Concerning the “benefits for domestic partners” story (BDN, March 10-11), we wonder what finance commissioner Janet Waldron was thinking when she didn’t feel obligated to inform lawmakers about a major change of policy affecting my already overtaxed Maine pocket? She attempts to gloss over her social engineering by policy. Issues affecting public financing should always be dealt with in the light of the same day and not after the fact.

Providing health benefits to “significant others” is a wonderfully politically correct thing to do. However, contrary to her mistaken assumption, this subtle attack on the institution of marriage is quite controversial and disturbing. Placing cohabitation on an equal footing with marriage demeans this esteemed civil and religious convention. Marriage is, has been, and should remain the time-honored contract legally establishing a domestic partnership. Though antiquated to some the traditional family proves itself to be our world’s societal cornerstone.

Mike and Barbara Flagg

Winterport