 at 5:26 PM,
BlueCollarBob wrote:
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Maybe making birth control accessible and decent sex education a requirement in our schools would be a good idea. But no, wait a minute. All you anti-abortion fundies seem to have a problem with that also. chemaine makes a good point when she points out the absurd double standards of the right wing hate mongers. We're all against abortion, even us "libs." We just don't think a religion based approach really achieves anything other than a loss of control and the ensuing unwanted pregnancies. This "just say no" business has been yet another dismal failure for our fearless leader. Bush is the one with blood on his hands for sticking with a policy that created far more unwanted pregnancies and abortions than anything the left could have come up with. Furthermore, making abortion illegal will increase the death toll with butchers performing back alley abortions, just like they used to back in the good old days.
On 1/11/09 at 6:37 PM,
4Him2day wrote:
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there you libs go again. The teen has sex outside of marriage, gets pregnant, and its bush's fault. Abstinence works if it's tried.... every single time!
On 1/11/09 at 8:22 PM,
SethFortier wrote:
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And I'll say there you go again too. Because bob you have no idea whether I go to church or not. My anti-abortion stance has nothing to do with my religious background, it has to do with the fact that I have some personnal experience with a woman aborting my child. Againest my wishes. A child that was concieved afte she chose to have her IUD taken out so she could become pregnant.
I also don't like being called a right wing hate monger. Just because I believe in something differant than you doesn't have a thing to do with hate. You and chemaine have some serious problems with judging people.
The above post is very true. If you don't have sex you won't get pregnant. I like how you just skip over that and the fact that I said that if people took the time to have protected sex or use birth control there wouldn't be a need for abortion. But like I said in other comments about you, you only seem to read about half of what's written.
On 1/11/09 at 10:03 PM,
BlueCollarBob wrote:
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SethFortier, I'm sorry for what must have been a terrible experience for you and your loss. Your private affairs are none of MY business, which is really the point, isn't it? Birth control is a private matter and the responsibility of the individuals involved. If you believe there should be an active government role to prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortion, then you have to agree the Bush administration policies have been an unmitigated disaster. If you believe the government should stay out of it, then unfortunately there will be consequences that no one wants. With proper education and access to birth control, there would be dramatically fewer unwanted pregnancies and abortions. I'd like to think we agree that anything that reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies should be done, rather than supporting a failed ideology that's been disaster for everyone, no matter what we believe.
chemaine is obviously flaming, it's what she does. My point is that murder is murder, be it state sponsored or an individual act of crime. Personally I don't believe a first trimester abortion is murder and I suppose we could all find scientists to back up whatever we believe regarding when a fetus becomes human. I agreed with the point chemaine made concerning what you believe is murder. If someone believes taking a human life is wrong at any moment after conception, then that would mean that in addition to abortion the death penalty is also murder, period. My apologies again, I should have distanced myself from her strong language.
On 1/11/09 at 10:03 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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"The teen has sex outside of marriage, gets pregnant, and its bush's fault. Abstinence works if it's tried.... every single time!"
Ya, how'd that work for Sara Palin's kid?
You idiot GOPers seem to tout abstinence for teens. I assuem yo ujust couldn't get any when you were young because you were to ugly and stupid.
On 1/11/09 at 10:07 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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" On 1/11/09 at 04:34 PM, SethFortier wrote:
No chemaine your not smart enough to understand that an unborn child doesn't have a choice but an adult who is about to kill another person does have a choice. "
Hey stupid, i didn;t say anything about choice. man, you GOPers are dumb.
The simple fact is the Bible says all killing is wrong. Period.
Find out what the Pope, who represents 1.1 billion Christians worldwide, has to say on the matter. I'll assume you won;t, as it would disagree with your incorrect notion. Plus your lips probably get tired from all the reading.
On 1/12/09 at 6:40 AM,
4Him2day wrote:
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Chemaine, Sarah Palins daughter made a mistake. She also is now doing the right thing and taking responsibility for her actions. I applaud herfor that. You seem to like to quote the pope and the bible yet your words are full of hate?
On 1/12/09 at 6:49 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Why are you applauding her if you're anti-choice? The only thing to "applaud" would be her choosing to have the baby, unless you are applauding her "mistake."
On 1/12/09 at 6:59 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Come to think of it, Bristol Palin made a few mistakes. She failed to abstain, failed to marry when she chose not to abstain, and then failed to use birth control. This goes double for her mother! Even though Sarah Palin is over 40 and at a 90% risk of having a disabled child, she failed to abstain and / or use birth control. There are two examples right there of two women with a history of making bad choices bringing children into the world. They are so worthy of our applause! Thank goodness those hapless children will be cared for by health benefits paid for by the Alaskan taxpayers.
On 1/12/09 at 8:18 AM,
4Him2day wrote:
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I'm sorry, I thought I was clear in my statement, let me try again. I applaud her for not aborting (killing) the baby (or fetus as you would like to call it). For me it's quite simple, if your pregnant, its a baby. As far as your view on Sarah Palin.......WOW
pa
On 1/12/09 at 2:06 PM,
SethFortier wrote:
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Chemaine I've decided that this will be that last time I respond to one of your posts. Your obviously quite immature and can't have a discussion without calling people names. It has become way to tiresome and I'm not going to waste my time on you any longer. The Pope is Catholic, I'm not so he's not the leader that I look to as far as religious matters go. I believe that I made my point quite clearly. But once again, to have an abortion you are denying an unborn child life. But some liberals have managed to find abortion to be a Constitutional right. So it is legal. As an adult you have the choice whether or not to commit murder, which isn't legal. If you choose to shoot someone in cold blood I think you should be put to death. There have been leaders in this country who are far more religious than me who have decided to carry out the death penalty. George Washington comes to mind right off hand.
Bob I never said that my private affairs are you business. But you seem to be in the habit of jumping to conclusions when it comes to why people believe what they do. I was simply pointing out why I came to believe what I believe.
On 1/12/09 at 6:46 PM,
Millie wrote:
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anne_of_mdi - I would consider folks like you with pro-death viewpoints to be more hapless than any of the Palin children, who, fortunately, were brought lovingly into the world and will be raised by loving pro-life parents. They made the right choices - I'd hardly call that anti choice. It's PRO-LIFE!
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