Jonathan McKane of Newcastle, ex-Republican state representative doesn’t like citizen initiatives (”Referendum questions put new laws on a dangerous fast track,” Sept. 28). That in keep with his party’s motto, which is to “just say no” to any legislation that would benefit people.

He doesn’t like the idea that when the Legislature doesn’t respond to the needs of the people, citizen initiatives can overturn Republicans’ legislative policy of just saying no. On the ballot this election year are five ballot questions that are of great importance to the people of Maine, and McKane would just say no to all despite the fact that in some cases more than 60,000 citizens signed the petition to put the question on the ballot.

We have a hugely unpopular governor who shames the state with every crude comment one can imagine. He may never have won an election as governor had we required that a candidate must win by a majority vote of the people. But Republican McKane would oppose that, despite the fact that for more than 10 years attempts to rid ourselves of the plurality vote system continues to allow canidates to take office with as little as 38 percent approval of the people.

More than half the voters in Maine have rejected Paul LePage for governor in both elections and that sort of undemocratic policy can end by a yes vote for ranked-choice voting, Question 5 on the ballot.

Jim Chiddix

Waterville

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