Doomsday gets closer for the state and it’s not a Chicken Little story. A few years ago it was predicted that Maine could be the first-ever state to fall into bankruptcy; California has recently escaped that financial tar pit, but apparently is still shivering in its money-strapped boots. It’s a race. Maine has been as close to financial ruin (bankruptcy) as a state could be, yet there’s no move afoot in Augusta to stop the wild spending, which is, of course, the root of all its evil.

Because of this drunken-sailor spending, Maine continues to hit businesses with new fees and taxes in order to attempt to balance the budget.

I reckon the voters can take some blame, too. Year after year, Mainers vote “yes” for most of the expensive bond issues. University of Maine continues to ask for millions for erecting new buildings. The Department of Transportation asks for new roads. Voters inevitably respond with a “yes” because the bond issues are worded by these Augusta inept big-spenders in such a way that gives the impression that if the bond issues are voted down, the state of Maine will suffer intolerably. Actually, the reverse is true.

The state is broke. The solution is to send a loud message to the inept Augusta crew to cease and desist or bankruptcy proceedings will ensue. Maine already has the reputation of being a difficult and expensive state in which to do business. If legislators are told to cease and desist and they don’t respond, then they should be summarily dismissed from jobs poorly done. Maine is in financial trouble. Something has to be done or bankruptcy will be the only solution.

Dick Graves

Presque Isle