The mainstream media here in Maine and elsewhere has, for the most part, lavished fulsome praise on Presi-dent Barack Obama for his coming out in favor of same-sex marriage.

Among his reasons for doing so he cited the Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Meanwhile, has the economy gotten any better this last week?

Since he endorsed the idea of same-sex marriage in 1996 while running for Illinois Senate, then reversed his position when running for U.S. Senate in 2004 and president in 2008, his move could be seen either as his having come full circle on the question, or political opportunism, aka lying.

Meanwhile, has the national debt gone up or down this last week?

It is interesting to note the timing of the announcement, which was followed by a plane trip to Hollywood, where he raised $15 million for his re-election campaign via an invitation only $40,000 entrance fee gala among the elite at the trendy digs of George Clooney. How many of the “99 percent” do you think were welcome at the gala? Given the $40,000 charge, is it not fair to conclude that it was for the hated “1 percent”?

Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

Terence McManus

New Sharon