A “mandate” is a command from a king or dictator, or a request to the Legislature from the people to mandate.

The mandate to consolidate schools came down from above. The Legislature immediately embraced it and made it into a law (in their ignorance).

They are missing one little thing: The people as a whole have not voted on it yet. There is tremendous pressure to prevent the vote of the people.

This mandate reminds me of the sad incident a long while ago in Jonestown. A command came down ordering the people to drink poison.

When the mandate comes down from above now to drink poison, are you going to drink?

Roland Bennett, Buckfield