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Rights denied

Nancy Willard
Letters |
Saturday, November 14, 2009

I agree with Martha D. Palmer (letter, Nov. 10) that the page-one story Nov. 4 about Question 1 election results was condescending and insulting for those of us who care deeply about equal rights.

It is a crushing blow to be treated as a second-class citizen whose rights are denied that are enjoyed by others.

"The most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority," Henrik Ibsen.

The words to the song "Born Free" keep going through my head. Isn't that wonderful concept meant to apply to every citizen?

Nancy Willard, Woodstock

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

Gil's picture

"...Question 1 election

By Gil, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 20:52

"...Question 1 election results was condescending and insulting for those of us who care deeply about equal rights." What's condescending and insulting is the No voters who believe that the Yes voters did so out of bigotry and hatred, and that since they voted No, they must be better people. Your side lost, deal with it. Try again, or go away. But don't play holier-than-thou because the people rejected your attempt to force something on them that they didn't believe in.
"treated as a second-class citizen whose rights are denied that are enjoyed by others." Stop calling marriage a right, it's not. No one is guaranteed the "right" to marry. Nor is it a civil rights issue on par with the black civil rights movement of the 60's. It is a 1-2% minority trying to receive SPECIAL rights based solely on sexual preference.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate

momof4's picture

It bugs me that college

By momof4, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 10:39

It bugs me that college students in dorms that are from other states can vote for Maine policies. I think until they establish real residency or are Maine students, they should have to absentee vote for their own homestate. Most of them go back wherre they came from or find work elsewhere in another state, and in the meanwhile can tip the scales for Mainers.

erin77marie's picture

This is completely

By erin77marie, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 18:43

This is completely ridiculous. A lot of people from Maine go to college in Maine and then leave for jobs out of state after graduation. Should they not be allowed to vote just because they MIGHT move away? Where do you draw that line?

I was born out of state, but I grew up here. I went to college here. I am currently in graduate school here. I might leave when I graduate. I guess I better not vote because the future of Maine doesn't mean anything to me if I might not be here.

jchick's picture
verified

Those people from Maine

By John Chick, verified user — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:50

Those people from Maine would be considered Maine residents. The issue is not about denying anyone their right to vote. The issue momof4 brings up is whether or not we should allow non-residents (i.e. students from other states) to vote on Maine issues.

When I was in the service stationed in another state, I still listed Maine as my residence. I didn't vote on the local and state issues of the host State. I also went to college in Virginia for a couple years, but I was a registered voter in the State of Maine, so I didn't participate in local and state Virginia elections either.

It's not about were you are born and raised so much as it is about where you register to vote.

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

veritas's picture
verified

What's next? Deny the ballot

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 11:27

What's next?

Deny the ballot to the "PFA's?" Only let the Native born vote??

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

exoggensani's picture

I agree with you. Most of

By exoggensani, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 10:46

I agree with you. Most of the college students will not remain in the state of Maine so why should they be able to vote on Maine's future? Something to surly think about. I wonder how many people out there did not know college students from other states that come to Maine can vote for Maine's future.

Rinoblast's picture

As a recent Maine college

By Rinoblast, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 11:16

As a recent Maine college grad and lifelong Mainer, I feel the need to stick up for many of my out-of-state classmates here. You both assume that they have no stake in the way Maine turns out, when in fact they have just as much on the line as you and I. They drive on our roads, pay our sales and income tax, and have to abide by our laws. To not have a say in how their money is spent would be ludicrous. In addition, those who attend public schools are adversely affected by the legislature's University budget. And lest we forget that many students DO stay in Maine, and those who don't have the right to vote for people they believe will make Maine more youth-friendly (while they are still here).

The biggest moral problem is that when you begin to reduce one group's voting rights, you create a slippery slope. The last thing any of us want is for OUR voting rights to be taken away, but it could happen under similar auspices.

Centarie2000's picture
verified

The comments weren't about

By Allisa Milliard, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 11:27

The comments weren't about students from Maine who live in Maine and stay in Maine. It's about students from Oklahoma or Michigan or Texas who come for the education and go home. As for them using the roads, ect., and having the right to say how their money is spent. Why don't we allow tourists who vacation here from other states have a vote too? A Bowdoin College employee that I know was rather disquested that students can come here, vote, and NOT LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES of those votes, including higher taxes and fewer services. That is the problem.

exoggensani's picture

Your 100% correct. I was

By exoggensani, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 21:52

Your 100% correct. I was speaking of students that come to Maine for an education then leave and not come back.

Thank you for explaining to those that don't know how to read the comments section correctly. Some people just assume things, which one must never do.

ke6pij's picture

EXACTLY!!

By ke6pij, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 15:24

EXACTLY!!

veritas's picture
verified

The tourists don't live here

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 11:28

The tourists don't live here most of the year - the college students do.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

Centarie2000's picture
verified

They live here part time for

By Allisa Milliard, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 15:52

They live here part time for 2-4 years, and insulated on campuses. Again, why not let tourists who come here every year vote? How many other states actually allow non-resident students to vote in state issues? And, how many votes for No on 1 came from non-Maine-residential students?

Sandra2's picture

It is wrong to be treated

By Sandra2, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 10:05

It is wrong to be treated like a second class citizen, but unfortunately Christians continue to be treated that way because of their beliefs. Those who are too bigoted to respect their beliefs prefer to call them ignorant.

As an atheist myself, I voted Yes because gays should be allowed to live the way they want and Christians should be able to have their little word called marriage if it means that much to them. Both sides need to grow up and stop antagonizing each other. If your still in the second grade you shouldn't be voting GROW UP.

jchick's picture
verified

I agree. This is getting

By John Chick, verified user — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:36

I agree. This is getting old...

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

exoggensani's picture

Well said, thank you

By exoggensani, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 10:46

Well said, thank you

harrietthespy's picture

Don't give up. The younger

By harrietthespy, unverified — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 09:15

Don't give up. The younger generation are the future, and a strong majority of them support marriage equality. My son and his friends worked on his college campus to register voters and rally support for No on One, and it was the same story throughout colleges in Maine. I am proud of their ability to be open-minded, to embrace diversity, and to comprehend the basic facts of civil rights. The election results were frustrating and heartbreaking, but I truly believe it's only a matter of time.

Centarie2000's picture
verified

Colleges are traditionally

By Allisa Milliard, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 11:37

Colleges are traditionally the breeding places of liberal, anything goes ideas and movements. Then the students graduate and have to live in the real world, and typically change their minds. Look at the Baby Boomer Generation. Sit ins and political rallies were the norm. They were going to change the world with free love and mind altering drugs. Then they grew up, found out that their parents were right about those drugs and free love, and that expanded welfare was good on paper but not sustainable. Most of those old fogies that many No on 1 people want to hurry up and die won't do so anytime soon since their babyboomers and have healthcare, and they are replaced by a younger generation of people who've grown up believing in open-mindedness and diversity, yet go back to their conservative roots as they age.

queenhoneeybee's picture
verified

i agree

By Melissa Dunn, verified user — Sat, 11/14/2009 - 01:45

i agree

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