There's joy in Augusta these days and it will continue for some time now. That's because neither tax reduction issue passed. And that's exactly what our high-spending legislators wanted to see happen. They're free to roam now and to spend till the cows come home. There are no restrictions.

We need to acknowledge that our current crop of legislators is unable to stop spending our money. They simply cannot do it. They have proven this during this past Legislature and many, many previous ones. They plainly are incapable of restraint.

It seems that 60 percent of Maine people were and are disappointed that Maine lost its number one ranking as the highest taxed people in the U.S., and they're trying to get that ranking back. A good way for them to begin this battle was to vote for higher taxes in this referendum, which is what they did. And apparently, as more tax referendums come up they will vote the same way.

They've got another ace up their sleeves as they also voted in the $73 million bond issue. As of June, Maine owed $1.02 billion in actual and authorized tax-supported debt, and $156 million more in bonds authorized by voters, but not yet borrowed upon (including the $73 million just approved). This is not free money. It is borrowed money. This all has to be paid back. In this recession a good way to get that money to continue paying it back is to raise taxes.

Dick Finley

East Vassalboro