Mainers need to take care of each other now

Mainers look out for our neighbors. That’s why I worry about the impact President Trump’s actions will have on our security. Serving in the military is a Maine tradition.

Nearly 10% of our adult population are veterans. We owe them the best possible medical care. Yet seven employees, including five veterans, were laid off at Togus Veterans Medical Center.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention kept us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maine ranks third in the nation in the percentage of its population that is vaccinated. Yet 40 Maine CDC employees were laid off because federal health care grants were terminated.

We are the oldest state in the nation. One out of four Mainers depends on Social Security to pay for food, medicine and housing. Yet Elon Musk plans to lay off half of Social Security staff and close regional offices, making it harder to obtain the services we have earned.

Canada is our closest neighbor. In Aroostook and Washington counties we are family. Our livelihoods depend on what we sell to Canada and what it sells us.

Yet President Trump has levied tariffs up to 25% on Canadian imports. Canada will reciprocate with tariffs on Maine products. Tariffs are a tax on consumers.

We will pay more for gas, heating oil, electricity and building supplies. Lobster sold to Canadian processing plants will cost more and be harder to sell. Mainers are known for our independence.

Let’s show the nation we are taking care of each other and fighting against Trump’s actions. Linda Wilcox Monmouth We believe it’s important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way.

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