Election notice
The Bangor Daily News will stop accepting letters and columns related to the June 8 election on Wednesday, June 2. We will stop printing such commentary with the June 5-6 edition. Not all submissions can be published.
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Terrorists are us?
So when did we become terrorists?
A friend and I considered this question, recalling that when we grew up as boys in President Eisenhower’s 1950s America, patriotism and our U.S. Constitution were taught in our public schools. Christianity was accepted by most adults as the ultimate in personal, spiritual maturity.
Last year, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said potential terrorists include members of pro-life groups, constitutionalists and Iraq War veterans.
And then, in February last year, the Missouri Information Analysis Center Report notoriously lists Christians, home-schoolers and constitutionalists as potential terrorists.
Although the United States is supposed to be a “constitutional republic” (rule by law), we see that it’s not even a “democracy” (rule by majority) when 55 to 75 percent of the people oppose Obama-Pelosi health care and it’s shoved down our throats anyway! Who are the “terrorists” now?
Never before has America stared totalitarianism in the face! Isn’t it time for us to impeach Obama before he impeaches our Constitution permanently?
Robert Bruce Acheson
Dixfield
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Sales tax scam
The BDN’s editorial of May 26 supporting the no vote on the citizens’ veto should be of no surprise to anyone who has followed your coverage of the tax reform issue.
When the Democrats enacted this new sales tax on the back of our working class, I became involved with the repeal effort and supported efforts to place this radical change in tax policy on the ballot through our people’s veto process.
The editorial could have been written by the chairman of the Maine Democratic Party.
The question I ask readers is whether they believe that the BDN would be advocating for these new taxes on our working people if newspapers were being taxed. I doubt it. In 1997 when essentially the same law was offered by the liberals in the State House, newspapers across the state vehemently opposed such a radical idea. Imagine, taxing newspapers is awful, but taxing car repairs is OK.
I urge readers to vote yes on Question 1 and oppose this latest scam, the labor-services tax.
Charles Webster
chairman, Maine Republican Party
Farmington
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Business-hating Dems
Here we go again. The Democrats want you to believe they are doing what’s best for working families by trying to stop the repeal of LD 1495. They make it sound so great with their false promises this bill will cut people’s taxes by lowering the income taxes rate. The rate will go from 8.5 percent down to 6.5 percent. They don’t tell you all deductions and exemptions will be done away with. This includes the mortgage interest deduction.
This bill as passed will tax 102 services like when you get your car or truck fixed. A lot of these services are needed, not wanted. People have no choice when it comes to some of these services. The Democrats make it sound like the tourists will be paying for all these new taxes. It’s the people who live in Maine that will bear the brunt of these new taxes. Do people think the majority of working families can afford this?
The Democrats’ first priority should be to make Maine business-friendly. People want good paying jobs!
Be careful of what and who you vote for. If you want to lose more of your money, vote no on LD 1495, yes to all the bonds, and for the tax-loving, business-hating Democrats for office. If you want to keep more of your money, vote yes to repeal LD 1495, no for the bonds, and vote for tax-hating, business-loving Republicans for office.
Janice Bodwell
Kenduskeag
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A troubling response
The millions of gallons of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, America’s incubator for a multitude of wildlife, is a corporate disaster of historic proportions.
Robert Dudley of British Petroleum stated on the May 19 Lehrer “NewsHour” on PBS that the blow-out mechanism was “designed not to fail” so there was no contingency plan for failure. And because they knew it could not fail they did not pay for a mechanism costing $500,000 (which Norway demands of rigs in the North Sea).
On “CBS Evening News” May 18 the Coast Guard denied access to reporters entering an affected area and when pressed said that BP didn’t want them there and “BP rules.” BP rules? Over our military?
Five weeks after the fail-safe well blew, oil continues to gush and BP is mighty confident that they can stop it in August. What madness.
This far-reaching disaster will be impacting America for decades. Where is President Obama? Failing to understand that this is an ecological and economic disaster deserving of a Pearl Harbor response is very troubling.
BP is a corporation, not our government. Its secrecy, lies and obfuscation must stop, and Mr. Obama must show true transparent leadership.
His acknowledging governmental failure is not good enough. BP has failed. President Obama must not.
Sofia Wilder
Bangor
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Abbott for business
Steve Abbott is running for governor to turn Maine around and to make Maine a great place to start a business and to make a living.
For too long, government has burdened and punished our small businesses. Yet Maine’s small businesses create most of the jobs for Maine citizens. Steve has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because he understands that by helping those who create jobs, we are helping ourselves.
On June 8, your vote can make a difference. Vote for Steve Abbott.
Duane Wardwell
Stetson
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Save my deductions
I am much dismayed to read that the tax law, up for veto June 8, will disallow deductions. I itemize my deductions and will almost certainly pay more tax if the new law takes effect.
I needed emergency surgery last year. In paying the $27,000 tab, it was a relief to think the state would share my pain, as I could deduct most of it from taxable income.
Among other items I have deducted are gifts to schools, a college, relief agencies, a conservancy, radio stations, the arts and a church. Without the incentive of a tax deduction, I will reluctantly re-think my giving as no doubt others will too.
The new tax law will discourage gifts to non-profits. Valuable community organizations, already pressed, will hurt the more. This is bad policy, so I will vote yes to veto on question 1, June 8.
Rick Beckford
Sullivan