I have lived in Maine all my life. I realize Gov. Paul LePage was elected for his savvy fiscal management and that he inherited a massive debt from former Gov. John Baldacci’s policies.

But it seems that he is proposing a sort of slash and burn policy toward the problems at the Department of Health and Human Services rather than attempting to address the waste and fraud that is endemic to it.

No, it’s not easy to identify, but that is where the true problem lies.

Also, thousands of Mainers work for the state, and the perception is “Once you get a state job, you’re in like Flynn.” Perhaps salaries and benefits should be more commensurate with the jobs and skills required for them.

All I am saying is, one has to balance the harsh truth with heart and, from what I know of LePage’s life story, he no doubt has a large one.

Tom Ouellette, Smithfield