Dear Editor:

Most readers do a “fly-by” when it comes to reading about Maine’s economy. After all, it is winter when many are collecting unemployment or rely on extra jobs to get through. Spring always brings seasonal hiring and a chance to make it through the next winter.

Politicians claim they know how to create jobs in the winter, or how to give millions to big paper mills who leave the state anyway. In the past four or five days, the newspapers have been overflowing with articles on what is needed to get the economy going. The really strange thing is how these articles actually conflict with how to improve the economy.

Article one speaks to the lower unemployment rate — thought to be good. It turns out that it was not good because it meant labor was leaving the state. In fact, “Economists have been warning that the state’s shrinking unemployment rate masks a deeper problem: a long-term decline in the number of available workers.” Perhaps unaware of these facts the governor blames energy costs for loss of paper mill jobs — even though our energy costs are the lowest in New England states and the mill had been using less expensive natural gas. The large blast of negative news came from Brig. Gen. Douglas Farnham, Maine National Guard, whose long list of negative economic impacts included, “Seventy percent of 17- to 24-year-olds in Maine are ineligible for military service because of inadequate education, police records, drug use, inability to meet physical standards and obesity.” The last article proposed a review board for large contracts to better help grow jobs — useful, but without adequate labor or diverse industries, it is not high on my list.

Why would a company want to invest in Maine when we do not invest in ourselves? Why would a company want to invest in Maine when we discourage new industries like solar? It is well known that diverse industries create healthy competition, unique partnerships and innovation. High functioning states invest in education and make sure adequate food and healthcare is provided to their growing child population. Their breadth of higher education facilities attract more into their state than those who move out of the state. These are the essential gears for a healthy economy.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb