Eight years of [LePage’s] foul-mouthed bullying was way more than enough for me”
“I think it is unfortunate that Maine Republicans could not come up with a more reasonable and respectable candidate for governor”
Paul LePage has had a rough few weeks. First, Maine papers called him out for blatant lies about voter fraud. Then, members of his own party reprimanded him for his lies, and contradicted his unfair smears of Governor Mills’ economic record. Now, Maine voters are making clear that a third LePage term is the last thing they want.
This week, in papers across the state, letter writers have decried LePage for his lies, his attacks on Maine people and their health care, and his failed economic record.
Jean Keefe from Greene in the Lewiston Sun Journal: “The last time around, LePage waged a relentless war on food stamps. This time he is already signaling that it will be war on health care recipients. … After we overwhelmingly voted to expand Medicaid, LePage refused to implement it. He didn’t listen to voters then, and he wouldn’t this time either. If anyone opposed him in any way, they were considered either crazy or a criminal. I don’t believe LePage has changed for the better, and eight years of his foul-mouthed bullying was way more than enough for me.”
Betty Hanscom from Cape Elizabeth in the Portland Press Herald: “Former Gov. Paul LePage, who is looking to serve another term, wants to eliminate the Maine State personal income tax, the fairest form of taxation. …As governor, he changed the Maine State personal income tax code, and in doing so, reduced income tax allocations to municipalities. …That policy caused some, especially in coastal areas where property taxes skyrocketed, to have to move because they couldn’t afford the increase in their property taxes. If the Maine income tax is eliminated, as LePage would like, sales and property taxes will most likely rise, making living expenses greater for low and middle-income folks.”
David Mahoney from Greenville in the Bangor Daily News: “It is sad, but not surprising, that Paul LePage has used the dark-side Republican ploy of claiming voter fraud before an election that has yet to take place. No real past proof has been offered. …If this tactic is to continue, all elections will become questionable, so all losers can deny their loss on the grounds of voter fraud, thus undermining and eventually destroying the system. … I think it is unfortunate that Maine Republicans could not come up with a more reasonable and respectable candidate for governor, one who will not contribute to the destruction of our system with his baseless claims, not to mention his past outrageous statements and behaviors.”
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