The Economist is a preeminent British news magazine with a highly regarded global reputation. In reading my most recent issue, I was dismayed to note an article titled, “Politics in Maine: Easy on the Tea, Trouble with the Governor.”

This article succinctly profiles Mr. LePage’s propensity for vulgar and inarticulate public statements, his dictatorial management style, his dismissal of science with regard to public health and the environment, his unilateral censorship of public art, and the fact that legislators possessing ethical backbones within his own party are beginning to publicly distance themselves from him and his administration.

Mr. LePage’s behavior, and the notice thereof, is a sad and unnecessary embarrassment for Maine’s citizens. It also serves to undermine Maine’s reputation as a welcoming, fair-minded and tolerant place to live and work.

This is a great disservice to those who both voted for Mr. LePage — and, as The Economist notes, the majority who voted otherwise. Most significant, however, is the disruptive impact on the functions and effectiveness of Maine governance.

Mr. LePage seems to believe that this is all quite amusing and inconsequential, but the citizens of Maine know and deserve better.

At this point we also deserve a public apology from Mr. LePage for discrediting and misrepresenting our fine state, along with a pledge from him that he intends to dedicate himself to personal conduct within the standards of dignity, respectfulness and professionalism befitting the high office that he undeservingly holds.

I for one will be unable to link Mr. LePage’s name with his official title until he does so.

Mr. LePage has a long course to row if he ever hopes to earn the trust and respect of Maine citizens. If he is, as he appears to be, incapable of the challenge, then he should step aside for the sake of Maine and its future.

Neal Guyer

Thomaston

In a court of law, jurors are instructed not to deliver a verdict until all the evidence has been presented to them for deliberation.

In my life, I have made terrible mistakes because I did not consider all of the facts, and I’m sure that’s the case for most people. Most of us, if we are in serious debt, don’t want to hear about it, much less deal with it honestly. We would prefer leaving it alone and hoping that in time it will just go away, but that rarely happens!

Well, sorry to say, that is the present situation of Maine’s financial problems — and those who are directly affected by the problem do not want to address it.

But any worthwhile financial adviser would be the first to say, “You must stop the spending (stop the bleeding, really) and then go to work on the debt!”

Well, isn’t this the same situation the state of Maine is in at the moment? We are still digging the debt hole, so what should we do now? Simple, stop the digging!

Sure, that means we all will have to suffer some, but for the sake of our children’s future, we have no alternative — if we really care about them.

So I strongly suggest that those most readily affected by this financial shortfall face the music and listen to those who, like Gov. LePage, only want in the end to make life much better for all of Maine.

If we don’t come to our senses and help solve the debt problem, through the governor’s wise direction, then we all will lose.

Gene Graves

Rockport

Huh? What am I missing here? Gov. LePage says he can’t get his extreme agenda passed because Democrats are saying no. Republicans control both the House and the Senate.

They do not need a single Democratic vote to pass anything. As a Democrat, I am grateful that we have some sensible and responsible Republicans in the Legislature who help keep the governor in check.

Pam Fenrich

Falmouth

Gov. LePage’s budget contains more than $57 million in subsidies, incentives and venture capital for Maine business. These budget expenses do not inform consumers and do not benefit the majority of taxpayers.

The Legislature should establish an independent, non-governmental Maine Bank for Economic Promotion and a Maine Bank for Venture Capital. These banks should be capitalized by an initial public offering for Maine investors, backstopped by a state bond issue of up to $100 million.

When a resident or business submits a business plan to these banks, it competes with other proposals for funding. No political manipulation allowed.

Once a business plan is approved for funding, both banks should use Maine-based “crowdfunding” in the first instance, to bundle small deposits to fund grants, capitalize loans and mortgages, and buy corporate bonds and stock.

“Crowdfunding” is the use of social media such as Internet sites, Facebook, Twitter and point-of- purchase information to inform Maine residents of the financial needs of producers and manufacturers and bundle small deposits — even $1 — into large funds.

Deposits to provide grants should be considered tax-deductible donations for the benefit of Maine communities.

These grant programs might fund a business to provide safe and comfortable housing for families of migrant workers employed to harvest apples, blueberries, potatoes, etc.

All deposits to capitalize interest- or dividend-producing financial instruments would not be tax deductible. The two banks could earn additional capital by issuing credit cards.

Credit card users thus would be the source of additional capital to the bank every time they use their card. Interest and dividends earned through this form of capital can be attributed to individual cardholders who then earn proportionate annual income.

Maine needs a 21st century budget.

Dr. Brian M. Marcotte

Falmouth

I have been reading with interest and concern the supportive letters for Gov. LePage’s appalling rudeness and insensitivity. I am left to wonder if it is now considered all right for a person in a Maine household to tell another one to kiss his butt if he or she is asked to go out and get the paper.

Or if when a member of a Maine household brings home an object that he or she likes, is it another member’s right to put it in the closet?

What about respect for each other? What about a peaceful household where everyone’s view is valued and included?

I am a fifth-generation Mainer. I have always been proud of my association with this state. Now when I travel, I find myself trying to explain what is happening here, and I can’t. We are infamous on the West Coast as well as the East.

The governor is seen as dictatorial, out of control, lacking in common sense and basic good manners. I have already heard about prospective summer tourists who have changed their plans. How humiliating for all of us.

Ann Staples Waldron

Southwest Harbor

Interesting how many on the left in Maine are criticizing Gov. LePage for his recent vacation. The Press Herald’s Bill Nemitz recently wrote another full column on how Gov. LePage was enjoying mai-tais while Maine was in the midst of a major “mural crisis.”

Funny, where were these same critics when President Obama recently played his 61st round of golf since taking office in 2009? As a golf professional, I haven’t played 61 rounds in the same time period, and that’s part of my job.

That’s over two months dedicated to golf since taking office, and very little mentioned about it. I think it’s safe to say there are more important things to tend to than golf right now.

I hope Gov. LePage had an amazing vacation.

Nick Glicos

PGA Director of Golf/Co-Owner, Martindale Country Club

Auburn

 

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