Term limits
Thank you for April 27’s wonderful editorial on term limits, and thank you, George Danby, for yet another great cartoon.
Karen Saum
Belfast
Kangaroo Court
The Maine State Harness Racing Commission hearing for a friend in the summer of 2014 turned into a joke. I got there early and I am still in disbelief that two men serving and representing the Maine State Harness Racing Commission were actually discussing my friend’s case before the meeting. To add insult to injury, one of them even laughed about it. Not wanting to decrease the remote possibility of a fair hearing and positive outcome for my friend any further, I chose to say nothing.
As a former standardbred owner, trainer, driver, and groomer, I honestly believe I witnessed a “Kangaroo Court” that day where a decision was already made behind closed doors before the hearing. Their conduct was appalling. The rules and policies of the Maine State Harness Racing Commission were not followed. I was disappointed and disillusioned with the behavior of these two men on the commission judging someone before he even showed up and making light of his future. I believe it is their behavior that needs evaluating.
Decisions must be based on what is right there in front of them rather than anything said, done, or heard outside of the hearing room’s walls. Maine State Harness Racing Commission also needs to be forthcoming with updated information. As a state-run commission, it isn’t too much to ask for minutes of meetings past March 2012 on the website.
At a time when Maine needs all the positive exposure it can muster surrounding harness horse racing as a sport and industry that employs many people, our commission needs to think long and hard about how their behavior could be seen as negative for all.
I would like to see everyone get a fair hearing from the commission, not just those in the commission’s favor.
Ken Spinney II
Old Orchard Beach
Death with dignity
I’m amazed that one of the most controversial issues nationwide is going largely without notice or comment right here in Maine. A new bill in the Legislature, LD1270, “An Act Regarding Patient-directed Care at the End of Life,” if passed, would allow qualifying terminally-ill adults to receive a lethal prescription to take at a time of their choosing.
Brittany Maynard, who moved to Oregon from her home state to end her life early, used this end-of-life option. She had terminal brain cancer at the age of 29.
Presently, Maine’s residents can move to Oregon, Washington or Vermont to establish residency, and then have a right to choose how the end of their life will go. It would be better if Mainers get involved with LD1270 and it passes, then we can stay right here at home and have another choice at the end of life.
Concerns around dying are not just for Maine’s aging population. Each of us will die, and some of us will have a difficult time of it. We should be willing to have that conversation. It’s a disservice to the people of Maine to let this bill die without comment or news coverage.
Valerie L. Lovelace
Westport Island
Right-to-work
As the legislative session is now winding down, it’s time for a serious discussion about taking action to create more jobs and improve our economy. The Labor and Commerce Committee will have a public hearing 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, for several bills involving Maine labor laws. While there has been a tremendous amount of false information distributed over the past 10 years about the economic benefits received by states passing a right-to-work law, this is an important legislative opportunity for all Maine residents to consider.
First, under Maine law, it’s imperative to know that we are considered a “forced unionism” state and that doesn’t help our economic development campaigns. In an example from 2012, nearly 2,500 nonunion state workers were forced to financially support a labor union.
In a 2014 Gallup Poll, it was reported that 82 percent of Americans agree “no American should be required to join any private organization, like a labor union, against his will,” and yet Maine is still a forced unionism state. While many people want to see labor unions remain in the workplace, myself included, it’s not right for someone to be forced to support an organization against their will.
In addition, if a labor union simply requires a members-only agreement, they are not forced to represent the so-called “free riders.” In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that unions are allowed to negotiate contracts that only cover dues-paying members. It’s time for Maine to become a right-to-work state.
Mark Turek
Randolph
Support LD 1270
I am a terminally-ill cancer patient, the perfect example of someone who would benefit from LD 1270, “An Act Regarding Patient-Directed Care at End of Life.” Believe me, I have no wish to die. I am only 55 and not even a grandmother yet — but there is no cure for my metastatic colon cancer.
Even if I don’t end up using it (this happens a lot in states where it is legal), having the drug on hand would give me great peace of mind and comfort. I think I know what makes for quality of life for me, and I will know when I’ve crossed that line.
Of course, there are many ways to end one’s life, but all involve considerable trauma for me, my family and for innocent members of the public (the dog walker who comes across a body in the woods or the cost of search and rescue, should I go missing from my home).
LD 1270 would give me the option of a self-administered and foolproof way of ending my suffering. The bill has safeguards written into it so only mentally-competent adults can get the prescription, and only from doctors willing to participate. No one can get the drug on behalf of someone else (the elderly or disabled). Should you disagree with this bill or not need it, feel free to ignore it completely — but please, let’s have it be there for those of us who need and want it.
Please support LD 1270.
Eva Thompson
Camden