Superdelegates get behind Sanders
Since Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Maine Democratic caucus, the question is whether it is time for the Maine superdelegates to change their votes to represent the will of the people. Do they have a responsibility to their constituents to reflect what they have overwhelmingly voted for?
Robert Campbell
Brewer
Trickle-down economics don’t work
Every year, I hear the same old political story: If we give a big tax cut to the wealthy and corporations, it will equal a bounty of good jobs and grow our economy.
But as any farmer in this country will tell you, things don’t grow from the top down, they grow from the bottom up. You need to make the roots strong for anything to grow and flourish.
And where are all these jobs? After all, we’ve been doing this for decades. But somehow being wrong over and over again doesn’t seem to deter people from believing this nonsense.
Want proof of how well this idea works? Ask Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. He implemented this idea a few years ago, and now his state is paying for it by gutting the state’s education system.
Kevin Gardner
Corinth
Collins, Poliquin support older Americans
Older Americans want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. The Older Americans Act helps them do just that. Since 1965, the Older Americans Act has provided a variety of essential programs and services to our most vulnerable seniors, including Meals on Wheels, access to abuse prevention services, transportation assistance, job training and support for family caregivers. These programs save taxpayers money by keeping older Americans out of nursing homes and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. Right here in Maine, thousands of older Mainers will be able to count on local programs and services that were previously in jeopardy.
Since 2010, AARP has consistently pushed for congressional reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which expired over four years ago. In the House of Representatives, Reps. John Kline, R-Minnesota, and Scott, D-Virginia, have worked together on the Education and Workforce Committee, which oversees the Older Americans Act, over the past few months to reach a bipartisan agreement on a House version of the the act’s reauthorization. This comes after the Senate passed the Older Americans Act unanimously in July 2015.
We thank Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Bruce Poliquin for supporting this important legislation. It is good to know that older Mainers can depend on the leadership of Collins and Poliquin who support the vital programs that fund on-the-ground services in Maine.
Yvonne M. Lambert
President
AARP Penobscot chapter #374
Hampden
Low minimum wage kills dreams
In the debate over minimum wage, opponents commonly say, “Go to college, and get a real job.” Unfortunately, this argument does not line up with the reality of low-income Mainers trying to pursue higher education.
I’m in my early 20s, and I am lucky to have a financially stable and supportive family. For many of my friends, however, access to an education is actually hindered by this very same issue.
One of my friends was forced to drop out of school because of an inability to pay the bills and pay for school. We worked together, in the same position, and in similar fields of study. The only difference between us was the additional financial support from my family.
And, those who are able to hold on also face a tougher battle. Another friend, who works as a waitress, is unable to afford a laptop, so her hours of study are restricted to library hours. But time spent attending classes and working for $3.75 per hour, plus tips, to pay for school, leaves her with less time to spend studying.
It’s frustrating to hear people in situations similar to mine belittle people who were simply dealt a tougher hand. Everyone should be able to pursue their dreams to the fullest. A low minimum wage makes that difficult, and an even lower tipped wage continues to hold thousands of Maine women below a glass ceiling.
Ruth Leopold
Orono
All workers deserve living wage
I have worked as a nursing technician for 10 years, and I believe that everyone should have access to a living wage. My wife, three kids and I have lived in Capehart for the last seven years. There is a lot of stigma surrounding those of us who live in low-income housing. In reality, many people who live here work just so they can barely make rent. My family is fortunate enough to be moving into our own house soon, but for many, this is not feasible. Some of those people are the hardworking people I work with in the health care system.
At some point in our lives, we are all going to end up in need of health care assistance, so it is imperative that we recognize the importance of all health care workers. Health care systems rely heavily not just on nurses, but on laundry and food services, janitorial staff, and many others who keep our hospitals running but barely make ends meet. No job is unimportant, and no worker is worth less than a living wage.
This November, Mainers will have an opportunity to vote to raise the minimum wage. If you believe in our health care system and the well-being of all Mainers, vote to raise the minimum wage.
Richard Ireland
Bangor
Offensive abortion views
Donald Trump said Wednesday that “there must be some sort of punishment” for women who have abortions if the option becomes illegal. The anti-abortion supporters disagree, saying that women are “victims,” and that it is the abortion provider who should be punished.
So women are either criminals or naive children who must be protected from the consequences of their actions. I can’t decide which viewpoint is the more offensive. Isn’t there another option?
In this human journey, so full of moral dilemmas, can’t we just leave the decision of how to manage an unwanted pregnancy to the person who will have to live with it for the rest of her life? Who among us is qualified to make that decision for her?
Pat Carrick
Belfast