CBO score needed for health bill

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has acknowledged that the lack of a full Congressional Budget Office score on the Graham-Cassidy health care bill is problematic, telling one newspaper that the inability to determine how this bill would affect insurer coverage and premiums was “part of the problem of short-circuiting the process.”

She’s right, of course. The idea of voting on such a massive piece of legislation — one that will have a huge impact on one sixth of our economy — without knowing any details about what it will mean for Americans’ insurance premiums and access to coverage is appalling.





As Americans and voters, we deserve to know what would happen to us and our loved ones if the Graham-Cassidy bill passes — before it is voted on. As our representative and voice, Collins owes it to us to ensure the Congressional Budget Office is allowed to do that vital job before she or any of her colleagues bring this bill to the floor of the Senate.

Collins has repeatedly stated that she seeks to have Congress do things “the right way.” Voting on Graham-Cassidy without a full CBO score is the epitome of the wrong way to get things done in Washington. Collins knows that’s true. But will she act in accordance with her values this time?

Mark Klimek

South Portland

National anthem protests

Over the last few years, there has been a great deal of debate around the refusal to stand for the national anthem. The debate has questioned whether it is appropriate to make a political act during our national anthem.

There seems to be a desire to keep politics out of some areas of our lives, like sports. Singing of our national anthem before a game is by definition a political act. It is a political activity in which we show our support for our country. Expecting everyone to behave the same is a political expectation that forbids any sense of freedom, something we claim to prefer.

The expectation that we all need to agree or that those who disagree are less patriotic, American or respectful is a dangerous expectation in our nation. Whether conservative or liberal, we cannot expect nor desire a nation of uniformity and profess a land of freedom. Having differing expressions that reflect our varied experiences is what makes us more free to learn from each other and discover a more perfect union.

Sporting events have been part of human politics since the first Olympics. City against city on the sporting field is a wonderful alternative to the battlefield. How funding is gathered for stadiums is fraught with politics.

Wanting to keep any political discussion from sports is a political position expressing the support of the status quo. Agreement is not necessary in democracy, but engagement is essential.

Peter Jenks

Thomaston

Young Americans need tax reform

I was taught that if you work hard, stay focused and do what is right, you can do anything you want in this great country. I still believe this is true.

But our federal tax code certainly isn’t helping young people achieve the American dream.

Mountains of regulations that stifle hard work, give away special breaks to those with power, money and connections, and a playing field that always seems tilted in someone else’s favor.

Whether you work for a small business, a large business or want to start your own business, the federal tax code is hurting, not helping. Americans spend 6 billion hours per year complying with the federal tax code. This is absurd.

It’s time to simplify our tax code and make it fair for those of us still pursuing the American dream.

Nobody told me I needed an army of lawyers and accountants to make it in America, so please contact your elected officials in Congress and ask them to work with President Donald Trump to pass tax reform that is good for Maine small businesses and Maine workers.

A pro-jobs, pro-worker tax code will lead to better jobs and bigger paychecks. This is something all Americans, especially young Americans like me, really need to achieve the American dream.

Blake Winslow

Presque Isle