Spreading the wealth
Edwin Treworgy, author of the July 21 BDN OpEd “The selfishness of the rich,” might need to get out more. He excoriates “the rich” as an indistinguishable mass of cold-hearted, art-owning, yacht-sailing, plane-flying hedonists with “no genuine joy nor the satisfaction from a good deed done.”
Apparently, he has not been to a hockey game at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena, nor to any of the exhibits at the Lunder Wing of the Colby College Museum of Art. He does not seem aware of Hancock County philanthropists who have funded affordable housing for working families.
Maine has long been a summer refuge for wealthy East Coast families. In return, there has been an outpouring of generosity from these families that have created or sustained libraries and parks, YMCA’s and concert series, summer camps and food pantries. Most of our hospitals and clinics have been supported by philanthropists who have given many millions of dollars.
In any subset of people, habits and traditions of community-mindedness differ, but it is a grievous injustice to suggest that “the rich” universally care for nothing but “purchased pleasures.” As beneficiaries of so many acts of generosity in our state, we know better.
Jill Goldthwait
Bar Harbor
Stop ‘Smoggy Skies Act’
I am writing to thank Rep. Bruce Poliquin for standing up for the health of Mainers across the state as one of only 11 Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote against the “Smoggy Skies Act,” or HR 806.
This legislation is reckless and dangerous. Smog, or ground level air pollution, is dangerous and widespread. Southern Maine is particularly vulnerable, and millions of Americans both here in Maine and across the country are also vulnerable to poor air quality.
The aptly named “Smoggy Skies Act” would worsen those conditions, delay ozone protections for years and permanently weaken one of our nation’s strongest public health laws, the Clean Air Act. This bill would make it much more difficult to protect people from asthma attacks, emergency room visits and premature deaths from ozone pollution.
Unfortunately, despite Poliquin’s no vote and the fact that Maine and the entire Northeast is in the middle of summer ozone season, the House passed this dangerous and harmful bill. I must now implore Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to follow their colleague and vote no on this legislation when it reaches the Senate floor.
It’s critically important that our senators vote against this act, and stop this dangerous legislation in its tracks.
Bonnie Irwin
Brewer
Poliquin hits a new low
Two weeks ago I received a form email from Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s office. The email ended by saying, “If you ever have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my Congressional offices in Bangor.”
I have many concerns, and for six months I have been trying to make an appointment to meet with Poliquin or his district manager. I visited his office recently to check on my request. The door was locked, and I rang the bell. An intern answered, and I explained why I was there. He said he would check for my meeting request. I said I would be happy to wait and I tried to step into the vestibule of the congressman’s office.
The intern immediately told me I was not allowed to enter the office without an appointment. I explained, again, that I have been requesting an appointment for six months.
As I continued to stand in the hallway, another aide came out and said they were “caseworkers” and only people in Washington can talk “policy.” I expressed my disbelief that I was not allowed to enter the office. She said that the new policy was instituted because of all the people requesting appointments. I did point out that the office was now totally empty, but she firmly said she could not “violate the policy.” I could not step in.
Perhaps Poliquin can specifically explain how I can contact his office. If this is how he shows that he is “honored to represent me,” he has hit a new, unbelievable low.
Joyce Mallery
Bangor