This is in response to the Sun Journal articles summarizing candidates’ views on perennial issues.

If the candidates’ overviews of Maine’s penal system are genuine, they are in general agreement about a need for improvement. Mental illness, absence of healthy childhood development and other problems mentioned are real issues, but what does Paul LePage see that requires reinstitution of the death penalty after nearly 125 years?

Why does he consider it necessary?

What problems does he think are the result of its absence? Is the quality of life in Maine somehow diminished?

Alas, he doesn’t say.

Earlier, he doesn’t say what would make incarceration in prison tantamount to the “life of Riley.” Is it really the medical care provided (see Amendment VIII, U.S. Constitution)?

Since he hasn’t given it much attention, perhaps he hasn’t thought seriously about it. If he has, more is needed.

Paul McGuire, Farmington