Amy Fried
Maine
Professor Emerita of Pol Sci, UMaine. Latest book, "More than Blue, More than Yankee," edited vol on New England politics. Previous 1: "At War with Government."
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Articles by Amy Fried
Opinion: Trump halts efforts to treat and track diseases. People will suffer.
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Do you know anyone who’s ever had cancer? What about a heart condition, arthritis, or diabetes? I can’t imagine many people don’t.
Opinion: Trump team readies Orwellian rhetoric to make harmful cuts sound good
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: Political predictions for 2025
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: How to judge Susan Collins
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. There’s a typical, even stereotypical way to write about Sen. Susan Collins.
Trump transition foreshadows coming ethical conflicts
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: Donald Trump readies sledgehammer to tear down American institutions
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Since Donald Trump won the 2024 election, his core agenda has come into focus: destruction.
The 2000 election reminds us to be prepared for the drama that may come after voting is done
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: 5 predictions for our political and economic future
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. What’s going to happen in the upcoming elections? Well, I won’t offer a prediction of the results. But there are some things I can foresee.
Opinion: 5 predictions for our political and economic future
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Opinion: JD Vance’s dangerous dishonesty
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com On this year’s Republican presidential ticket, Ohio Sen. JD Vance is running with an old man, Donald Trump, who hasn’t released his medical records, and who some see as having cognitive issues. Like all vice-presidential candidates, Vance could be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Opinion: Trump’s boasts about overturning Roe are patronizing and detached from reality
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. There’s no doubt that Donald Trump had a major role in ending a federal right to abortion.
Opinion: Presidential candidates are finally talking about child care but the gap in what they’re saying is huge
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Most parents are working to earn money and need child care. That was certainly true of my family. At the same time, child care is expensive.
Opinion: Presidential candidates are finally talking about child care but the gap in what they’re saying is huge
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Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are attracting Republican support
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. What happened at the end of the Democratic national party convention was rather traditional.
Harris and Walz pass the good neighbor test
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Remember when people used to talk about which candidate you’d like to have a beer with?
Opinion: With threats to democracy looming, Biden put aside personal ambition
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. When President Joe Biden removed himself from this year’s election contest, his words resonated with a deep vein of the American political tradition.
Opinion: With threats to democracy looming, Joe Biden put aside personal ambition
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. When President Joe Biden removed himself from this year’s election contest, his words resonated with a deep vein of the American political tradition.
Opinion: Robust political debate is good. Violence is terrible.
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. We are a people with conflicts rooted in different experiences, interests, values and beliefs.
Opinion: Supreme Court keeps tossing precedents, creating harm
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Conservatives used to complain that the Supreme Court was too powerful, but this year the court’s far-right majority continued to accrue power for themselves. Like they did two years ago in overturning Roe v. Wade, the court this year overturned precedents willy-nilly, hurting Americans.
Opinion: Susan Collins wrong to repeat Trump’s disproven claims to discredit his conviction
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com If there’s anything long-time observers of former President Donald Trump know, it’s that, when he doesn’t prevail, he will proclaim that the outcome was fraudulent. He did it when his TV show didn’t win an Emmy 20 years ago. He did it when he didn’t win the 2016 Iowa caucuses.
Opinion: Donald Trump wallows in the ‘swamp,’ becomes a convicted felon
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Former President Donald Trump has a certain superpower. He’s good at branding, relentlessly repeating phrases meant to stick in listeners’ minds.
Opinion: Trump wallows in the ‘swamp,’ becomes a convicted felon
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Former President Donald Trump has a certain superpower. He’s good at branding, relentlessly repeating phrases meant to stick in listeners’ minds.
Opinion: 20 years after 1st being legalized, same-sex marriages are broadly accepted
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com A generation ago, the first same-sex couples got married in the United States. What was once controversial has become commonplace, providing happiness and rights to these families and lessons about social and political change. On the earliest day possible, May 17, 2004, Tanya McCloskey and Marcia Kadish tied the knot.
Opinion: Antisemitic threats undermine goals of campus pro-Palestine protests
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com This spring has seen a flourishing of campus protests — and reactions to them. These protests could be more effective. Currently less than three in 10 Americans support them, according to a recent YouGov poll.
Are presidents above the law? Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford would like a word
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com When the Supreme Court gathers this week to consider whether a president is immune from prosecution for crimes committed in office, one can imagine the ghosts of Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford lurking nearby.
Opinion: What are you afraid of? It shouldn't be immigrants.
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Everyone is afraid of something. And whether it’s public speaking, spiders or heights, people often try to get over or at least live with their fears.
