Regarding Carol Weston’s “Change-the-subject strategy” (BDN, Aug. 19-20), I’ll leave it to statisticians, adept at spinning “lies, damn lies and statistics,” to deal with her putting Maine’s economy just ahead of Louisiana’s. It would be good to remember, however, that despite a severe national economic downturn, Gov. Baldacci bravely led the nation (Dirigo) in developing a plan to provide health care to Maine citizens.

Many people support Sen. Weston and applaud her voting record. But in November we must each of us decide which side we are on. Which side are you on? If you are on the side of working people, women, conservationists, children, you might want to think twice before reelecting her to the Maine Senate. Below are some ratings by various Maine interest groups. You can find this information at www.vote-smart.org.

2001: On the votes that the Maine Right to Life Committee considered to be the most important in 2001, Sen. Weston voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.

2001: On the votes that the Family Planning Association of Maine considered to be the most important in 2001, Sen. Weston voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

2001-2002: On the votes that the Maine League of Conservation Voters considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Sen. Weston voted their preferred position 18 percent of the time.

2001-2002: Sen. Weston supported the interests of the Maine National Federation of Independent Business 100 percent in 2001-2002.

2005-2006: Sen. Weston supported the interests of the Maine Education Association 0 percent in 2005-2006.

2004: On the votes that the Maine Women’s Lobby considered to be the most important in 2004, Sen. Weston voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

Come November, people should remember Sen. Weston’s voting record, or perhaps she would rather we change the subject.

Charlotte Herbold

Belfast