Isn’t it nice to know that “Uncle” John Baldacci is looking out for all of us reckless and irresponsible Maine residents?

Uncle John tells us that gambling casinos and racinos are bad, while promoting the state-sponsored lottery.

Uncle John tells us that a gambling casino and resort does not fit into his mythical “economic development plan.”

Maybe someday Uncle John will fill all of us in on what exactly his plan is?

Uncle John tells us that casinos and racinos will bring organized crime and vice and sleaze to the state of Maine. Scare tactics rarely are supported by facts, but Maine voters believe Uncle John anyway.

Uncle John tells us that public smoking is bad, creating economic hardship for local taverns and restaurants, but to go ahead and puff all you want at home, because he loves those cigarette tax revenues.

Uncle John tells us where we have to buy our liquor and how much we should pay for it.

Uncle John balances the state budget by guesstimating how much money in federal funds the state might get, and guesstimating how much money the state might receive from liquor distribution contracts.

Yep, Uncle John is our big brother, and he is watching out for all of us, since we apparently can’t watch out for ourselves. Maine is becoming exactly what Uncle John and his cronies have envisioned – a welfare state where the people are completely dependent on Augusta for everything in their lives.

Steve Troup, Rumford