Here’s a look at what several in our online community had to say about letters to the editor and stories in the news over the long holiday weekend.

Regarding a letter to the editor by B. Wilner on the disappearance of America’s middle class Crystal Ward of Lewiston wrote:

“Just what is Obama “plowing over” in the Constitution? Please provide specific parts (i.e. Article 3 Section 1 ). Statements about breaking the Constitution are made all too often with little proof provided, but it makes a great sound bite. Can you tell me where you find “filibuster” in the U.S. Constitution?”

On the same letter Mark Ellis of Mechanic Falls wrote:

“When you have a president plowing over our constitution like Obama is, it is everybody’s responsibility to stop him and a filibusterer is an effective tool to do so.”

On a story about a fatal accident that claimed four lives in Palermo on Christmas Day — the state’s deadliest of 2011 so far — Cathy Bryant of Lewiston wrote:

“It’s winter time folks, time to slow down and leave earlier than normal because of the weather. Let’s get there safe.”

On a Dec. 24 report by staff writer Steve Mistler regarding an increase in outside money in Maine political campaigns in 2011, Gerald Weinand of Rockland writes:

“Maine can’t prohibit such spending, nor even limit it. The strict limits on donations to candidates is one reason independent groups are beginning to be a force here, and why so many members of the Legislature control such a PAC.

Rep. Diane Russell had an interesting bill (LD663) that would have placed a 200 percent tax on contributions to campaigns from any and all corporations.

Maine already requires 24-hour reports for large expenditures by campaigns beginning 11 days out from an election, but no such provision for donations. Imposing such 24-hour reports on donations of $500 (or pick your number) would help voters know who is funding these efforts before the election.”

Regarding a Dec. 23 story by staff writer Erin Cox about the town of Canton’s frustration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection over permits for a dam on Lake Anastigunticook, Wilma Turcotte of Auburn wrote:

“This is just another example of this State choking its people to death with red tape. They tell you that you have to do something or you decide to improve something, no matter if it’s your property or your town and they will drown you with rules and regulations … Maybe the little town of Canton will be the one that wakes this state up to what’s really happening and why we are going down the tubes … Go get um Canton!”

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Some comments have been edited for length, punctuation and spelling.

sthistle@sunjournal.com