Although everything now seems like an economic issue, deciding what’s right for Maine and its people is not always measured in dollars and cents.

There are two such examples percolating right now. One is same-sex marriage, the proponents of which recently released a study estimating that allowing the controversial practice in Maine would equal the return of $60 million to state businesses over three years.

The other is also controversial: so-called “canned hunting,” a derogation of hunting on private, enclosed lands, for species nonnative to Maine. Trophy hunters trail their prey on glorified playgrounds that provide nary a sporting chance for the animals to survive.

A bill, LD 560, would ban this “hunting” for good, after it was legitimized – somewhat – by the Legislature a decade ago. At that time, the nine operating preserves in Maine were allowed to continue. Since then, two have folded and the others have waned.

So opponents of preserves say now is the time to act. Kills are at the lowest level in history, they say, which shows the business is “a small and dying industry that never really caught on,” according to Robert Fisk, president and director of Maine Friends of the Animals.

Even enthusiastic hunters think canned hunting is distasteful, with none of the sportsmanship or challenge that accompanies its legitimate cousins. Supporters of its ban are right in arguing this business is out of place in Maine, which values outdoor traditions with utmost sacredness.

The wilderness is not meant to be controlled, but conquered. Shooting red deer, elk or bison trucked into Maine for the purpose of slaughter for the amusement of hunters not game enough to try their luck on native species borders on cowardly. It shouldn’t be allowed.

Similar discussions should be held about same-sex marriage – whether allowing it is right, ethically and socially. It is an issue of civil rights, equality and freedom, three founding tenets of American society which still should be more valued than the almighty dollar.

Which is why we think putting price tags on these issues is improper. Economic impact is not the basis for deciding matters of ethics, human rights, animal rights, equality, tradition and values.

In Maine’s case, prohibition of same-sex marriage and allowance of canned hunting have grated against fundamental sensibilities of people, who have fought mightily to have the issues reconsidered by lawmakers for important personal and public reasons.

None of which deals with money, because on these issues, doing it for the money is doing it for the wrong reason.