Questions 1 and 2 have everyone buzzing, so I’ll add my two cents.

Question 1 has many voters upset because the tax was conjured up during the day, but passed late at night when no opposition was guarding the henhouse. Those who wrote and passed the tax knew it would be very unpopular, but then, who would notice?

People noticed, and now people on both sides of the issue are spending tons of money trying to keep or reject it.

Why didn’t elected officials write the tax proposal and let taxpayers vote on it?

Because of the underhanded way the tax was written and approved, their arrogance got people’s attention and many want to send a message of no new taxes of any kind while the economy is ailing.

About Question 2, CasinosNo! folks are saying that 19-year-olds will be dealing cards and running games and the crime rate will go up.

I would rather see my grandchildren finish high school and get good-paying jobs at the casino than drop out of school and deal fast food for minimum wage.

Crime rates increase when people can’t find good jobs and resort to growing pot or stealing.

Oxford needs jobs desperately, and it’s time to get creative and let “people from away” invest in the region’s future. A casino is incredibly difficult for me to support. I love Maine as the pristine sanctuary in which I grew up, but hard times require hard decisions.

I must vote yes.

Al Pelletier, Norway