We see in rough poll numbers that much of Maine feels that President Trump’s policies have a negative effect on Maine. Good, right? Wrong. We are still struggling to initiate change. It’s not enough to be “concerned,” as Sen. Collins would say, and unwilling or afraid to act, to stand up and speak out to save the greatest democracy in the world.

This is truly concerning. But what is overlooked, even more concerning, is that 30% of Mainers think that the blatant and abject cruelty of this “administration”against immigrants is OK.

That the arrest and detention of people, some illegally, but most legally, in America without explanation or constitutionally mandated due process of law is OK. That defying, or ignoring, court orders, even unanimous Supreme Court orders, is OK. That a politically motivated revenge, retaliation and retribution is OK. That normalizing racism, misogyny, hatred and inciting violence is OK.

We should not accept this; it is not OK. So, it is not enough to express our concern on a poll. It is not sufficient to wring one’s hands and hope someone else will save us. We all must speak up. We all must act. We all must lead by example. We, all of us feeling negatively, must listen to and help explain to the rest of Maine why we believe they are wrong. It is our duty, our responsibility. This is not OK. We must act.

Don Bessey
USAF Vietnam Era Veteran
Old Orchard Beach