Some of my friends who are quite discouraged about much of what is going on in our country ask me “What are you thinking in trying to stand up to a multi-billion-dollar corporation, General Dynamics and its subsidiary, Bath Iron Works? How could you possibly make any difference in questioning their most recent request for another tax break from the City of Bath? They have all the power! You are just one part of a small group of citizens in Bath. Look at the direction that our country is going in. The major corporations and a few very rich individuals are running the show.”

I tell them we do have the power. Are we willing to just resign ourselves to the status quo? Are we happy with the inequality in this country, in our town? Are we going to cover our eyes and ears and not pay attention? This is a local issue. We are dealing with a local business and our local City Council. We are asking for clarification, transparency and understanding of the issue of BIW and TIFs. I stand for equality. The inequality of power that keeps occurring in our country is very destructive to democracy. Locally, we have a say. We can understand this controversial issue and then we, as informed citizens, can make informed decisions. We can give feedback to our City Council, which ultimately makes the decision on these tax breaks.

Please attend the Nov. 13 public forum on BIW’s request for tax breaks.

Susan Lubner
Bath

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