Socialism’s merits
When I visit schools, I see that children as young as kindergarten are being encouraged to share, not grab, take turns and be considerate of others. Most everyone agrees these are good values to teach children.
But aren’t those the values that many deride as “socialism”? Why don’t we instead prepare our children for the actual “competitive” American way of life, where the few grab most everything, disregard the welfare of others and call it “success”?
Either there is something wrong with our schools or there is something wrong with our economic and political system. Is it perhaps time to reconsider the merits of socialism?
Peter Rees
Trenton
Maine can benefit from national park
As a Mainer transplanted to Colorado, I enjoy reading BDN online to stay connected to what’s going on back home. Lately, I have particularly enjoyed the paper’s balanced coverage of the national park and recreation area proposal. I worked and played in the North Woods for years and was even married on the bank of the Penobscot’s West Branch, within view of Katahdin.
I firmly believe that the protection of lands for the public, against the vagaries of state politics and profit-driven commercial interests, is one of America’s best traditions — and evidence is mounting that it makes economic sense, too.
In the west, I have been working personally and professionally to build public support for national monument protection of the Grand Canyon’s watershed from toxic uranium mining. I was cheered last week when the nonpartisan conservation organization Center for Western Priorities released a report showing that protecting the watershed would provide $51 million in annual economic benefit to the Grand Canyon region.
My guess is that northern Maine would derive similar enduring benefits from a national park, should the plan come to fruition. For the sake of Maine’s residents and local businesses, I sincerely hope that it does.
Sam Bass
Carbondale, Colorado
NRCM does not represent Maine interests
It should come as no surprise that the Natural Resource Council of Maine supports a federal park in the Katahdin region. Roxanne Quimby and NRCM have a plan to destroy the economy in northern Maine; fewer people means less opposition to their wilderness agenda.
Wilderness means people will visit but not stay. Any time the council gets involved with an issue in northern Maine, it means the people who live, work and play there lose more of their heritage, traditions and economy.
Quimby’s foundation owns 87,500 acres, not the 150,000 acres proposed for the national park and recreation area.
The people of northern Maine demand that Natural Resource Council of Maine change its name to the Natural Resource Council of Southern Maine, as they do not represent the good people of the north.
Jimmy Busque
Millinocket
The tree’s name doesn’t matter
A 32-foot balsam fir proudly stands in West Market Square in downtown Bangor. The very moment the tree was secured in its concrete stand, arguments surrounding the use of the word “holiday” were revived from their 11-month hibernation. Some decry the city for unceremoniously renaming a much loved symbol of Christmas. After all, Maine families don’t trek into the woods, saws in hand, to find the ultimate holiday tree, nor do we drive through neighborhoods to gaze adoringly at holiday lights.
Unfortunately, the most important concepts, deeply rooted in our society, this particular balsam fir represents were lost in the chatter of Christian symbolism and the separation of church and state: the all-embracing concepts of generosity and love of community.
The decades-old tree came from private land and was purchased and delivered by Sprague’s Nursery and Garden Center. Hoisting it into its concrete stand was made possible by a crane donated by Emera Maine. The tree was lit by Santa himself at the conclusion of the Festival of Lights Parade.
Rather than question what the tree is called, let’s instead focus on the generosity this tree represents and the season of giving it commemorates. For that I give thanks, and wish everyone in the city I call home a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Meghan Collins
Bangor