Re: the recent letter written by Joseph R. Bartek of Bangor coming to the defense of Sen. John Baldacci’s desire to tax the Knights of Columbus, Masons, veterans groups, the Daughters of Isabella, the Jewish Women’s League, and others, and taking away their tax-exempt status.

Bartek makes it sound like 50 percent of the taxes should be paid by these tax-exempt organizations. Doesn’t he realize that the vast majority of men’s and lady’s tax-exempt groups are made up of people who are already paying property tax? That is just another way of getting more property tax out of the same people.

Make no mistake about it, Sen. Baldacci has gotten himself involved in a no-win situation, and as such should ask for forgiveness from these tax-exempt organizations and retire at the end of his current term. Ernest Gallant, chairman National Independent Party Committee