In his letter, printed Jan. 8, John Muir indicates that he wholeheartedly supports the government social welfare system. Everyone wants to help those less fortunate, especially through tough times. Unfortunately, he, like many others, thinks that the government is the solution to all the problems that people are facing.

He should open his eyes. Excessive government is the problem that is dragging this country down.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government is the result of too much government.”

Our Founding Fathers put their trust in individual responsibility, not government. Every major problem this country faces today is caused or made worse by excessive government regulations or controls. Areas such as public education, insurance, high medical expenses, unemployment, poverty, energy and the financial crisis are all made worse by government regulations and controls.

For many people the answer to all these problems is – you guessed it – more government. They think that if we make another law, the problem is over. We’ve been going down this path for years (especially in Maine) with the same depressing results.

I say, it’s time for change.

Let’s try something new, something refreshing, something revolutionary – how about getting the government off the backs of people, and giving the free enterprise system a chance. It works.

George Mathews, Auburn