Financial priorities of those controlling wealth in the United States are not only a shame but internationally embarrassing.

Recent proposals from our governor are a prime example. At the holidays, here we have a follower of Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge learned a lesson, however, will Gov. Paul LePage? Doubtful, but miracles happen. Some third-world countries treat their citizens better.

LePage has just proposed an unprecedented series of cuts to health and assistance programs that would harm hundreds of thousands of Mainers.

The cuts target the elderly, the poor, people with disabilities and children. They undermine anti-poverty efforts and take away health coverage from more than 60,000 people, while denying tens of thousands more who need support. This is typical of regressive proposals from LePage.

State budgets must be balanced, but proposing this as the only way to do it is absurd. Let’s hope Maine voters wake up and kick out LePage, and his followers, as soon as possible.

Robert Mulliken

Monmouth