Cain for Congress
The recent Maine Public debate between Rep. Bruce Poliquin and Emily Cain was very revealing. Poliquin spent much of the hour giving evasive, well-rehearsed stock answers to questions posed by Jennifer Rooks.
When asked if he supported Donald Trump, Poliquin responded by saying he did not want to be a part of the “media frenzy,” so refused to answer. When asked his position on the five ballot questions, he repeatedly stated that he wanted to “let the people decide,” not revealing his position on any of them.
After spending most of the evening accusing Cain of being a “career politician,” when asked to name one thing he admired about her, his answer essentially was that she was a career politician. Cain on the other hand gave clear, direct and informative answers to the questions, making clear that she represents what is best about the political process. Poliquin came across as the kind of politician who will go to any length to avoid answering the questions his constituents ask. I believe Cain can best represent the 2nd Congressional District.
Beth Brand
Orono
Verow for House District 128
I support Democrat Rep. Arthur “Archie” Verow in his campaign for re-election to the Maine House of Representatives.
With his calm and thoughtful voice of reason, integrity, fairness and common sense, Verow is a proven leader. In Brewer, Verow is widely recognized and valued for his many years of outstanding service to the city as city clerk, member of the city council and state representative. Verow is a lifelong Brewer resident, understands the city and its people, and possesses the necessary experience and level of commitment to continue as an effective representative for District 128, which includes most of Brewer, in the Legislature.
Please join me in voting for Verow for the Maine House on Nov. 8.
Kevin O’Connell
Brewer deputy mayor
Brewer
Trump’s poor temperament
“For those few people knocking me for tweeting at three o’clock in the morning, at least you know I will be there, awake, to answer the call!” Donald Trump tweeted on Sept. 30.
Imagine when that 3 a.m. call comes and someone passes the phone to a sleep-deprived, thin-skinned petulant man-child with no impulse-control, with one hand on the receiver and the other on a nuclear button. That should keep the rest of us up at night.
Dennis Chinoy
Bangor
Miramant for Senate District 12
Dedicated, hard working and a man open to discussing the issues, are just a few words to describe Democrat Sen. Dave Miramant of Camden, who represents District 12.
As a small-business man, I had the pleasure of working with Miramant in Augusta, as I advocated for legislation that would help my struggling business and industry. He was thoughtful and listened.
Miramant believes in small business, and he is there to fight for the people of Maine, sometimes opposing large, powerful corporate interests. He is a man we need to send back to Augusta to fight for our interests — sustainable employment opportunities, clean energy, the environment and protecting and helping to promote our state’s agricultural industry, one that supports open space that enhances the way of life that we enjoy in this beautiful state.
Support and vote for Miramant Nov. 8.
Gary Sagris
Topsham
O’Neill for Senate District 7
This year Hancock County is privileged to have an exceptional candidate seeking the Maine Senate seat in District 7. Democrat Moira O’Neill is challenging the incumbent, Brian Langley.
A friend asked me why a nurse is qualified to be a senator. I explained that O’Neill has a doctorate in nursing and a master’s of public health, both from Yale University. Her experience includes serving as a child advocate and teaching Maine’s future nurses at Husson University. She has great expertise in health care policy, an area in which the state government needs significant improvement.
My friend then asked if she is a one-issue candidate. I explained that she is passionate about many issues and is trained in weighing the pros and cons of public policies. For example, O’Neill cares deeply about our environment and wants to take vigorous action to protect it. That’s why she won the endorsement of the Sierra Club. She is an avid hiker and serves as a volunteer to maintain the cairn markers in Acadia National Park.
O’Neill is a strong advocate for seniors. She wants to do more to help seniors age in place and to adopt state policies more favorable to the needs of seniors. She speaks forcefully about wanting to serve in a position to better assist seniors.
Hancock County can take an important step toward improving state government by electing O’Neill.
Alfred Judd
Surry
Put people to work
My childhood home in Hermon was robbed Oct. 18, leaving my family to do plenty of soul searching. This is the second time my family home was robbed, and the third time my mother has been robbed since I was a child. Yet, my family is more shattered with each occurrence. Equally disturbing is the response of our community to the problem of burglary. Little is done by politicians in Augusta or Washington, D.C., to get people to stop stealing and start earning their own wages.
I’ve seen my parents struggle their way through this life from my earliest memories, but they always picked themselves up by the bootstraps out of sheer pride. That’s a word we don’t hear a lot anymore: pride. People just don’t have it like they should or like they did when I was a kid. It is a point of serious political concern that our government does not seek full employment. The lack of full employment, and idleness in the masses has helped to breed a drug crisis that has contributed to crimes like that which occurred in my childhood home.
My family, among countless other families, has always given our all to those in need, but our local governments aren’t solving either of these critical problems: unemployment or the drug crisis.
Yesterday was the time for government action, but today will have to do, because the future of Maine is dependent on it.
Stephen Roberts Jr.
Hermon
Election notice
The BDN will stop accepting letters and OpEds related to the Nov. 8 election on Oct. 28. Not all submissions can be published.