State government carefully divides its time between restricting economic activity and demanding more from it, to the detriment of its citizens and future vitality. Despite its inability to provide for transportation infrastructure or even to define and manage state residency requirements, our government seems to have plenty of time and resources to impede the management of private enterprise.

Witness the central planning approach to Plum Creek’s development – arguably the most thoughtful and inclusive private land use proposal seen in most any state – yet it is not good enough for perfectionist bureaucrats and “I got mine” constituents. Witness the central planning (or sellout to organized labor interests?) approach to the proposed Verizon sale to FairPoint. A myriad of other examples could be cited. It is pathetic, but we have only ourselves to blame.

Tony Jenkins

Dover-Foxcroft