Immigration facts
A short time ago I read .COMments on immigration. One person stated that no one was doing anything to resolve the illegal immigrants problem and closed with an emphatic “None!” Let us look at the facts.
First, President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush together removed approximately 3 million illegals from this country. Second, we have built a large fence/wall on our southern border at a significant to cost to this country in an effort to stem the flow of illegals. Third, we have increased the number of Border Patrol officers on the southern border.
We all have a right to our opinions, but we also have a responsibility to back our opinions with facts. I used the Internet to learn what is being done to resolve the illegal immigration issue. There were many articles, but the best balanced one for information was the Washington Post. It is incorrect to say nothing is being done, but the issue is still not solved.
We are a nation of immigrants. Some legal. Some not. In my own family’s case, we have Irish, Scots, English, Danish, French, Italians, Germans, Spanish, Jewish, Indian and maybe more. I have not finished our genealogy, but I am reasonably sure some were legal and some of them were not, but we are now all Americans doing our part to continue to make the nation greater.
Richard Gould
Greenville
Free-range kids
There has been a lot in the news lately about free-range kids, including a news brief in the BDN regarding the Maryland couple who were charged with child neglect for allowing their children (aged 10 and 6) to walk home from a park a mile from their house. The judge ruled last week that they were guilty of “unsubstantiated child neglect.” Everyone needs to think about this and the ramifications of this ruling.
Unsubstantiated means, “not supported or proven by evidence.” So they were found guilty of something that was not proven by any evidence. Does Child Protective Services get to do this? This family broke no laws, did not harm their children (many would argue they are supporting independence), and yet they will have a case file open for five years with Maryland Child Protective Services.
If we don’t open our eyes and get rules in place to make sure this does not happen here, it is only a matter of time before it does. Please, talk to your mayors and city councilors. Make sure your neighbors know you and know that your children will be outside, not always with an adult. We must reclaim our rights as parents to give our children the freedom they deserve. Even if you think your child shouldn’t be outside alone, write to your town officers and tell them that you will be the one making that choice.
This ruling has far reaching consequences and it is my hope we can stop them before they spread. You don’t have to be “free range” to support the rights of a parent.
Aimee Gerbi
Orono
Senior center praise
I secretly gloat a little when people look at me in astonishment and say, “You go to a senior center?” I know I look young for my age, but, what is a “senior” these days? At a recent conference on aging, a presenter said the concept of senior is changing. Believe it or not, 80 years old is the new 60; 70 years old is the new 50; and, 60 is the new 40.
At the Hammond Street Senior Center it is easy to be the new 60. In terms of physical health, the center offers dance, yoga, aerobics, pilates, qigong and tai chi. It has a fabulous fitness center with a director who provides strength and balance training. You can even get personal training.
Some seniors stay “young” with computers in the computer lab or foster their artistic talents in the pottery, painting and sewing studios. Then, there are the bridge, cribbage, poker and spades players. And, some seniors stay active and engaged by volunteering at the center: Making meals for others; working as the center receptionist; building scenery for a play; organizing a special event or trip; managing the roof-top garden; serving on a committee; teaching classes and seminars.
Whether you are the new 60, 50 or 40, there is something to keep you young and lively at the center.
Brenda Boardman
Glenburn
Single payer is solution
Former state Rep. McKane’s March 4 OpEd rejoices that Vermont’s attempt at a single-payer system failed, then goes on with a spirited attack on the system in general. He does not mention that the whole medical profession, knee-deep in paperwork, supports it.
It is not surprising that Vermont, a relatively poor state like Maine, could not afford to finance it with state taxes. All the advanced countries that introduced universal health care 60 years ago — and considered largely successful despite American critics — finance the system through federal income taxes.
At last we have the rudiments of a healthcare system, admittedly off to a rocky start, but, after 60 years of delay, it is something to build on. It is sad that people like Mr. McKane are bent on destroying it rather than using their talents to improve it.
Eric Charlton
Camden
Republican leadership
Now that both the House of Representatives and the Senate are controlled by Republicans, they have a great responsibility to keep the momentum going. The economy shows record highs with the stock market, unemployment numbers have dropped below the highs created in the Bush administration and job creation continues to grow. The Affordable Healthcare Act has allowed many to have their monthly premiums drop below $2,000 a month without government subsidies but by being able to get into larger groups. The price of a barrel of oil has been cut in half. Although the cost of gas has jumped about 17 percent in the last few weeks, the cost of a barrel of oil has only gone up half that amount.
I have to wonder how serious the Senate is about the environment though. Many records have been set in the past 25 years for snowfall and low temperatures. The Senate has appointed Jim Inhofe, from Oklahoma, as chair to Committee on Environment and Public Works. Inhofe is author of “The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens your Future.” It is probably just a coincidence that oil tycoon Harold Hamm is also from Oklahoma. I realize that Fox News would have you believe that money does not set policy for our country but it is set by the people.
Jim Flavin
New Sweden