I understand the frustration people have with the political status quo in Augusta, which seems bent on being hostile to business, to citizens, and to Maine’s youth who are fleeing in droves. Some years ago term-limits were touted as a way to change things and put more power in the hands of the citizenry. That experiment has failed. Now the newest fix-all is the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

At first blush, TABOR seems like a great idea. I even signed a petition to get it on the ballot. But after some study of how it would work, and how it failed miserably in Colorado, I see this as another panacea that will only further marginalize Maine as an economic entity.

Our problems will not be cured by a one-size-fits-all scheme. Voters need to do the hard work of keeping tabs on what is going on in Augusta and holding elected officials accountable.

TABOR will penalize our children, our disabled and our poor. Ultimately it will punish every Mainer.

John Berry, Lewiston