It is interesting and alarming to see the increasingly extreme U.S. Chamber of Commerce funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars from large multi-national corporations into Maine to strongly influence elections. The refusal of that Chamber to disclose the identities of corporations is even more troubling.

We experienced the effects of these contributions in the 2010 election when the Chamber brought in hundreds of thousands at the last minute to defeat Clean Election Democratic and independent candidates. The infusions were brought in late so that the Clean Election candidates would not have enough time to get matching funds. It was very successful.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this out-of-state money was Republican Lois Snowe-Mello, candidate for the Maine State Senate (Auburn, Pownal, Durham, New Gloucester). She received tens of thousand in campaign support from the U.S. Chamber and was subsequently elected. It will pay off in millions for the corporations behind this funding.

For example, Snowe-Mello immediately took the side of the chemical companies against Maine’s children when it came to trying to remove the chemical BPA from food and drink containers. And she then proceeded to support the health insurance companies in their drive to expand profits at the expense of Maine citizens. The result will be less medical care and higher premiums.

On the positive side, kudos go to the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and its president, Chip Morrison, for representing small businesses and refusing to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Melaragno, Auburn