Responding to the letter by Mike Leavitt (BDN, June 13), the Republican Party is adamant about not raising taxes, yet they show no responsibility for cutting programs which will hurt more people than any tax.

Many of Maine’s problems stem from the failure of the Republican administration in Washington to fund federally mandated programs.

To eliminate programs which Maine has worked so hard to develop and maintain is not progress but a step backward.

I support Gov. Baldacci’s efforts to put the interests of the people of Maine ahead of partisan politics.

C. Joseph Polyot

Bangor