I understand why Sen. Angus King helped end the government shutdown: He couldn’t bear to see people go hungry. It was a politically risky move in an era when few congresspeople have or display courage. But for it to be any more than a temporary gesture, King must now end his statesmanlike relationship with Sen. Susan Collins and shout loudly and repeatedly that Collins stood by while Americans were forced to search dumpsters to feed their children.

While King will be criticized for caving in to political blackmail, Collins and her Republican colleagues were the ones holding hungry Americans hostage. And they are the ones still poised to strip millions of their health care. King must say that. Repeatedly.

Until the midterms, Republicans in Congress are the only ones who can hold President Trump accountable for his cruelty and lawlessness, as the courts appear impotent to stop him. Collins has outsized power and influence, yet she remains, at most, “concerned.”

It is not enough for Collins to occasionally vote against her party when she knows her vote won’t matter. If she had half the courage of Margaret Chase Smith, the woman she claims is her hero, she would speak loudly, clearly and forcefully in opposition to the damage Trump and her own party are doing to this country. 

King must now match Collins’ cowardice with courage and call her out by name. More importantly, he must campaign against her. If he doesn’t, he is no better than she is.

Lisa Wesel
Bowdoinham