A few facts

In response to a letter to the editor Oct. 11 headlined, “Limits to Democracy,” I feel some fact checks are needed concerning the issue of term limitations.

Fact 1: In last year’s elections those incumbents who sought re-election outspent challengers by an average of 6-1. Most of these funds came from special interest, not constituents and more than 80 percent of these funds went to incumbents.

Fact 2: In those states which now have term limits on elected state positions, an average of only 60 percent of special-interest funds went to incumbents, reducing the influence of special interest.

Fact 3: Polls have shown that members of the Republican Party as well as the Democratic Party support this measure. This is not a partisan issue, but the Democratic leadership that we currently have in Augusta would like you to think it is a partisan issue. They are wrong and they know it.

I am a Democrat, but I, like many others, am sick and tired of self-serving politicians in Augusta who attempt to play the partisan card every time an issue starts to go against them. Augusta is locked into petty partisan bickering and is only functional during election years.

Between now and November, Maine voters will be barraged with facts, half-truths, distortions and maybe outright un-truths. I urge all voters to take the time to consider all this and to consider the source of this information.

If you are satisfied with the current system, then vote “no,” but if not, then vote “yes.”

I believe it is that simple. Anthony R. Worster Orono