Dear Editor:

Maine has always been a tough and proud state. Without Maine’s troops in the Civil War, the Union most likely would have been lost. Gettysburg alone has 15 monuments dedicated to our soldiers’ sacrifice and valor, from Captain Hall’s Second Maine Battery at the Chambersburg Pike to the well-known Chamberlin’s Twentieth Maine on Little Round Top. Our 1909 state flag was designed to honor our troops by modeling our flag after other flags used in the Civil War. We were a courageous, proud and ostentatious little state with the motto “I Lead”.

What has happened to Maine? Democrats want the “National Popular Vote” which will make Maine irrelevant in presidential elections. We will simply go along with whatever the big cities in New York, California, and the largest states want. Other people get to cast “my vote”. We want to replace our flag designed to commemorate our people, their sacrifice, and their culture to a cartoonish star and tree.

Maines taxes and electrical costs, both near the highest in the country, and our infamous over regulation in Augusta have crippled our state businesses. Our young people flee Maine to find good jobs. Governor Mills, rather than changing policies to make Maine more competitive for businesses, wants to import 75,000 “New Mainers” to replace our children and grandchildren.

I have attended several of the Lincoln County forums and listened to all of the Lincoln County candidates. I have looked at their voting records, read their press releases and their endorsements. I have seen most of their political ads. I find nothing from Democratic candidates that indicates any desire for a change in direction. If Democrats maintain their control of state government, the next two years promise to be a continuation of the previous six years. Are you better off than six years ago? What have they done for you – your children – your grandchildren? Think carefully folks when you make your vote. It is for our future – vote Republican.

Joe Grant

Wiscasset