Now that some Republican legislators have initiated a petition to use the people’s veto process to put the $447 million borrowing scheme in the just-passed state budget out to referendum, as is required by Maine’s Constitution of bonding more than a million dollars, Gov. Baldacci and fellow Democrats are reacting with the indignant rhetoric of rulers whose absolute authority has been challenged, calling the people’s veto attempt undemocratic and dangerous.

Oh really? What is truly undemocratic, and dangerous precedent, is using a technicality to violate the clear intent of the state Constitution. Do they think the Constitution is merely an obstacle to be gotten around?

I urge everyone concerned about this abuse of power to seek out and sign the people’s veto petition, regardless of your view on the state budget, and return the right to vote to the people. Let’s put the governor on notice that we the people won’t stand for a government that infringes on our constitutional rights.

Kenneth Ryan

Blue Hill