People should think hard before voting for Chandler Woodcock for governor. Do we want a George Bush “mini-me” running our state? Please think about the following:

The Bush White House has continually deferred to the Christian Right on issues such as stem-cell research, gay marriage, the pseudo-scientific ideas of creationism and intelligent design, as well as reproductive health and over-the-counter emergency contraception. Woodcock is anti-abortion, opposed to the state anti-discrimination law and favors creationism and intelligent design in public schools.

Bush allowed the press to disclose his belief that God ordained him to lead the country. Woodcock is endorsed by associates of a group that wishes to weld religion to government, the Maine Jeremiah Project. Clearly these things run counter to the idea of separation of church and state. Haven’t radical Islamics shown us the flaws of religious government?

Republicans at the national level seem pro-business, pro-wealthy and pro-heterosexual white Christian; evident in their policies regarding tax cuts, the minimum wage and gay marriage. Can the apple fall far from the tree?

In Augusta, we have Republican legislators selling ideas such as minimum-wage welfare moms making $50,000 a year or that Gov. Baldacci is responsible for illegal aliens rather than business owners who give them jobs.

Mainers have never bought it, which is why we don’t discriminate and don’t pay $5.15 per hour.

Please, take a look at our country, then decide for our state.

Michael Johnson, Windham