I feel that Sen. Angus King’s vote, to allow President Trump and the Republicans to continue to destroy our democracy, was shameful. The one and only chance to stand up to this dictator is now gone. His view that the government needs to be open to function makes little sense.

The House was out of session for the entire shutdown claiming they did their job. No, they didn’t; they did whatever Trump told them to do.

The government, as we knew it, stopped functioning the day Trump took office again. His vitriol toward anyone who dares to object to his policies shows what kind of man he really is — withholding benefits to the most vulnerable while he hosts lavish dinners and goes golfing.

So, now that the weak senators voted not to stand up to him we will lose our health care subsidies and anyone who thinks there will be a negotiation has their head in the sand. That is the PG version of what I wanted to say.

I sympathize with those who were suffering — having to work without pay and losing SNAP benefits — but it’s because we no longer have a functional government. There’s no compromise, just orders from our dictator to fall in line or suffer the consequences. 

Bill Kelly
West Bath