As many expected, the “jobs bond” passed. Very few voters even bothered to cast a vote in what was probably the stealthiest statewide election in Maine’s history.

“Bonding” means “borrowing.” Bonding occurs when Augusta wants to spend our money but doesn’t want to tax us for it this year. The state wants future taxpayers to pay for it.

The extended payment plan isn’t free. We pay interest for the privilege of sticking our children with this debt. But shiny new government buildings make nice ribbon cutting opportunities for our smiling governor and local legislators.

The 8 percent of Maine voters who decided that we were going to borrow more were likely swayed by promises of hundreds of millions of federal monies coming back to us if they voted “yes.” Getting more federal funds to flow into Maine is a great idea. It is called “getting our fair share.”

Sound familiar?

If this was such a great idea, I wonder why the Legislature didn’t free federal dollars by using current tax monies rather than heaping more debt on the kids?

And I wonder why all of the “job creating” projects were lumped into one ballot question? Why couldn’t we pick the ones we liked and vote against the ones we didn’t like? Was this a way to slip something by we voters?

Unfortunately, this bond will be repaid with higher taxes. Higher taxes means less private sector growth and less jobs.

Maine can’t tax its way to prosperity.

That dog don’t hunt!

Bob Stone, Lewiston