It is frustrating to watch the lack of productivity in Washington, D.C. This is because the Legislature is filled with career politicians who need to go home (Ted Kennedy is an excellent example).

Contrary to popular belief, it is not hard work to be a legislator and you shouldn’t have to be rich to be one. Overall, they spend little time actually working and have large staffs to do their work. These politicians have no understanding of what America is really all about. Many voters simply vote for incumbents because they recognize the name on the ballot and have no idea what the legislator’s record is.

You have to give Gov. Baldacci credit for adhering to his self-imposed term limit while in Washington. It is a shame he hasn’t set a self-imposed term limit of one term as our governor. He hasn’t improved the outlook for Maine’s future and has only sunk us farther into insurmountable debt.

He continues to feed the entitlement to force businesses to leave Maine (we are now No. 1 in the United States for taxes). His election was a mistake that we must correct in the next election.

You can’t forget the senators from Maine; they both won on the Republican ticket while their voting records clearly show that they are liberal Democrats. If they want to continue to be senators, they should at least do so honestly and run with their party. A true Republican should be allowed on the ballot.

It is time for new blood in Washington and that will only happen if we set term limits and when voters become more responsible and educated with their vote.

Alice Herrick

Blue Hill