Letters submitted by BDN readers are checked by employees of the BDN Opinion Page. Send your letters to [email protected].

Why I Support Racial Impact Statements

To achieve racial justice in Maine, our laws and policies must be based on racial impact assessments. That’s why I am for LD 2.

Far too often black, indigenous and colored people are forgotten, overlooked and ignored. While not intentional, policies that do not consider the impact on these communities can and will continue to harm them.

On a personal level, my most damaging experiences have come from white, uninformed rulers, because when you exercise power (as policy makers do), ignorance leads to destruction. The same sense of urgency, care and control that goes into the financial security of the state must be applied in the implementation of policies on the security of our people.

Put simply, the health and wellbeing of our BIPOC communities must be a priority. Having accurate, reliable, and accessible information about lived experiences is a small part of it. In the end, it will take a lot longer. It will take courage to make changes as new information is presented. It will require real investments in time, resources and energy. It will take the faith and conviction of our communities as they speak of their needs.

I am in favor of LD 2 because it provides a way to track our progress and prevent harmful regression based on facts. Especially in these times, we have no room to go backwards.

Anthony Jackson

brewer

Child care is a national safety issue

As Thomas College President Laurie Lachance pointed out in a recent opinion piece on BDN, quality childcare that is accessible and affordable is critical to Maine’s future. As a retired brigadier general, I argue that this is also vital to national security.

The US military is currently under a challenge to find recruits who are suitable for our country. Too many young people in our nation are disqualified because of poor academic performance, criminal record or because they are not physically fit.

One way to reverse this trend among teenagers is to reach children early in life. This requires that they have programs at their disposal that provide the support our youngest citizens need to make a strong journey. Often this onset occurs in childcare. These programs can help make the difference between a child growing up healthy, doing well in school, and staying away from crime.

Lachance mentioned in her article a new report entitled “The Scarcity of Early Childhood Programs Undermines Maine’s Rural Communities”. Based on the research, more than a quarter of the rural Mainer live in a childcare desert in which there is only one open childcare place for three children. I agree that targeted investments to improve access are justified.

Quality childcare programs can change the future for many children. These programs can increase the number of young Mainers eligible for military service. Given the current recruitment problems, they are also a national security issue.

Rob Carmichael

Bucksport

Golden is a Democrat in name only

I am writing in response to the recent article on the BDN that said Rep. Jared Golden was one of two Democrats in the House who voted against the COVID-19 Aid Act. When I heard two Democrats vote against it, I got a feeling that Golden was one of them, and I was right. There’s really something wrong with that. The Democratic Party must think about a strong candidate to stand against him for the next primary in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.

Golden gave a lengthy, transparent “explanation” why he voted “No” on his Facebook page. It’s transparent because he doesn’t seem to care about Mainers and their immediate needs – he seems to care more about his future political career. He might as well have an “R” before his name since he often votes with Republicans. I don’t think he can be trusted to vote for bills that will help the average mainer. Its votes affect the entire state.

I hope the Maine Democratic Party will consider a strong candidate to face Golden next time, and now is the time to look for a good candidate. Golden was a huge disappointment to the people of Maine. I don’t think he’s a moderate democrat. I’m not suggesting that we get a progressive Democrat for the 2nd District, but I do suggest that we get a moderate Democrat – one who will be a Democrat not just in name. Maine can and should do a lot better.

Ronna L. DeLoe

Thomaston