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The BDN editorial board has an amazing ability to daily write editorials about a wide range of very different topics and issues that impact Maine and even America. Often, they praise the good work of Maine’s congressional delegation and their collaborative work on behalf of Mainers which they should. For example, the July 25 editorial supported pausing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention new rules for bringing dogs to the U.S. There was public outcry and congressional opposition from 15 senators including Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King. Rep. Jared Golden even proposed an amendment to a federal funding bill that would block the CDC from implementing the new rules. Good!
May the BDN editorial board have an equal public responsibility not only to praise but constructively criticize our Maine congressional delegation when they fail the Maine motto to lead. Case in point: Since 1965, yes 1965, there has a discriminatory federal law called the Institute for Mental Diseases Exclusion Law, through which our congressional delegates past and present have failed Mainers and our society terribly. How? More than two years ago in April 2022 an eloquent and insightful letter was sent to Sens. Collins, King and Rep. Golden by state Sen. Joe Baldacci and other four members of the Maine state Legislature urging them to help end this federal law that costs so much in lives and economically.
Please read their compelling reasons why this law should be ended. Not a single member has offered to co-sponsor any bill to end it despite the enormous cost in lives and economic impact. If the BDN did, you likely would be the first editorial board in Maine to beam the light of truth on this horror of congressional inaction.
Joe H. Pickering Jr.
Truth Tear Down this Wall Committee
Bangor
