Maine’s economy is in a crisis. According to figures from the Maine Heritage Policy Center, 30 percent of Mainers are on welfare and one in six people need food stamps to survive. If that isn’t an indictment of how badly mismanaged Maine has been, I don’t know what is.

The goal of politicians should be to create a dynamic, fast-moving economy so that Mainers can be self-sufficient; able to meet their needs.

I believe that is Gov. Paul LePage’s goal.

The governor’s tax cuts would put money in the hands of people who could create jobs. Opponents of the cuts say it is too costly at $203 million, but I do not believe it would cost that much if the cost is looked at as part of his overall agenda.

The governor’s plan calls for an overhaul of Maine’s regulatory environment. Regulations are huge taxes on businesses. Cutting red tape translates into greater profits, more taxable income that would offset a portion of that $203 million.

The tax cut itself would put more capital in the hands of entrepreneurs, more small businesses would be created. The larger job or tax base would increase tax revenues, further reducing the cost of the tax cut. A reduction in the welfare spending (that would be no longer needed) would also reduce the cost.

I trust the governor’s judgment. He worked his way up from the bottom to become a very successful businessman. He knows what working families need from the government.

Jim Sorcek, Lewiston