All those working in the private sector who got a snow day off on Dec. 27, raise your hands. Hmm, no hands.

OK, now, let’s count hands for the state workers. Let’s see … thousands, maybe?

All those in the private sector who had Jan. 1 off for New Year’s Day, raise your hands. A few, perhaps, yet, thousands of state workers had the day off.

That is why the state is in such bad shape. Taxpayers sure pay a lot for people not to work.

Hopefully, the new administration will fix that problem by getting rid of excess civil servants, reduce benefits to match those of the private sector (including retirement, insurance, days off, etc.), and will tell the unions where to go. If anyone doesn’t like it, too bad.

Maine needs to follow New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s example and stand up for the taxpayers.

I’ve worked for the state and the county. The unions hated me because of what I stood for then, which is what I stand for now, and we fought.

When the public servants get more than the taxpayers, something is broken.

Mike Goodwin, Turner