In response to Donald Chalmers’ letter published May 28, I have, in fact, signed a pledge to never vote to raise taxes on Maine and America’s hard-working people.

Simply put, we have a spending problem in Washington, not a revenue problem, and our economy and America’s strength as a nation are in jeopardy.

What we must first do is address our nation’s staggering $16 trillion federal deficit by reducing government spending. As a father of three, it is unconscionable to me that we are poised to leave future generations with that level of debt. Raising taxes, government bail-outs and stimulus packages are the wrong approaches. We must get spending under control.

We must also pass a balanced budget amendment. Maine and all American families cannot spend what they do not have, and our federal government should be held to the same standard.

Raising taxes would place additional burdens on American families who are already struggling to make ends meet, put food on the table, save for their children’s college education and perhaps even save a little for retirement.

Additionally, we must repeal Obamacare, the largest federal program of our time. Projected costs for this job-killing program are now double what they were originally projected to be. Maine cannot afford it, and America cannot afford it.

Our great nation is on a path of trying to tax and spend our way to prosperity. I disagree with this approach. More government spending, more government regulations and higher taxes on America’s already struggling families are not the answer.

Instead, I believe we must get government out of the way.

Charlie Summers

Republican U.S. Senate candidate

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