Editor,

Mr. Weil’s column published Aug. 31 does a good job describing the impending problem, but his conclusion rings a bit familiar:

“Maine has already shown it can develop into such a center. But the national media reports that it lacks enough young workers to provide care services to the aging population. One obvious answer: immigrants.”

Since Mainers can’t persuade our own young people to stay here to provide care services, we need to import immigrants?

Hmmmm…  Importing workers. From warmer climates.  To “do the jobs that Americans don’t or won’t do.”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Condescending and exploitative, too.

Note that Mr. Weil didn’t mention if these immigrants arrived in the USA legally. Nor did he mention that most of these care services historically provide low wages, limited benefits, and minimal opportunities for advancement and the accumulation of wealth.

Furthermore, the cost of living in Maine may prove to be a challenge for these low wage workers. (Isn’t that why Maine’s young people leave the state?)  Thus, they will require “subsidies” from Maine’s taxpayers — i.e. higher taxes on all Mainers. Or these immigrants will eventually follow our young people south to pursue better-paying jobs (and warmer winters).

If “immigrants” is an “obvious” answer, then another “obvious” answer would be “emigration.” Of Maine’s seniors. To states which readily provide care services to the aging population. Like Florida.

Reductio ad absurdum.

Instead of pursuing unsustainable solutions, Maine should offer our own young workers sufficient wages, financial incentives, or subsidies (merit-based, of course) to stay here in Maine to provide care services. Not everyone can become a “prosperous tech specialist,” but anyone can care for the aging population if they can earn a decent living doing it.

Rufus T. Firefly

Biddeford

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