Immigration action
I’m writing to express my strong support for President Barack Obama’s action on immigration. Many families get torn apart under the current system, and it’s important that we remember there are real people caught in a system.
The president’s action defers deportation of people who have lived in the United States for at least five years and either have children who were born here and are U.S. citizens, or they themselves entered the United States before the age of 16. This action doesn’t give permanent status to the immigrants who qualify; it simply defers deportation to help keep immigrant families together. Some people leave their country under very trying conditions (starvation, death threats, etc.) but they are people with families.
When the vote comes up in the Senate, I strongly urge Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Angus King to vote in support of the president’s executive actions.
Phil Bailey
Hancock
Waiver scare tactics
The Jan. 29 BDN article warning that “Maine is in danger of losing” its waiver under the No Child Left Behind Act overlooked a number of vital points.
First, only $48 million is at stake. This is a drop in the ocean compared to our total public education spending. Maine spent about $1.8 billion on public education in the 2012-13 fiscal year. We’re certainly spending more than that this fiscal year. So, the amount in question is less than 2.5 percent of our total education spending.
Second, the loss of the waiver does not mean that the money would just suddenly disappear. The loss of the waiver only gives the federal government “control” over that money. Much of the spending won’t change at all.
Third, test-based teacher evaluation is a failure. The American Statistical Association, the American Education Research Association, and the National Academy of Education have all condemned U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s idea of using high-stakes tests to evaluate teacher performance.
Fourth, the NCLB’s renewal is due this year; so let’s just see if this goes away. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, has introduced legislation as chairman of the Senate Education Committee that will drastically change NCLB, especially regarding teacher evaluation. Alexander strongly opposes linking teacher evaluations to high-stakes tests.
So, this threat is all about forcing Maine to use a foolish approach to evaluate our teachers in return for a pittance of funding. It’s time for Gov. Paul LePage to stand up and say “kiss my butt” to Duncan.
David Lentini
North Berwick
City council impatience
It is becoming very apparent that some members of the Bangor City Council are becoming impatient with the amount of time being utilized during “citizens’ time.” Some members have begun to show their impatience by tapping the pen or pencil. Another movement is the rolling of the eyes or the hand across the throat, to cut off further discussion on a topic. Finally, there is the clearing of the throat, or the rolling of the wrists to move items along on the agenda.
I, for one, do not appreciate these distractions or attempts to shorten what a person has to say, regardless if that person is a taxpayer or a member of the council. Certainly, there are members of the council who have no problem in repeating themselves or have no concern for how long they may go on during a discussion period.
It is very apparent that this city council is very favorable to short meetings (30 minutes to an hour). There cannot be in-depth discussion on articles appearing before the council with this approach.
So, if you plan on speaking before this council on an issue, make sure you make it short and sweet or you may have your own opportunity to experience that impatience.
Paul LeClair
Bangor
Methadone treatment works
I am writing about Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed elimination of all state funding for methadone treatment services. At a time when Maine is confronting an epidemic of opiate addiction, this proposal will worsen the crisis, and cost Mainers more.
Methadone maintenance treatment is one of the most regulated and studied forms of medical
treatment for any illness, and it has been found to be the most effective form of treatment for individuals with chronic addiction to opiates. The state’s own website includes a fact sheet touting the fact that every dollar invested in methadone treatment saves $12 in health, family, and criminal justice costs. The World Health Organization calls methadone treatment a best practice, and encourages more use of the treatment.
Ironically, the governor’s budget claims to save about $750,000 by cutting methadone, but the budget then increases drug enforcement by over $8 million — and this doesn’t even consider the costs of incarceration. The state also claims that it wants to shift patients to Suboxone, but the cost of this medication is typically higher than methadone treatment, offers less clinical support, and will not work as well for many patients.
The bottom line is that treatment saves lives, allows Maine’s people to get back to work and care for their families, and saves far more than it costs.
There may be many good things in the governor’s budget. Cutting methadone is certainly not one of them.
Mark W. Parrino
President
American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence
New York
Pope talks climate
I read Kathleen Parker’s Jan. 20 column, “When the Pope Talks,” with great interest. Like billions of Catholics around the world, I, too, listen carefully to Pope Francis. I am inspired by the great strength he has demonstrated through his vision of social justice and stewardship of the Earth.
Parker’s column quoted the Pope as saying, “Women are able to say things with different eyes than us.” Maybe Pope Francis’ suggestion about women’s leadership wasn’t confined to the altar, but to civil society in general. Given his deep concern for equality and climate, he compels all women to take action and responsibility on the world we leave for our descendants. I am a volunteer with Citizens Climate Lobby.
An independent economic review of the policy CCL is working to pass in Congress has shown that a revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend will grow the U.S. economy and add much-needed jobs. More importantly to me (and the Pope) it will reduce air-pollution-driven early deaths by 224,000 in the U.S. and reduce greenhouse gas emissions over 50 percent in two decades.
Connie Potvin
Hampden