Tax Break About Greed

I have been following with concern the request for $60 million from Maine taxpayers by General Dynamics. A surprising number of folks have voiced their concerns about this in what I feel are intelligent and measured responses. I would like to offer another slant on this issue, and that is one of, for want of another word, compassion.

Forty-three thousand children live in poverty in our state, and countless others, aged and ill, struggle to get by financially each day. I have stood at the gate of BIW with those vigiling to raise awareness of the imbalance of spending for weapons versus so many needs in our land. I have always viewed the BIW workers as my brothers and sisters, intelligent, talented and hard working.

I trust that they will be capable of seeing through the fear tactics of job loss, etc. as just that — a scare-tactic used by so many in power in our current society to keep folks from responding as their conscience dictates.

This is about greed and manipulation by General Dynamics. Rejection of this bloated request is about compassion and critical thinking. Let’s hope that the latter sentiments prevail.

Ed McCartan,
Brunswick