Douglas Rooks’ Nov. 12 hit job, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Jared Golden,” illustrates what ails America. If we want a strong, cohesive society that takes care of people, communities and country, let’s stop disparaging one another and start knitting connections — even with people we disagree with.

Mainers have disagreed with some of Jared’s votes during the four years he served as a Democratic state legislator, and the six years he has served as a U.S. congressman representing our right-leaning 2nd Congressional District. When nobody loves a politician on either side of the aisle, it usually means that person is doing the hard work of compromising to find acceptable common ground. In Jared’s case, finding survivable political terrain in a district that thrice voted to elect Donald Trump as president is an extraordinary accomplishment.

While I’ve disagreed with a number of Jared’s positions, I ask myself, “Has Maine and the U.S. been better off with Jared in office than not?” And the answer is yes. Has he honorably served his state and his country (two combat tours as a Marine), at grave personal risk to himself? Yes. If my answers are correct, why would a Mainer take gratuitous pot shots at a fellow Mainer and American, instead of trying to find the common good that connects us all in a tapestry that is fraying badly from personal attacks?

It’s time to put down the scissors and start sewing our society back together.

Phil Coupe
Scarborough