Take union dues, put them toward pensions

Letters to the Editor

Published
April 7, 2011

Take union dues, put them toward pensions

Shame on Peter Sirois for comparing our governor to a vicious killer like Saddam Hussein. I tried to follow his point about clawing versus working your way to the top, but he lost me with, “Look what we did, not only to him, but to his people.” Some thoughts about his perception of state workers […]
Published
April 7, 2011

Help should ‘extend beyond our own borders’

Jane Mullin’s letter, “Help needy Americans before reaching to Japan,” on March 23 left me bewildered. How could anyone watch the immense suffering in Japan and not want to help, much less encourage others not to help? She also encourages us to send only prayers to other countries. America, the richest country in the world, […]
Published
April 7, 2011

‘Me first,’ tailgating don’t get drivers there quicker

What’s your hurry your death or mine? Not too long ago on a trip down the interstate, I nearly went under the wheels of an 18-wheeler. Why? Because the driver was entering the highway from an entrance ramp without yielding. I was unable to move over to accommodate him, and though I was slowing down, […]
Published
April 7, 2011

LePage a politician without professionalism

For the better part of my 60 years, politics and politicians have been of great interest to me. My work history has afforded me the opportunity to meet, speak and, on some occasions, dine with politicians from all over the United States. Many of those discussions involved issues about which the politician and I had […]
Published
April 7, 2011

Stokes an ‘exciting’ candidate for mayor

Twice, by a 6-2 vote, Councilor Mark O’Brien lost on motions to hold the Augusta election for mayor on March 15. The election will be June 7, so voters can study the choice. I believe, Bill Stokes’ opponent tried to “rush it” thinking that ballot name recognition would prevail. Twenty-one years in municipal office with […]

Published
April 7, 2011

Early music instruction has great impact on life

I was disheartened to learn that in an effort to address revenue shortfalls because of a decrease in state funding, MSAD 11 is looking to cut the fifth- grade instrumental program. I was further saddened that despite the strength of the music program in the district and the tremendous importance of music in the lives […]
Published
April 7, 2011

Once again it’s time to ‘Come home, America’

A recent Newsweek cover cites a number of current calamities and asks, “What the @#%! next? Maybe we’re next. I believe the onus of being “a superpower” is undoing us. It undid the Soviet Union 20 years ago. As we police and attempt to “shape” the Middle East — the sheer audacity and futility of […]
Published
April 7, 2011

Childhood problems led to LePage’s lack of social skills

It has become increasingly apparent that 38 percent of Maine voters made a glaring mistake last November. The election of Paul LePage is becoming not only a joke but also a possible major financial disaster for many of the state’s population. LePage’s inappropriate remarks concerning both elected and organizational officials truly shows the lack of […]
Published
April 7, 2011

‘Proud public employee’ dreams of retirement

For more than 21 years, I have worked as a chemist at 221 State St. in Augusta. Like many of my co-workers, I take pride in my work. Long days, many nights and weekends are the demands of my job, though I don’t get a raise or even a cost-of-living adjustment for my hard work. […]
Published
April 7, 2011

It will take a joint effort to beat cancer

I know a wonderful woman with whom I ride on the KVCAP bus from time to time who has stage 4 breast cancer. She has an enormous fighting spirit and a kind word and a smile for everyone she sees. I wish I could get to know her better. I believe my life would be […]

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