Maine decided not to go back to Paul LePage. US faces same decision with Donald Trump.
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Maine’s last race for governor has a lot in common with this year’s presidential race. These similarities are already shaping candidates’ strategies.
Opinion: Maine decided not to go back to Paul LePage. US faces same decision with Donald Trump.
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Maine’s last race for governor has a lot in common with this year’s presidential race. These similarities are already shaping candidates’ strategies.
Opinion: What the right's 2022 culture war failures reveal about Maine and the 2024 election
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: Arguments against national popular vote compact fall short
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. I grew up with the Electoral College and so did you. We saw the maps by analysts before elections, as vote totals were coming in, and afterwards.
Opinion: Joe Biden cut prescription drug costs, saving money and lives
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Prescription drugs can be expensive, but not getting them costs a lot, too.
Opinion: Biden cut prescription drug costs, saving money and lives
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Prescription drugs can be expensive, but not getting them costs a lot, too.
Opinion: Shenna Bellows’ decision to disqualify Trump is thoughtful and brave
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. When on Jan. 19, 1867, those state legislators couldn’t have foreseen that Secretary of State Shenna Bellows would issue a decision almost 157 years later disqualifying a previous president from appearing on Maine ballots.
Opinion: The easiest prediction for 2024 is that abortion still matters
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. Predictions for the next year and top 10 lists take up a lot of space in end of the year columns. And why not?
Opinion: What the anti-Israel left gets wrong
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. In the wake of the brutal events of Oct. 7 and the horrible war in Gaza that Hamas leaders purposely incited, Americans reacted.
Opinion: The past should not be a prison for Israelis and Palestinians
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. I love learning about history and grew up in a household where my father, a social studies teacher, was a compelling teller of times past.
Opinion: Humanity and change are needed after Lewiston shooting
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. The terrorism in Israel and war with Hamas has been painful, and then came the horrific mass shootings in our own state.
Opinion: What's happening in Israel and Gaza is both simple and complicated
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. I’ve been heartbroken by the terrorist attack by Hamas. Young people dancing, full of joy, were mowed down.
Opinion: Jared Golden should listen to those dealing with high college costs
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. While he does not appear to see things this way, Rep. Jared Golden is a lucky man when it comes to college costs.
Opinion: Golden should listen to those dealing with high college costs
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. While he does not appear to see things this way, Rep. Jared Golden is a lucky man when it comes to college costs.
Opinion: Right-wing blueprints aim to concentrate power and dismantle policies Americans like
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated.
Opinion: Why I'm not going back to school this year
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroompolicies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a retired political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. This week thousands of students started their fall semesters at the University of Maine, but I won’t be there.
Opinion: How Donald Trump and his co-conspirators plotted to stop the peaceful transfer of power
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. We’ve long known the big picture of what the Jan. 6 federal indictment against Donald Trump is about.
Opinion: Jan. 6 instigators must be held accountable, just as the insurrections are
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Amy Fried is a political science professor at the University of Maine. Her views are her own and do not represent those of any group with which she is affiliated. What instigated the violent entry into the U.S. Capitol and beating of police officers on Jan. 6, 2021?
Opinion: Abortion laws should keep politicians out of the emergency room
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Although a lot of attention has focused on how the new Maine abortion bill — LD 1619 — affects pregnancies that involve severe fetal deformities, it also helps women avoid serious harm and death. Being pregnant can be joyous and wonderful, but it’s also inherently risky.
Opinion: Comparing Donald Trump to other politicians makes him look more guilty
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. After Donald Trump was indicted on federal charges for allegedly keeping, hiding and lying about highly sensitive documents at his Florida club and sometimes residence, his protectors were quick to defend him by pointing to others who purportedly did the same thing but escaped prosecution.
Happy Pride Month
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. I’m not gay or trans, but Pride Month is a cause of celebration for me, too. When I look back and see all the change that’s happened with LGBTQ rights, it’s quite amazing and wonderful. When I was growing up, there were virtually no gay or lesbian people who were not closeted.
How to judge Trump-Russia probes
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. As the weather heats up, so do legal threats for former president Donald Trump. Meanwhile, reports of links between Trump and Russia and the FBI’s investigation of these connections have finally been completed. What do we know about the Trump-Russia probes and how should we judge them?
Opinion: Americans overwhelmingly agree about solutions for mass shootings
The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Not a month ago, four Mainers were shot and killed and three others were injured. Joseph Eaton has confessed to the killings and is expected to be charged in the second shooting.
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