Thousands
of Mainers take prescription drugs, and many struggle to afford them. I am one
of those people. My only source of income is my Social Security and that
barely covers my monthly expenses.
I
am a retired nurse. I know how the healthcare system works. Despite
research and multiple conversations with my doctors about any available
alternatives, I can barely afford the life-saving medications I need. I
have several chronic diseases that affect my lungs and my liver.
Sometimes I have to skip doses which causes terrible side effects.
The
other side effect is my quality of life. The cost of these drugs is so
high that I have to ration my food. I cannot visit my own children who
live out of state because I cannot afford the trip. I am only 72 years
old and this is not how I imagined my “golden years” would be. Yet, I
know there are many other people who are far worse off than I am.
Americans
pay more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world. The Pharma
executives don’t care at all that the cost of their drugs is ruining people’s
lives. They care about their profits. Sometimes it feels like they are
trying to weed us out.
It’s
time to make our voices heard. I went to Augusta on April 17th to testify
before the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
regarding a package of bills to address Rx drug cost and accessibility.
Please, call your state legislators. Call your members of Congress.
If you are as outraged as I am by the cost of prescription drugs, please speak
up now. We need our representatives to take a stand and we need Pharma to
take responsibility.
Ellen
Harris-Howard
Dear
Editor,
In
researching and trying to understand the proposed CMP transmission line that
would bring electricity to the people of Massachusetts, and lower greenhouse
gas emissions, I came across some facts I was not aware of or hadn’t
considered. The corridor would fragment what is now, the largest
contiguous temperate forest in North America. It would cross 724
lakes, ponds, and wetlands and the chemical spraying necessary to maintain the
corridor would impact each and every one of them. Roads associated with
the project would cross 184 streams in the heart of the last stronghold
of wild brook trout in the United States.
The
corridor also not only destroys habitat for wildlife and jeopardizes water,
it endangers Maine’s renewable energy future. New
renewable projects that would provide real, provable greenhouse gas benefits
would not be able to hook up to the grid due to congestion from Hydro-Quebec
electricity imports.
Despite
its massive marketing campaign, CMP has not provided any evidence that
its transmission corridor will actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions rather,
is it possible that this project may simply allow Hydro-Quebec to shift sales
from existing customers to a more lucrative market in Massachusetts?
Maine does not have to make these inordinate sacrifices for the
sole benefit of the State of Massachusetts, a State with far more wealth
and resources to develop their energy solutions than Maine. The CMP
transmission corridor is the largest proposed industrial project in
Maine in decades. It has the capability to harm Maine’s clean water,
its wildlife, its tourism workers, and its clean energy future.
Mainers
will gain nothing from this project but a spoiled environment upon which
their economy, vitally depends. It is truly, ultimately, a
detrimental project for the State of Maine. Please make your opinion
known at NECEC.DEP@maine.gov and Governor@maine.gov.
Mary-Therese
Duffy
Raymond
Dear
Editor,
About
eight years ago, my family purchased a home in North Windham, ME. It is a
family home, and grandparents, parents and grandchildren enjoy the pleasures of
the Maine environment. We boat, hike, ski and bicycle together whenever we are
able.
My
husband and I are exceedingly interested in fitness and exercise. Cycling the
Sebago to the Sea Trail in Windham has been a primary source of pleasure for
all of us. This past week, a note was placed on our car window at the South
Windham Post Office notifying us that we are no longer able to use the Post
Office parking lot because, “ drivers who use that lot and have dogs, do not
pick up after their pets on the Trail.”
We had a bike rack on our car, but definitely did not have a dog along
with us.
I
am perplexed and dismayed by a Federal Office painting everyone with such a
broad brush and eliminating a service due to others’ disregard for the common
courtesy. The streets in Windham are
dangerous for cycling. The Sebago Trail is a wonderful way to ensure the safety
of all ages by using a facility that removes the possibility of a very serious
accident on very busy roads and highways. Yes, dog waste is a problem everywhere,
and signs should be posted along the trail to remind walkers and bikers of this
nuisance and esthetic displeasure.
However, to remove convenient parking to eliminate this problem is not
the solution. What it does is to punish
the innocent for a crime they did not commit.
Honestly, at that Post Office, we have never seen more than three or
four cars at any time.
People who live
along the trail enter from various entrances that bisect the trail in many
different locations. They do not have to
drive anywhere, it is just a convenient location for entry.
I
hope the Post Office reconsiders this harsh edict. It puts obstacles in the path of Windham
residents. The use of this trail which took many years to build and is not yet
finished is a wonderful asset to all who love the outdoors. Let’s support the right of all neighbors to
use this trail, while at the same time respecting the rights and wishes of
others.
Respectfully,
Carole
Davis, Windham, ME
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