To the Editor:
Based solely on the Maine economy, we have to have a change in the governorship of the great state of Maine. The present head of state has been in office long enough to improve the economic conditions in Maine, but he has demonstrated no viable, comprehensive and effective growth strategy.
Starving the beast is no way to grow the economy. Republicans in general believe that stimulating the economy is anathema to getting people back to work, but Maine’s median income is the lowest among New England states; 17th lowest among all states and lowest in the 11 state Northeast region.
Cutting state spending and shifting it off to local communities just doesn’t make sense. That is not sound tax policy. Poverty in Maine is now at 17 percent and next door in New Hampshire it is 8.7 percent, the lowest in the country.
The Center for Economic Policy reports that “real income for Maine’s median household is lower than it was at the bottom of the Great Recession and showing no signs of growth.” The Republican strategy of cutting programs, reducing taxation and deregulating does not work in stagnant economies and the only people making money are corporations (big energy companies, big insurance companies, big food companies, big banks) as Mainers pay more at the pump, more for insurance and food than the national average.
I urge “no” votes for conservative candidates who will vote the party line and perpetuate our stagnant economy. We need creative thinkers, not the “just say no” variety that is occupying the present governor’s office. Once the economy improves and people earn a reasonable rate of pay and get back to work (higher pay = more spending = more state revenues), then conservatism will be more appropriate, as state coffers will be healthier.
Everybody wants lower taxes, but our infrastructure is deteriorating; everybody wants a better education system, but the state is under funding our schools.
The governor is not a progressive leader and must be replaced by a more intelligent, creative thinker and at this moment in time, Eliot Cutler has the qualities that can make Maine strong again, providing our elected legislators put the Maine people ahead of party politics.
