While all the ramifications of Sen. Olympia Snowe’s decision not to seek another term in office have yet to unfold, it seems prudent to pause and take stock of this notable politician’s contributions to Maine and the country at large.

As the new director of AARP Maine’s state office, I am familiar both with the senator’s leadership regarding older Americans and with the focus her decision not to seek re-election now brings to our state.

Sen. Snowe’s voting record shows that her goals often recognized the priorities of older Americans and were consistent with AARP’s mission to help improve the lives of those 50 and older. For example, in May 2010 AARP awarded Sen. Snowe the 2009 Legislative Leadership Award as a way to honor her “for her ongoing advocacy of policies and initiatives that seek to improve the lives of older Americans.”

Her deep concerns about the soaring costs of prescription drugs are well-documented and resulted in the introduction of the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act with former Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota. This legislation allows U.S.-licensed pharmacies and drug wholesalers to import safely FDA-approved medications from Canada and abroad.

Sen. Snowe on this occasion, as she did on many others, looked past party lines toward the greater good for Mainers and all Americans.

She often showed great compassion for some of the most vulnerable citizens in her political choices.

Just six months ago, AARP endorsed the Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act introduced by Sen. Snowe and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. For many patients receiving intravenous therapy, being required to travel to clinics or hospitals for treatment presents a true hardship. The bill would make it possible for home-bound individuals who rely upon intravenous medications to receive their treatments in their own homes through Medicare Part B. It would also generate savings to the Medicare program, since the cost of providing care in an individual’s home is less expensive than care provided in an institutional setting.

Sen. Snowe clearly demonstrated a commitment to protecting and strengthening both Medicare and Social Security during her long career in office, and she was not afraid to stand up to her own party or to reach across the political aisle to do so.

Current and future Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries watched all year in 2011 as their benefits were debated over and over again, wondering what changes might be on the horizon.

It is worth noting that here in Maine more than a third of Social Security beneficiaries are kept out of poverty thanks to their benefits.

There are 267,012 Mainers on Medicare. With almost 7 percent of Maine’s population experiencing what is known as “food insecurity” every day, and many more struggling to pay their heating bills, the protection of both programs has never been more important.

In this crucial election year, AARP is working to bring the discussion about Social Security and Medicare out from behind closed doors in Washington.

We’re launching You’ve Earned a Say, a national conversation giving millions of Americans who rely on these programs the chance to make their voices heard around the future of Social Security and Medicare.

In the coming months, AARP will sponsor town halls, community conversations, debates, webcasts, bus tours and other events — all with the goal of giving Americans a chance to state their views and offer ideas about how to keep Social Security and Medicare strong for the long haul. Through You’ve Earned a Say questionnaires being distributed to our members and their families, AARP is listening.

We need Washington to do the same.

The strength of our two-party system rests ideally with the notion that both sides of any worthy political debate will be well-represented. However, of late, “represented” too often has led to polarization to the point of impasse. Sen. Snowe has cited the disappearance of what she calls “the sensible center” in Washington as one of the reasons for her departure from the political arena.

As a nonpartisan organization, AARP — and its membership — often experience this same frustration.

In the wake of Sen. Snowe’s announcement, members of the news media are reporting that her impending departure is causing an “implosion” in Washington and “chaos” in Maine. Change of this nature, however, can also be something else: a springboard for action.

Mainers, indeed all Americans, need strong leaders who will work to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and who will take the time to listen to their constituents back home.

Whomever our next leaders are, AARP aims to help give greater voice to Mainers in the debate.

Lori Parham is state director of AARP Maine in Portland.