Lewiston-Auburn voters should not be fooled by the rhetoric from Republicans such as Gov. Paul LePage, Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald and state Senate candidate Patti Gagne, that we cannot afford to provide Mainers basic necessities such as health care or affordable housing.

That deception is rooted in a campaign of fear and scarcity, with echoes of racism and classism. It wrongly pits low and moderate income people against each other, while corporate greed prevails.

In November, people can move forward from that rhetoric and failed policies it has spawned — huge tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy and the rejection of federal dollars to expand MaineCare and create thousands of jobs.

People can vote for candidates who care about all Mainers: Mike Michaud for governor; Nate Libby and John Cleveland for state Senate; Peggy Rotundo, Mike Lajoie, Heidi Brooks, Jared Golden, Wayne Werts, Bettyann Sheats and Gina Melaragno for state representatives.

Jim Lysen, Lewiston