While I am not a Republican, I have voted for Sen. Olympia Snowe because I trust her judgment as a policymaker to truly represent women of color. Snowe has proven herself worthy of my vote once again. Recently, she broke ranks with her party to vote for the Senate Finance Committee's health reform bill.

It always amazes me what the editors of the Sun Journal considers news, especially front-page news.

On Oct. 9, television news shows announced that President Barack Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On Oct. 10, I searched through the whole Sun Journal for an acknowledgement of that news item, and finally found one line mentioning it in another news item about Obama.

People of this nation have slowly ceded control of their lives to the government, in return for the illusion of protection from the unfairness of life. When health care reform passes, government will nose into private lives on a scale as yet unseen in this country.

With the prospect of a federal public health insurance option, Maine's Dirigo Choice should be at the center of the debate.

Problems with Dirigo Choice should be a warning to those pushing for a federal version. A public option is not socialism as critics claim, nor would it necessarily restrict freedom through expansion of government. However, as evidenced in Maine, it will not decrease the numbers of uninsured.

I remember, in the early 1990s, sitting in the auditorium of the Lewiston Middle School, listening to the debate concerning a homosexual civil rights ordinance that the City Council was deliberating. A number of speakers warned that should it pass, as it had in Portland earlier, it would ultimately lead to homosexual marriage.

"Not true," was screamed by homosexual activists. All they wanted was "tolerance" and "acceptance." The ordinance passed but was voted down later by citizen initiative.

To get an idea of what TABOR II will do to Lewiston, try changing a light bulb with your hands tied behind your back. This is not the time to pass this legislation. Please vote no on Question 4. 

Jay Calnan, Lewiston

I thank the voters of Ward 1 and all the citizens of Lewiston for the opportunity to serve them as president of their City Council. It has been an honor, despite these most difficult times.

The upcoming vote is critical to assure the difficulties the current council and the previous council faced will not plague the next. We have too much at stake to allow egos to come before the people's business.

After reading editorials from other Catholics, I think a distinction is needed between defining Maine families and marriage. Stand for Marriage is not about discrimination of the gay community.

First, natural law tells us something about the body that is evident in and of itself. Natural law also tells us that the body was designed for the procreative act of husband and wife.

Lewiston voters have clear choices for mayor.

Lewiston's two recent experiences display the difference between Larry Gilbert and Mark Paradis.

As councilor, Paradis led the charge to sell the dump to Casella and spoke in anger about it being a lost opportunity at the public outcry to stop the deal.

Mayor Gilbert, on the other hand, led efforts for public involvement, exposing the deal with Casella. Gilbert's leadership and courage stopped the Casella deal.

In 1967, a Supreme Court decision with 72 percent public opposition ended laws against interracial marriage. In 1991, 24 years later, for the first time, a slight majority of Americans approved of interracial marriage.

Most of my family are Catholic. My parents were married 50 years ago at Holy Family Church. My uncle was not allowed to attend his sister's wedding because she married a Baptist.

Looking back, we can wonder how to make sense of these events, in a country founded on principles of religious and political freedom.

Stan Pelletier, candidate for Lewiston City Council, Ward 1, is a breath of fresh air.

People who know him, like him. He has worked hard throughout his life and is a self-made man. With that attitude, he will represent all the people in Ward 1 and be an asset to the city of Lewiston.

His life experiences have helped him understand that sound economic development, along with fair wages, will help the hardworking people of Lewiston achieve their potential. He will work hard to make sure that the city government is open and fair.

This November, the taxpayers of Maine will have the opportunity to slow down out-of-control government spending by voting "yes" on Question 4.

We are all children of our creator. Supporters for a "yes" vote on Question 1 are not following the Golden Rule, which is the same throughout the great religions of the world.

Same-sex marriage is about love, not the bedroom.

Marriage is a spiritual union and, in my opinion, should not be denied to a minority group that has the same need to have their relationship honored as the majority.

We need to evolve and be more open-minded, loving and accepting. Just because someone can procreate does not make them a better spouse or parent.

