WASHINGTON — Here’s how Maine’s members of Congress were recorded on major roll call votes in the week ending March 21. House Bankruptcy overhaul Voting 315 for and 113 against, the House on March 19 passed a bill (HR 975) making it difficult for individuals with means to use bankruptcy to walk away from unsecured […]

The headlines proclaimed “NATO crisis worsens,” and “Atlantic alliance in disarray.” The French government bitterly criticized American policy, refusing to support the American military build-up. German newspapers lampooned the American defense secretary for his harsh language about their responsibility as allies of the United States. Many Americans called for the withdrawal of American troops from […]

Some myths die hard. With the country now facing multi-trillion dollar shortfalls in our federal budget over the next decade – and much worse if the Iraq war and occupation do not go smoothly – the specter of Social Security’s future insolvency is once again being raised. We are repeatedly told that Social Security will […]

If the prez is trying to tick off every other nation around, he’s doing a great job. AUSTIN, Texas – OK, sign me up for the Bush program. I’m aboard. Who else can we insult, offend, bribe, blackmail, threaten, intimidate, wiretap or otherwise infuriate?Getting the Canadians, who are famous for their phlegm, seriously mad at […]

Iraq will fall, but will we capture Saddam alive? And what might we do with him if we do catch him? WASHINGTON – No one can know the future, but I’ll make this bet: One way or another, we are looking at Saddam Hussein’s final days. The Bush administration won’t stand down until there is […]

WASHINGTON – Here’s how Maine’s members of Congress were recorded on major roll call votes in the week ending March 14. HOUSE Organ donors Voting 425 for and three against, the House on March 12 passed a bill (HR 399) authorizing up to $5 million annually for the travel and living expenses of individuals donating […]

Thursday was Girls’ Day at the State House. Some 101 7th and 8th grade girls from all over Maine came to Augusta to learn about politics and get a hands-on civics lesson. And they were encouraged to think about running for office.The girls met women legislators, watched the House and Senate during session, and held […]

Americans have proven over and again that we will buy anything, no matter how frivolous, tasteless or expensive.And, although we have some respect for religion, we have – with the eager help of Madison Avenue – reduced religious holidays to present-buying excesses.There once was a time when Halloween candy would be gone before Christmas trappings […]

If Republicans are smart – and the book is still open on this – they’ll do everything they can over the next two years to entice Democrats to attack the GOP’s Social Security reform ideas. While a single election doesn’t mark a trend, by any means, there is ample evidence that the Democrats’ old scare […]

It is time for Congress to again tackle sweeping health-care refoXrm – sweeping aside bureaucratically driven programs and ushering in a new era of consumer-driven health care. Political leaders have been trying for decades to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. Congress has enacted new programs to covered uninsured children, and states have […]