To the Editor:
On Nov. 4, I will be casting my vote for Peter Drum for the Maine House of Representatives.
I’m voting for Peter Drum because I’m a Registered Nurse. As a nurse I see everything from patients who come in with an unexpected illness to patients that require long hospitalizations with frequent and sometimes complex therapies. While many benefit from employer sponsored health insurance, many in the state continue to find that their health insurance options continue to be limited and expensive.
The High Risk Pool insurance options that John McKane supports are okay for those that are healthy now until an unexpected illness or a debilitating injury occurs. Unfortunately, having no insurance often leads patients to the only available option: an extremely costly visit to an emergency room.
Peter Drum wants to broaden the health insurance pool to include everyone. In Massachusetts, this will result in a significant drop in health insurance premiums, allow for market control of prices due to competition for customers, result in coverage for everyone and allow individuals to control their individual policies based on their individual needs.
I am also a mother. As any mother knows, all we can hope for is a bright future for our children and we all want to give them the absolute best that we can. Unfortunately, the price of oil not only affects many of our budgeting decisions now but also the possibilities for the future.
I want clean, inexpensive energy solutions now that help keep the environment clean and provide jobs for my neighbors, and some day, maybe even my children.
I am voting for Peter Drum because he supports the development of a wind power industry. Wind power could result in a reduction in our electricity prices and possibly create thousands of new jobs here in Maine. This could help control rising energy costs and environmental problems while supporting a new and growing industry.
I’m voting for Peter Drum because I am a taxpayer. I thought the proposal in the Maine legislature to reduce the amount we have to pay in state income tax would pass easily but that was not the case. The proposal called for a two percent decrease in state income tax (8.5 percent to 6.5 percent). This translates to $20 for every $1000 earned; money I could put in my checking account today or save for the kids tomorrow.
I am voting for Peter Drum because he would have voted for this decrease in the state income tax rate because it would have benefited all Mainers. It would have lowered the tax burden on all Mainers. It may have been a way to encourage economic development because a lower tax rate supports small business growth.
Finally, I’m voting for Peter Drum because he will bring fresh ideas and new leadership to Augusta. His legal training, experience working in the US Congress, and his devotion to the people of our communities are the qualities he will bring to Augusta. He will serve us well.
Elsa W. Parson, Damariscotta
