“Like it or not, Susan Collins and Jared Golden have Mainers’ respect” (May 31) was a disappointing column.

Yes, Susan Collins has demonstrated some bipartisan behavior in the past “staking out ground in that vanishing tiny middle ground.” The problem with that is that we have a president who is quickly implementing an authoritarian government while dismantling critical agencies and trampling on the civil rights of both immigrants and foreign students. Therefore, there is unfortunately no middle ground left, as we are in a national crisis, and one doesn’t have to be a partisan Democrat to be horrified by President Trump’s actions.

Unfortunately, Sen. Collins has tried once again play the role of the great pretender, pretending that these are normal times and Trump can be dealt with like other presidents — sometimes agreeing with him and at times opposing him. This strategy only serves to legitimatize him and allows him to continue his destruction of our Constitution.

What we need is a senator who will stand up for Maine and for democracy regardless of whether they are a Republican or Democrat. Our house is on fire and we need someone with a fire hose and not a squirt gun.

The world that columnist Steve Collins seems to live in has been destroyed by Trump, and unless we have a congressional delegation (particularly a senator) willing to say stop, our country as we know it will be gone.

Sadly, Sen. Collins has to pick a side and live with it. The days of conciliation and negotiation are gone.

Charles Sullivan
Bath