I am writing to express my opinion about the start of the new legislative session.

It appears that partisan politics are alive and well in Augusta. Former Sen. Neria Douglass has been elected to fill the position of state auditor. Neria comes to this position, stepping over Richard Foote.

Richard is qualified for the job and Neria is not. Richard’s career is in auditing. His drawback in Augusta is that Republicans nominated him. For being a Republican, the majority party set aside the interests of the citizens of Maine and elected an inexperienced former Democrat senator to the job of state auditor.

It is comforting to know that the law allows her six months to get the qualifications she needs. It is not comforting to see our elected officials playing partisan politics with an important position in our government.

No competent employer could expect top-quality work by hiring the least-experienced applicant. Only government operates this foolishly.

As a taxpayer, I find it disgusting to watch our tax dollars mishandled this way.

Carl E. Duchette, East Poland