Sen. Collins betrays conservatives
Once again, our elected Republican Sen. Susan Collins betrays the conservatives of Maine. To her shame, she was one of two Republicans in the Senate who voted against repealing Obamacare and defunding Planned Parenthood. By this vote alone, though there are many other examples, she has shown her true colors.
She votes according to her beliefs and not those of her constituents. She uses the excuse that women won’t have access to “health care” if Planned Parenthood doesn’t receive federal funding, which is ridiculous. How hard is it to understand that we do not wish to support with our hard-earned tax dollars an organization that performs unspeakable acts of cruelty to unborn children or a government-forced tax on people who cannot afford Obamacare?
Thousands of our young workers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford the high premiums for health insurance. When they file their tax returns this year, they will have to pay a nearly $700 penalty if they don’t have insurance. That’s money they normally depend on receiving in a refund. It’s outrageous and unfair. Collins isn’t affected because she receives premium health insurance on our dime.
Collins needs to refresh her memory and read the Republican Party platform and vote according to those principles. I urge Maine conservatives to not re-elect this Democrat disguised as a Republican the next time she is up for re-election. A liberal with a conscience would be a better choice than Collins.
Beth Weirich
Glenburn
All amendments matter, not just 2nd
After watching the Republican candidates demonstrate their slavish loyalty to the NRA during the last debate, I feel I must respond. If Chris Christie is correct when he said, “ I don’t think the founders put the Second Amendment as No. 2 by accident,” then it follows they knew what they were doing when they began the Second Amendment with “A well-regulated militia.” The government does not only have the right but the duty to regulate gun ownership. President Barack Obama has tried to regulate, never infringe on, the right to bear arms.
It would be refreshing if the Republican defenders of the Constitution would consider all of its amendments, especially the First Amendment, which states, “Congress shall pass no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.” I interpret these words to include the right of Muslims to practice their religion. The 15th Amendment also should be remembered, “the right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged.” With so many states trying to restrict voting rights, this amendment should be seriously discussed.
By the way, could somebody give me an example of when Obama tried to take away anyone’s gun? All he has done is try to regulate weapons used in mass killings.
Mark Brown
Marshfield
People ‘from away’ contribute to Maine
I am “from away.” Nearly 19 years ago I moved here with my small family to live, work and raise my child. Most everyone was friendly and welcoming, and I count many native-born Mainers and other people who moved here by choice as my friends. Why is this a problem for Michael Cianchette? He spent time in his Jan. 15 BDN column putting down people from away, a refrain I have heard many times since living here. I don’t understand it.
What we need to do instead is welcome newcomers who choose to move here, get jobs, bring their children to attend the small and wonderful schools, and go on to one of the fine colleges in Maine. Don’t close off the wonderful experience with Maine that most of us have come to love and cherish.
Welcome us. Make use of what we have to contribute to our neighbors and towns. We want to be here, so it is discouraging when some in our new chosen home pull away the welcome mat and essentially say “go elsewhere, you’re not wanted.”
I’m staying right here. And if Cianchette ever gets up to Washington County, he can meet me at Quoddy Bay Lobster in Eastport, and we’ll have a couple of lobster rolls. They’re the best.
Katharine Evans
Pembroke