I left the “Capitol for a Day” gathering in Lewiston on Jan. 19, realizing that the forum simply gave the governor and his commissioners an opportunity to justify decisions they had already made, rather than to listen to the concerns of citizens.

The governor repeatedly used the term “welfare,” instead of the less provocative, yet more descriptive and accurate terms Temporary Assistance to Needy Families,

MaineCare or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, and he did so to great effect. His cheering section loved it.

How far are we, really, from someone being tarred and feathered for simply needing help?

The Republican Legislature succeeded in pushing a tax-cut package last year that has left the state with dwindling resources to pay for the shared responsibilities of a civilized people. Those responsibilities include making sure that all among us who are ill, disabled, elderly, hungry, homeless or who simply work at vital yet low-wage jobs will not be forgotten.

According to House Minority Leader Emily Cain, 55 percent of the costs of MaineCare are incurred by just 5 percent of the population. Why not try to more efficiently manage those costs?

It appears that the administration prefers to nuke the whole system instead, ignoring the far-reaching implications.

It is clear the governor still believes, in spite of any solid evidence, that hoards of people are coming to Maine simply to live off what he deems an overly generous welfare system. His credo must be: “Never let facts get in your way.”

Mary Ann Larson,

New Gloucester

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