Obligatory union fees play into Democrats' hands

Friday, May 6, 2005

Gov. John E. Baldacci has set a very dangerous precedent in allowing the Maine State Employees Association to collect fees from union nonmembers at the state level.

What he has done is allow the Democratic party to get the upper hand in Maine politics. More money will go into the political action committee for Democratic candidates. He has cleared the way from what I thought was a party of choice to a party that allows no choice.

By doing what he has done, he has compromised the political process. Now all state jobs will have political ramifications. If you don't pay the union its cut, you are out of luck for a job whether you are the best candidate or not.

This seems to fall in line with some of the political tactics used by his Aroostook County cronies. Term limits were put in place because of this type of tactics. We still have the right to choose the next governor, a point I think that has been forgotten.

Scott Eldridge

Winthrop

Scottgolf1@aol.com