A LOUD SQUEAK

I can’t keep my mouth shut. I WON’T keep my mouth shut.

Thank you, Mr. Tapley, ("Who pays for the tax cuts?" Jan. 28) for telling it like it is. Maine’s property-tax relief package is a perfect example of "greasing the squeaky wheel." We live in a democracy. The majority rules (the squeakiest wheel gets greased). I can accept that.

What I cannot accept is what has become, across the board, an economic climate where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Do tax cuts for corporations translate into better-paying jobs? I have yet to see that happen in Maine. I cannot accept the abuse and exploitation of those "less fortunate" in our society. As a low-income, part-time wage earner I become enraged when a middle-income individual cries "poverty." Most people don’t even know what poverty is. Most property owners don’t know what it means to have to make a choice between food or medicine on a daily basis.

The message from our society (government) is: "You are a child or disabled — you are unable to contribute to the GNP (Gross National Product); therefore you are not worth as much as a full-time working adult." This underlying message contributes to the oppression of children and the disabled.

What will happen to Maine’s less-fortunate children? We already know that DHS and the foster-care system is in crisis.

As a society we need to get it that, in a spiritual sense, we are all one. We ARE our "brother’s keeper." We all need to take responsibility. If you see someone getting mugged on the street, will you walk away? Or will you help? Or will you cry poverty?

We will all pay for the tax cuts, eventually. There will be more crime, more homelessness, the sick will get sicker and children will become tomorrow’s delinquents. I will not walk away from injustice. I need my squeak to be heard. Thank you.

Arin Quintel

Portland