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The genius of America’s democracy is for almost 250 years its citizens have had a government system to responsibly resolve their differences. Republicans are now making a radical change to a very longstanding rule in that system that will allow the Senate to confirm large groups of executive branch nominees with simple majority votes rather than votes on individual nominees as was previously required for over half a century.
This extreme change means Republicans will no longer need to negotiate with Democrats in the Senate to agree on which of these nominees are deserving of confirmation, as the majority previously had to do, but would instead be able to steer around opposition and force through dozens of nominees with a single majority vote. This dramatic alteration of Senate procedures by Sen. Susan Collins’ fellow Republicans will likely result in confirmation of unqualified Trump loyalists and, to me, makes the election of a new senator from Maine vital.
Perhaps Collins has done her best during her five terms, but I feel she no longer has the energy or the courage to stand up to Donald Trump when the president’s policies all too frequently harm Maine. Maine needs a leader capable through demonstrated service and ability to communicate who will represent the interests of at least most of us.
Through nearly a decade of military service, including four overseas tours and combat duty, as well as his outspoken leadership, Graham Platner has demonstrated to me that he will put the interests of middle class and low income Mainers first. Vote for Graham Platner!
Jim Moore
Bangor
