These ladies are becoming regulars on the LTTE page...
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoints/letters/today.shtmlSenators' records are testimony to their integrityIn 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.