Now we are in the holiday season filled with the spirit of Christmas let’s unite as one greeting everyone with smiling faces and blessings of Christmas filling their hearts with love throughout the new year.

In 2010, one of the most encouraging things that I thought came out of the Tea Party movement was a focus on the issue of the budget deficit and the national debt. That year, candidates who promised to address those issues managed to gain 63 seats in Congress.

Proponents of Medicaid expansion have not been honest with the Maine people. They claim it’s free because the federal government will foot the bill for this massive expansion of welfare. Folks, it’s just not true.

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.

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) will make elections more fair and democratic. There is a new petition that will force the enactment of RCV (which has been delayed until after 2020 by the legislature) by next year.

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.

Between now and Feb. 4, citizens in communities all over Maine are collecting signatures from registered voters to create a “People's Veto Referendum” for our ranked-choice voting law that was passed by referendum in November 2016 but suppressed by the governor and legislature over this past year.

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.

Between now and Feb. 4, citizens in communities all over Maine are collecting signatures from registered voters to create a “People's Veto Referendum” for our ranked-choice voting law that was passed by referendum in November 2016 but suppressed by the governor and legislature over this past year.

I’m having a hard time understanding why Congress is rushing through tax cuts that will cost $100 billion each year (benefiting few if any of my neighbors here), while denying $800 per year to each of nine million poor kids (many of whom are probably children of my neighbors here).

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

On behalf of 230,000 AARP members in the state of Maine, I am writing with great concern regarding the latest version of the Senate Tax Bill.

While I agree with Matthew Gagnon’s recent column regarding sexual impropriety in Congress, I found it disingenuous that while he mentioned Al Franken, John Conyers and George H.W. Bush, nothing was said regarding Roy Moore

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.

Last week’s message from the Gov. Paul LePage bemoaned the fiscal irresponsible Medicaid expansion. I for one applaud a governor who espouses fiscal responsibility. But I wonder if this governor’s ideology has clouded his sense of fiscal responsibility.

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.