A “Yes” vote on the ballot question “Do you want voters to prove their residency?” will enhance the integrity of the election process in Maine. It is vitally important to be able to trust the outcome of an election. As a former resident in New Hampshire, which has voter ID, I can attest that it […]
letter to the editor
Unmask inequities in Maine’s school funding formula | Letter
After a decade as a Maine superintendent, I authored a 2006 Brookings report that drove school district consolidations, many later reversed by local voters. The education funding debate stays fixated on revenue — who is paying and how — while ignoring results — who benefits and by how much (“Maine’s school funding formula has long […]
A child’s education has to begin at home | Letter
If parents fail to show an interest in their child’s schooling, the child will assume it isn’t important.
Swim against the tide of ignorance | Letter
Douglas Rooks’ recent op-ed on Trump’s goal of an ignorant electorate (Aug. 7) brought two authors to mind: Franklin D. Roosevelt and George Orwell. Franklin Delano Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. April 12 of this year was also the end of National Library Week. As Rooks laments the withdrawal of funding for knowledge and […]
We cannot call it genocide in Gaza | Letter
The use of the word “genocide” to describe the situation in Gaza is not remotely accurate and should not require a rebuttal, but here is one anyway. At no time before or during WWII were the Jews an existential threat to Germany. They had been living peaceably with no weapons of war at their disposal. […]
Maine’s Question 1 wording should clarify, not confuse | Letter
Letter writer Scott Farnum asks how the citizens’ initiative on voting somehow went from being a voter ID bill to an all-inclusive question (“Wording of voter ID question is undemocratic,” Aug. 7), mentioning numerous big changes to Maine election law. He blames the secretary of state for this “change.” In fact, there was no change. […]
Maine lawmakers should keep EATS Act out of Farm Bill | Letter
Most Americans want to know that the food they purchase and consume was produced responsibly, and that it didn’t come at the cost of animal suffering. It’s no surprise that voters in 15 states backed laws that set reasonable standards for how animals, raised for food, should be treated — such as California’s Proposition 12. […]
What the Bible really says on immigration | Letter
There is more than meets the eye in the Aug. 8 letter “Trump’s Christian advisers are failing him.” President Trump has all but eliminated illegal border-crossing through Mexico. My guess is, the second paragraph’s focus is immigration: “All people are equal in the eyes of God no matter their nationality, skin color, language they speak […]
Candidate’s attacks are disgusting | Letter
Like countless Mainers of all political persuasions (I’m sure), I was disgusted to read of the immigrant-hating attacks by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles on state Rep. Deqa Dhalac, who has lived in America for more than 30 years. The recently deceased political consultant and commentator David Gergen said that the current occupant of the […]
Amid budget cuts, we must protect Maine’s refuges and coastlines | Letter
Public lands are not political bargaining chips.