At a coffee shop the other day, I listened to a group of patrons voicing their opinions on taxes and welfare abuse. No one had a logical solution.

Why not have elected officials spend more time in their neighborhoods and less time in Augusta? That way, they would have a better grip on those who abuse welfare benefits from their constituents. Politicians are always going door-to-door when votes are needed. Meanwhile, the high taxes are paying for the culprits.

As for the proposal to raise the sales tax another one percent and doing away with the state income tax — everyone benefits. We educate our kids and then they move out of state where the cost of living is lower.

Too much government plus incompetence in Augusta is working against the people, so I suggest people voice their opinions to their elected officials, face to face.

Joe Voisine, North Monmouth