Instead of touting an unrealistic Democratic budget plan in the face of an unrealistic Republican budget plan, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., just did something significant — and responsible.

A college education has always been a major investment, but one that was not out of reach for a student who had the drive and commitment to pay back student loans.

Some people say they find Gov. Paul LePage refreshing. The governor says what he thinks, they say, and he comes across as a plain spoken, regular guy, talking politics like someone you’d meet at the local coffee shop. But we have a right to hold the governor to a much higher standard than we have for any local loudmouth blowing off steam.

The Social Security trustees projected this week that funding for retirement benefits will run short in 2033, three years sooner than had been estimated a year ago. After that, the program will be able to pay only about 75 percent of the amount now promised to retirees and the disabled.

We have a message for everyone who travels on a crumbling road to get to work, or hopes to get a job putting some of those roads back into shape: Gov. Paul LePage is holding you hostage.

The jury is coming back into the room, and the verdict doesn’t look good for the Clean Elections law.

The first time Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), in 2000, it expanded the reach of the law, better meeting the needs of older victims and disabled individuals.

This shouldn’t have to be said again, but unfortunately it has become necessary: Sadly, amid all the criticisms of figures in public life that now surround us, it would be a great advance in civility simply to stop using violent images about harming or even killing people with whom we disagree.

As our experience with the ever-increasing busyness of life grows greater, so do worries that our focus on technological gadgets is slowly shutting out the world around us.

The last eight days saw a historical first in Maine government as Gov. Paul LePage cast a pair of line-item vetoes to dilute a bipartisan budget compromise.