Well, that didn’t take long. At the first opportunity to flex his obstructionist muscles, political gadfly and newly minted Sen. Eric Brakey kicked sand into the gears of a very popular proposal which would have helped thousands of Maine citizens deal with the highest heating oil prices in our history.

The proposal had overwhelming support, so the question is, “why would he do that?” And the answer is, I suppose, “because he could.”

The allure of self-promotion was far greater than the common good, and for a person who is constantly looking to be elected to a higher office, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

I have to wonder how many voters who cast their ballot for him — and desperately need the relief that the heating bill would have provided — are feeling a bit chagrined at their choice.

Ken Gordon, Auburn