Sen. Susan Collins declares publicly she is concerned that poor Mainers have enough heating assistance, yet her repeated votes to cut taxes for the wealthy ensured there would not be enough money to help poor and old Mainers keep warm during cold winters. Her vote to support an expensive and ultimately losing war in Iraq ensured there would not be enough money for heating assistance. Her vote for Alito to the Supreme Court ensures that big business and imperial presidencies continue to drain funds necessary to promote quality of life for all people, not just the rich.

Either Collins didn’t know this or she simply didn’t care. Maine deserves a more sensitive senator.

Either way, Maine needs to be rid of politicians such as Collins, who parade their “care” in public, then, when it counts on the Senate floor, consistently vote for measures that work against the quality of life of people in Maine.

Maine deserves a senator whose votes support real caring about Maine people. No more grandstanding for photo opportunities.

Collins does not deserve our support as she comes up for re-election. Mainers need a thoughtful, sensitive person in Washington, not a person who utters pious words loudly and then votes quietly for the opposite.

Denis Ledoux, Lisbon Falls