Mainers face a critically important decision in the upcoming referendum on mandatory vaccination. This choice will affect not only this state, but the entire nation. We absolutely have to get this right, and it is important, therefore, to understand what lies at the heart of Question 1. We have heard that this is an up […]

Everyone knows what pain is like. Those of us who have the access and resources for legal medication and counseling don’t worry about taking a pill to make some pain go away, nor are we afraid of being arrested for it. People consume substances for a variety of personal reasons — to heal, to relieve […]

Franklin County commissioners are withholding allocated funds for Western Maine Transportation Services. As a result, WMTS is unable to draw down larger federal funding. Riders and town officials have been given a letter detailing the termination or drastic reduction in services in Franklin County, as of March 31. In speaking with WMTS, I was told […]

Those who value liberty, independence and the right of parents to make the best decision for their children must vote “yes” on Question 1. The other side says mandatory vaccinations are needed to prevent diseases such as pertussis, measles, mumps and chicken pox. But those are not diseases, they are week-long illnesses which leave people […]

In his Senate vote, Sen. Mitt Romney showed us that political and moral courage are possible, even if rarely seen. Whatever people may think of his position and career, his was perhaps the only Senate vote made entirely based on conscience. Unfortunately, Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins is no profile in courage. By trying to have […]

As a member of the Franklin County Budget Committee, which approved $10,000 for Western Maine Transportation Services, I was deeply concerned to receive a letter from the organization stating that without the local funds, which are needed to draw down federal funds, it would be forced to eliminate or significantly reduce most of its bus […]

I would probably not vote for Mitt Romney if I were to be given the chance — I am a liberal Democrat and he is a corporatist Republican. Nonetheless, I admire his principled vote to convict President Trump. That was a vote which had few if any obvious advantages for his career, and which takes […]

On March 3, Question 1 on the ballot will ask people to vote for or against the law that requires all children, except those who are deemed medically excluded, to be vaccinated against contagious disease. Proponents are suggested that Big Pharma is pushing this requirement for profit. But, in this instance, the profit margin is […]

The Sun Journal recently reported that Republicans will launch another attempt to repeal Maine’s ranked choice voting law with the slogan: “One person, one vote.” That’s a catchy phrase that sounds just but, in actuality, voting decisions are not binary. The purpose of voting is to achieve government and laws that represent the will of […]

Independent voters cannot vote in the primary election March 3. But everyone should go to the polls to vote “no” on Question 1 — the people’s veto to undo the bill passed by the Legislature last year that safeguards school-age children. “Yes on 1, Reject Big Pharma” is a ruse. Big Pharma is not the […]