Dear Editor:

Politics in Washington is broken. It’s due, in large part, to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who will do anything, no matter how hypocritical, for political gain.

In 2016, out of supposed concern for the will of the voters in the upcoming election, he refused to even hold a hearing for Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Yet in a totally hypocritical reversal of his 2016 stance, McConnell said he would fill Supreme Court vacancies ahead of the 2020 election if any opened up, changing his stance without even a hint of regret.

I have long hoped that these types of cynical, political games would stay far away from Maine politics. Unfortunately, our own Senator, Dana Dow, has brought them here.

Starting in May, Senator Dow and his colleagues insisted that the Legislature be reconvened despite the risks posed by COVID-19. They kept making that call right up until when the Democrats in the legislature felt it was safe to return and get to work for Mainers. Then, suddenly, Dow and his friends decided that bringing the Legislature back into session would be too dangerous. Dow cited health concerns, saying, “I’m going to make sure I guard my health. I’ve told people if I get COVID-19, you can kiss me good-bye.”

Senator, your hypocrisy is clear as day. Just like Mitch McConnell, you declared a position, and then changed it as soon as it was no longer to your political benefit. There’s no space in Maine for the political games of McConnell’s Washington. It’s either time for you to get back to work, or time for you to go.

James Swan

Damariscotta