Gov. Paul LePage imagines himself to be a down-to-earth guy who speaks his mind. A few fans egg him on. However, even the governor himself has recognized the need to “zipper” his mouth. Good.

Nevertheless, a number of basic problems remain. Here are three.

One, his policies. They’re wrong.

One example is his attempt to roll back regulations governing BPA. Fortunately, that skirmish was lost. More battles are forthcoming.

Two, he was interested in “transparency.” But, he fires Dr. Dora Anne Mills, an outstanding public health advocate who served the people of Maine in a tireless fashion. The reason? None offered.

Third, he confuses directness with insults. A clue to his thinking on important matters is revealed by that confusion. Here are some recent examples. “Kiss my butt” (to the NAACP); “some women may have little beards” (the intended humor was lost on women concerned with BPA side effects). Each of the examples garnered a bit of tea-tinged cheap applause.

Here’s a question for our Mr. Gov’nor: If this be bluntness then, what, pray tell, is ignorance?

Roger Zimmerman, Bethel