Recent television ads state that Gov. John Baldacci took on the Bush administration and Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and saved Maine jobs. Last I heard, the Brunswick Naval Air Station was being closed; the reality being that the Baldacci administration is claiming a shallow victory in the jaws of defeat.

Baldacci’s ads fail to mention his passing of the gay rights law, even though voters had clearly made their choice known. There’s a good chance Maine could end up with a gay marriage law during his second term if Baldacci is re-elected. Oh, and what about the millions of dollars the state owes Maine hospitals under Baldacci’s watch? “He inherited the problem,” people may say. However, he had four years to correct the situation and did nothing until barely three weeks before the election.

Baldacci’s record as Maine’s governor clearly makes him the gubernatorial equivalent of Jimmy Carter. If the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is passed and Baldacci, who is against it, is re-elected, one can almost guarantee that he will tie it up in the legal system for the next four years, and the taxpayers of Maine will have been duped once again.

For those people who work, pay taxes, and pay for Maine government’s giveaway programs, but qualify for none, this election is a great opportunity to send him back to the family business in Bangor.

Paul St. Jean, Lewiston