Electioneering, as manifested in the campaign promises of the candidates, brings out the disingenuousness of professional politicians. One hopes that Maine voters aren’t really seduced by their propaganda. For example:

Collins wants us to believe that while she will reach across the aisle in a spirit of bipartisanship, she will nevertheless “fight” for lower gas prices, affordable health, secret ballots for union workers, etc. She doesn’t use the words “compromise,” “negotiate” or “argue” to describe the usual tactics used by a legislator. Instead, she promises to assume a pugilistic stance on those matters and then decries gridlock and polarized politics in Washington.

Allen offers a plan for solving our energy situation. Its elements reflect a government-centered approach which intimidates oil producers by removing tax incentives and forcing them to drill on existing leased land and provides heating oil subsidies to low-income users. Apparently, he was unwilling to share his petroleum panacea with his House colleagues who were in the best position to help him implement his ideas. Instead, per the dictates of his Speaker, he voted to adjourn. Perhaps he believes that the mere act of electing him will bring his energy plan and all his other plans to fruition.

There are 535 members of Congress who collectively enjoy an approval rating of between 10 and 20 percent. Paradoxically, this lowly esteemed body re-elects over 95 percent of its incumbents. Seems like we Mainers are between the rock and the hard place in choosing a senator.

Ron Goldstone

Dexter