I have been reading the letters over the last month and find it intriguing the number of people who oppose President Bush’s tax cut proposal. I am further intrigued by the people against it because it does not do enough for these individual predicaments in life.

Are they aware that Maine has the highest tax burden per capita in the country? Are they aware that the people elected are proposing $40 million to $80 million in new taxes this year alone? People who act like the federal government has to do more for them, while their own state government is the equivalent of “a bully taking your lunch money,” are shortsighted.

Maine does not have to be No. 1 in taxes. The people elected make it that way. We could reorganize, consolidate, privatize or just do away with costly and ineffective programs. However, the politicians find it easier to raise taxes instead of actually working to lower the burden of all Maine citizens. They gave us a break on snack taxes while raising others, giving us a dime and taking a dollar, and all of this is OK so long as Bush offers a tax break more suitable to their way of thinking.

Charles Rogers

Carmel