Ferguson distortions
I wish the media would stop using the words “protest” or “demonstrators” to describe the savage anarchy taking place in Ferguson, Missouri. This is not a “protest” in any sense of the word. It is a riot, using the racial discrimination card as an excuse to destroy and steal other peoples’ property, homes and businesses.
A white policeman kills a black teenager (and we still don’t know the circumstances under which that happened). Does that justify dozens, or more, of career criminals and hooligans smashing the windows, and stealing the merchandise, of white, or more likely black, shopkeepers who had nothing whatsoever to do with the white policeman or the dead teenager? Some poor store owner worked his whole life to build an inventory of clothes, liquor, electronics or whatever, and some group of thugs thinks they now have the right to take them by force because someone they never met was killed by a policeman, under circumstances of which they are completely ignorant. That’s not a “protest.” It’s a convenient excuse to steal.
Putting political correctness aside for a moment: “Protest” means a “solemn declaration of opinion or belief.” Think Martin Luther King, and his message of nonviolence. “Riot” means “a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property or people.” Think Black Panthers or the KKK.
The First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits Congress from making any law abridging the right of the people to peacefully assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. It isn’t a license to riot and steal.
Brent R. Slater
Bangor
Healthy Maine
Let me echo the message from the Aug. 28 BDN OpEd “Expanding Medicaid is good for the economy, health of Maine.” As Sara Gagne-Holmes wrote, “Health care shouldn’t be a partisan issue … and the well-being of Maine residents shouldn’t be put at risk to score political points or advance an ideological agenda.” Maine’s political campaign season is in full swing, and I will be asking candidates their position on Maine closing our gap in insurance coverage by accepting federal funds and bringing health security to nearly 70,000 Mainers who need it.
I’ve seen the benefits of the Affordable Care Act firsthand, and it is foolish to pass up an opportunity to expand the reach of those benefits, particularly when the folks in question are so often the ones who slip through the cracks. These 70,000 of our neighbors are the ones who make just enough not to qualify for help — but are still too poor to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. Their lack of access to care not only impacts individuals’ health, but the economic security of families, as well. When we’re healthy, we’re better workers, more productive and efficient.
We will hear a lot of rhetoric this fall, some of which will be true, and some of which won’t. I hope we can cut through the fog and get to the heart of helping Maine people’s lives be better. My message to candidates: stop playing politics with health care and close the coverage gap. Helping Mainers be healthy will help Maine be healthy.
Regina Rooney
Rockland
Verow’s dedication
During my eight years in the Maine Legislature, I have learned many ways to be successful at the State House. Two really stand out: Work hard every day and always put your community first.
There are few in the Legislature who have adhered to those guidelines as well as my colleague Rep. Archie Verow. In his first term, he was a great example of how to get things done and represent his district. Verow worked diligently to put $40 million back into revenue sharing and increase state education funding in order to protect Brewer’s property taxpayers from further increases. On the Transportation Committee, I saw how he represented his community’s concerns about the proposed I-395/Route 9 connector. These are just a few examples of his advocacy for Brewer residents.
It has been a privilege to see such dedication in action. I am honored to have worked with him this session.
Rep. Ann Peoples
D-Westbrook
Vote Ward
As a teacher and coach at the Dedham school for over 30 years, I have had the pleasure of working alongside many enthusiastic and supportive parents. Without a doubt, one that stands out is our own Karl Ward, Republican candidate for state representative this fall.
Karl’s investment in our education system is well known. After graduating at the top of his University of Maine engineering class, Ward taught there for 11 years and still serves as an industrial curriculum advisor. As chair of the President’s Advisory Board at Eastern Maine Community College, he helped write their civil engineering program. Now he is on the board of John Bapst in Bangor, where he helped develop their very successful international boarding program.
He has also created several academic scholarship programs around the state. His generosity has extended to Dedham, as well. Ward helped outfit classrooms with smart technology and even provided a new batting cage for our baseball and softball teams. Much of our local Little League field has been built with donations from his construction company, Nickerson & O’Day.
Given his track record, it came as no surprise to hear that Ward will be donating his take-home pay from the Legislature to youth leadership programs and schools in each of his towns after he is elected. Karl believes in working hard for our future generations. On Nov. 4, I’ll be voting for Ward and I urge you to do the same
Tom Christie
Dedham
Vote for Collins
I am president of the largest union at Bath Iron Works. Local S6 of the IAM represents nearly 3,000 men and women who work hard each day at the yard building destroyers that keep our country safe and allow America’s Navy to be a global force for good. BIW’s workforce is also a powerful component of Maine’s economy; payroll at BIW is more than $300 million annually and the yard keeps hundreds — if not thousand — of small subcontractors working all across our state.
Our greatest ally in Washington is Sen. Susan Collins. Her work on behalf of the members of our local has been impressive. Quite simply put, without her advocacy, fewer shipbuilders would be working at BIW, Maine’s economy would be weakened, and our Navy would not have the fleet it currently has. Local S6, along with the three other unions at BIW, has endorsed Collins. She has earned our respect and support. I’m voting for her and encourage all of my fellow Mainers to do the same.
Jay Wadleigh
Belgrade