July 8th, 2008 - Bangor Daily News

Republican mindset

In a July 1 BDN article, Lois Bloomer, the chairwoman of the Penobscot County Republicans, stated: "I don't really believe that at this point people are having to choose between food and medicine and housing, and if they are it's because they made poor choices with their mortgages. You can't blame the Republicans."

I think everyone should print that quote and stick it on his or her refrigerator so they're reminded of the Republican mindset when they vote this November. Republicans don't believe there's a problem with their policies but rather the fault lies with the average Mainer who has mismanaged their finances.

Can't afford gas and heating oil? Stagnant wages and nearly 50 million without health insurance? Drug companies overcharging you for prescription drugs? Don't blame Republicans. Remember, it's your fault for making poor choices.

Here's a quick math problem for Ms. Bloomer: How many months does a person who brings home an average paycheck ($25,000 per year) have to work just to heat their home with oil in a year? Averaging 1,000 gallons and today's price of $4.60 per gallon that's a whopping $4,600 annually. That's one-sixth of this person's income, or 2.2 months of work just to heat their home. What's more, they're paying more than $4 a gallon (and rising) for gas to get back and forth to that much-needed job.

Republicans may not want to see it, but people in Maine are choosing between food, medicine and housing. If you don't want to take my word for it, do what I do and ask them, they'll tell you - loudly and clearly.

Jim Martin