Democrats control the Legislature and governorship, and are quite responsible for Maine being 49th in attractiveness to business (jobs), second highest in taxes, excessive in welfare benefits and eligibility, and extraordinarily high in health insurance costs.

All of those problems are fixable by the Legislature by creating a better business regulatory climate, controlling state spending, bringing welfare down to a national average level, and making the frequently-requested insurance regulation changes.

Why have the Democrats historically opposed Republican solutions to these problems, which would make it better for all of us?

If these things were done we would have more and better jobs, which will attract our currently-fleeing young people; lower taxes; a welfare system which gives good care to those who are unable to care for themselves; many more privately insured people who lower the cost for all of us and lessen the burden on Medicaid.

Voters should check on the recorded votes of their legislators and see if they agree with their positions. Records of the votes are easily accessed online at www.MaineVotes.org, where also are amendments and legislators’ absence records. Finding bills becomes easy using the LD number, or key words, or category, or legislative sponsor’s name.

Compare votes of Lewiston-Auburn Democrats to Republicans, then recall the campaign promises.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn