I have heard that Sen. Susan Collins often recounts a meeting with Margaret Chase Smith in 1971, when Collins was a senior at Caribou High School. She credits this conversation with inspiring her to enter public service.

As Collins is running for a sixth term (after saying she would be a two-term senator), a comparison of the two senators is in order. In terms of work ethic, Sen. Collins has maintained a perfect voting record since 1997. Smith held the record (2,941) until surpassed by Collins (9,800).

They begin to diverge in leadership. Smith was known as an independent Yankee. She frequently ignored party leadership, voting her conscience. Collins’ career has been one of bipartisan deal-making. Sen. Collins frequently waits until a vote is safe or her dissent won’t actually kill a bill.

Smith put her career on the line early in the fight against McCarthyism. On June 1, 1950, she gave her “Declaration of Conscience” speech on the Senate floor and drew a line against Joseph McCarthy and the activities of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

As a citizen of Maine, I have been waiting for a similar signature act from Sen. Collins. I am tired of waiting.

Paul Roberts
Berwick