Climate change hope
What an amazing experience to participate in the People’s Climate March in NYC last month. How to convey the power of a wave of silence passing through the enormous crowd in remembrance of those already devastated by climate change and of the eruption of sound that followed? Or the commitment of so many people and organizations to changes they believe we need to avert climate catastrophe. But even as we marched, some of us were thinking “after today, then what?” How do we bring about the change we need? Among the many organizations participating was the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan group advocating for a revenue-neutral carbon tax — fee-and-dividend system — to accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
CCL proposes a steadily rising tax be placed on all fossil fuels at their source, with all revenue being returned to each American household equally. The total cost of energy would not change, but fossil fuels would become more expensive relative to renewable energy. Border adjustments would ensure that U.S. businesses are not at a competitive disadvantage and will put economic pressure on foreign countries to also tax their carbon emissions if they want to compete for the U.S. market.
Adopting a revenue-neutral carbon tax would make the United States a leader in shifting to renewable energy, and border adjustments would provide economic pressure on other countries to do likewise. Let’s urge our congressional representatives to adopt this approach.
Philippa Solomon
Winthrop
Support Burstein
I recommend Waldo County voters support Christine Burstein as she runs to serve in the Maine House for Belmont, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, Palermo and Searsmont. I have known Burstein since she was a teenager. She was then and remains the hardest working, most cheerful person you will ever meet. It is somewhat amazing to me that the young Burstein, who I knew from messing around boats, went on to become a 100-ton sail/power license holder, a wife, a mother, a nurse, a school board member and a businesswoman. She is a remarkable person.
She is running for all the best reasons — to make things better here for Mainers. She is not driven by a national agenda. She has not been recruited and anointed as a representative for anyone other than the citizens of her district. She is not a divider. She will work to get the job done with and for everyone. Waldo County voters can count on Burstein to work hard for them, for their town and to be fair.
I would be proud to vote for Burstein if I lived in her district, but I live in Belfast. I do know her, though. And if Waldo County voters are in her district, she is the person they want working for them.
Mike Hurley
Belfast
Vote yes on 1
I am a veterinarian living and engaging in outdoor recreation in rural areas inhabited by black bears. Voting yes on Question 1 is an easy call for me. Black bears are wary animals, and decreasing that natural wariness with a state policy of widespread feeding of bears — bear baiting — is ill-advised as a safety issue. These animals are omnivores. Sniffing out human food and garbage is a learned behavior with potentially undesirable consequences, as was seen after decades of feeding brown bears at dumps in Yellowstone National Park before 1970.
I also am concerned about the inhumane nature of hounding and trapping. Maine is the only state in the nation to allow recreational trapping of bears, and that suggests to me the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is an outlier on these bear management issues. I urge citizens who care about wildlife and animals to vote yes on Question 1.
Edwin Barkdoll
Surry
Politicians, grow up
Hearing and reading the bickering among Mike Michaud and Gov. Paul LePage first made me laugh, then made me sick. As far as I am concerned, both these men wear big-boy pants but are acting like children. If they think what they are doing is going to get them votes, they might want to second guess the road they chose — it’s not working.
Why not focus on what each can do, not what they think they could do, while promoting a positive campaign. The “he said, he said” is very outdated, as is the mudslinging.
The voters in Maine voted for adults in their respective offices; it’s time to act that way. Should a large or small business look to move its company to a different state want to come here to Maine with the leaders who act like children? I think not.
What is lost in the political scene is that we the voters are getting sick and tired of the negativity, and it’s turning off the voting public from all candidates involved.
Jeff Figgins
Bangor
Verrow and Davis
Brewer has the opportunity to send two outstanding candidates to the state House this year. One is an incumbent, and the other is a first-time candidate.
We all know Archie Verrow. He served us well as the city clerk for many years and has a term in Augusta under his belt. He has been quite visible during the past two years and willing to listen to the community concerns and act on them.
I have known Paul Davis for many years. He was a student of mine at Brewer High School and even impressed me then with his interest in the community and state concerns. His concern for people and his desire to serve the community is commendable.
Both our candidates are men of great character and will be willing to work to make the next Legislature be more responsive to the needs of Maine and our community. I will be pleased to vote for both and encourage Brewer voters to follow my lead.
Charles “Dusty” Fisher
Brewer
Collins has my vote
This November, I am voting for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, because time and time again she demonstrates she is an independent thinker who is driven by common sense rather than what her party dictates. At a time when in national politics partisanship reigns supreme and compromise is becoming harder and hard to find, Collins is needed more than ever.
We’ve had enough of partisan attacks and party politics. Maine has always sent thoughtful and measured senators to Washington, D.C. Re-electing Collins will help Maine continue that tradition. She certainly has my vote.
Parker S. Laite Jr.
Camden