I was appalled to read that, according to the Auburn City Charter (or at least its interpretation by the city lawyer), the citizens are not allowed a referendum to stipulate how their money is to be spent (March 7). I thought slavery had been abolished. Did we merely replace the plantation owner with a city council?

This is supposed to be a democracy. In this form of government, elected officials are there to represent and serve the people who elected them, not to dominate and exploit them.

In 1776, there was outrage and rebellion at the notion of “taxation without representation.” We, the working people, budget, plan and scrimp to live within our means and it was never our intention to pay tax money only to have it spent on the whim of government on projects which we do not support.

Could it be that it is time for the people of Auburn, and Lewiston, and Brunswick, and Bath and any other town that feels that its money is not being frugally and sensibly managed, to launch another “tea party?” Is that the only way we can be heard?

If the city attorney is correct in his interpretation of the charter, it is time to rewrite the charter and submit it to the vote of the people it will affect.

Helen Incze, Lewiston

Editor’s note: The City of Auburn re-wrote its charter last year and it was subsequently approved by voters.