The GOP and Sen. Chandler Woodcock is trying to send a message that Maine is terrible in every regard. Party officials want us to believe that not only is Maine on the rocks, but that government does not have a role is helping Maine people.

Like President George Bush, Woodcock is trying to frame the terms of debate. He has said that his conservative views are not open to debate in this election season. Those running for public office cannot tell Maine people what we can and cannot ask them about. If Woodcock is asking for our support, he needs to be straight with us.

A quick visit to Woodcock’s website reveals his vision, or should I say mirage, of an economic development plan.

Woodcock’s plan for Maine is nothing more than smoke and mirrors and an attempt to cloak his real agenda: to role back the clock on Maine’s progressive stances.

In fact the first thing on Woodcock’s list is roll back the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program , which is something Baldacci has already done. Woodcock really has no plan for Maine, other than to follow the Bush agenda.

Diane Poirier, Lewiston