I was both saddened and outraged by the announcement that the state of Maine will issue debit cards to be used to purchase day care services. This new “benefit” has no protection for the children, the day care providers, or the taxpayers who foot the bill, and has unlimited potential for abuse/misuse.

What are the safeguards for this new system?

Who will be monitoring the usage of these cards?

As a taxpayer, I want to know that the children who benefit from this program actually receive day care that has an educational philosophy. I do not want to see children plopped in front of televisions and video games – warehoused in substandard situations.

This absurdly ludicrous debit card idea will allow and encourage greedy individuals to become day care providers.

We must protect the children and the programs that specialize in early childhood education.

Taxpayers want assurance that their hard-earned dollars are being wisely and positively spent. Direct billing and payment, our current system, works. Why would we compromise an already functioning system?

The state of Maine and its lawmakers need to re-examine this proposal. Compromising the children of tomorrow and the integrity of existing day care providers should not be tolerated.

Voters need to let their lawmakers know that the day care debit card proposal is unacceptable.

Muffett Dulac, Auburn