Augusta Democrats argue all day that their “minimal” tax increases are reasonable, but the facts speak for themselves: They are taxing us to death, and we can’t take much more.

I’m an average Mainer. I don’t make a ton of money, but we get by just fine. Since Gov. Janet Mills has been in office, my household budget has had an ever-increasing squeeze. We don’t eat out often or live an expensive lifestyle. My family is content to stay home and watch Netflix. 

Thanks to the last budget, even streaming services are being taxed by Mills. If I wanted to spend time in Maine’s beautiful outdoors instead, I’d pay even more taxes on a fishing license. If I wanted to relax on my property with a cigarette, cigar or marijuana, I’d be taxed on that too! 

If I’m in town, the waitress at the local restaurant still pays taxes on overtime and tips because Mills is blocking the relief offered by President Trump that many other states are feeling.  If my family or I needed an ambulance from our rural home, the ambulance provider would suffer a tax increase that would eventually be passed on to us as the patients. 

The reality is, incremental increases over time amount to massive burdens on average Mainers. Janet Mills has become a weight on Maine’s shoulders as governor. I can only hope she doesn’t go to Washington, D.C., and do that as a senator to all Americans. 

Phyllis Green
Richmond