Dear Editor:

Today we are faced with multiple crises; the pandemic, economic hardship, and civil unrest. In times like these we look to our elected representatives to lead the way out of these crises.

But Senator Dow and his Republican colleagues are AWOL in this effort to protect the public. Speaking out of both sides of his mouth, Dow says he wants a special session of the legislature; but only for a narrow agenda that suits his political views.

He also criticizes our government’s response to these crises on one hand and on the other refuses to get to work to do anything about it. We need solutions and relief, not partisan doublespeak. His comments are quoted at length in my blog “TurningTheAirBlue.com.”

In our American political tradition, we expect our elected representatives to bring their ideas to the legislative forum and vote on them. That’s how representative democracy works and that is Dow’s duty under the constitution. Instead Dow engages in this cheap political charade that is ultimately harmful to the public he is elected to serve.

We have seen this harmful tactic over and over again as Republicans, instead of having honest debates and voting on issues, undercut our ability to deal with these crises because they are unwilling to abide by the democratic process.

In these times of crisis Dow needs to put aside his partisan politics, and do his duty that he was elected and is paid to do. Dow says he wants to go back into legislative session, but refuses to do so because he cannot control the agenda. This is like a ball player refusing to go to bat unless the pitcher throws only softball pitches. We do not need this kind of partisan double-talk while our citizens are suffering with these multiple crises.

Please call Senator Dow at the Senate Republican Office (207) 287-1505 and tell him to get back to work.

And if he is not willing to go to bat for the people he was elected to represent, maybe its time to throw this bench-warmer off the field.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay