The Maine Democratic Party was “misinformed.” A brochure was mailed by them praising state Sen. Deb Simpson for “balancing the State budget,” “leading the way” and “bipartisan support.” She did this “without raising taxes” and while doing it “the right way, the Maine way.” (Simpson is a candidate for re-election.)

That information is misleading and is not supported in fact.

Simpson had no role at all in the Appropriations Committee of the Legislature, and that is the group that wrestled with all of the tough decisions for balancing the budget. She did vote for the final “tax reform” bill that was presented later as Question No. 1 in the June 8 election and was soundly rejected by the voters.

While some insisted that there would be no new taxes, Simpson voted for 102 new taxes. Her “bipartisan support” consisted of the one Republican senator who voted for the tax reform bill.

The brochure was a bit of political deception, being some distance from the truth.

Are the Maine Democrats imitating the congressional Democrats and the Obama administration? They have already shown that they are soft on illegal aliens, like to spend taxpayers’ money, and have met very few taxes they didn’t like.

What they say and what they do are two different things. Maine citizens should be aware of these deceptions.

We deserve better.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn

Chairman of the Androscoggin County Republican Committee