I got to know Sen. Susan Collins during my tenure as a senior special agent with the U.S. government. The one aspect I truly admired about Collins was her extreme dedication to her duty as a senator and as a proud American.

During meetings with Sen. Collins present, she would excuse herself early so she could leave in time for a vote that was being taken in the Senate. She would proudly declare that she never missed a Senate vote and never would.

Imagine my surprise and complete and utter dismay when I read in the newspaper that Collins cowardly disclosed that she will purposely not vote for either candidate for the office of the president of the United States.

Sen. Collins is setting a terrible example for America’s youth. If she can’t make the tough votes, maybe it is time for her to retire.

David Oshansky, Auburn