Dear Editor:

Prior to a recent news article where a senator referred to a large majority of his customers as anti-business, I was unaware that in Maine I was supposed to only buy products from a Democrat owner if I was a Democrat, and only from a Green party owner, etc., but never was I suppose to buy a product from a GOP business owner, unless I was a Republican. Wow! Clearly I missed the clue for Maine culture.

A fair number of this senator's customers come from different political perspectives and are now on this senator's negative name list. Will everyone need to find a new furniture store with a non-political owner? Can we find a business owner who knows a good economy supports everyone and fluidity in the economy requires less inequality?

Inferring business is suffering seems to ignore good news in 19 increased minimum wage states. In business classes, including post graduate MBA courses, it is clear that new products gain rapid growth and profits until their revenues run flat lines before replaced by other generations of products.

Business plans of major corporations are 10-30-50 years out to be prepared for the next wave. Business closes or down-sizes to stay alive during predicted gaps of new products — not because of weather.

I have not met anyone claiming to be anti-business. Many see workers are underpaid for their work performance. Public financial reports show CEOS once earning twice the average employee pay now earn 350 or more times average employee pay. Reportedly more public taxes are coming off low income workers while management taxes are reduced — increasing inequality gaps.

Calling customers anti-business is also calling workers anti-business. “America First” is the same as "Me First" and everyone else falls down without appreciation or representation. A business owner who paints anyone “anti-business" unwisely sends the message only his business matters.

My former senator worked with all of his constituents without regard to party. He represented all constituents. I hope as time goes by, we can leave the name calling business out and spend more time resolving real problems together.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb