The ignorance demonstrated recently by Gov. Paul LePage on “NBC Nightly News” about drug addiction and his lack of empathy for its victims and their families and friends was breathtaking. (State House Notebook, April 7)

As a native of the home of Margaret Chase Smith, I graduated from Madison High in the 1960s and have watched with great pride a parade of Maine political leaders move from my native state to the national stage for six decades — starting with John Reed and Ed Muskie, and followed by Ken Curtis, Bill Cohen, Bill Hathaway, George Mitchell, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and others.

Regardless of party or philosophy, they all represented our state with skill, class and intelligence. They demonstrated to all that a small state like Maine could bring thoughtful, compassionate people to public service more consistently than many larger, more sophisticated states.

That sense of pride was lost in a single national television sound bite thanks to LePage. We should be embarrassed.

Linwood LloydPalm Springs, Calif.MHS, Class of 1965