After the state Legislature approved the most recent budget cuts, Gov. Paul LePage commented that the cuts were aimed at people who “take but never give.”

Who are these “takers”? The elderly who worked all their lives and who can no longer work.

They gave plenty in their lifetime, and deserve whatever help they get now. Most of them struggle to make ends come near to meeting, yet this budget will have them paying $6,000 per year eventually for their own medications.

Hospitals and medical centers who treat people with no insurance or other financial means would receive less help from the state, which means they also would lose the matching federal funds.

When people seek medical help, it’s too late to change their financial situation.

And Headstart will lose funds. Preschoolers are likely to be “takers” financially.

Can’t argue with the governor there.

The point is to balance the budget, yet the budget costs the state through loss of revenue from tax breaks to businesses.

And since job losses are a direct results of budget cuts, we have lost income tax and sales tax there.

I would say to the Legislature, get off the couch, stop kicking the most vulnerable in our society down the stairs, and raise some revenue.

Doris McNally

Leeds

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