Voters must retire Sen. Susan Collins.

I don’t mean any disrespect to her, but the reality is that she has been a willing and able foot soldier for the Bush administration. She consistently voted in support of his economic policies, including all of the tax cuts that provided windfalls to the wealthiest people in the country. She voted for the backward Cheney energy bill that gave tax breaks to big oil companies instead of providing the massive investments in renewable energy development that are needed. She voted for the war in Iraq.

Tom Allen voted against the top-heavy tax cuts; against the regressive energy bill, and against the war.

Electing Tom Allen is the surest way that Maine people can put the regrettable Bush-Cheney years behind us and start building a better future.

Cecile Burgoyne, Auburn