The insert from the Maine Economic Research Institute in the July 24 paper was very interesting. But overshadowing the statistics and information is the ludicrous state government system.

As a sparsely populated state with only 16 counties, it makes no sense to have a total of 186 state senators and representatives. No wonder the state is in such a financial mess. We all know that too many cooks spoil the broth.

Here is my fix for the problem:

• Eliminate party designations associated with government legislators, which would eradicate wasteful bipartisan bickering.

• Elect 16 state senators (one per county).

• Elect one representative from each county, plus one extra for heavily populated counties with the larger cities of Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta, Brunswick and Bangor. That would make a total of 21 representatives.

• Take a percentage of the salaries that action would eliminate and give the 37 elected officials a nice raise.

Under this system, the governor and his Cabinet could then appoint committees as needed to get the job done.

Am I the only Maine taxpayer who thinks this needs fixing?

I doubt it.

Anne S. Ceplikas, Auburn