Editor,
It came to my attention this past week that our representatives in Congress, Mr. Allen and Mr. Michaud, both cast votes against eliminating or at least reducing the so-called “death tax.”
This is an exorbitant levy placed on property and possessions passed on to relatives after one’s demise. President Bush initiated a phased reduction to elimination by 2010 of this onerous tax, but Congress is awfully remiss to make this permanent.
What our representatives have failed to grasp, and in doing so, have failed us, is that we are over-taxed in this state, and their mission is to reduce our taxes, not spend our money. Provide for our safety, yes. That is a Constitutional directive.
However, I submit to the reader that it is not a Constitutional directive for Congress to find ways to spend OUR money. The welfare of the citizenry is NOT social programs and handouts. Rather it is what is right for the majority of the citizenry of these United States. What is right is for the federal level of government to leave the social programs to the states to administer as they so choose. Can you imagine the reduction in federal spending were this to be the case today?
Back to the voting records of our representatives. Given that they do not listen to the cries of their constituencies – that’s me and you – I say it is past time to remove these gentlemen from office and put in their place someone who WILL listen.
In District 1, that person would be Darlene Curley. Did you notice her at the polls for the primaries even though she was unopposed? She WANTS to listen to us. Having met her and talked with her recently, I find she is fully engaged in wanting to represent the interests of Maine in the Congress. This is totally contrary to what we are seeing today from Mr. Allen.
My letters to him and responses from him prove he is disengaged from the real concerns of Maine people. It is time for a change. That change is Darlene Curley.
Gregory Swift
Casco
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