I am writing after receiving the latest copy of the Department of Marine Resources newsletter. Tucked neatly in the bottom of page 3, a caption reads: “Trap tag increase in 2004.”

When the idea of a trap tag system was devised (or basically copied from Canada, which, by the way, is a socialist society), fishermen objected, saying it would lead to a trap tax. State lawmakers and the Maine Department of Marine Resources assured us it was merely a tool to realistically enforce a trap limit, and costs would only be those that are associated with production and delivery of said tags, which, in an unrelated matter, are produced in New York.

The fact that the Maine Legislature cannot get enough money from the General Fund to help every person in this state is not the fault of Maine lobster fishermen. We should not be hit with a 50 percent trap tag tax. The only thing this increase will really accomplish is a new perimeter for future increase when state government needs to create more “critical” positions to sustain our lobster fishery.

It’s time state government stops the spiral of spending. It would be great if we could make everything fair and good for everyone. However, the fact is in this pursuit Maine workers are going to be taxed out of existence, and many Maine people are still going to have problems.

Joe McDonald

Jonesport