He just doesn’t get it. In his letter, Feb. 16, Rep. Will Walcott is proud to support increasing the minimum wage again, for the fifth time in the state of Maine.

He doesn’t understand why businesses are leaving this state. He doesn’t understand that government’s excessive, unfunded mandates, such as the minimum wage increases, negatively affect all Mainers.

He doesn’t understand that all wage increases are eventually passed on to consumers and taxpayers.

He doesn’t understand that the states that have no state minimum wage are enjoying economic prosperity, while those states that try to over-regulate the economy, such as Maine, are losing jobs.

He doesn’t understand that the free-enterprise system can more effectively regulate wages than any state government mandate.

He doesn’t understand the plight of the small businesses of Maine.

He doesn’t understand that many of the minimum wage earners are part-time students, not supporting themselves or families.

He doesn’t understand.

Everyone wants people to have good paying jobs. Government should not mandate that through some law. If it did, why not raise the minimum wage to $10, $15 or $20 per hour and solve all the problems?

We need a healthy, vibrant economy in Maine to solve the wage issue, which means we need less government, not more.

George Mathews, Auburn