“Vote early and vote often.” -Al Capone

Lane/Tommy: This column is about the five state of Maine ballot questions that voters will decide on Nov. 6 unless they have voted by absentee ballot. Question 1 is a citizen initiative to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County. A “Yes” vote will approve this citizen initiative.

Tommy: I personally believe that voters should approve this citizen initiative. One can see the benefits of the so-called racino in Bangor as far as helping agriculture, harness racing and fairs throughout the state along with the city of Bangor and the state of Maine receiving revenue from that endeavor. Needless to say, it bears close scrutiny by state regulators to ensure that the new racino, if approved by voters, will operate properly.

Lane: Washington County is far from being an example of economic prosperity like York or Cumberland Counties. I have seen what large gambling facilities can do to a city or town but this new racino wouldn’t come close to being something like Foxwoods in Connecticut. It could, however, bring in businesses other than gambling like lodging and restaurants to the area. Seeing no other economic stimulus for Washington County, it makes sense that voters check “Yes” on Question One.

Lane/Tommy: Questions Two, Three and Four are state bond issues. Rather than boring the reader with monotonous in-depth details about each bond issue, we will give a quick overview. Question Two is a bond issue to supposedly stimulate economic development, job creation and research and development grants. Question Three is a bond issue for improvements and additions for the Maine Community College System, Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System along with improvements for such things as museums, historical facilities and libraries. Question Four is a bond issue about investing in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.

Tommy: How many times have we approved bond issues in the past like these and are still waiting for the results promised like increased economic activity and job opportunities? The amount of money might seem like a mole hill today but has all the evidence of being a financial mountain to our children.

Lane: I cannot consciously vote for these three bond issues knowing that they will put financial shackles on our children and grandchildren. As one politician once said, someone in Augusta is lying when they say these bonds are an absolute necessity. After all, shouldn’t they be part of the state budget rather than be voter approved? Turning down these bond issues will let the Legislature know that we are not happy with their public treasury responsibilities which leads into the next state ballot question.

Lane/Tommy: Question Five asks if you favor extending term limits of legislators from four to six terms. First of all, didn’t we set term limits to begin with so we wouldn’t have lifetime politicians in Augusta? Evidently there is a new strain of some type of communicable disorder growing vigorously in Maine’s State House. It is unknown whether this disorder is bacterial, viral or mental but the common symptoms include an over-abundance of self importance and illusions of being indispensable to the citizens of Maine. By trying to lengthen their own terms in office, the legislators apparently enjoy riding their own high horse with an exaggerated belief that they, and only they, are entitled to be in office. If after two (terms), they don’t know what to do, prohibit them from running more than four and send them out the door. We strongly urge all voters to vote no on Question Five.

Lane and Tommy, of Windham, are doing research for a better method of voting which includes a better design for the ballots using invisible ink or a voting machine that can change votes to the candidate who paid the most in bribes (please don’t tell the IRS). The best method developed so far is to lock all the candidates in a room and save taxpayers money by pretending we have a government. Elected officials would be replaced by lifelike mannequins who would always vote no to any spending.