The Sun Journal editorial Nov. 5, “Rejecting TABOR sales job” is way off. The editorial writer stated reasons to be against TABOR one year before it can even be voted on. That demonstrates what an uphill battle it is to change politics and the media in the state of Maine.

The editorial stated, “Colorado law demonstrates how the TABOR idea is unsustainable. Voters in Maine have never lost control of government. They elect the governor, representatives and senators, and they can change the lineup anytime they like. Mainers can see that the sales job on TABOR does not match the reality.”

That sounds wonderful, but we all know that is not the way politics works in Maine. Nearly all of Maine’s legislators vote along party lines, not on how the voters may want them to. Whichever party controls the Legislature, and whichever special interest group and lobbyists have the most influence, are the ones that control our destiny.

As an example, look at L.D. 1, which passed the Legislature last year. A majority of voters told the Legislature they wanted 55 percent school funding and lower property taxes. It did not happen. The schools in my town are not funded 55 percent by the state and neither are others elsewhere. Our legislators did not listen to the voters.

Citizens lost control a long time ago. TABOR is designed to give the voting power on taxes back to the people.

I urge voters to listen about TABOR with an open mind.

Roger Knowlton, Poland

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