Letters
Lesser of two evils
Despite individual positions on the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, choices remain highly personal and reflect countless years of deep-seated opinions on Maine's political and financial performance. For the most part, discussions between those sharing opposing views reflect sensible elements of concern.
Yet, while offering absolutely nothing constructive as an alternative solution, Citizens Unified for Maine's Future ignores these sensible concerns. Rather, it belittles the opposition in commercials that portray those favoring TABOR as idiotic imbeciles annoying angry homeowners or stressed teachers blowing up classrooms. There are no meaningful messages in their campaigns other than playing the fatalistic education card in a desperate hope that Edith Sitwell's observation proves valid, "The public will believe anything so long as it is not founded on the truth."
Realistically, unless a more favorable solution presents itself to regulate Maine's political regime, TABOR emerges as the lesser of two evils in a state that generates some of the nation's lowest per-capita income, romances fiscal irresponsibility and endures as the poster child of taxation without representation.
One has to wonder what the CUMF's vested interest might be in status quo, runaway spending and open-ended taxation schemes.
Roger R. Turcotte, Lewiston
Advertisement
Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
I'm voting for TABOR. The
I'm voting for TABOR. The Dem controlled Blaine House and Legislature have had chance after chance, through good times as well as bad, to signficantly reduce spending (either responsibly or not) and have simply refused to do it. Putting a limit on the increase in spending (which is NOT a cut, no matter how some try to portray it), while allowing additional spending IF permitted by voters, seems reasonable to me. If higher spending is critical, government can make its case and let us decide. I have faith in the citizens that they will approve what is necessary. Why do the anti-TABOR individuals have such little faith in citizens, but such great faith in State and local governments that continually fail to operate more responsibly?
Rex, Tron, the funny thing
Rex, Tron, the funny thing is you guys sound like the people for Yes on 1. Your arguing about the the way the issue is brought up instead of the actual issue
Rex, the reason the
Rex, the reason the legislators haven't taken it up is because cutting spending isn't glamorous. The rewards for sound fiscal policy are invisible, but the penalties for out of control spending are felt everywhere.
Even, at this point, we did everything from a fiscally responsible route, things would be VERY tight. Roads and school funding would two of the more obvious places we would notice degradation. But, much like an addict, once that initial shock from detox passes, this would also pass. Then, also like the recovering addict, our economy would grow stronger and prosperous.
Look at California, Maine is heading down the same path. It's either a little pain now, or total disaster later.
verified The problem TABOR addresses
The problem TABOR addresses already has a solution, elect people to the legislature to vote the way you think proper. However, you don't seem able or willing to put up the effort to do so. Passing this referendum is the cowards way out, suitable to your argument.
No, it is not a coward way
No, it is not a coward way out. To get to Portland from Augusta, you can take 295 or 95. Both get you there.
Don't want TABOR, don't vote for it. Nothing cowardly about it Tron
Advertisement
Advertisement
Most Popular Today
verified on "Car rolls over on Ash Street in Lewiston"
Ms. Proulx
I am glad that she's alright...
What I find a bit odd,is that she stated she was doing 35 mph. There are NO streets downtown,where the speed limit is over 25 mph.
Downtown Lewiston,folks... People are everywhere...SLOW DOWN!
verified on "Health providers gird for DHHS cuts under compromise deal"
cuts
Why doesn't all the members of the legislation take cuts on their payroll and their insurance coverage and see if they can manage. I'm already fighting DHS because of a mistake they made and because of their mistake my income tax refund is in jeopardy. I've already lost my maine state refund. This is wrong. DHS takes money from people who are on the system because of the mistake DHS made. That's not right. Why should the people be punished for a mistake that wasn't their fault. Stop spending other people's money. I work as much as I can so That my 8 yr old can go to school and have food, a roof what I make versus my rent and bills barely lets me have any money left over for dr visits, car repairs or basic household necessities, toothpaste, toilet paper etc.... Why don't they take it back from the people who defrauded DHS. I have mainecare but I don't have dental. Maine care only pays $8.00 for eyeglasses and they break all the time because they are cheap. The only way I can get mainecare to pay for a dentist is if I break a tooth or need one pulled. I can't just go to the dentist to fill a cavitiy or to have my teeth cleaned. That isn't fair. The legislature is supposed to be helping those citizens that are having a hard time. Instead of going on those fancy vacations, buying that new car why don't some of you Take your bonuses and put it back into the system. If I could afford to live like that I would give up my bonuses. It's about caring, oh wait the only thing the legislature cares about is what in their pockets and who they can screw next.!!! I'm all for rules and regulations but it needs to apply to everyone. Starting with the lawmakers.
verified on "An impassioned, diverse dialogue on wind power"
Numbers and Nimbys
One gentleman asked for published, peer-reviewed information on wind power. He was told, correctly, that such information can be hard to get, although there is of course published work showing serious effects on bird and bat populations. However, one source does come to mind: the US Energy Information Administration. They publish information about how much money we spend as taxpayers to support various forms of energy, and it can be quite interesting. For instance, natural gas gets $0.25 per MWh; coal gets $0.44. The owners of industrial wind turbines get $23.37/MWh.
Does that answer anyone's questions about why Angus King et al are working so hard to get in on this racket?
If the SJ thinks that windpower is a valuable part of the mix, and that subsidies are important, perhaps the answer is to have a level playing field here. And incidentally, according to the head of ISO-New England, wind turbines are so spread out over the landscape as to require a massive investment in transmission lines with an estimated cost of $19-25 Billion.... we would be paying for that, of course, on our electric bills. And paying again in terms of lost tourism revenue.
Another item that has come up here is the usual accusation about anti-windpower people just being a bunch of NIMBYs. Well, I can't speak for others but I sure hope I'm one! Love, charity, and caring for one's neighborhood are virtues that begin at home, and then hopefully go out to encompass more and more of the world and its people. I think it's high time people quit using this as an insult-- it's like sneering at someone for loving his mother.
However there is a kind of NIMBY that deserves the perjorative use of the term, and that is one who supports an activity as long as it's in someone else's backyard, not his. Thinking of the Natural Resources Council of Maine here... I'm not a member any more!
I've read a lot of words from Maine people who are fighting industrial wind, but have never heard one say it was fine as long as somebody else had to suffer, not them. So please, if you want to use the term make sure you use it wisely.
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.