Since this year is almost over, let’s take a humorous look at where Maine stands.
The Democratic Party finally realizes it has been going in the wrong direction and gives tax relief to the citizens and businesses of Maine. LD1 directs that Mainers receive property tax relief through the Homestead Act and the Circuit Breaker Program. Property owners in Auburn and Raymond are astonished at proposed increases in property taxes and wonder where the relief went. Businesses are also ecstatic that the reimbursement rate on taxes of their equipment has been reduced causing them to be so overcome with joy that they build the East-West highway and flee.
Maine receives the dubious honor of being ranked No. 1 in states that corporations must escape in order to survive. Perhaps the best example is Poland Spring, which wants to expand in Maine instead of leaving. Environmentalists join together to force a tax on the company while excluding others, including themselves. Maine state law states all of us must be taxed equally so why don’t we have a tax on water when we flush our toilets and please don’t tell the governor.
Our state government prides itself on the Maine economy and gloats how wonderful it is to live here in prosperity. Leading economic figures include the increased growth in the number of citizens on food stamps, an unbelievable number of citizens on welfare and the fact that Mainers rank eighth on the list for health because of such state programs like Dirigo Choice and Medicaid. Isn’t it great that the increased growth in the amount of citizens receiving food stamps is an economic indicator in Maine? Does that make ANY sense?
The governor’s trip to Cuba, a Socialist state that he must be trying to copy, has the potential to increase Maine’s influence around the entire Western hemisphere. He shows Castro how to implement a one dollar tax on each cigar exported from Cuba and convinces him when maple syrup is fermented the taste is much better than rum. Castro immediately institutes a 7 percent surcharge on the fledgling Cuban tourist industry while adding a 750 peso tax on all houses with two or more toilets.
Our governor responds by raising multiple fees in Maine by nearly $1 billion and leases the Maine Turnpike to Cuba for a case of cigars and a bottle of rum.
In Windham, the fight over power as to who is in charge continues with a Planning Board member slamming the Town Council. The Town Council replies that the town manager’s office does not have a stormwater runoff plan and must be closed, thus forcing the various community boards to meet at Joe’s Bar and Grill at taxpayers’ expense. Hey, get us another beer, Joe!
“A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them.” P.J. O’Rourke
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