Sadly, there is a dark, underground river of bad faith that has come to the surface in public discourse, and it has made its way to Maine, where neighbors and friends are getting played, writes guest columnist Joel Clement

I need to express my concern regarding  Trump’s planned visit to Guilford, Maine. I am afraid the visit will bring out some of the worst elements seen in much of the protests in recent days.

I don’t know what President Trump was trying to accomplish Monday evening when he ordered federal officers to disperse with tear gas and flash grenades peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceable assembly so that he could walk over to historic St. John’s Episcopal church for a photo op. What struck me was how small and alone he looked standing on the broad sidewalk in front of the church.

I understand that this week President Trump will visit Puritan Medical Products, the maker of swabs for coronavirus testing.

I am writing to voice my support for Paul Davis in his bid for re-election to the Maine Senate. During his time in the House and Senate, Davis has been a voice of reason in an increasingly partisan political climate, without the bombast and posturing that drives people with differing viewpoints apart from one another, and is respected on both sides of the aisle in Augusta.

Candidates are always promising change and this is a time that we really need it. That’s why I’m proud to support Sara Gideon.

What's this? A letter to the editor from Paul LePage with advice regarding his “plan for reopening”? With all due respect (which isn't much), I must admit I didn't bother to read it.

In a recent letter, Paul LePage all of a sudden says that he cares about poverty and domestic violence and substance abuse: "Excessive, lengthy closures are having a devastating effect. Increased unemployment leads to poverty, hunger, domestic violence and substance abuse."

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, Maine has the highest number of registered voters as a percentage of the state’s population (77%) when compared to all of the other states. We also earn high marks for voter participation in primary and general elections. Yet, in the 2018 midterm election, statewide voter turnout was only 59%. Is that considered a good turnout?! What does it say about us as citizens when more than a third of us won’t even weigh in on the shaping of our State and Federal governments?

If polls are to be believed, Joe Biden is currently enjoying a small but statistically significant lead over President Donald Trump in head-to-head matchups for the White House. Of course, polling isn't terribly predictive and has had some very high profile failures in the last decade, not the least of which was the last presidential election.

It’s weird to have a statewide election in July. Right now, though, there are lots of things that are weird, and at least for registered Maine voters, the July election is as easy as ordering from Amazon -- maybe easier if you’re still trying to find toilet paper or hand sanitizer online.

I will be voting for Sen. Paul Davis in the July 14 primary election for the District 4 seat in the Maine Senate. I have served in the Maine House for the past six years alongside Paul and have been impressed with his work ethic and dedication to the job.

I am writing this letter that it may help some family to stay together, for the sake of the children.

I was excited to see you had an article on Sir Harry Oakes in the Piscataquis Observer. When I was a teenager living on East Dover Road, my house was directly across the road from the lot where they were building his mausoleum. We watched with interest when they built the foundation.

The current administration was warned of the potential pandemic exactly like we are experiencing now. This pandemic has been predicted for years by the health professionals in this country and around the world including the World Health Organization (WHO). 

As the pandemic has unfolded, we have seen plenty from the executive branch. Gov. Janet Mills has exercised her emergency powers to undertake countless actions. Statewide closures and rural reopenings capture most of the headlines, but she has issued 40 executive orders since March 18.

As you research you will likely come upon situations that, for want of a better word, will trigger what I call the “ick” or “yuck” factor -- that is, things done commonly in the past found unacceptable, questionable or downright creepy today. Here are some examples.

There is a safe and secure way to act. Call the Maine Secretary of State election office at 207-634-7736 to ask for an absentee ballot (or if you have the Internet use your search function for “Maine State absentee ballot”). I urge you to request your mail-in ballot now. Absentee ballots must be returned to your municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on election day, July 14.