Maybe Gov. Paul Le Page is showing Mainers the way to the future. Should a couple of anonymous critics trump the other 500,000 people who enjoy art in otherwise drab public buildings?

Politically driven agendas seem to trump rational review everywhere I look in the country and the world. In terms of art in public buildings, the consequences are not generally devastating, but on many other fronts, such as the use of antibiotics by farmers and veterinarians, the consequences are indeed worrisome.

Maybe Maine can take the leadership in becoming a beacon of rationality. Actually, that is the job of the Legislature, but legislators are too invested in getting re-elected to be champions of rationality.

Perhaps the governor can appoint a panel of thinkers who can be asked to review potential issues before they undermine things that Mainers could easily be united on.

Polarization may not matter on some fronts but, in other areas such as undermining the capacity for labor and management to work together, it undermines the state’s capacity to be competitive in a global marketplace.

That does not bring jobs to Maine. Ultimately, it drives jobs away.

James Tierney, Auburn