Mayor Larry Gilbert and I have not always seen eye to eye on issues, but he has earned my respect and my vote.

He has always been willing to listen to all sides of each issue, and has always responded to my phone calls, e-mails, and requests for meetings.

In an age when many politicians believe that they know better than the people that they serve and ignore public input, Gilbert has actively sought the opinions of the people of Lewiston through his regularly scheduled "Breakfasts with the Mayor."

As I was watching the news recently, I saw a group of about seven women in Portland holding a press conference to oppose TABOR, Question 4 on the ballot. I think these women were associated somehow with Planned Parenthood. I saw, right behind the woman speaking, another girl with a sign that said "TABOR hurts kids."

Lewiston residents have a unique opportunity during the upcoming election to return the current mayor, Larry Gilbert, for another term in office.

Seldom has the city benefited from such an experienced, civic-minded, dedicated and forward-looking candidate, able to identify, address and satisfy the needs of the community.

I hope other Lewiston residents will join me in support of the one individual who can provide progress and capture the spirit of Lewiston — Larry Gilbert.

Paul S. Robinson, Lewiston

These are my thoughts on the marriage issue of Question 1 on the November ballot.

I don't disagree about two men or two women being together; that's their choice. What I disapprove of is the word "marriage" being applied to their union.

Call it a civil union, with all legal rights that go with it.

I am 78 years old, a widow married for 52 years. I don't wish to be dishonored, or my children dishonored, for what I had and loved and worked at — a marriage — by giving homosexual unions the same name.

I write in support of my father, Larry Gilbert Sr., in his bid for re-election as mayor of Lewiston.

He has been dedicated to service all of his life, from serving his country in Vietnam to his 33 years in law enforcement.

When there was public concern about Casella Waste Systems taking over the city's waste facility, he initiated a public forum ensuring public input that led to its defeat.

He led the sale of the Colisee, alleviating a $500,000+ annual tax burden on residents. Now the Colisee pays $50,000 in taxes and fees, saving taxpayers money.

Are you traditionally married? Since gay marriage was legalized in Maine, do you and your spouse love each other less? Were you rendered unable to conceive? Did your parenting skills deteriorate? Were you forced to divorce? Was your marriage annulled? Are licenses for opposite sex marriages being denied?

No?

So for those who are part of a "traditional" heterosexual monogamous marriage (as I am ), the total impact of gay marriage on our marriages is ... let's see now ... zero! Zip! Nada!

As we approach our 60th wedding anniversary, my wife and I have never been harmed in any way by homosexual individuals' or couples' actions or lifestyles. Neither have our siblings, children nor grandchildren.

It seems ironic that the largest group supporting Question 1 by fiat do not allow their pulpit spokesmen to actively participate in the cause they espouse — one man and one woman.

Towns and cities should be allowed to return to the school districts they used to be in. Other schools should not be forced into districts that they do not want. Schools should have the freedom to withdraw from a district if their financial liabilities have been met. Schools should be able to change districts if they wish. The use of force, fines and mandates to gain the ends the state wishes should end.

What are people afraid of? Why are people worried about allowing same-sex marriage? How will allowing two committed individuals the privilege of being recognized as life partners under the law hurt them? Why is homosexuality a threat to some people?

In Pamella Beliveau's column (Oct. 18), "A committed marriage is a worthy aspiration," she says: "We must protect our children from people spreading questionable, fearful and outright hurtful rhetoric about gays and lesbians who live, work and love in our state."

Did she just admit that she agrees with the gay activists — that children should be taught acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle regardless of the desires and beliefs of their parents?

Let me see if I have this right ...

God created Adam (male); saw that Adam was lonely, so created Eve (female) to keep Adam company. Putting the apple and snake incidents aside, God commanded Adam and Eve to join (good move) and multiply.

The first marriage!

But, God made a mistake. God gave man intelligence to discern right from wrong. Otherwise, humanity would behave like animals, acting on instinct alone. But now look at the mess humanity is in.

People in politics usually come with an agenda, some altruistic, others more selfish. I want to compare two such agendas.