Gov. Angus King’s State of the State message left me with the knowledge that he does not realize what he said in reference to the proposed rollback of the sales tax. He said: “That promise [made by the legislators who raised the tax] is a strong argument. … Restoring confidence in government is one of my major goals, but we made another promise as well … to be smart about people’s money, to run this place like a business.”

Let me inform our governor that running a successful business does not entail making and then continually breaking promises. It is no wonder most are skeptical when we are given the party line that this is just a temporary tax. Do you remember the snack tax? Do you remember before 1970 there was no state income tax? How many new and expanded programs have been created and funded with that cash cow? We know the Legislature’s unquenchable thirst for funds and new programs can never be satisfied. Try out a new motto for our state: “Less is more.” Less government, more like a real thriving business that places its customers (citizens) first and foremost.

When a business is run using bait-and-switch tactics like the Legislature does with King’s approval, then that business usually fails. Its customers flee. We, the residents of Maine, hopefully will not flee, but we can and will replace legislators and governors who continue to abuse the trust we place in them.

In business, we vote at the cash register. In government, we vote at the polls Cary F. Butterfield Brewer