Last week, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark civil rights case out of Colorado that could have broad – and disastrous – national implications.

Reports that Maine's ranking U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced her decision to support the Senate version of the tax reform bill is welcome news to the hard-working taxpayers of Maine. We, the members of the Red County Caucus, would like to commend the Senator for this decision.

The first time I heard the term "net neutrality" was in the fall of 2008. I was working for a marketing agency that did public affairs work, and we had a client who was involved in the issue, which was beginning to gain some traction in Washington.

The federal government must do a better job to provide adequate resources for background checks on people purchasing firearms.

We of The Red County Caucus would like to remind U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine that the Constitution of the United States was written to protect the natural born rights of the individual.

Years ago, I worked for a woman just a few years older than I am. She was an experienced professional communicator who had extensive experience in Washington, including a stint working on Capitol Hill for a very influential congressman.

Mainers are generous people, and we are known to help our neighbors when there is a need. Whether it during a natural disaster, a holiday season or any time of the year, Mainers take care of Mainers.

This week, families across our state will gather to share turkey and stuffing and (hopefully) a Maine blueberry pie – but we all know the food won’t be the star of the show. No, what makes Thanksgiving truly special are the people gathered around the table, and the opportunity this day gives each of us reflect upon the things we are thankful for.

Which would lead a neutral observer to ask a simple question: Why? How can a man accused of such things survive politically, and even potentially win?

Veterans Day is one of the most sacred days on our national calendar. This year, it was a special pleasure to spend that day of remembrance and gratitude in Freedom, a town whose very name celebrates the great gift we have been given by our veterans and those who serve today.

In September 1988, a month before the annual six-day moose hunt, I was forewarned by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife officials in Augusta that crowd control would be my greatest challenge as lead biologist of the Greenville moose hunter check station, the busiest in Maine.

It took a lot of work to balance Maine’s budget, bring fiscal responsibility to state government and restore our rainy day fund. Expanding Medicaid must maintain a balanced budget, protect our reserves and not raise taxes on hard-working Mainers.

A rejection of Donald Trump! A rejection of the establishment Republicans! A validation of Obamacare! A harbinger of a coming wave election! Speaker Nancy Pelosi! The revenge of the Democrats! An election that means so much! An election that means nothing!

This November marks National Home Care and Hospice Month and gives our state the opportunity to recognize the incredible contributions of those who work in these fields.

In 1865, President Lincoln asked Americans to remember soldiers and veterans. He urged them, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” I take his words to heart.

One of the pieces of legislation that generated much attention in the media and elsewhere, at the end of this past session, was LD 1170 “An Act To Reduce Youth Access to Tobacco Products” which raised the age in which individuals can purchase tobacco products in the state of Maine to 21.

A couple weeks ago, I took a look at the Republicans looking to succeed Gov. Paul LePage in next year's gubernatorial election. The Democratic primary is, in many ways, a much more difficult one to handicap.

With the holiday season approaching, I know that many of us are starting to shop for friends and family. But I want to highlight another type of shopping that could have a profound impact on your wellbeing: healthcare.