In the Dec. 2 Sun Journal, state Treasurer David Lemoine explained the $20 million tax dollar investment. He defended the decision to invest in the Mainsail fund, “The investment… carried the highest credit ratings from credit-watchers…,” and indicated the investment was consistent with state guidelines. But then he said, “We are taking a hard look at why… Merrill Lynch suggested the Mainsail purchase.”

Isn’t that’s nice. Talk about being thrown under the bus.

That day’s editorial commented that the $20 million had already been “written off,” and any return of funds would be a “windfall.” If a $20 million loss “is not a significant budget issue for the state,” as Lemoine noted in his column, how about the state give whatever “windfall” it recoups back to the taxpayers?

These people just don’t get it.

That was the taxpayers’ hard-earned money that was invested (read gambled). Is anyone interested? How many people are scraping by just to pay taxes, heat homes and fuel-up automobiles? Do most people actually have so much extra money in their pockets at the end of the month that they are willing to ignore this? Are Mainers that fat and happy? I am talking about $20 million.

How many people could do something that irresponsible at work and not lose their job as a result?

An investigation into the actions of the state treasurer should be started.

Pauline Cadrin, Lewiston