Near-sighted councilors must go

I am upset about the way Ed Barrett was treated by the Bangor City Council. The only articulated reason given for his release was “lack of vision for the city.” Perhaps the council did not understand that they are responsible for formulating the vision for the city of Bangor.

Since they are clearly part of the problem with this lack of vision, Councilors Palmer, Blanchette, Hawes, Bronson and Nealley need to go.

Unfortunately, with the potluck way we have of electing them, this may not happen. The voters of Bangor need to remember who was responsible for this decision and hold them accountable for it in the next election. It is understandable that the councilors facing the recall petition want to forget about what they did and move on to other business.

I would also like to thank Ed Barrett for his many years of fine service to the city of Bangor.

Jim Morgan

Bangor

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Rationing exists now

I am an insulin-dependent diabetic. In January, lacking health insurance and strapped for cash, I tried to stretch my supply of insulin by injecting myself with smaller doses than medically prescribed. The result was a four-day admission to intensive care.

Opponents of health insurance reform often raise the specter of medical “rationing” if a nonprofit, government-provided insurance plan is offered consumers as one option for coverage. While that’s just a scare tactic, my experience is an example of the real kinds of rationing going on right now within our present haphazard, wasteful and often cruel health care system.

Some people ration trips to the doctor, allowing small problems to get big; others cut their pills in half. And as a society we ration health care by denying it altogether to tens of millions of our fellow Americans.

It’s time we stop being frightened by the ridiculous claims of the supposed dangers of sensible health care reform, and become justifiably outraged by the real suffering caused by the system we have right now. Now that the health care debate has reached the Senate, I urge our two moderate, sensible senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, to pledge their support for real health care reform.

Keith Phillips

Bass Harbor

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Medicare perspective

I sometimes wonder how conservative Republicans get elected when they seem to be against the most basic programs to help working Americans. I mean no disrespect to voters who are drawn to them for a variety of good reasons, but I am troubled by appeals to fear — especially those that target the elderly worried about their Medicare.

First, let’s remember that Medicare, like Social Security, is a government program. Second, let’s remember that for all the pseudo-concern shown by the right about Medicare cuts, they have been against Medicare from the get-go. Letting them protect your Medicare is like letting the wolves guard the sheep.

In the historic vote to create Medicare, July 27-28, 1965, the Democrats in the House voted overwhelmingly for the bill, with 237 in favor versus 48 against, while the Republicans split, 70 votes for the bill and 68 against. In the Senate, the Democrats again voted overwhelmingly for the bill, with 57 in favor and 7 against, while the Republicans voted against the bill, 17 votes against versus 13 in favor. Ask yourself whether their position has really changed since.

Fellow seniors, we have it pretty good with Medicare. But, if we can’t support helping younger families enjoy some of the same peace of mind we have when it comes to crushing medical bills, we don’t deserve what’s been given to us. That’s the real danger to our Medicare — an indifference to the problems of others.

Ronald Shelden

Bass Harbor

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Disturbing council decision

It’s too bad that the entire Bangor City Council has, in effect, lost the confidence of the many people I have talked to regarding the council firing Ed Barrett. The “going in a different direction” is a cop-out, and is not a sufficient explanation as to the council’s action.

Vaughn Smith said it best: “You released the best city manager this city has ever seen.” The Bangor Daily News commented: “Residents deserve a better answer.”

I question the basis of the council’s decision, and their complete lack of transparency. Again, quoting the BDN: “Ed Barrett has served the city well, as he is well-versed in municipal issues, focused in managing the services on which residents rely, and careful and prudent with finances.”

My wife and I have lived in Bangor for 43 years, and cannot think of a worse or more disturbing decision made by any previous council. The council needs to give the residents of Bangor a better reason for their action. If that cannot be done, we feel that the council has lost its effectiveness to lead the city in the difficult years ahead.

Paul L. Svendsen

Bangor

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Catholic Church growing

I am writing in response to Peg Cruikshank’s letter to the editor, “Victory cost church,” about how the Catholic Church lost respect and members because of its support for the referendum to keep marriage between a man and a woman. She is right, there is anti-Catholic bias but the church is not losing members. Because of the appointment of a practicing homosexual bishop in New Hampshire, there has been a backlash and the Catholic Church is gaining many Episcopalians and Anglicans.

In the United States and worldwide, as many as 30 dioceses are planning to come back to Rome. It is something the Catholic Church has been praying for since King Henry VIII.

Locally, there has been an increase in seminarians. The Bangor area had eight last year and nine this coming year so far, which is a significant increase that will help alleviate the priest shortage.

You can’t go wrong by following the Gospel and adhering to God’s word. Catholic and conservative Protestant churches like Baptist and Evangelicals have no problem filling the pews.

Thomas Coleman Sr.

Dedham

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Open season on snow birds

The BDN’s Nov. 27 article regarding police cracking down on excise tax evaders did not go far enough. When are we going to start cracking down on the people who claim to be Maine residents, yet they register their vehicles in Florida when they go there in the winter?

Registering a vehicle in Florida is very inexpensive compared to registering one in Maine. However, the same people who do this still want all the other benefits that Maine has to offer.

One notable example is the hunting and-or fishing license. They want a Maine resident license so they can hunt in the fall before they leave for Florida, then in the spring and summer when they return so they can go fishing. A nonresident license is considerably higher than one for a resident, and technically these people are still Maine residents. They just want to pick and choose, the best from Maine and the best from Florida.

Unfortunately, when this happens, we all pay.

Brenda Salvato

Levant