John,

I write to you to encourage you to vote Yes on Question 1 this Tuesday, March 3rd. 

This is a referendum to preserve the religious and philosophical exemptions in Maine's vaccination law. This is a serious issue that requires us to look at how Maine balances the protection of the rights of Maine people vs. any measurable benefit to public health.

Maine's vaccination rate is among the highest in the nation under the existing law that voting YES on Question 1 will keep in place.

Sadly, there are a lot of scare tactics at play. Here is my perspective.

As a Christian who served my country and defended our Constitution in the U.S. Army, and as a doctor who performs a significant  amount of care at no charge to help low-income Mainers, I will be voting Yes to preserve the exemptions and keep Maine on track with the law as it has existed, and worked, for decades.

RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION: The religious exemption exists to protect the natural, God-given rights of the people of Maine. It is not something that the narrowest of a majority in the Maine Legislature should be allowed to take away, PERIOD.

If they succeed at this, what else will they take away? The faith and deeply held beliefs of any American should not be up for negotiation in a legislative body.

MAINE IS IN A GOOD PLACE: If this law is repealed, nothing will change from the way things are today. Our children will continue being vaccinated. Our children will continue being healthy and living full, normal lives. Maine's vaccination rates are above the national average and Maine is among the best states in the nation, according to numerous government sources.

PARENTAL RIGHTS & INFORMED CONSENT: The rights of loving parents to care for their children as they see fit should be sacred. We should never allow the state to decide it knows better than parents. Under this law, parents are denied the flexibility they desire to even spread out vaccinations over a longer period of time.

SLIPPERY SLOPE: In other states, we have seen that once mandates are taken away, bureaucrats and politicians sweep in and try to impose more mandates, add even more requirements and continue to push their agenda.

This is not a hypothetical slippery slope argument. This is a slippery slope reality we are already watching states slide down. For these reasons and more, I ask you to go vote Yes on Question 1.

Restore the religious exemption. Protect parental rights and informed consent. Restore Maine law to what has worked for decades.

Our God-given rights should not be for sale to the highest bidder in the Maine Legislature or Blaine House.

Reminder:

Yes = Religious freedom, parental rights, informed consent
No = Government overreach

God Bless You, and don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Dr. Demi Kouzounas
Chair
Maine GOP