In the year 2011 a virus was introduced into the Maine state government. The first victim to be contaminated was the Department of Labor.

After a round of controversy, the virus went into hiding, attacking only small agencies and individuals. In 2014, the virus reappeared with very intense hostility to Maine state legislators and individuals.

It is time that our legislators — Republicans, Democrats and Independents — work together to remove this virus, or find a way to have control of it.

I’m a Republican, and I prefer removal.

Linwood Butterfield

Augusta