Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins send another LTTE...

[ticapnews]

These ladies are becoming regulars on the LTTE page...
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoints/letters/today.shtml

Senators' records are testimony to their integrity

In response to your editorial, "Corruption is a two-way street" (Jan. 20), we are deeply troubled by assertions and insinuations made in your assessment of the public corruption scandal involving both parties in Congress.

Cumulatively, we have represented Maine in Washington for over 35 years, and during this period have maintained our state's high standard of public integrity, set by the woman who inspired us to enter public service - Margaret Chase Smith.

While you refer to the "rivers of money that flow through political campaigns," you fail to note that we led the way to enact historic campaign finance-reform legislation.

You cited "parliamentary abuses" and allege that Republicans have failed to address them. But unfortunately, both parties have a history of abuse while in control of power over Congress.

We must always be vigilant. We are both strong and vocal proponents of reform and clearly demonstrated our views in this regard when we recently protested the inclusion of a provision to open up ANWR to drilling in unrelated legislation.

We were successful in our effort.

We agree with the need to reform the system in Washington, as demonstrated by our records.

To suggest, though, that Maine's senators "bear the blame for not doing enough to expose these disgraceful abuses and to end them" disregards our public records.

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe
Sen. Susan Collins
Washington, D.C.

AKA, the Senators from MBNA.

[BlueManDude]

1. Ahhh yes - the two "moderates"

"Pro-Choice", yet is there any doubt that if Bush needs their votes on Alito that he will have them on board?

[feelthebreeze]

2. "scandal involving both parties in Congress"...

Talking point alert, talking point alert. Christ, can't they own up to anything?

[mom cat]

3. Call them now to vote NO on Alito and NO on the nuke!

[acmejack]

4. Do you intend to respond?

I know they have to have some large donations from unsavory sources in their past. As you mentioned their bankruptcy votes and the many other lockstep GOP votes that were contrary to the interests of their constituency. They must be called on this! If you don't care to do it I will.

I think it would be a little more effective coming from a local person than from somebody on the other side of the Country. But I have never been one to allow geographical constraints to interfere with a good retort.