THANK YOU, SENATOR 1

Thank you Senator Rand, I needed a laugh today (“How ‘Bout Us Dems?” Letters, 8/16/02). The list of band-aids applied to the gaping wound that is our crumbling health-care system might impress the casual observer were it not for the simple facts that things are still getting much, much worse; everybody knows it; and the “solutions” put forth by Democrats equate to pissing on a forest fire. Had the Democratic establishment supported a single-payer system for years, as she claims, they would not have allowed Anthem to rob the people of Maine, for nickels on the dollar, of the ideal infrastructure for establishing single-payer, universal health care. Like the deal with Florida Power & Light on CMP’s generating assets, our Legislature demonstrated that simple financial concepts like the difference between book value and fair-market value are beyond them. Now the good Senator is bemoaning the lack of cheers for half-assed solutions that are likely to aggravate the primary health-care problem of spiraling costs by forking over more tax dollars without first getting a handle on those costs, making it even harder for people who are not poor enough to qualify for these programs, but too poor to buy insurance.

Perhaps in her next missive she can remind us of some other crowning Democratic achievements. For example, before Slick wondered what the definition of “is” is, Maine Democrats argued “or” means “and” in an attempt to kill the fledgling Maine Green Party (which worked, but only temporarily, resulting in the reborn Maine Green Independent Party). Or how her party tried to deny the will of the voters by challenging Jonathan Carter’s qualification for Clean Election funds for a technical violation concerning year-old poll numbers (which are about as valuable as year-old bread). And now, how the Democratic Legislature has appropriated tax money earmarked by voters for the Clean Elections fund to pay for general services; a practice which may threaten the solvency of the fund as soon as 2006. (By the way Senator, did you know that it would be illegal for any other tax-exempt organization to spend money against the restrictions of those paying it for a particular purpose?)

Those are just a few reasons why the Senator shouldn’t count on too many Greens switching in the fall. Because, unlike the Democratic party, we have not forgotten that without Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement, there wouldn’t have been the Civil Rights Act; without the Socialists, there wouldn’t be Social Security; without the Bull Moose party, anti-trust laws weren’t being enforced; and without the Republicans, abolition would have taken a lot longer. You see, even a cursory glance at US history shows that we make great strides as a nation when third and fourth parties challenge the major parties. Indeed, after a review of our history, one has to conclude that the surest way to allow governmental problems to fester unsolved is to rely solely on an entrenched two-party system.

In the interest of her party, I suggest she save her persuasion for the likes of Joe “Arthur Andersen” Lieberman, Terry “Global Crossings” McAuliffe, Al “who am I today” Gore and Bob “I’m not guilty, but I’ll return the illegal gifts” Torricelli. They are the real threat to her party. And as far as a reality check, since Pat LaMarche was championing single payer for the Greens around the time Democrats were giving Anthem the store, I can unequivocally say that it is the Greens who are welcoming the Democrats to the fight for single payer, not the other way around. Just another example in the long history of a fringe party forcing an entrenched party to find a real solution. Next up: real corporate accountability and restoring the government to that of, by, and for the people.

Glenn Morin

Winthrop

THANK YOU, SENATOR 2

Thanks to Senator Anne Rand for reminding us all about the work of the Democrats in the Legislature (“How ‘Bout Us Dems?” Letters, 8/16/02). Let us also applaud the many Greens who put their talents and energies into helping bring the necessary attention to and passing of the legislation to which she refers. Yes, Greens are good at writing letters and quoting studies, but they are also good at doing the hard grassroots work that has led to the most progressive legislation in the country, let alone the state of Maine. Maine Greens added single-payer health care to their platform in 1994 (Democrats just added it to theirs this year). Thankfully, The Democratic Party has embraced this issue and has moved it forward.

Just as Senator Rand “is pleased to hear the Maine Greens are joining us in this fight”, I, too, am pleased to know that Greens will have a seat at the table in Augusta. Over the years, I have worked alongside many progressive Democrats on various issues and hope to continue cultivating this common ground. John Eder has new ideas and real solutions to the issues facing the people of Portland, he will work together will his fellow legislators in Augusta and he has my vote.

Respectfully Green,

Paul Drinan

Portland

ONE DEM TO ANOTHER

As a registered Democrat who has chosen to support Green Independent John Eder in his bid for the District 31 House of Representatives seat, I feel compelled to respond to Senator Anne Rand’s recent letter asserting the accomplishments of the Democratic Party in the realm of health-care reform.

Maine Democrats certainly have been extremely effective at enacting progressive legislation and this is partly due to the fact that we’ve had ample opportunity. Let’s not deny capable Greens the chance to unite with Democrats in the fight for universal, single-payer health care. I don’t believe it’s realistic to ask the Greens to join the Democratic Party. They are growing, not going away, and it’s time to give them a seat at the table.

I am excited that Democrats added single-payer health care to our platform this year; however, it’s misleading to say “Maine Greens are joining us in this fight.” In fact, single-payer has been a central tenet of the Maine Green Party since its inception in 1984. Perhaps some Democrats are envious, maybe even a bit threatened, by the youthful energy Maine Greens have been attracting. Rather than deny their potential, let’s capitalize on the commitment Greens show to causes important to all of us.

John Eder is building bridges between the two parties. I welcome his fresh approach and am one among many Democrats proud to support him because he is the best candidate for the job.

Lynn Moran

Portland