Inconsistent. It’s the one word I can think of to describe Maine’s Democrats these days.

In April, Gov. Baldacci and State House Democrats rushed a partisan budget through the Legislature, borrowing nearly $450 million to pay off current expenses. They then called the budget “responsible” for Maine and claimed that Republicans played a key role in drafting provisions in the Appropriations Committee.

Then the truth seeped out.

Republicans had put forward many responsible alternatives, all of which were summarily rejected. Instead, the Democrats decided that most of the bond proceeds should be used to meet current expenses, a move that is illegal under the state Constitution.

Then, people realized that the tax relief that was promised had not been delivered. The budget didn’t hold towns accountable to actually use their money to provide tax relief.

When all that news made its way to the public eye, people of all political ideologies were outraged and Gov. Baldacci’s approval rating plummeted to a low of 37 percent, the lowest of all New England governors.

The message apparently resonated in the governor’s office. Suddenly, when his popularity and re-election were at stake, the governor decided to promote new budget talks.

Now, the Democrats are taking credit for the new budget, the one that would not have happened if the people had not taken action.

I have a message for the governor: Get it right the first time or get out. Maine can’t afford to have that kind of cowardly leadership.

Brent A. Bowen, Lewiston

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