In recent letters to the editor, Maine Republican legislators have asked Maine Democrats not to compare them to President Bush and Republicans in Congress. Can one blame them? I wouldn’t want to be compared to the policies of Bush, or Republicans in Congress, either.

I will instead compare Maine Republicans to Maine Democrats on an issue just voted on in the Maine House – increasing the minimum wage to just $7 an hour over a two-year period. Republicans overwhelmingly voted against this modest increase. Democrats overwhelmingly voted for it. Even with this increase, we will still have the second-lowest minimum wage in New England.

During the debate, many Republican legislators claimed how much this would hurt the economy of Maine. They don’t even acknowledge that people making the minimum wage will spend the increase in Maine. They will spend it on food and clothing, and to pay bills. This will drive the economy.

Trickle-down economics are just as the first President Bush called them – voodoo economics. The difference between lower- and middle-income people and higher-income people continues to grow and is the biggest in history. Trickle-down just does not trickle down.

As a Democrat, and a legislator, I am proud of my vote in support of increasing the minimum wage. I believe it was right for my district, right for Lewiston and right for the people of Maine.

I will compare that to the vote of my Maine Republican legislative colleagues any day.

Rep. Will Walcott, District 72,

part of Lewiston