In your newspaper this week, I read of another free trade agreement with two countries. Maine is suffering badly from this type of agreement.

Many small towns have lost the only industry they had. Where can these people find work? I would like to see a report by one of your investigative reporters as to how much we have suffered. This might awaken Augusta and Washington to level the playing field and not cater to nations who are only looking to flood our markets. Our people must come first. They need jobs badly.

National growth, 1.5 percent (very bad); deficits state and local, $100 billion; unemployed (drawing unemployment) highest in 20 years, 3.8 million; percent unemployed, 6.4 percent; jobs lost this year, 300,000; unemployment claims weekly, 425,000. That’s a heck of a picture!

Roland G. Dumais, Auburn