During the years I lived across the border in New Hampshire, I envied the citizens of Maine their opportunity to vote for senators who exercised common sense and independent competence on issues affecting our nation.

Now, as a new resident of Milbridge, I have the opportunity to do so. But I will not while Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe belong to the Republican Party that has acted so irresponsibility toward all Americans. Nominating Sarah Palin as a candidate for vice president was not only degrading toward our residents and our institutions, but extremely dangerous.

With our country and indeed the world teetering on the edge of recession, possibly depression, and the current administration flinging our military and billions in aid hither and thither across the globe without any overarching policy, the naming of this person to high office is sheer folly. No matter if the motivating force was ignorance or malice, such an act cannot be condoned.

By remaining within that party, the senators from Maine add their good names to those who have failed in their responsibility, and indeed, have violated their sworn oath to this nation and the American people. Only by declaring themselves independents and thereby repudiating this smear on our great nation can they retain my respect and win my vote.

Martha Barron Barrett

Milbridge