Collins stands for principle over party
An Aug. 15 Bangor Daily News letter to the editor takes Sen. Susan Collins to task for announcing that she cannot support Donald Trump for president. He asserts that the senator is supporting a worse candidate, Hillary Clinton. On the contrary, Collins has neither announced nor implied that she will vote for Clinton. There will be at least two other choices available to her — the Libertarian Party candidate and the Green Party candidate.
Collins’ announcement is reminiscent of Sen. Margaret Chase Smith’s “ Declaration of Conscience,” when she broke with the ranks of her party to criticize Sen. Joseph McCarthy for his red-baiting tactics in the 1950s.
I am proud that our senator stands for principle over party.
Nathaniel Bond
Glenburn
Fulford for Legislature
We need representatives who work for the best that Maine can be, and legislators who can collaborate, rather than positioning themselves by party. Upon reading Belfast Mayor Walter Ash’s Aug. 2 BDN letter to the editor in support of Republican Sen. Mike Thibodeau, I realized that it is actually Democrat Jonathan Fulford who is just such a candidate.
I have noticed a distinct change in tone in Thibodeau’s presentation since Fulford ran his insurgent campaign two years ago and, yes, that has been refreshing. It occurs to me, however, that Fulford’s nonpartisan and no nonsense approach to politics — and the possibility of yet another extremely close race — may be a source of the change in Thibodeau’s demeanor.
So, I must ask — isn’t Fulford the person we need in Augusta?
If we want a representative who promotes and offers civility in the state Senate, isn’t Fulford the one we want representing us? He’s a person who speaks for the environment (which sadly does not have a vote), a person who cares about our children and grandchildren (who also do not have a vote). He is a person who will endorse and fight for good legislation regardless of which party wrote it.
I will vote for Fulford because he is the source of the change we need.
Gianne P. Conard
Belfast
Thibodeau supports veterans
A lot of people give lip service to supporting veterans, but there are very few who actually put their words into action. I’m pleased to say that Republican Sen. Mike Thibodeau is one of them.
I attended a news conference last week with other veterans, where Thibodeau talked about the new Stolen Valor bill that recently became law. The law increases the penalties for anyone in Maine who falsely states that they are a U.S. military veteran. Often those who do this are doing it for personal gain — to get a discount on something they buy or to receive special treatment somewhere.
As someone who proudly wore the uniform and served my country, I find it appalling that anyone would stoop to such a low. To pretend to be a veteran is an insult to all of those who served or, more significantly, gave their lives for their country.
I served in the U.S. Navy for seven years, and I continue to serve my community with programs provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We believe this new law will help prevent someone from pretending to be a veteran and exploiting the generosity we have experienced in our community.
I want to thank Thibodeau for honoring the Belfast VFW’s request to sponsor this bill. He walks the walk when it comes to supporting our veterans.
Jim Roberts
VFW Post 3108
Belmont
State park passes too expensive
We were startled to learn that on Aug. 15 state park family passes catapulted to $105 from this year’s $70.
When we first moved to Maine 20 years ago, family passes cost $35. Over the years, they rose slowly to the $70. Even though we are seniors and can enter the parks at no cost, every year we buy a pass so that our children, when they visit, have the convenience of the family pass.
Of course, we have always thought that our state parks ought to be funded by state taxes and available to all, but we certainly can understand having a reasonable fee. But $105 for a poor working family can be daunting.
There are so few things left that young families can afford, and going for a picnic to a state park should be one of them. We want people to care about the environment and having families and young children rejoice in a day at the ocean or one of our wonderful lakes has got to be a lovely experience, and one that will help them appreciate the beauty of Maine’s natural environment.
As far as we know, there was no public discussion of this, no arguments for or against, and we have no idea whose bright idea it was to price working people out of their parks. Once we figure out which legislators serve on the committee that oversees our parks, we intend to write to them and ask, “Why?”
Sandra and Ole Jaeger
Georgetown
White men letter ridiculous
The Aug. 13 BDN letter to the editor from Kevin Gardner has to be one of the most ridiculous letters ever printed in the BDN. He claims “most white people, especially men, are having an epic freak out” because there are too many Muslims, Latinos, foreigners and gays in the country. And one of those “others” is in the White House.
Does Gardner think the president of the White House would be there without many millions of votes from the “freaked out” white people? How did same-sex marriage pass in the predominately white state of Maine without the “freaked out” white vote? Millions of Latinos have entered the U.S. They are living and working alongside “freaked out” white people everyday with no problems.
Everyone that I know is aware that all people of the Muslim faith are not terrorists. But a small number are. Can this not be talked about in Gardner’s world?
Imagine for a moment the howling outcry that would result from Gardner’s letter if he had written the same “grow up” recommendation to black, gay, Latino or Muslim groups. Someone should remind Gardner that America, with all its “freaked out white people,” is the most welcoming and charitable nation on Earth.
Steve Canzona
Jonesboro