It seems odd that 2nd District Congressman Mike Michaud should try to blame NAFTA and foreign imports for the economic troubles in northern Maine. There is no doubt these have had an impact, but it seems he has forgotten that he served in the Legislature and that he and his Democratic cohorts have made Maine one of the highest-taxed states in the country.

We have some of the highest energy costs, and thanks to our people in Augusta the taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will increase every year without a vote. We have one of the highest number of legislators per capita than most states. Now we find out the state business taxes are heavy. What a surprise.

Maine has a reputation of being an unfriendly place to do business. Our state government is so large that we lose millions of dollars and then blame it on an accounting error. Excise taxes on trucks and vehicles are outrageous. Property taxes are too high. Raise taxes and promise to pay 55 percent of education costs. What a joke that turned out to be. So, maybe Michaud had better look in the mirror before putting the blame on our economic woes elsewhere.

James T. Cressey

Lincoln