Trash. That’s the only way to describe every election that we have to suffer through. There is no difference between the political signs and what politicians say, it’s all trash. In the past, presidential candidates spent millions of dollars and nowadays they spend billions while promising us how great they can make our lives. I would rather see them spend those countless dollars on helping the needy instead of making ad agencies even more wealthy.

Then there’s the promises which are once made and once forgotten. President Obama promised to cut the federal deficit in half and instead added more than $4 trillion to it.

I hope that the paper mill in East Millinocket is running at full speed and still recycles paper products like political signs that are polluting our eyes all across this country. If not, the Chinese will love what they get to recycle and send back to us, which will hurt the few remaining paper mills that still exist in America. I am surprised that Maine hasn’t added a tax on each sign that candidates erect (hint, hint). I believe it’s Chicago that wants to institute a tax on every bullet sold and God knows what they will think of next. I am willing to bet that Maine will never tax bullets but then again Maine used to have a tax on sardines, which are no longer canned in our state.

Speaking of promises, look at the North Windham sewer project because that’s a perfect example of what I mean. It started out as a project designed to curb pollution from entering the aquifer under North Windham and now is touted as necessary for expanding the commercial area and allowing even denser construction of businesses. I don’t have a problem with that but what I have a problem with is every property owner in Windham subsidizing a large portion of the proposed sewer system. The citizens of Windham were promised a fair and open debate on the benefits and downfalls of the proposal. Instead, we are being bullied by a panel that promised an unbiased overview of the sewer proposal but instead has demonstrated support for the system. It’s obvious that that is normal operating procedure in Windham.

Things even get worse when one realizes that the sewer discussion panel won’t allow anyone against the sewer to sit on the panel. Some opponents have shown several discrepancies about the proposed sewer and even pointed out incorrect figures on the town’s website promoting the sewer. I feel that our town leadership is shoving this project down our throats in the shortest time possible in order for the sewer bond on the ballot to pass. What has happened is the commercial district is being pitted against the residential owners in Windham. What Windham residents need to know is that if the bond passes, a whole lot of money besides the first bond will be spent. That includes hundreds of thousands on studies and even more bonds in the future.

Enough about the sewer because time will tell about the sewer bond and remember three running for the Windham town council are not for the sewer at this time (Waig, Welch and Muir).

I feel that when it comes to elections across this country, some serious changes must be made to the process of electing people to office and even when they are in office. Clean elections laws were supposed to lessen the influence of big money on candidates and instead made a method to get both public and private money. You can bet that those running will disagree but the law allows private money to be spent on campaigns without the support of candidates while political parties can do the same. That’s a fortunate benefit for political parties and nobody else. I also support stricter term limits on elected officials at all levels of government including having only two, four-year terms for U.S. senators and representatives in our nation’s capital.

Lane Hiltunen of Windham hopes many residents vote early but not often.