“Deja vu is the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time.”  Remembrance is recalling a person or event. The two elicit similar feelings.  

When we hear the state is asking voters to approve issuing bonds, as you advocated in an Aug. 23 editorial, the feeling is not deja vu; it’s remembrance. It’s happened before. It’s similar to the rerun of an old movie. We’re familiar with the plot, know the ending and shouldn’t be surprised. The difference should be you, the viewer; older and more experienced, you should see it with an acquired sophistication.  The story ending, for those that have forgotten, is that spending and taxes will increase, and not for the last time. 

This is the story line: The state urgently requires additional monies, more than already collected from income taxes, sales taxes (recently increased) and innumerable other taxes called by other names. It’s always for noble purposes, for roads, for bridges, and for higher education. This spending, if approved, will increase jobs and improve the economy. 

For us to enjoy the story, we have to suspend our disbelief and forget that the legislature could, and should, have approved road and bridge repair before their bottoms first touched their legislative seats. And, not everyone will notice, but whenever one college campus needs money, every campus needs money. Whenever jackals devour a carcass, they all participate, without first asking themselves if they are hungry.

We should disapprove the bonds and continue to vote no until legislators are the ones experiencing deja vu.

Richard Sabine is a resident of Lewiston.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.