In these difficult times when all should be working cooperatively to respond to the heavy burdens placed on us at the local, state, national and world levels, we are upset by the waves of criticism directed to Gov. John McKernan. We know he is doing the best he can to get Maine out of a financial mess that has a long history and a longer list of politicians responsible for it.

Why have Maine Democrats cemented so strongly their majority in the Legislature and why did they come so close to regaining the governor’s office? I’ll tell you. It’s because over the years Democratic politicians have shamelessly catered to the selfish whims of every major pressure group, every powerful lobby in Maine — MTA, AFL-CIO, and many others — in return for their votes and support.

Maine’s citizenry at large — everyday hardworking men and women who cannot take time from their work to go to legislative hearings — do not have money to finance an army of well-fed, well-dressed, smooth-talking lobbyists continuously at work in the motels, cocktail lounges and back rooms of Augusta, cajoling, politely threatening, twisting arms, reminding legislators of past support, promising future support only if votes are made the “right way.” Maine citizens at large are badly underrepresented in Augusta.

Get on with your job, legislators. Work for all of us. Our patience grows thinner every day. We have waited long enough! Betty Pitts Stonington