Shame on you, Sun Journal. I am greatly disappointed that my hometown newspaper would take an irresponsible position on Question 4.

As the president of an association whose vision is a great public education for all Maine students, I can say our 25,000 active and retired educators are disappointed that your editorial would support a policy that jeopardizes the education of our children.

The Palesky Tax Cap was rejected by voters in 2004; the TABOR I Tax Cap was rejected by voters in 2006; and, contrary to your view, TABOR II should also be rejected by voters in 2009. It is a bad idea that would actually make things worse in this economic environment.

Applying a restrictive, one-size-fits-all tax cap to local and state spending is not fiscal responsibility; it is akin to blindly swinging a sledgehammer at our local schools, public safety, heath care, road maintenance, and services to the elderly.

TABOR II does not empower voters. Instead, it handcuffs local control with rigid spending limits that can only be altered through a cumbersome, expensive budget process for school districts, town councils, county government, and the Maine Legislature.

The intent of TABOR II is to slowly strangle public spending, and the impact on our K-12 schools, the community colleges, and University of Maine System would be devastating.

America’s economic success and our success as a democracy are based upon a free and universal public education. Those who lived through the Great Depression know that education was the lifeline that provided hope for a better life.

Nothing has changed. Today, our system of public education is just as important a foundation for a better life as it was in the 1930s. Education made this country a success and neglect of education as contemplated by TABOR II can reverse the process.

Education is a major component of local and state spending and anyone who is convinced that they can vote for a tax cap during a recession without having a negative impact on the quality of education for our children is kidding themselves.

Please don’t risk the future of our children by chasing the illusory promise by a handful of political activists for a few dollars in tax saving. On behalf of Maine’s educators, I urge voters to vote “No” on Question 4, TABOR II.

Chris Galgay, Turner

President, Maine Education Association