Letters to the Editor

Standing up for free speech

To the Editor:
    One the luxuries of being a Representative is the opportunity to meet so many people here in central Maine. I might be biased, but I think some of the greatest people on God’s green earth reside in this area. With every town meeting, auction, and dinner I attend, my respect for the decent, honest, and hardworking people in these great rural Maine towns only deepens.

    I have a great faith in the moral fiber and character of these people. That is why I am surprised and disappointed that my opponent in this race for Senate District 4 would be the sole sponsor of a bill that would grant the Ethics Commission, a government bureaucracy, the authority to identify whether statements by candidates are lies or the truth. In my opinion, this is a troubling intrusion into the arena of free speech.
    No one likes to be lied to or lied about and we should be able to expect truth from our political leaders. Sadly, in these troubling times, honesty seems to be the exception rather than the rule in some areas of government.
    Still, I fail to see how granting institutions, which historically have struggled with honesty, the authority to establish for the people what is the truth and what is a lie is a the right course of action.
    We already have enough laws on the books to deal with lies.
    I cannot support this bill. It is not the role of government to define what is truth for the people. From what I have seen in travels throughout central Maine, the people of District 4 are far more capable than government bureaucracy in discerning the truth from a lie. This is one more intrusion of big government into the political process and we simply don’t need it.
    Quite frankly, the bill reads like an attempt at censorship. I don’t appreciate being censored, but I don’t think my opponents should be either.
    It’s not what our Founding Fathers intended. I am concerned that this could become a political whip for whichever party is in power to use against political opponents.
    Once again, government wants to have the final say over another aspect of our lives. It is true that media coverage tends to be slanted toward one party. It is true that many politicians get away with lies during their campaigns. Unfortunately, in this bill, LD 1834, we find the cure is worse than the sickness.
    Freedom of speech was established for all Americans, not just the truthful ones. In our efforts to limit dishonesty, aren’t we rather limiting the freedom to speak? Unless it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt that this bill will not infringe on free speech and our Constitutional freedoms, I cannot vote for this bill.

Rep. Paul Davis
R-Sangerville

Wind power not a good deal for Maine

To the Editor:
    I am writing in response to the article that was in the Central Maine (Waterville) Morning Sentinel on First Wind looking for $75 million, after their financial partnership with a Canadian energy company was shot down by the Maine Supreme Court.
    Mentioned in the article is some of the money is needed for ongoing projects in Maine which are the Bingham project and sites in Hancock and Washington counties.
    The article also mentions that First Winds 50 turbine project in Oakfield will produce enough power for 50,000 homes (when the turbines are turning at full capacity).
    This site will be one of the largest in the state, with all of the power going out of our state to Massachusetts. This is true with all of First Winds’ generated power. It’s all sold out of state at the highest price, to any of the states that buy green power (Maine included).
    People of Maine have to realize that the states, who buy green power from Maine, do not want to destroy their mountains, waterways, and scenic views with these giant wind mills which tower 500 feet into the air (tallest structures in our state).
    First Wind has already promised over $8,695,637 to towns and organizations in the Bingham area for the 62 turbine wind farm being constructed in that area. Most of all this money comes from state and federal subsidies already in place. First Wind is also receiving Tax Incentive Financing (TIFs) from Bingham and they are lobbying unorganized townships (Somerset County) for TIFs.
    Without the financial partnerships, subsidies and tax breaks paid by Maine residences, there would be no destruction of our land or loss of our natural beauty and resources.

Richard Harris
Fairfield

Is common sense that common anymore?

To the Editor:
    Recently, I spent several days in the hospital recovering from a lung infection. While I was there, I had lots of time to think about different issues regarding the economy of the state and our country and why Maine’s fiscal deficit is so high.
    After weighing several variables and not wanting to put the blame on any one in general, I decided the problem must start with politics. This is a subject I know very little about and don’t wish to learn; I never could really understand it. It seems to me you have two different parties trying to have a race to see who can spend the most amount of money, in the shortest amount of time and get nothing to show for it.
    I can be held responsible for part of the problem as well as others as, “we the people,” no pun intended, cast a vote. It’s scary voting; it’s like playing Russian Roulette but instead of spinning the cylinder of a gun, we go to Webster’s second definition of Russian Roulette: “Any activity potentially destructive to its participants.” Hmm? So we spin the candidates and try to guess which one is the best liar and if they will do what they lied about when they get in office.
    My definition of a politician is: a person who wants everyone to know they are smart enough for you to give a job to and pay them for doing absolutely nothing.
    That’s not really a fair statement and I apologize for that remark. In my opinion, there are two kinds of politicians, the ones that can make a difference and are not allowed to and the ones who cannot make a difference and want to. Perhaps a third type who just doesn’t care. Mostly their hands are tied and mine are just tired.
    I can say one thing about a good politician, when you ask them a question they can spend half an hour talking on the subject and never give you an answer, and leave you in a confused state of mind. OK, enough picking on the politicians, I’ve got other fish to fry.
    There is also another issue that concerns me as far as how the state revenue is appropriated. Several years ago the state started a drug-alcohol rehabilitation program. I don’t know how the alcohol aspect is doing, but the drug program is in full swing and booming.
    These drug rehab centers, to my understanding, were designed to wean addicts off their habit gradually over a period of time based on a timeframe of 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on the severity of the addiction.
    I thought this was a wonderful idea until I learned many of the people are taking advantage of the program. They are not trying to benefit physically or mentally, but financially, and the state is supporting it.
    Recently, I was informed that anyone in the methadone program doesn’t have to reduce their medication unless they want to. They can keep the same dosage or even increase it if they want. Doesn’t make much sense to me.
    Also, the state is paying gas mileage for those who aren’t taking the LYNX Transport. You have hundreds of people who carpool back and forth to these clinics and five out of six receive a check at the end of the month and don’t even drive a vehicle, which leaves them with more money to buy drugs.
    It’s too bad the state can’t put some of that revenue where everyone would benefit. Put it into highways, at least it will help some and they will have a smooth ride to the clinic.
    Now, to make matters worse, the FDA and social services have come up with a new drug to keep the patients from overdosing, so they can do more drugs and not worry. The only good thing I can see here is job security for the clinic employees.
    I believe Governor LePage was absolutely right when he said that Maine has been heading in the wrong direction for a long time.

Jim Rathburn
Monson

To an unknown friend

To the Editor:
    My most sincere thanks to the man with the white plow truck who so thoughtfully gave my entrance drive a sweep Monday morning, March 31, as I was struggling unsuccessfully to remove the huge chunks of ice.
    It’s wonderful to know there are such kind, helpful people in our community.

Barbara Wilson
Dover-Foxcroft