As a Maine voter, property owner and parent with three at home, I think it’s silly to lower real estate taxes to every business. We should encourage business to lower residents’ taxes.

Those fine folks from out of state who are a driving force in our escalating prices, especially their mansions by the sea, will no longer subsidize our children’s education. I would like those wealthy enough to afford second homes at the lake to help provide services we all depend upon.

Residents still need schools, fire and police, and the bills will still need to be paid. What would a 10 percent sales tax do for businesses, or huge increases in income tax?

Property tax is a user fee.

I maintain that if I can afford to own property then I can afford the responsibility to the community. Property owners deduct costs and reap reward upon a sale. I feel sorry for those folks who can’t afford to keep their assets passed down from generations but are forced to sell by market and personal demands to survive.

Property tax is the only fair and reasonable way to fund local government.

Our system of government does not provide for adequate retirement or health care. As long as that is the fact, I too will be forced to sell when my health or old age demands it. This is life in these United States.

There will be no tax decrease. Only a shift from the haves to have nots.

Bruce E. Clark, Auburn