Maine teachers should not be used as scapegoats for the state of Maine’s budget woes. There should be an honest debate over what the real issue is.

Many American businesses, in their quest for profits, have chosen to outsource manufacturing — which comprises the American middle class (the taxpayers).

Maine teachers make a respectable living and have earned a modest retirement. In no way is that outlandish or excessive (as the governor hinted).

If this nation is to compete and win in a world economy, it will have to retain and attract the best and brightest educators. They hold the key for any chance of competitiveness that the U.S. may have in a global economy.

Maine currently ranks 15th from the top in national student achievement. Now is not the time to discourage professionals from staying in and entering the teaching field.

As citizens of this state, the collective goal should be to race to the top, not the bottom. Rollbacks in teacher retirement and health insurance will have an adverse impact on education. Many teachers will exit public service and head to the private sector where a compensation package will be greater. Teacher recruitment would see negative results.

Teachers already pay 9.1 percent of their salaries to Maine State Retirement and Medicare. In comparison, the private sector pays 7.65 percent for Social Security and Medicare.

Gov. Paul LePage should work with legislators to produce a budget that does not adversely affect teachers and students.

Lee Arsenault, Rumford