Background checks protect the public
As my wife and I drive around the area, we are beginning to see negative signs about Question 3, the background check referendum. I suspect the National Rifle Association has dumped and will dump a large amount of dollars into the state to combat this referendum. Unfortunately, I have not seen any pro-Question 3 signs. I was approached at the American Folk Festival in Bangor by a young lady obtaining signatures from folks who promised to vote to support Question 3. Police forces do not lobby, but if they did they would be on every street corner encouraging every Mainer to support this referendum.
Isn’t it strange that doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers and many other professionals who help the public must be registered to practice in order to protect the public from their actions? We all are required to obtain a driver’s license that demonstrates that we have attained the necessary skills to operate a vehicle safely.
But in Maine we are not required to demonstrate through a background check and a demonstration of skills that we could be issued a license to purchase a handgun. We don’t even need the license. How does this protect the public? The purpose for a handgun is to injure or kill someone.
It’s time for Mainers to step up against the big money pro-gun lobby and take a step to protect the public by voting yes on Question 3.
Richard Gassett
Holden
LePage a preview of Trump
It’s been fun over the past six years watching Gov. Paul LePage lurch from one insane episode to another. But putting LePage’s behavior aside for a moment, there is an urgent lesson here for all Mainers and Americans. That lesson is that just because we’re justifiably angry about the state of affairs, it doesn’t mean that voting for a crude, foul-mouthed, bullying man is the answer to our problems.
For all of LePage’s faults, there has been one redeeming point of his time in Augusta that has saved the state from total disaster. It’s that he doesn’t really have that much power. In the end, LePage can insult, bluster and threaten all he wants, but other than petty reprisals, there’s really not much he can do to us.
That cannot be said for Donald Trump.
Just think about the past year and the behavior we’ve seen from Trump. The insults, the bizarre behavior and the bald-faced lies never seem to end. And people flock to him because, like LePage, he sounds different, and they think this means he’s better. But different doesn’t always mean better. Trump’s behavior wouldn’t be tolerated in an elementary classroom, but somehow we think it should be in our White House.
Imagine Trump’s behavior if he is elected and there’s finally no one to tell him “no.” Mainers have seen what that looks like here in our state. Imagine four years of that in Washington, only with real potential for disaster.
Ed Woods
Newport
Bear for Maine Legislature
Local elections are often the simplest way to make an impact in your area. I currently serve as third assessor for Cary Plantation, and I will be supporting Henry John Bear for Maine House District 144.
District 144 comprises Amity, Bancroft Township, Haynesville, Hodgdon, Houlton, Orient, Weston and the plantations of Cary, Glenwood, Macwahoc and Reed, plus the Unorganized Territory of southern Aroostook County.
Bear opened his home to me for an hour and a half as we discussed issues important to my town and our state. He has a clear understanding of the challenges we face. More important, he has the intellect and ideas necessary to bring solutions.
The best candidate for the job is not always the typical candidate.
Bear is the best candidate. Vote Bear for House District 144 this November.
Jeremy Hiltz
Cary Plantation
Poor driving trend
I have finally surrendered to the new driving trend of braking and slowing down when traveling 70 mph or more to vehicles on the merge lane entering Interstate 95 or other highways. I know that the driver entering is the one who is suppose to yield but most don’t. They expect the driver on the highway to yield so they can get into traffic.
I’m a courteous driver, and I move to the left lane if I can; however, sometimes it’s not possible. And sure enough, I have to hit the brakes because the drivers on the merge lane want to force their way onto the highway.
Because I know and follow the law of yielding to traffic on the highway, this trend also occurs when I’m trying to merge into highway traffic. I speed up and look for a gap where I can smoothly blend with traffic. But the car I want to get behind after it passes me starts to slow down. So I slow down more because I know I’m suppose to yield. The car on the highway slows down more thinking he or she is being a courteous and good driver. Then I have to put the pedal to the metal to get in front of the car I was planning on sliding behind of smoothly to prevent a domino effect of brake lights on the freeway.
It’s the growing trend in Maine and probably everywhere, so you have no choice but to surrender to it like I have.
Santiago Lopez
Bangor
A gift for Maine
I want to give huge thanks to Roxanne Quimby for the priceless gift of more than 87,500 acres she gave the nation and the state of Maine. And kudos to President Barack Obama for having the good sense to sign the national monument designation.
This part of the state needs something going for it besides a crumbling forest products industry. If you go to any national monument or park, you will find enthusiasm for both. I have been to many parks, and they are treasures for all of us.
I am disappointed that Sen. Susan Collins did not endorse the designation. Getting Congress involved is like getting them involved in a host of other issues — completely useless.
Dick Brooks
Phillips