Integrity of NFL
Now that Tom Brady’s suspension has been overturned, Roger Goodell says the NFL will appeal this ruling because he is charged with maintaining “the integrity of the game.” One way to maintain the game’s integrity regarding the air pressure in footballs would be to institute a procedure whereby the balls are inflated by NFL personnel and nobody touches them until they are introduced into a game by an official.
Nine months after the alleged infraction by the Patriots, no policy has been put in place to safeguard the air pressure in footballs. How serious, one must ask, is Goodell about maintaining the integrity of the game?
Pat Carrick
Belfast
Destroy corporate collusion
Patriots, now more than ever it is time to stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Great forces are at work. They have begun to destroy our liberty. If we do not come together to take part in the reform of our government they will continue to take the lives of generations to come.
They are succeeding in rending self governance from the American people. They are succeeding in making Money (with a capital M) the deciding factor in our elections. They are succeeding in making millions while our rivers and oceans, our wild lands, bear the cost.
We must ask ourselves: What are the most important things in this world and what are the people’s interests? Is it the same interests of big businesses? Or are there things like jobs, clean air and water and fair elections of which we all share common ground? The planet is being poisoned with oil and gas and radioactive particles.
If we do not change our ways as stewards of this little blue sphere, our grandchildren will wonder why didn’t they think of the future? Why were they so irrational in those times? It is because of misinformation and greedy interests. If we do not come together to destroy corporate collusion with government, corporations will kill us.
Evan Livonius
Bangor
Ranked-choice voting
The movement for ranked-choice voting has built an impressive following among Republicans, Democrats and independents across this state. If we think about the end goals for this reform — majority rule, a reduction of negative campaigning, and the restoration of meaningful choices for voters — we see they aren’t partisan aspirations. They are values shared by voters and leaders across party lines. That’s why this movement has generated so much momentum.
While folks have wondered how voters might respond to a change in the way we vote, I think Mainers are eager to have the opportunity to express opinions on a full slate of candidates, especially when three or more candidates run for an office. Furthermore, I am confident that voters will find this system easy to understand in use. Ranking candidates in order of preference is not difficult.
In 2011, Portland, successfully switched to a ranked-choice system to elect the city’s mayor. In that election, 94 percent of surveyed voters noted the voting instructions and ballot design were “easy to understand.” Similar polling in other municipalities, like Minneapolis, confirmed voters had no trouble adapting and understanding how to use a ranked-choice ballot.
In November 2016, we will have an opportunity to implement this system for federal and state primary and general elections. If we are successful, Maine could lead the national movement for an accessible system that encourages more positive, issues-based campaigning.
Margaret Guthrie
Brewer
Nuke deal fallout
U.S. Sen. Angus King must share responsibility when results of Iran nuke deal become evident, both good and bad. When Iran’s top terrorists are unleashed upon innocent victims, when Iran fulfills its promise to destroy Israel and when, with Russia’s aid, Iran perfects ballistic missiles meant for the United States, will King and supporters sleep well at night?
Philip Duggan
Milbridge