This is in response to the Feb. 8 letter from Daniel Salerno of Farmington in which he excoriates both Sen. Olympia Snowe for opposing health care “reform,” and Sen. Susan Collins for doing her job to maintain national security.

The Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts reflects the American people’s opposition to a $2.5 trillion bill that limits choice and competition, cuts Medicare benefits, rewards special interests and constituents and fails to do the one essential thing: reduce health care costs.

The issue of national security is even more compelling. There is absolutely no constitutional guarantee that terrorists should be extended the same rights as common criminals. That is why there are military tribunals in the first place.

The Abdulmutallab fiasco demonstrates not only the incredible incompetence of the Obama administration in gaining intelligence information in this case but also reflects a dangerous policy of appeasement when it comes to prosecuting the war against Islamic extremists. Witness the official report of the results of the Fort Hood shooting investigation.

It is evident that Salerno has been well-indoctrinated in the liberal precept that a lie will eventually become truth if often repeated. The more lies, the better the chances. It would be one thing if this tactic were localized, but when it pervades an entire administration at a national level, it needs to be exposed for what it is: dangerous and unAmerican.

Clyde Pingree, South Paris