This is in response to the Sun Journal story, printed Feb. 18, about state Rep. Brian Bolduc’s proposed legislation to add Franco-American history to the Maine Learning Results and require a course for graduation.

Is he kidding?

At a time when so many individuals and small businesses in Maine are trying to survive a lousy economy, how can some representatives in Augusta focus on such a ridiculous bill? Why would anyone want to force students to learn about the history of one ethnic group to the exclusion of others?

Learning about your ethnic history should come from your family and not be a requirement of the school system.

I think this is another example of members of state and local governments looking backward instead of forward, and perhaps that constant backward-looking and backward-thinking are part of the reason it is so difficult for people to find economic opportunity and increase their quality of life in this state.

Perhaps Bolduc is simply trolling for votes in the next election from his constituents with French heritage.

I hope that bill is soundly defeated in Augusta.

Peter Hinkley, Auburn