It is sad to see that the Republican Party has descended into the party of greed and indifference (GOP — Greedy Old Party). The party of Abe Lincoln and Maggie Smith has become the party of robber barons. They want to take people back to the time of 10-hour workdays, seven-day workweeks, dangerous work conditions, low pay and child labor so that their rich buddies (such as the Koch brothers) can get even richer; back to a Third-World environment of dark, toxic skies and raw sewage flowing in the streets.

Labor and environmental laws get in the way of the accumulation of extreme wealth, so the GOP wants to get rid of them. They complain about “red tape.” In my world, red tape was what one uses to wrap Christmas presents.

I encourage Maine’s elected officials, if they wish to keep Maine “The way life should be,” to support workers, retirees and the disadvantaged. They should balance the budget with money from the wealthy and corporations, who actually have some, and in excess.

By the way, a report last year stated that a sustainable wage in Maine was $13 per hour, yet the minimum wage is $7.50. How can that be ethical? What it says is that it is OK for many citizens in Maine to be paid substandard wages.

The question boils down to support of American and Maine values of fairness and compassion, or support of Republican greed.

David Dawn, Auburn