The national voting season now begins in full force. Maine will hold primaries on March 3, “Super Tuesday,” along with states all the way to California. That will be the single biggest day for the selection of national convention delegates who pick their party’s nominee for president. The foundation of the American Republic’s system is […]
On March 3, Maine will vote to decide whether to repeal a new law that removes religious and philosophical exemptions from the requirement that schoolchildren must be vaccinated. Beyond its implications for public health and religious rights, the vote raises fundamental issues about the role of government and personal liberty. The U.S. is proud of […]
If you are reading this online and not in a print newspaper, you can easily understand why Sears and other retailers are closing stores across the country. People purchase more services than goods. News is a service. You can get it online and avoid the need to pick up a paper at the local store. […]
On Monday, we celebrate George Washington’s official birthday. Each year on this occasion, I remind readers that Washington’s Birthday is the legal U.S. and Maine government holiday. In remembering all presidents, some outright failures, the day meant to honor Washington has become “Presidents’ Day,” a commercial holiday. Upon taking office as president, Washington realized that […]
The biggest issue in the campaign against Sen. Susan Collins may be her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. An increasingly conservative Supreme Court could reverse the Roe v. Wade abortion decision. Opponents of the Kavanaugh appointment believe he would vote to overturn Roe, ending federal protection of a woman’s right […]
Words spoken by two Republican senators fairly summarize the impeachment experience. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stated sadly, “Given the partisan nature of the impeachment from the very beginning and throughout, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate.” Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, concluded, “Just because […]
“You can pay me now or you can pay me later,” goes the saying. When it comes to government budgets, if it’s later, it must be Washington. If it’s pay now, it’s Maine. The Congressional Budget Office, which is independent of both political parties, reported last week that the federal government will run deficits averaging […]
The caucuses and primaries are on the way. Votes now matter more than debate ratings. The seriousness of the moment became more evident when the New York Times announced its endorsements for the Democratic nomination. It supports two candidates, both senators, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren. Its endorsement editorial is unusually frank about what it […]
The tug of war between the executive and legislative branches keeps taking new turns. In theory, the legislative branch is supposed to set policy through passing laws. Legislators can submit proposals for consideration and many of their bills are adopted. The executive branch is assigned the task of carrying out the laws. In fact, the […]
At least five of the Democratic presidential candidates, including Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, worry a Democratic president would face a hostile Supreme Court and want to add more justices to the Court. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has used his GOP caucus to block judicial nominations by President Obama and open the floodgates for […]
