By David Tucker and Sarah Morgan Smith InsideSources.com More than 90 percent of Americans will celebrate either Christmas on December 25 or Hanukkah from December 12 to 20. For some, the observance will be primarily religious and for others mostly cultural. The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University in Ohio, provides an […]
Op-Eds
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Trump's Jerusalem declaration not helpful
NEW YORK — With his decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, President Trump did something puzzling for a person who claims to be a great deal-maker. He made a massive, pre-emptive concession to one side in a complicated negotiation without getting anything for it in return. If that’s how he operates, it’s no […]
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Ever emptier pews
Odds are pretty good that you didn’t attend church today. Or synagogue yesterday or mosque on Friday. You’re in Maine, and Maine is the least churched state in America. With Christmas season upon us, a few more will attend Christmas Eve services, but the empty pews will still yawn silently through the carols. Church activity […]
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Kushner doesn't understand the depth of anti-Israel feelings
President Trump’s son-in-law and designated Middle East peace envoy, Jared Kushner, told the Brookings Institution’s Saban Forum recently that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is key to solving larger goals, such as stopping Iranian aggression and Islamic extremism. If he believes that, he has fallen into the trap numerous and more seasoned […]
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Lewiston and Auburn prepared to move ahead
Recently, the citizens of Auburn and Lewiston voted overwhelmingly to reject a proposed consolidation of these two historic Maine cities into a single new entity that would have rivaled the city of Portland in population. It is a positive and hopeful sign that the voters have chosen to build on each city’s strengths as they […]
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Collins gave up too much for too little
While I respect the integrity and good intentions of Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins in agreeing to support the Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it’s my opinion that she sold her vote too cheaply and acquiesced in legislation that will cause profound long-term damage to the American economy. In exchange for […]
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A competitive U.S. tax system would boost economic growth
The U.S. Congress is engaged in a consequential debate about corporate tax reform. The details will matter, but a competitive U.S. tax system will boost economic growth here at home and level the playing field for U.S. businesses and workers — including Procter & Gamble’s U.S. employees here in Maine. In Auburn, P&G has been […]
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Income tax proposal must not pass
The tax bills that are being considered for reconciliation would ruin my family. It would ruin the life of my son, Daniel, an adult living with severe autism, and anything that affects his life affects mine, too. Families such as mine live in angst, as resources that support people with long-term care needs are threatened […]
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Changes to tax code would have negative effect on housing projects
In the coming days, a congressional conference committee will reconcile the differences between the U.S. House and Senate bills to modify the U.S. Tax Code. The outcome could affect whether more Maine seniors and families will be able to move off waiting lists and into affordable housing; whether prospective home buyers will be able to […]
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Tax cuts will give boost to small businesses
The politics of taxes can always be complicated. But this year, as President Donald Trump put it, we all have a once-in-a-generation chance to leave the bad old days of the economic crisis behind us. Thanks to his leadership, for the first time since the days of the Ronald Reagan administration, we’re looking at transformative […]