Economic ills trickle down
The number of juveniles charged with terrorizing is one symptom of a dangerous socioeconomic ill. I do not condone their expression of anger and take it seriously. But imagine attending school with duct-taped sneakers, hungry and humiliated by low academic performance. Often, these juveniles view their options as limited: suffer, quit or worse. Not sophisticated enough to know the forces responsible for their despair, the target of their powerlessness is the world they know — their school.
The Guardian said of Harvard professor Robert Putnam’s “Our Kids: The American Dream In Crises” that “[t]he political scientist convincingly describes an America poisoned by inequity of opportunity, but fails to see the political forces behind the disintegration of its communities.”
Legislative representatives decide what is right and wrong, codified morality through the law. But it is disproportionately punitive to the poor. Democracy? No, America is a plutocracy, government by the wealthy for the benefit of the wealthy. Government is beholden to those who bought their office, not ordinary people.
The kings of Wall Street, the overpaid CEOs and the lobbyists’ lackeys unite to terrorize the American people with threats of economic collapse, joblessness, immigration, anything to distract us while they enjoy tax cuts that increase the federal deficit for our posterity. These terrorizing money-grabbers go unregulated, while the juvenile “Les Miserables” expressing hopelessness face consequences.
The wealthy get wealthier. The growing poor get angrier. Kids need hope for a better life. I’ve represented hundreds of juveniles. These kids often feel they have nothing to lose.
Carolyn Adams
Waterville
No gun restrictions
I read another of many letters to the editor on gun control, this one by Michael Grunko. Almost always people say we no longer use muzzle-loading guns, so our constitutional rights should be changed. This is simply another form of gun control with the long-range objective of eliminating guns in America.
What I find interesting is that many or most of these same letter writers would be horrified if somebody proposed an overhaul or restrictions of the First Amendment because we no longer write with a quill and inkwell and send letters via horseback. Today’s social media and free speech is dangerous in its own way, but both speech and firearms depend on a person to make them dangerous.
Merle Cousins
Southwest Harbor
Gun violence epidemic
By now the word “epidemic” has been used by journalists, writers, elected officials, international newspapers and ordinary humans to describe the repeated outbreaks of gun violence and bloodshed that plague America. All epidemics spread unless they are stopped. Unless this one is stopped, there will be more deaths, pain and suffering, not only by those immediately affected but by their families and loved ones.
We know epidemics thrive in favorable conditions. In this case, the conditions are obvious. We permit civilians to possess weapons of war. We discourage research on the causes of gun violence. We permit untrained civilians to carry concealed weapons. The list goes on.
If the conditions are obvious, so is the remedy, which is strict gun safety measures. They have been tried successfully in nearly all nations, as the empirical research shows. But not here. Why? Powerful interests, headed by the leadership of the National Rifle Association, fueled by a combination of twisted logic, fake history, political ambition and sheer greed, seek to block the remedy.
Those of us who live in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District have the misfortune to be represented by the elusive “no comment” Rep. Bruce Poliquin, the only congressman in New England, according to The New York Times, to benefit from $200,000 in campaign contributions by the NRA.
Come November, let’s hope we can retire the congressman and start applying the remedy to this epidemic.
Lynn Parsons
Castine
School violence can’t become normal
We reaffirm our support for the safety of our schools, children, teachers, staff, and families. Safety is an essential part of dignity, and every person among us has the right to live a safe, dignified life.
We recognize that the best way to support young people at this moment and in the future is to actively listen to them, to hear and internalize their concerns, and to partner with people of all ages for active resolutions. School violence, in any form, should not be seen as normal — it is not normal.
Our young people have a right to develop their individual voices and to sound their collective concerns. In our democratic system, we respect and encourage their right to stand up and be recognized. It is through these public efforts that these young people will become our next generation of community leaders. Thus, we all have a stake in the continued momentum of the school safety movement.
Piscataquis County Democrats want to partner with those from across the entire political spectrum to promote safety and dignity in our communities. Together, we can meet the needs of all people.
Margarita Contreni
Chair
Piscataquis County Democratic Committee
Greenville
Golden for Congress
It’s time for a new generation of leaders in Maine. That’s why I’m supporting Jared Golden for Congress.
Over the last year, it’s often been difficult for me to shake off the frustration I feel every time I flip through the newspaper. First, we watched Rep. Bruce Poliquin vote to kick thousands of Mainers off health care. Then, he voted to add trillions of dollars to our nation’s debt. Worst of all, when asked to explain his vote, Poliquin hid in the bathroom. Frankly, I’m sick and tired of the political circus in Washington.
I believe Golden represents something our state hasn’t seen in a long time — a young, energetic leader driven by a commitment to serve the people of the 2nd Congressional District. Golden has a proven record of fighting for us, first in the Marine Corps, and then in the Maine State House representing Lewiston.
While lots of politicians make promises, Golden actually delivers. In office, he has fought for middle- and working-class people, affordable health care, workers’ rights, the environment, veterans, and Maine’s seniors and small businesses. I know how much he cares about the people he serves, because I’ve seen how hard he works.
I not only trust Golden, but I believe he’s the only candidate who can beat Poliquin in November. He has earned my respect and my vote.
Chris Urquhart
Bangor