Repeal health care
As an opponent of the Democratic health care bill, I thank the BDN for its concern for my blood pressure, but it is quite normal. I do agree, however, that the opposition should not resort to vandalism or violence. Better avenues exist.
Yet, I disagree that the news media show responsibility in vetting this legislation. According to a Quinnapiac poll after the passage, 60 percent of Americans and I do not support it, and reputable legal scholars question its constitutionality.
Legal challenges are being prepared on several constitutional grounds. Forcing an individual to purchase a product against their will may be challenged under the First Amendment’s right to free speech and establishment of religion clause (Amish exemption), the Fourth Amendment’s right of the people to be secure in their effects against unreasonable seizures or the Fifth Amendment depriving a person of property without just compensation. States will challenge the issue relative to the 10th Amendment.
If anyone doubts my sincere concern, then consider these quotes from Democratic leaders: Rep. Dingal, “It takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people,” or Sen. Baucus that this will address the “mal-distribution of income in America.” Does the term freedom mean anything to these folks?
Those of us who oppose this law need to support those who will challenge it through the courts and at the ballot box for many years to come. Replace and repeal.
Kendall N. Huggins
Bangor
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In defense of pope
Regarding Sinead O’Connor’s thoughts on the leadership of the Catholic Church (BDN OpEd), I believe that every one of us makes errors of judgement when faced with difficult issues.
Pope Benedict was chosen as our leader by the cardinals of the world under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In other words, God had a part in his being chosen. I, for one, am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on decisions he made in the past, especially on issues that experts were just getting their minds around ade-quately.
I believe that we do not have all the facts that God sees and to question God’s choice for Pope is going down a dangerous path. Further, I believe God guides Pope Benedict’s present decisions, and I trust Jesus to make things right from here on as we, the church, work on healing wounds left by a relative few shepherds who fell from grace and committed terrible crimes.
We all need to pray for those who have been injured, for those who committed the crimes, and most of all for the church as it struggles to move the world from its sinful inclinations into the life that Jesus holds before us as a possibility.
Judith Murphy
Sebec
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Tea Party, Coffee Pot
Certain members of the Tea Party movement may allow themselves to be photographed at an event dressed in period costume while reading selections from a Colonial-era statement, yet not allow the caption to identify them by name. Others have gone so far as to change their address in order to secure a seat on a local decision-making board to effect the changes they wish to promote.
The “Coffee Pot” is a diverse group of ingredients blending harmoniously in an inclusive sandwich. Yum! Diversity, harmony, inclusion. Now that’s the America I’d like to see.
Heidi Lawrence
Amherst
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Ill-advised plan
I am writing in regard to the plan proposed by the Waldo County commissioners to build a 10,500-square-foot sheriff’s complex in a historic residential neighborhood.
There has been very little transparency as to what the project will encompass. Despite the fact that the commissioners seem to keep referring to their proposal a “community project,” there has been no consideration of any alternative ideas and solutions from the neighborhood.
As a resident and taxpayer of Waldo County, I am deeply concerned and offended.
In the midst of a recession, the commissioners have elected to drain seven county accounts in the amount of $1.4 million. Why aren’t the commissioners looking at one of the several existing vacant buildings as a possible solution? What about the 100 acres they bought in 2004 specifically for the development of law enforcement and judicial buildings? Waldo County residents continue to pay yearly taxes on this unused land.
Given all of this, why has the decision been made to erect a new building?
The city of Belfast is in the process of putting forth a rezoning plan that would give preference for residential projects in the proposed area. Why build a large office space almost immediately before the zoning changes take effect in July?
Our sheriff and his colleagues do a wonderful job for Waldo County, and they absolutely deserve updated offices. However, I strongly believe that the timing and scope of this project is ill-advised.
Brenda Bonneville
Belfast
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Fine arts must remain
It must be very painful for each Program Prioritization Working Group member to have to determine which parts of their academic anatomy must be self-amputated in order for the University of Maine to survive. I don’t imagine that any of them are grateful to have been selected to serve on this committee.
I’m most troubled by their preliminary proposal to eliminate the performing arts and modern language majors. How can we maintain a commitment to educate the future generations of Maine teachers without offering major concentrations in these areas? Should those teaching music and theater have courses in the techniques of teaching but not in performance?
As a physician, I would compare this proposal to studying the theory of medicine without the hands-on practice of touching patients and applying the skills directly to those who need them. Will all the best teachers of these disciplines have be educated in some other state?
UM’s budget must be severely cut, and the savings must be found to continue our core responsibilities as a land grant university, but a liberal arts education must include fine arts.
It certainly is not up to me to propose where the savings may be found, but I will ask that the proposed administrative cuts be proportionate and I wonder about the expensive sports programs that are losing money. Are these appropriately sharing the pain?
We recently renovated Collins Center for the Performing Arts. Why?
John M. Long
Bangor