No public funds for abortions
Jan. 22 BDN OpEd “Why we are suing for equal access to abortion” by Andrea Irwin, George Hill and Meagan Gallagher at face value appears to be unnecessary. Unfortunately, Roe v. Wade does guarantee the constitutional right for every woman to have equal access to abortion. The bottom line, however, is their request for public funding of abortions, which is not in the law, to commit a barbaric crime against human rights.
Further, why should Maine taxpayers, with their tight budgets, have to pay for men and women who act irresponsibly while at the same time having “to choose between providing for their families or getting needed medical care”? The statement “It’s time to stop using our Medicaid program to make it harder for women (and men) to make decisions for themselves” is ludicrous. What could be more straightforward than the decision not to become pregnant?
Instead of funding abortions, responsible, qualified family planners would focus on ways to prevent pregnancy, as well as trying to assist those families in need of support for unplanned pregnancies and subsequent child care.
Joe Bertolaccini
Orrington
We must choose leaders wisely
I have lived in Maine all my life. Since 2011, we have had a governor who was voted into office because he was “unfiltered,” “said what he thought” and didn’t care about “political correctness.” Since his inauguration, Gov. Paul LePage has turned our great state into a laughing stock.
We have a population of less than 1.5 million, so we don’t make headlines west of New England often. When we did, it was exciting. LePage has turned that excitement into embarrassment and shame.
Donald Trump has garnered followers who praise his unfiltered speeches, his tactless opinions and his urge to thin America’s diversity — many of the same traits that won LePage his first election. He sets an appalling example for our children with his unabashed misogyny and xenophobia. The list of demographics that this man has insulted and degraded is shocking and includes just about everyone but his own mother. His credentials are those of a cutthroat business tycoon, not a diplomat or politician.
The inability to filter one’s words, no matter how entertaining, does not make a great leader. Would we rather choose someone who will make headlines for insulting world leaders or one who will create policies that lead to better lives for all of us?
I beg of people to think about what they want in a leader. Learn from Maine’s mistake. Make an informed decision.
Leanne Binns
Orrington
Collins, King should support national park
As a licensed professional forester and as a real estate agent in Millinocket, it grieves me to see how low real estate prices in Millinocket and East Millinocket have fallen because of the lack of economic development. I see homes every day that are worth only a fraction of what they used to be worth.
This community desperately needs new economic activity. Our local economy is based on forest-products manufacturing and tourism. This is what we have to work with, and it is what we need to develop and grow in order to have a healthy economy in the future. Yet, little is being done in either area.
This is why I am completely puzzled about why Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins are not publicly supporting a new national park or national monument for the region. It is something that could bring new jobs, economic vitality and improved property values to the Katahdin region.
Every week I hear from people from Maine and around the country who recognize how beautiful this region is.
Polls have shown that two-thirds of northern Mainers support a new national park in the Katahdin region. It is time for King and Collins to do the same. We need their leadership so we can start to experience the economic benefits a national park would bring.
Likewise, similar efforts should be made to bring new forest-products manufacturing to this region. I strongly support both.
Dan Corcoran
Millinocket
Poliquin’s misplaced priorities
I have to laugh to see the front-page attention Rep. Bruce Poliquin receives for proposing a ludicrous bill to prevent terrorists from receiving food stamps. Is that all he can come up with after 1½ years of serving Maine in Congress?
Here is a modest list of legislation that would be beneficial to the residents and businesses of Maine: single-payer health care; all state workers and teachers should be able to receive all the Social Security benefits they earned, as well as their state pensions; and a major paring down of our bloated military system, with the savings directed toward rebuild our crumbling and outdated infrastructure.
Just these three proposals alone would dramatically increase the security and wealth of all Mainers by providing jobs and health for a better future for all. But Poliquin wants to waste untold amounts of money to prevent a minuscule number of people from receiving food stamps who are highly unlikely to apply for them.
David Ziemer
Orneville
Poor health care advice
In the Jan. 29 To Your Good Health column by Dr. Keith Roach, a writer, B.R., requested information regarding the risks and benefits of taking escitalopram to treat anxiety with associated lightheadedness. The patient’s symptoms and referral history were so shockingly similar to my daughter’s — right down to the gastrointestinal problems — that I felt obligated to publicly respond.
At no point in Roach’s response does he mention reference to the patient’s family history of mental illness. One of the warnings listed in the escitalopram (Lexapro) drug information is the associated risk for a patient with a family history of bipolar disorder. My 20-year-old daughter was prescribed this medication despite my repeated concerns regarding bipolar disorder. Within four days of taking Lexapro, as prescribed, my daughter spiraled into a psychosis that she now must take a daily medication to control. She must see a psychiatric nurse practitioner on a regular basis to maintain her sanity.
I pray a similar fate did not fall to B.R. I do hope Roach will review the risks and side-effects of this psychiatric medication before offering advice or treating others.
Amy Hodgdon
Dennysville