We can do better
I feel frustrated, embarrassed and almost hopeless about the racism that is still so strong in this country. Ferguson and multiple other incidents of police shooting unarmed black men have been in the news lately, and now there is the story about the University of Oklahoma fraternity that used violent language and imagery to assert that they will never allow blacks into their fraternity.
This makes me sick. I believe that the same hateful, racist feelings are behind the “joke” posted on Facebook by state Sen. Mike Willette of Presque Isle that insulted President Barack Obama. How can we allow someone like this to be involved in any way in our state government? Where are our standards? Posting that “joke” is disrespectful to the president of the United States of America.
I wish the people of Maine could make as strong a statement as the president of the University of Oklahoma did when he immediately spoke out and then expelled the fraternity from campus and those members who “misused” their right to free speech. Come on, Maine, we are better than this.
Carolyn Bower
Surry
Majority vote
The last governor to ever carry a majority of the vote, Angus King, once said, “nobody will tell me how to vote, except the people of Maine.” As it was, King enjoyed widespread popular support in his 1998 re-election. In a chaotic four-way race for governor, his message of political independence had prevailed and resonated across party lines.
In the decades and elections since, plurality elections have failed to accommodate multi-candidate races. As King’s message of a singular allegiance to the state deteriorated in the crossfires of hyper-partisanship, prospective candidates for public office no longer had to prove their worthiness to the people of Maine — only to their party.
In the current climate, too many good men and women are dissuaded from running for office because of the conditions of our electoral process. What we need is reform, and we can start by replacing plurality elections with ranked choice voting.
In a system that requires candidates to work for 1st, 2nd and even 3rd-choice votes, ranked choice voting would reduce the influence of special interest money in politics and foster issues-based campaigns — effectively leveling the playing field and encouraging more blue-collar, middle-class Mainers to run for office.
It’s been a long time since any governor could say that he had support from a majority of Maine voters. Yet in November of 2016, we have a real opportunity to support a pragmatic solution that makes our votes count and majority rule an absolute requirement.
Mac Hayes
Orono
Two-party system
Many younger voters feel disenfranchised by the stranglehold of the two-party system. How can we inspire the youth vote? I believe the answer is simple: We need to instill confidence in the way we elect our leaders. Fortunately, the implementation of ranked choice voting is a step in the right direction.
The implementation of ranked choice voting would vastly expand the marketplace of ideas and solutions to Maine’s most pressing problems. With a larger forum, the reign and responsibilities of the two parties would be held in check. Instead of traditional horse-race politics, politicians would be forced to acknowledge real, complex public policy concerns and demonstrate their plan and competence to answer the call with meaningful reforms.
Voters and politicos alike admirably decry politics as usual, but they misunderstand the nature of the problem. If we truly care about the issues, if we truly care about fast-tracking progress in Maine, then we will enact electoral reform in November 2016.
Can we, as younger voters, reignite faith in our in the democratic process? Yes. Join me in supporting the campaign for ranked choice voting. The mayoral race in Portland has already demonstrated its efficacy. Now, it’s time to implement this reform on the state and federal level.
Jeremy Ashlock
Old Town
Freedom or safety
How many of you out there have had a distracted driver in front of you, or worse, one coming towards you, swerve across the center line? Raise your hands, please. Wow — I saw everyone’s hands go up. And of course the “distraction” is usually a cellphone. Yet a bill to restrict the use of such electronic devices to “hands free” mode failed in the Transportation Committee due to concerns over “personal freedom.”
Does someone have the freedom in Maine to be careless and point a loaded gun at me? No. This bill, LD 185, will still come before the full Legislature for another vote. Let them know what you think. I occasionally use a cellphone in my car but am willing to sacrifice a little freedom for more safety.
David P. Frasz
Dover Foxcroft
Poor choice
The recent visit to the United States by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu really showed us what moral character, decency, respect and class this man has. He gave a powerful, compassionate speech about his grave concern for his country, Israel. Most of Congress attended the prime minister’s speech, as they should have. It is the ones that didn’t attend that we should pay the most attention to.
One of our own, Chellie Pingree, displayed a complete lack of respect and extremely poor taste in her decision to not attend. This does not speak well. Maine has many, many Jewish and Christian residents who support Israel and are concerned for its future. How is it that Pingree so quickly forgot who her constituents are?
Her decision to boycott the prime minister’s speech was an affront to all of us who care about the dangerous situation in the Middle East and pray for Israel’s safety. This is another reason why we must insist on term limits for Congress. We are not fairly represented by these career politicians who care not for the greater good but rather only care about their outrageously high salaries, benefits and what other politicians can do to advance their political career. I thought our elected officials would rise above the pettiness of an incompetent administration and show the prime minister Mainers are patriotic, respectful and supportive. Unfortunately, Pingree chose to send a personal message, one that did not reflect those qualities.
Beth Weirich
Glenburn