I am appalled by President Trump’s characterization of all Somalis as “garbage.” A few years ago, I served as an election observer in Lewiston. I watched as dozens of Somalis came to the polling place. Many brought their entire family — grandparents, babies and teenagers —  to watch them cast their vote. Some took selfies […]

I’m hoping that our elected leaders, at both the federal and state levels, look to a health care solution that will work for all Americans, while keeping the costs down. The most evident solution out there now is a single-payer health care system, administered by the government and taking out the corporate profit and high costs that […]

“Irish need not apply.” My parents told me about this sign that was common in shop windows advertising for help in the 1930s.   It seems we have made no progress since then. Our president shamefully called out our Somali neighbors in a truly disgusting manner earlier this month. History will condemn him for that. […]

When winter and the news leave me cold, reading warms me. In 1859, Abraham Lincoln said, “The principles of Jefferson are the definitions and axioms of free society. And yet they are denied, and evaded, with no small show of success … Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and under […]

Again, Jim Fossel tries to equate the behavior of Democrats and Republicans, this time implying that Dems are hypocrites for considering a billionaire for president. That billionaire is Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (“JB Pritzker presents Democrats with an uncomfortable dilemma,” Nov. 23). Fossel states, “Like Trump, Pritzker expanded his inherited wealth. Now, suddenly he’s potentially […]

Doug Jones is running for governor of Alabama. I am shocked at myself, because my first reaction is: “What party is he with?” It’s not “What does he want to accomplish?” It’s not “How qualified is he?” It’s not “What is his character?” Have I been watching too many football, basketball, baseball and hockey games? […]