For or against marriage?
Please forgive me, but I can’t for the life of me understand what the April 28 Other Voice editorial from the Washington Post means to say regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration of the gay rights issue.
The bulk of the editorial seems to support the idea that marriage for gay people is without question a constitutional right. The final paragraph, however, is unclear, as it seems to say that “The 14th Amendment demands … exceptional reasons to discriminate against historically targeted minorities. Gay men and lesbians certainly qualify.”
Does that mean the government has reason to deny marriage rights to gays?
I doubt I am the only person who expects the editors of any paper, in particular such an important national journal, to be more clear in their choice of words.
Steve Colhoun
Addison
Landline lifeline
We recently testified against LD 1302. This legislation would allow phone service providers to opt out of landline service in certain areas of the state.
FairPoint Communications, our incumbent provider of last resort, states on their website “There’s still nothing like the dependability of a landline…The home phone is the main tool for communication or just an emergency safety net…”
Landlines are lifelines for many Mainers, especially older Mainers. This bill could eliminate a basic landline service for many who are older or disabled and face isolation or medical challenges. A cellphone may not be a viable option for basic communication.
This legislation is now with the members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, and a committee member stated to us in the hearing that the public needs to stay abreast of this legislation and any potential changes.
Protect the public’s access to landlines, and contact your elected officials to reinforce your opposition to this bill as it is currently proposed. The residents and voters of Maine have a strong voice when heard together, and together we can protect landlines for all of Maine.
Bob and Carol MacDougall
Augusta
Voter fraud doubt
In response to the April 29 BDN article “Voter ID bill passes Senate by one vote”: Assistant Senate Majority Leader Andre Cushing, R-Hampden, asked “Does not the privilege of voting deserve to be protected in the same manner?” He was referring to the ID requirement of buying alcohol, cigarettes and voting in union elections.
I am uncertain when voting became a privilege rather than a right. Perhaps he would rather see it thus.
In response to Sen. Garrett Mason’s assertions regarding voter fraud I would ask: Where is the proof? Show us the numbers relating to voter fraud.
Stop wasting valuable legislative time with unnecessary and unproductive legislation. There is greater work to be done.
Tony Coyne
Rockland
Expand Medicaid access
There is extensive debate surrounding the question of whether to increase access to health care in Maine. Despite the rhetoric, the numbers are conclusive: The state stands to see massive budgetary benefits for accepting federal dollars to increase access to health care for hard working, underinsured and uninsured Mainers.
Studies have documented that increasing access to health care in other states has generated gains in coverage, reductions in the number of uninsured, uncompensated care costs and resulted in job creation. On April 15, the Maine Health Access Foundation released a report projecting more than $26 million in budgetary benefit in 2016 if Maine increases access to Medicaid.
As a mother who lost her daughter to cancer and as an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I know how important it is that all Mainers have access to cancer screenings, preventive care and treatment services if diagnosed with a disease like cancer. By accepting federal dollars already set aside for Maine to increase access to health care, we can ensure fewer lives are lost, and protect the health of thousands of hard working, low-income Mainers.
I urge Gov. Paul LePage and Maine lawmakers to consider the facts and, in doing so, accept the federal funds already allocated to increase access to care here in Maine.
Diane M. Aston
Gorham
Judicial misjudgment
I read with interest Judy Harrison’s May 1 article on Deputy Chief District Court Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz. He had no legal excuse for the January gag order that sought to restrict media coverage of a case against a Standish attorney charged with assault; It would appear he made another very bad decision, backed up by the court transcript, when he lifted a protection from abuse order in the Fitzpatrick case without proper notification. Fortunately, transcripts do not lie.
It would appear Moskowitz is a loose cannon with decisions that would not ordinarily be brought to the public’s attention. The ultimate question those in command must face is: It appears Moskowitz has made serious legal mistakes in the past. Should we allow his reappointment and for him to make more mistakes in the future?
Prue Heard
Yarmouth
Community safety
As one who works in downtown Bangor, I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about how the city is going to charge for downtown street parking. Will it be meters, kiosks, or the ticket writers who walk the streets everyday?
I have had my share of tickets and I’m sure they are a good source of revenue for the city, but my concern today is safety for those of us who work downtown. In the building I work in, we have had drug users shooting up in our restrooms, being sick in the trash barrel in the restroom, and coming in the building and making a mess for the custodians to clean up at night when everyone has left. And I know this is happening in other buildings.
Yesterday, as I was walking to my car, I felt someone walking right behind me and turned around quickly causing him to walk away. My suspicion is he saw me put my cellphone in my pocket and he was going to try to grab it or my pocketbook, which was hanging on my shoulder.
What I’m getting at is I think it is about time to have a beat cop on duty, walking the streets and keeping us safe. Getting to know people downtown and keeping a watchful eye on possible problems. The city is small enough to walk through it in a relatively short time and a beat cop might just add a little more feeling of community for the area.
JoAnne Houlsen
LaGrange