I must politely disagree with the lead op-ed in last Sunday’s paper (July 13) that Sen. Susan Collins’ “belated courage” in voting against the Big Bad Bill was “better than nothing.” In my opinion, it’s worse than nothing, because it continues the senator’s practice of voting for the people’s interest only when it will mean nothing, when she is well aware that there are sufficient votes for her party’s law to pass.

We have — as women, as Mainers, as working class constituents and as retirees — seen this time and again, in Collins’ seemingly gullible attitude in believing the nominees who say they will do one thing and then do just the opposite once they have been confirmed to their position of power. We have also seen her repeatedly vote “no” when it is essentially moot.

This is not courage. She needs to be replaced by someone who will do right by the people of Maine and for the USA.

Isabel Higgins
Standish