Dear Editor:

Whether we can look forward to “the best of times… [or] the worst of times,” as Dickens described the era of the French Revolution, one thing seems certain: our country will be in a period of great change for at least the next four years.

Thanks to our nation’s strong tradition of freedom of the press and freedom of speech, there are many opportunities to become well informed about the issues underlying our new president’s executive orders and about the people he has appointed to his cabinet and to other powerful positions. I believe that becoming well informed is a fundamental duty of American citizens. It is not a partisan activity.

And then? Call, email, or write to the four members of Maine’s congressional delegation to express your thoughtful opinions, briefly and respectfully. Your views will be counted and will help influence our legislators. It’s easy to do. Here is their contact information:

Senator Susan Collins

413 Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Telephone: 202 224 2523

Email: Carol_Woodcock@collins.senate.gov

Senator Angus King

359 Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Telephone: 202 224 5344

Email: Morgan_Cashwell@king.senate.gov

Representative Bruce Poliquin

426 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Telephone: 202 225 6306

Email: matt.hutson@mail.house.gov

Representative Chellie Pingree

1318 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Telephone: 202 225 6116

Email: willy.ritch@mail.house.gov

Doreen Dun

East Boothbay