Like many – probably a majority – of Maine people, I’ve been both bothered and confused by the TV ad trotted out by Sen. Susan Collins showing a crime-boss-type actor linking Rep. Tom Allen to both organized crime and denial of American workers of their right to private voting. I’ve found recently that Collins’ henchman, Rick Berman, a Washington lobbyist who earlier cobbled together hate-filled ads against Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is the author of the anti-Allen campaign for which Collins is responsible.

This terrible campaign should be an insult to every Mainer of all parties and, indeed, to all Americans. A note to Collins telling her that hateful, untrue smears are not the way an American campaign should be run might be a good idea for all those who support fairness and clean elections.

John O. Maberry

Deer Isle