As Election Day approaches, voters must decide who will do the best job locally, statewide and nationally.

Statewide, the state government has been controlled by Democrats for as long as I can remember (I’m 48). These people have been our neighbors and friends, who have gone to Augusta with great intentions on helping the common cause. Quite simply, they have failed.

Maine is a hard place for businesses to grow and survive, and it’s these businesses where most people earn their income to support their families and pay taxes to help those who cannot work. These businesses are the state’s lifeblood. State government is making it difficult for them, and their employees, to survive.

New Hampshire is attracting new businesses to their state.

How? Lower health insurance costs, no state income tax and no state sales tax are just a start.

It has created an environment attractive to business, and those businesses are paying people to work there. New Hampshire residents pay about 8 percent less in overall taxes than Maine residents.

Who wouldn’t like 8 percent more each week?

Why the difference? New Hampshire’s state government has been controlled by Republicans, while Maine is controlled by Democrats.

On Election Day, I encourage a real vote for change: Vote for the Republicans and give them a shot at controlling the state government. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect things to change. Voters have to change who they vote for.

Robert Bernier, Auburn